The Open University Business School

The OU Business School is the business faculty of The Open University, Europe’s largest university and the only UK university dedicated to distance learning (DL). We specialise in the creation, delivery and support of education programmes in business, management and continuing professional development. We take education into the very heart of management practice.

World experts in distance learning

Our success reflects the fact that we’re very different from other business schools. We bring professional and management education to our students, to their homes, to their workplaces. Except for short periods of time on some courses, they don’t have to come to us at all. We are chosen by professionals who want to control their lifestyle, to study without upsetting the balance between the social, recreational and professional parts of modern living. What we give back is a toolbox of skills and knowledge, and the confidence to use it realistically. We translate the independence and individuality of our students into an ability to think critically, and to implement appropriately, in their workplace.

*Recognised wherever we go

The quality of our courses has earned us recognition and accreditation from key industry bodies around the world. We are one of a very select group of educational institutions to hold triple international accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). Worldwide, under 1% of business schools have achieved this.

AASCB

In 2004, the OU was accredited by the North American based and internationally respected Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business. AACSB International Accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools, worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review. We were the first exclusively distance learning institution to be accredited by AACSB.

The Association of MBAs

Our MBA programme is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). The Association of MBAs is unique in representing the interests of MBA students and graduates, leading business schools and MBA employers. For over 30 years, the Association of MBAs has been promoting the MBA as a leading management qualification and their independent accreditation service has international credibility. One quarter of all MBAs awarded with accreditation from the Association of MBAs are our graduates.

EQUIS

The OU Business School has been awarded the prestigious European quality kitemark (EQUIS) by the European Foundation for Management Development (efmd). Based in Brussels, efmd is Europe’s forum for information, research, networking and best practice in management development. The EQUIS award was launched in 1997 as an international standard for the auditing and accreditation of institutes across national boundaries. The school was re-accredited in 2006.