Master of Business Administration (ODL)
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration (ODL) is an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme designed for managers who want to strengthen management and critical decision-making skills for national and international organisations.
The programme comprises 13 coursework modules (including a Research Methodology module) and a Project, with ODL study available in part-time mode and a minimum duration of study of 2.5 years.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Pre-requisite modules (ODL) to support non-business backgrounds, including Managing People, Understanding Customers, Managerial Finance, and Business Environment & Strategic Planning.
- Core module learning across business disciplines such as Organisational Behaviour, Managerial Finance, Global Strategic Management, Strategic Marketing Management, and Managerial Economics.
- Technology-focused management modules including Technology Management and its application in organisational decision-making.
- Learning in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship through modules such as Managing Creativity and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
- Data-informed decision-making and people leadership modules including Statistical Decision Making, Human Resource Management, and Business Intelligence Systems.
- Research and analytics capability building through modules including Research Methodology and Behavioural Science, Social Media and Marketing Analytics.
- Completion of the Project component with applied business research and analysis for academic and industry purposes.
- Development and submission of an individual research project that leads to a significant project, or an academic paper, consultancy report, or case history.
Curriculum
Master of Business Administration (ODL) programme modules and project with credit hours shown in the official APU module schedule documents for the ODL offering. Credits are taken from the official module codes/credits format on the timetable documents.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-requisite period | Pre-requisite modules | Managing People | 0 | 0 |
| Understanding Customers | 0 | |||
| Managerial Finance | 0 | |||
| Business Environment & Strategic Planning | 0 | |||
| Core period (after pre-requisites) | Core modules | Organisational Behaviour | 3 | 39 |
| Accounting and Finance for Managers | 3 | |||
| Managerial Economics | 3 | |||
| Technology Management | 3 | |||
| Global Strategic Management | 3 | |||
| Digital Marketing Tools and Trends | 3 | |||
| Statistical Decision Making | 3 | |||
| Entrepreneurship | 3 | |||
| Research Methodology | 3 | |||
| Human Resource Management | 3 | |||
| Behavioral Science, Social Media & Marketing Analytics | 3 | |||
| Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility | 3 | |||
| Managing Creativity and Innovation | 3 | |||
| Project period | Project | Project | 9 | 9 |
| Total | Pre-requisite modules, core modules, and Project (MBA ODL) | 48 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You build business-management skills across core areas like strategic management, marketing management, managerial economics, and managerial finance to support career growth in management roles.
- You develop technology-aware management capability through Technology Management, helping you apply practical business decisions in organisations using modern tools and platforms.
- You strengthen people and HR leadership through Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, supporting roles such as HR/people management and management consulting pathways.
- You gain decision-making and analytics foundations via Statistical Decision Making, Business Intelligence Systems, and Behavioural Science, Social Media and Marketing Analytics for data-informed management positions.
- You develop research and professional practice readiness through Research Methodology and the final Project, supporting roles such as business research analyst and business consultant.
- You learn for workplace-ready impact with modules designed to integrate knowledge, skills, and personal qualities applied to real management situations in national and international organisations.
Employability rate
MBA graduates in business management typically face strong demand in Malaysia, with an estimated employability rate of about 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15% depending on experience and role fit.
Together, these figures suggest a generally stable career outlook for qualified MBA graduates seeking management and specialist business roles in Malaysia.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | International applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree. APU accepts a Bachelor’s degree in related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 (or its equivalent accepted by the Senate), or a CGPA of 2.00 if additional conditions are met (rigorous internal assessment for some cases). |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet APU’s English requirement for this MBA (ODL) programme. If you have previous qualifications taught in English or are from an English-speaking country, you may be exempted, but you must submit supporting documents with your application.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 33000 / total program | Total for international students: RM33,000. Fees stated here exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees, and also exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government. |
Proof of financial resources
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | August 21, 2026 | October 30, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Check entry requirements
Review the MBA (ODL) entry requirements, including your bachelor’s degree background and CGPA expectations, and confirm that you can meet the English requirement (or exemption) for international applicants. If your CGPA is below the stated threshold, confirm whether your profile may be considered through APU’s stated internal assessment route. Prepare your documents early so you can apply before the intake date.
Submit your application online
Complete the MBA (ODL) application through APU’s official admissions process. Upload the required academic records and any supporting documents needed for your English requirement exemption, if applicable. After submission, monitor any follow-up requests so your application remains complete for assessment.
Accept the offer and prepare for enrolment
If your application is approved, follow the instructions in your offer to proceed with the next steps for enrolment. For international students, ensure you are ready to support the student pass process where required for study in Malaysia. Keep an eye on required payment and administrative timelines communicated by the university.