Business and Management
Studying a business and management course with The Open University is all about you: where you’re at now, and where you want to be in the future. Starting from your own experience, you’ll develop and extend your knowledge, skills and practice – whether you’re looking for a one-off piece of professional updating or aiming for an award such as a diploma or a business degree.
We now offer foundation degrees in Business or Leadership and Management, and a major new Business Studies certificate. Specialist courses in finance and accounting will set you up with essential skills, or provide a route into the accounting profession – and you can opt to study accounting, economics, French, ICT, law, Spanish or systems practice as part of our innovative and well-respected Business Studies degree.
If you’re new to study our Level 1 business courses are a great place to start, but there are entry routes at higher levels if you’re more experienced. Employers are attracted by the relevance and accessibility of our programmes too – in fact, 75 per cent of the FTSE 100 companies sponsor, or have sponsored OU students. So whether you’re developing your current role or heading for a new career, you’ve come to the right place.
Where to start in Business and Management
If you're fairly confident about studying, then start with Level 1 courses. You'll learn how to study at university level, get a thorough grounding in your chosen area of study and, in addition, you'll become a confident distance learner.
- An introduction to business studies (B120)
- Managing in the workplace (B121)
- Professional communication skills for business studies (LB160)
- Working and learning: developing effective performance at work (BU130)
- You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123)
Worried about your ability? Or the time it will take? If you're a UK resident you can start with one of our Openings courses: short courses with lots of support and no exams, giving you a gradual introduction to your subject and the world of studying.
Don't forget that if you need help considering options you can talk to an adviser. And if you have some previous study experience you may qualify for credit transfer.
Degrees
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Business Studies
An innovative and accessible introduction to the world of business, this degree will enable you to pursue a number of different careers from management consultancy to business journalism. -
Computing with Business
This degree will familiarise you with the business world and give you an understanding of the key concepts of computing. -
Leadership and Management
This degree will provide with you with a good understanding of leadership and management and their impact on organisations, including wider considerations in the external environment. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.
Foundation Degrees
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Business
This degree will suit you if you work in a business organisation and want to boost your career prospects. -
Financial Services
This foundation degree will give you the knowledge, competencies and business skills to develop and progress a career in the financial services industry. -
Leadership and Management
If you’re in a leadership role – or heading that way – and you need a qualification, this degree is for you.
Diplomas
Certificates
Courses in Business and Management
See the list of all our individual courses in Business and Management.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Business and Management.
Spotlight on Business and Management
The Business Studies graduate's tale
‘I wanted to be able to tick the degree box, and say “Yep, I've got one of those.” The OU was the obvious choice: as a freelance computer programmer I couldn’t study full time. Business Studies looked both useful and interesting – not too much like the 'day job'. The degree has enabled me to understand the business world, and with Systems Thinking I can see organisational problems in a different light. More than anything I‘m more confident: I can walk into client sites and grasp their business and environment.’(Tim Watts)
Supporting your career development
‘I worked in marketing and my company, Siemens PLM Software, encouraged me to study for a degree and sponsored me. Flexibility has been vital. I was travelling all over the world, so I needed to organise studying and travelling with my personal life. Once I did, I could manage: I wrote assignments in hotels and on planes!’ Tutorials and the online library were very beneficial. My career has benefited: I’ve become more involved in strategic planning, and my studies have enabled me to guide our discussions on sustainability thanks to my study experience.’ (Paul Brown)
Fitting in study with a busy life
Nokia Siemens Networks funded Rob McManus’s study over the course of 5 years as he completed a Business Studies degree with the OU. Working full time, Rob fitted his study around his busy daily life and four house moves! The ‘systems’ courses Rob took have been particularly relevant, and he has used many of the techniques and tools in his work. Rob said: ‘I wanted to study part time and the OU had a good range of interesting courses.’
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
