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Open University in Ireland

Technology Management - MBA

If you're looking for an MBA with a focus on technology, this is the qualification for you. It is applicable to technology management and technological innovation in a wide variety of contexts and sectors, including: IT/IS, telecommunications, computing, engineering, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retailing, energy production and supply, defence and security, management and administration, and any form of services, including health, welfare and leisure. You will focus on strategic analysis and, intellectual stimulation whilst gaining interdisciplinary skills, and independent judgement exploring the processes that underpin technological innovation and the challenges of technology from a strategic perspective, with your learning firmly rooted in management practice throughout.

Key features of the course
• Practice-based learning brings your MBA into life at your workplace
• Flexible options enable you to adjust the curriculum to suit your needs
• Strong international emphasis essential for developing leaders in a global marketplace
• Join an influential network of over 25,000 alumni in 100 countries when you graduate.

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of three years' experience in a managerial, professional or technical role, so that you have a practical business base on which to build your MBA learning. Usually this means that you are at least 25 years old as it is unusual (but not impossible) to be able to satisfy the 'experience' requirement under this age.

Depending on your previous qualifications, there are two entry routes into the MBA:

If you already hold an honours degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent you can begin your MBA studies by taking MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) or the fast-track version (BXFT716).

Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to an honours degree. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

If you are experienced in managerial work but do not have an honours degree or equivalent, you need first to gain our Professional Certificate in Management (S01) (previously coded C31). This is also a valuable qualification in its own right.

If you have the equivalent of a UK bachelors degree without honours you may be permitted to progress on to the MBA course by taking the first part of the Professional Certificate in Management, Managing 1: organisations and people (B628). Alternatively if you have an official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 640 or above, and the equivalent of a UK undergraduate degree, you will be allowed to progress directly on to the MBA. If you think either of these possibilities may apply to you, please speak to an adviser.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

Duration

2 - 7 years.

The minimum time to complete is two years, the maximum time to complete is seven years. You can complete within two years if you choose to study BXFT716 instead of B716. Please note this will require you to devote 20-25 hours a week to your studies.

Number of credits

180 credits

Careers or further progression

Career relevance
The Open University Business School is one of an elite group of schools that are accredited by the three leading international accrediting bodies - AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS - hallmarks of quality of teaching, learning materials and qualification impact. It is home to more than 25,000 successful MBA graduates in over 100 countries.

Employers value the MBA as an indication of high level business and management skills. The MBA (Technology Management) is a true, generalist MBA qualification but with a focus on technology. MBA skills are in demand, increasingly so in times of economic uncertainty, and employers want practical experience, a thorough grasp of business, and the ability to lead at a strategic level. AMBA's (The Association of MBAs) careers survey shows that MBA students can expect their salary to increase, and the MBA to have a positive impact on their career progression, as well as bring improvements to their organisation or business.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Modules
This MBA qualification is in two stages. You must successfully complete Stage 1 before moving on to Stage 2.
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1
A 60-credit compulsory module:
Compulsory module
MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716)
MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (fast-track)* (BXFT716)

*This version is for the accelerated study route and should only be selected if you intend to complete your MBA in two years. See How long it takes for more information.

Stage 2
60 credits from this list:
Compulsory modules
Managing technological innovation (T848)
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T846
plus
15 credits from this compulsory module:
Compulsory module
Corporate finance (BB831)

plus
at least 15 credits from this list:
Optional modules
Entrepreneurship: experience and perspective (BB846)
Leadership and management in intercultural contexts (BB848)
Management beyond the mainstream (BB847)
Managing financial risk (BB841)
Managing in the digital economy (BXM871)
Marketing in the 21st century (BB844)
Strategic human resource management (BB845)
Supply chain management (BB849)
Sustainable creative management (BB842)
Capacities for managing development (T878)
Development: context and practice (T877)
Managing for sustainability (T867)
Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812)
Project management (M815)
Thinking strategically: systems tools for managing change (TU811)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T839, T863, T889, TD866, TU870

plus
30 credits from this compulsory module:
Compulsory module
Making a difference: the management initiative (B839)

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Comment

On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Master of Business Administration (Technology Management) entitling you to use the letters MBA (Tech Mgmt) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Credit transfer
If you've successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Course web page

Link to course fee

Key information

Qualification letters:

MBA (Tech Mgmt) (Open)

Qualifications:

Degree - Masters at UK Level 7

Attendance Types:

Distance

Counties:

Dublin

Apply to:

Course provider

Course web page

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