Some of the top MBA universities in UK are University of Warwick, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge. These colleges offer specializations such as economics, health administration, international business, and more.
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University of Warwick, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge are some of the top MBA universities in UK that offer a 1-2 year master’s degree program. The tuition fee range is between £23,000- £90,000. These colleges offer MBA programs in a variety of specializations like economics, health administration, international business, and others.
The UK has around 130 business schools offering MBA programs from all over the world. These universities accept applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree for admission, unlike the US and Canada where a 4-year bachelor’s degree is mandatory for admission to an MBA program. The other admission requirements for MBA in top UK universities are not as stringent as in other countries like the US and Canada.
The average salary of an MBA graduate in the UK is around £53,351. Several organizations in the UK offer job roles such as Chief Executive and Senior Officials, Marketing and Sales Director, Information Technology Director, etc for MBA graduates from top MBA universities in the UK. Top MBA universities in the UK for international students along with the tuition fees, eligibility criteria, and other admission requirements are discussed.
Top MBA Colleges in UK
The UK has several top-ranking universities offering MBA programs in various disciplines such as finance, marketing, etc to students from all over the world. Both full-time and part-time MBA programs are available in addition to executive MBA and distance learning options. Listed below are the top business universities in UK for international students.
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford MBA is a one-year, top-ranked MBA course offered by the Saïd Business School. It offers a challenging and thought-provoking degree in the form of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through an engaged community of faculty. Saïd Business School is a world-class business school accredited by EQUIS and is ranked as a top business school in the Times Higher Education Awards 2017. Its MBA program is ranked 5th internationally for one-year programs in Forbes 2019 rankings. The MBA programs offered at the University of Oxford along with their fee details are given below:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): £63,000
- Master of Business Administration Oxford 1+1 MBA program: Varies based on the partnering program
- Executive MBA (EMBA): £94,800
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge offers a one-year, full-time MBA program through its Cambridge Judge Business School. The Cambridge MBA is ranked 16th in global FT rankings and is first among one-year MBA programs in the UK. It combines academic depth with a practical focus and emphasizes teamwork, discussion and debate. It offers a one-year, full-time MBA program and also an Executive MBA program as a unique 20-month degree program for senior executives delivered over 16 weekends and four week-long blocks. The MBA programs offered at the University of Cambridge along with their fee details are given below:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): £59,000
- Executive MBA (EMBA): £72,800
3. University of London
The London Business School is a constituent college of the federal University of London and is consistently ranked amongst the world's best business schools. The London Business School MBA is ranked #2 in the world by the Financial Times and offers a 90% employment rate within 4 months after graduation. It can be customized to meet the career needs of the student with flexible exit points, tailored core courses, 80+ electives, and applied learning opportunities. The MBA programs offered at the University of London along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £92,735
- Global MBA: £10,100
4. University of Warwick
MBA courses at the University of Warwick are offered through the Warwick Business School in the form of full-time, executive, and distance learning programs. The Warwick full-time MBA is ranked first in the UK and 17th in the world by The Economist and is a 12-month program that is intense, fast-paced, and captivating. The MBA programs offered at the University of Warwick along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £43,950
- Distance learning MBA: £16,700- £17,450
- Distance learning MBA (London): £19,250- £19,950
- Executive MBA: £23,060- £24,950
- Executive MBA (London): £24,950- £27,950
5. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester offers full-time, part-time, online, and global MBA programs through its Alliance Manchester Business School. The Manchester MBA is a globally-recognized master’s degree that provides skills and knowledge in all areas of business and management. Students are exposed to the global business environment and core business and management courses (accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and strategy). The MBA programs offered at the University of Manchester, along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £45,000
- Global MBA (2 years): £30,000
- Global Accelerated MBA (18 months): £30,000
- Global Finance Accelerated MBA (18 months): £27,500
- Kelley-Manchester Global MBA: $65,000
6. Imperial College London
The Imperial College London offers a one-year Full-Time MBA and three part-time MBA programs to students from all over the world. Imperial College London also offers weekend MBA, global online MBA, and executive MBA programs in various disciplines. The MBA programs offered at Imperial College London along with their fee details are given below:
- Weekend MBA: £49,900
- Global Online MBA: £41,350
- Full-Time MBA: £54,500
- Executive MBA: £61,500
7. University of Bath
The University of Bath School of Management offers MBA programs in the form of full-time MBA and part-time executive MBA programs. The courses are designed such that students gain practical experience and skills to push their careers to new heights. The School of Management is one of the UK’s leading business schools and is part of a top ten UK university. MBA graduates with well-developed leadership and management skills are employed by top recruiters in the industry. The MBA programs offered at the University of Bath along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £37,500
- Part-time Executive MBA: £37,500
8. Lancaster University
The Lancaster MBA is ranked 9th in the UK, 25th in Europe, and 96th in the world by the FT Global MBA Rankings. The MBA programs are offered at the Lancaster University Management School in the form of full-time MBA and part-time executive MBA programs. These Lancaster MBA programs transform high-caliber students into leading managers in their chosen sectors. The full-time MBA is an intensive one-year program in the UK and the part-time executive MBA program is of 24 months duration and available in Ghana and Lancaster. The MBA programs offered at Lancaster University along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £33,000
- Part-time Executive MBA: £25,000
9. City, University of London
The Business School of City, University of London commonly known as Cass Business School offers full-time, executive, and online MBA programs to students from all over the world. The MBA programs are offered both in London and Dubai in various business fields. The MBA programs offered at CITY, University of London along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £46,000
- Evening Executive MBA: £51,000
- Executive MBA in Dubai: £50,500 (including 5% VAT)
- Modular Executive MBA: £50,000
- Global MBA: £32,000
10. Durham University
The Durham University Business School offers full-time, executive, and online MBA programs to students belonging to different nationalities. It is counted in less than 1% of the world’s 3,500 business schools that hold triple accreditation. The Durham MBA is designed to focus on everything needed for success in the business world. It is ranked 1st in the UK, 2nd in Europe, and 6th in the world for its value for money by the Financial Times Global MBA. The MBA programs offered at Durham University along with their fee details are given below:
- Full-time MBA: £33,000
- Online/ Blended MBA: £24,000
- Executive MBA - Durham-EBS: £40,000
Also Check:
Top MBA Universities in UK with Fees
The cost of an MBA in the UK varies from college to college. The average tuition fees may vary anything between £10,000–£15,000 pounds for international students. Find below the top mba colleges in UK with fees.
| College Name | Fees |
| London Business School | £87,900 |
| Cambridge Judge Business School | £57,000 |
| Said Business School | £59,490 |
| Warwick Business School | £40,450 |
| Alliance Manchester Business School | £44,000 |
| Cass Business School | £44,000 |
| Imperial College Business School | £53,500 |
| Durham University Business School | £31,500 |
| University of Edinburgh Business School | £32,500 |
| Lancaster University | £33,000 |
Top MBA Universities in the UK Without Work Experience
International students without any relevant work experience can also fulfill their dream of pursuing an MBA program in the UK. Several universities in the UK offer MBA programs in various specializations to students with no work experience. These universities consider other factors for admission and are specifically designed for fresh graduates. Find below the list of top 10 MBA colleges in UK without experience for admission:
- University of Derby
- University of Northampton
- University of Greenwich
- Cardiff University
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Bedfordshire
- University of West London
- University of East London
- Leeds Beckett University
- Liverpool John Moores University
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Top MBA Universities in the UK Without GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is one of the most important requirements for international students to crack admission in MBA programs. Students without a GMAT score or with low GMAT scores can apply to UK universities that consider other admission criteria in place of a GMAT score. A recommendation letter is mandatory for students seeking admission to UK MBA universities without a GMAT score. The list of top universities UK for MBA without a GMAT score is as follows:
- University of Central Lancashire
- Warwick School of Business
- Birmingham City Business School
- Lancaster University Management School
- Durham University Business School
- Leeds University Business School
- University of Edinburgh Business School
Living Expenses in the UK for International Students
The average cost of living in the UK comes up to £11,880 per year for international students. This also depends on the needs and standard of living of the students. Given below are the average monthly living expenses incurred by international students in the UK:
| Expenses | Cost per Month |
|---|---|
| Rent | £450 |
| Food | £200 |
| Internet | £40 |
| Clothing | £75 |
| Laundry | £25 |
| Internet Charges | £40 |
| Mobile Bills | £30 |
| Books and Supplies | £40 |
| Transportation | £45 |
| Miscellaneous | £25 |
Why Study MBA in the UK?
An MBA from top MBA universities in the UK is one of the most highly respected qualifications in the world with MBA graduates valued by both national and international businesses in various industries. Some reasons to pursue an MBA in the UK are given below:
- Top MBA universities in the UK allow students to choose their own programs and subjects of choice
- The UK is in need of skilled new managers with an immediate requirement of 1.9 million skillful managers with new strategies
- The MBA and Executive MBA programs offered in the UK are the highest paying degrees with an annual salary of 116,000 GBP and 133,000 GBP respectively
- MBA students are exposed to the international market and gain access to the global market that enhances their learning experience
- Top MBA universities in the UK cultivate vibrant campuses with students from diverse backgrounds belonging to different nationalities
- MBA in top UK universities are offered as full-time programs, part-time programs, evening programs, distance, and eLearning
- Top MBA universities in the UK offer career service faculty throughout the academic year to support the students in preparation for-interviews and also invite guest speakers and world leaders, throughout the academic year, to motivate the students
Eligibility Criteria for Top MBA Universities in the UK
The eligibility criteria for international students vary for the different MBA universities in the UK. Certain colleges do not require a GMAT score or work experience for admission and rely on other factors such as TOEFL, IELTS, recommendation letters, etc. Given below are the general eligibility criteria for top MBA schools in UK for international students:
- Undergraduate with a 2:1 qualification or an equivalent score of 50%-60%
- A GMAT score with a minimum score of 600+
- 2 years of work experience is preferred by most top MBA universities in the UK
- International students are required to prove English language proficiency by submitting TOEFL and IELTS scores
- TOEFL: Minimum of 95
- IELTS: 6.5 or more
- Updated CV/ Resume
- 1-3 letters of recommendation
- SOP/ Personal statement of at least 500 words explaining short & long term career goals, describing one teamwork experience, etc
- International students require a student visa to pursue an education in the UK
- Proof of funds should be provided that you can finance your education
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