An MBA or Master of Business Administration in the UK (United Kingdom) is generally for 12 months. However, some colleges offer more than 12 months programs like London Business School. Many UK universities offer an MBA program, and the average fee can range from £23,000 – £90,000. Some of the top institutions that offer MBA in UK include, University of Warwick, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.
In this article, we highlight top universities and colleges to pursue an MBA in UK. We also discuss career opportunities and salary post-MBA and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Business Schools in the United Kingdom.
MBA in UK 2023
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect if you plan to study an MBA in UK:
| Duration | 1 – 2 years |
| Competitive GMAT Score | 600+ |
| Work experience | 2-3 years generally |
| Fees | £34,831 |
| Top MBA colleges | Some of the Top MBA Colleges in the UK are London Business School, Oxford Business school, Cambridge Judge, Imperial College of Business, and Durham Business School. |
| MBA in UK – Average Salary | £53,351 |
| MBA Specialization | Finance and Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Business, Project Management, Information System, etc. |
| MBA Skills | Problem Solving, working with others, Comprehension and Logic, Oral Communication and Presentation, Managing the Self, Data Analysis, and Interpretation. |
| MBA in UK Jobs | Post-MBA in the UK, you can work as a Chief Executive and Senior Officials, Marketing and Sales Director, Information Technology Director, Financial Managers and Director, Advertising and Public relations director, Management consultant, and many more. |
| Cost of Living | It Depends on Where you Live. In 2020, London was ranked among the ten most expensive cities to live in Europe. |
Aspiring to Study MBA in UK? A good GMAT score can increase your chances of getting into top MBA colleges in the United Kingdom. Why don’t you start your GMAT Preparation with the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company on GMATClub? Try out our FREE Trial and get access to FREE online GMAT resources and material.
Before we move forward take a look at Why you should pursue an MBA:
- Top 30 MBA Colleges in UK 2023
- MBA in UK – Top 10 MBA Programs in 2023
- MBA in UK – Job Market and Salary
- MBA in UK – Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Business Schools
- Cost of Living for Indian and International Students
- Who can apply for MBA in UK?
- MBA in UK – Visa Requirements
- Scholarship Opportunities
- FAQs- MBA in UK
Top 30 MBA Colleges in UK 2023
Take a look at top MBA universities and colleges in the UK in 2023. Here are the top 30 MBA programs in the UK with their full-time MBA cost, duration, intake, and type of MBA program they offer:
| MBA Colleges in the United Kingdom | Duration (Months) | Full-time MBA Cost | Location | Intake | Type of MBA |
| London Business School (LBS) | 15-21 | £87,900 | London | August | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Oxford Business School (2018) | 12 | £63,000 | Oxford | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Cambridge Judge Business School | 12 | £59,000 | Cambridge | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Imperial College Business School | 12 | £53,500 | London | September | Full-time, part-time, Executive, Distance learning |
| Warwick Business School (WBS) | 12 | £43,950 | Coventry | September | Full-time and Executive MBA, Distance learning |
| Alliance Manchester Business School | 18 | £44,000 | Manchester | August | Full-time and Part-time MBA |
| Edinburgh Business School | 12 | £32,500 | Edinburgh | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Cass Business School | 12 | £46,000 | London | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Cranfield School of Management | 13 | £39,000 | Cranfield | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Durham Business School | 12 | £31,500 | Durham | September | Full-time, Executive, and Distance Learning |
| Lancaster University Management School | 12 | £33,000 | Lancaster | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Aston Business School | 12 | £25,850 | Birmingham | January and September | Full-time, part-time, and executive MBA, Distance Learning |
| Leeds Business School | 12 | £30,000 | Leeds | September | Full-time and Executive MBA , Distance Learning |
| Birmingham Business School | 12 | £28,980 | Birmingham | September | Full-time, part-time, and executive MBA, Distance Learning |
| Nottingham Business School (NTU) | 12 | £18,500 | Nottingham | September | Full-time and Executive MBA, Distance Learning |
| Strathclyde Business School | 12 | £31,450 | Glasgow | September | Full-time, part-time, and executive MBA, Distance Learning |
| Bath School of Management | 12 | £37,500 | Bath | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Brunel Business School | 12 | £23,565 | Middlesex | January and September | Full-time and Executive MBA, Distance learning |
| Exeter Business School | 12 | £30,000 | Exeter | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Westminster Business School | 12 | £19,000 | Central London | January and September | Full-time |
| Hult Business School | 12 | £54,600 | London | September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Kingston Business School | 12 | £23,500 | Kingston | January and September | Full-time, Part-time, and Executive MBA |
| University of Liverpool | 12 | £18,000 | Liverpool | September | Full-time and Part-time MBA, Distance learning |
| Aberdeen Business School | 12 | £19,800 | Aberdeen | September | Full-time and Part-time MBA, Distance learning |
| Cardiff Business School | 12 | £28,450 | Cardiff | September | Full-time, part-time, and Executive MBA |
| Nottingham University Business School | 12 | £24,975 | Nottingham | September | Full-time, Part-time, and Executive MBA |
| Sheffield University Management School | 12 | £25,850 | Sheffield | September | Full-time, Part-time, and Executive MBA |
| Salford Business School | 12 | £17,550 | Salford | January, June, and September | Full-time and Executive MBA |
| Henley Business School | 12 | £35,000 | Reading | September | Full-time, Executive MBA, distance learning |
| Essex Business School | 12 | £19,000 | Colchester | October | Full-time and Executive MBA |
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MBA in UK – Top 10 MBA Programs in 2023
Based on the QS Ranking, we have ranked the top 10 MBA Colleges in the UK. The average MBA Cost for the top 10 MBA Programs is £50,483, whereas the average Salary is £93,659.
Five reasons why undergraduates should take the GMAT- Read this article to know more.
Here is a list of Top 10 MBA Program in the United Kingdom (UK) 2023:
- London Business School (LBS)
- Oxford Business School
- Cambridge Judge Business School
- Imperial College of Business
- Warwick Business School
- Alliance Manchester Business School Cranfield
- University of Edinburgh Business School
- Cass Business School
- Cranfield School of Management
- Durham Business School
London Business School (LBS)
- GMAT Score: 701
- Duration: 15-21 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £87,900
- Average MBA Salary: £83,295
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Consulting
- Location: London
- Intake: August
Take a look at LBS MBA Essay Tips for 2023 intake
Oxford Business School
- GMAT Score: 685
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £63,000
- Average MBA Salary: £72,618
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Financial Services
- Location: Oxford
- Intake: September
Take a look at Oxford MBA Essay Tips for 2023 intake
Cambridge Judge Business School
- GMAT Score: 691
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £59,000
- Average MBA Salary: £99,753
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Industrial Management
- Location: Cambridge
- Intake: September
Check out Oxford vs. Cambridge MBA program here
Imperial College of Business
- GMAT Score: 600+
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £53,500
- Average MBA Salary: £1,00,177
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Consulting
- Location: London
- Intake: September
Warwick Business School
- GMAT Score: 660
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £43,950
- Average MBA Salary: £55,214
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Consulting
- Location: Coventry
- Intake: September
Alliance Manchester Business School Cranfield
- GMAT Score: 600+
- Duration: 18 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £44,000
- Average MBA Salary: £1,24,000
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Consulting
- Location: Manchester
- Intake: August
University of Edinburgh Business School
- GMAT Score: 600+
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £32,500
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Technology and Financial Services
- Location: Edinburgh
- Intake: September
Cass Business School
- GMAT Score: 600+
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £46,000
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Consulting
- Location: London
- Intake: September
Cranfield School of Management
- GMAT Score: 680
- Duration: 13 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £39,000
- Location: Cranfield
- Intake: September
Durham Business School
- GMAT Score: 600+
- Duration: 12 Months
- Full-time MBA Cost: £31,500
- Average MBA Salary: £1,20,556
- Top Industry Post-MBA: Technology and Financial Services
- Location: Durham
- Intake: September
To get into the top MBA programs in the UK, you need a good GMAT score. Here is a GMAT preparation guide to scoring 700+ on the GMAT:
MBA in UK – Job Market and Salary
Some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK include:
- Chief Executive and Senior Officials
- Marketing and Sales Directors
- Information Technology Director
- Financial Managers and Directors
- Advertising and Public relations directors
Generally, a degree in business-related subjects and few years of experience is required to get a job for the roles mentioned above.
In addition to the degree, employers also look for individuals with leadership skills. An MBA degree can help you gain in-depth knowledge in a particular field and gain managerial and leadership skills.
Thus, with an MBA degree, you can work your way up to these roles.
Know the value of your MBA investment – is an MBA worth it in 2023?
According to PayScale, the Average Salary for an MBA graduate in the UK is approx. £53,351. Some of the job roles where grads earn the most are:
| MBA in UK – Highest paying jobs | Average MBA Salary |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | £96,000 |
| Project Manager | £41,000 |
| Management Consultant | £64,000 |
| Operations Manager | £46,000 |
| Business Development Manager | £44,000 |
| Marketing Manager | £39,000 |
| Finance Manager | £48,000 |
Did you know a GMAT score of 730+ yields incremental $500K in ROI? Start your GMAT Preparation by Signing up for our FREE Trial and get access to FREE online GMAT preparation resources. We are the most reviewed GMAT preparation company on GMATClub with more than 2500 reviews.
Companies in the UK that hire MBA Graduates
Here are some top companies that hire MBA graduates in the UK:
| Top Companies (UK) | Average MBA Salary |
| HSBC | £21,000-£281,000 |
| Barclays Bank | £38,000-£94,000 |
| EY | £45,000-£238,000 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | £39,000-£145,000 |
Learn more about Post-MBA Salary and factors affecting the average salary in 2023.
MBA in UK – Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Business Schools
As per the GMAT test-taker data, the percentage of candidates sending their GMAT score to European business schools shows sustainable growth till 2019.
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major concerns for international candidates is the travel ban (60%), followed by the job market (48%) due to higher investment in education and expectations of career advancement. Overall, international students’ concern level is high, and many UK institutions address these concerns to their prospective students.
For instance, Imperial College London has advised its prospective students to contact the international student support team if they face difficulties obtaining or renewing their visa to study. If there is a delay in getting a visa, the college will analyze the situation and may allow you to start your program later.
Similarly, the University of Manchester has extended the deadline to receive transcripts and other international students’ documentation.
We cannot deny that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to chaos. However, universities and colleges in the United Kingdom are trying to sail through this time. Employers remain confident about graduate management talent skills and are confident that the hiring projection will rebound in the years to come. The Median Salary for MBA graduates is expected to be at $105,000.
Learn more about the Covid-19 pandemic impact on Business schools and MBA applicants and students.
Cost of Living for Indian and International Students
As an Indian or international student, one of the things that may concern you is the cost of living in the UK. As discussed earlier, an MBA in UK can range from £23,000 – £90,000. However, this is not the only cost you need to incur. You need to consider things like rent, food, utilities, etc.
The cost of living in the UK depends on where you live. If you decide to live in London, you will be paying much more than the other parts of the country.
Here is the ranking of the UK cities based on the cost of living index. London ranks number #1 with a high cost of living, rent, Grocery, and restaurants index.
Who can apply for MBA in UK?
Both domestic and international students are admitted to MBA universities in the UK. According to Prospective Students Survey 2019, around 8% of domestic and 92% of international students applied for MBA in UK.
Each college has specific entry requirements. However, generally, you are required to have:
- A graduate degree of 3-year duration
- If you do not possess either an honors degree or professional qualifications, you are welcome to apply, but you usually require a GMAT score of at least 550 points.
Candidates not meeting any of these requirements may, in exceptional cases, be considered for admission where there is strong supporting education or experience. All such issues will be at the discretion of the selected MBA Program.
- A minimum of 2-3 years of work experience is required for most of the universities in the UK for doing an MBA. Some universities also provide admission opportunities to fresh graduates. Few of them are:
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Bedfordshire
- Coventry University
- University of East London
- Glyndwr University
- Leeds Beckett University
- University of Derby
- University of Northampton
- Staffordshire University
A GMAT score is not a mandatory requirement in many cases. But having a good GMAT score gives you an edge if you do not have a par education qualification and can help you get a Scholarship. Start your GMAT Preparation with the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company with more than 2500 reviews on GMATClub. Try out our FREE Trial.
For international students, an English Language test is also required.
MBA in UK – Visa Requirements
An international student or an Indian student needs Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to pursue Full Time MBA program in UK. Once admitted, the school becomes the candidate’s visa sponsor and offers them a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number to support their visa application.
The applicant also needs to provide proof of sufficient funds. You can even work while studying MBA in UK. Twenty hours a week is allowed time to work in term period, and full-time during non-study periods.
You can also bring your dependents (husband, wife, unmarried partner, or children under 18 years of age).
Learn more about the Visa requirements for UK.
Can an Indian Student apply for jobs in the UK after an MBA?
Yes. A full-time program graduate who completed the Tier 4 visa qualification qualifies for an exemption from the Resident Labour Market Test. So, employers can easily hire them and sponsor their Tier 2 work visas.
The Graduate visa route that was launched in the Summer of 2021 will allow the students to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies. Check out the Work Visa requirement in the United Kingdom.
Scholarship Opportunities
The cost of attending college in the UK can be high after considering the cost of living. But there are several financial resources available to students in the UK like – Scholarships and Student Loans.
There are many scholarships awarded to international students by both government and MBA colleges.
To avail of the government scholarship for a one-year master program including MBA, you require:
- An undergraduate degree
- At least two years of eligible work experience
- English language requirements
If you are from a developing commonwealth county, you can avail of a master’s government scholarship. Check the eligibility here.
You can even get a Scholarship from UK universities. Some are merit-based, some are need-based, and some of them are available just because you are an international student. For instance, the Imperial College of Business offers Imperial Business School scholarships to applicants applying for an MBA program with a good GMAT score, your professional references, and your performance during the admissions process.
Check with your MBA college regarding the type of Scholarship, amount, and eligibility.
Student loans are another type of financial aid that you can get. However, it applies to the UK, EU, and EEA students.
Did you know a high GMAT score can get you a scholarship? For instance, Imperial College offers a scholarship of £5,350 to candidates who achieve an overall GMAT score of 750. We can help you achieve a 700+ on the GMAT. Try out our FREE Trial and get access to FREE GMAT resources and material.
Apart from the UK, another top destination to pursue MBA is Canada. Take a look at this video where we highlight the top 5 reasons to pursue MBA in Canada:
FAQs- MBA in UK
The MBA cost in the UK can range from £23,000 – £90,000. The average cost at the top 10 MBA colleges in the UK is £50,483.
MBA being the most sought-after business program is offered by many UK universities. Some of the top MBA courses are offered by London School of Business, Oxford Business School, Cambridge Judge Business School, Imperial College of Business, and many more.
Some of the top countries to study an MBA program are USA (United States), Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and India.
A GMAT score is not a mandatory requirement in many cases. However, a good GMAT score gives you an edge if you do not have a par education qualification and can help you get a scholarship. A competitive GMAT score for an MBA in UK is 600+.
Yes. It is not mandatory to have work experience for pursuing an MBA from the UK. However, most of the top MBA colleges do require MBA applicants to have previous work experience. Minimum 2-3 years of work experience is required for most of the universities in UK. Some of the universities that offer admissions to international applicants without work experience are Coventry University, Cardiff University, Leeds Beckett University, University of London – Cass Business School, etc.
