The UK’s business schools offer prestigious MBA programmes that are highly valued by employers across the world. In addition to imparting academic knowledge, these MBAs also train you for the needs of modern industries, provide you with important business skills, and help you connect with a valuable network of professionals.
Knowing how to select the best MBA for yourself and having an understanding of the eligibility requirements for MBA courses in the UK are important when you’re planning your future. As a first step to this process, start by looking at the top MBA universities in the UK and their parameters, as we’ve outlined below.
Top MBA universities in UK: Highlights 2024
The UK is home to some of the best MBA programmes in the world. Here’s a brief overview of how MBA courses operate in the UK and what you can expect if you choose to study there. We’ve given you insight into the range of MBA programmes in the UK, the funds needed for one, and the general requirements you’ll need for admission.
| MBAs in UK – Overview | |
|---|---|
| No. of MBA universities in the UK | Over 100 |
| Cost | £35,000 to £60,000 |
| Courses and specialisations | General MBA or MBA specialisation which includes specialising in areas such as finance, healthcare management, human resource management, marketing, entrepreneurship, international business, and more |
| GMAT score | GMAT score between 600 and 650 (Not all UK universities have this requirement). |
| English proficiency score | IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 |
| Work experience | Three years of work experience (Some universities are flexible with this requirement, allowing high-achieving students to even immediately start an MBA after their undergraduate degree). |
Since there are more than 100 MBA courses to pick from when considering studying in the UK, you may feel that the choices are overwhelming. This is where the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 come in – it’ll show you top-ranking universities which you can use to begin your hunt for an MBA for yourself.
Ten top-ranking MBA universities in UK
Many top-ranking MBA courses in the UK have rigorous academic standards, will give you hands-on industry experience, and equip you to meet the modern needs of various industries. We’ve narrowed down the top ten institutions in the UK for you by considering the QS Global MBA Rankings for 2025.
| University | QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 | Average tuition fee per year |
|---|---|---|
| London Business School | 5 | £115,000 |
| University of Cambridge | 7 | £74,000 |
| Imperial College London | 18 | £73,000 |
| University of Oxford | 19 | £117,000 |
| University of Warwick | 30 | £57,000 |
| University of Manchester | =47 | £49,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | 58 | £40,000 |
| Cranfield University | =68 | £27,000 |
| University of Leeds | =72 | £38,000 |
| Durham University | 101-110 | £38,000 |
After identifying which MBA programmes you’d want to study, the next step is to understand whether you’re eligible to enter them. By looking at the admission criteria for MBA courses in the UK, you can plan your application process like which entry exams to take and how to improve your English skills.
Admission requirements for top MBA courses in UK
When considering applicants for MBA courses, UK universities often look for previous academic qualifications, at least three years of managerial work experience, and English language test scores. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum entry requirements:
- Three years of full-time work experience* – Although most universities may state that they look for ‘managerial’ work experience, don’t be disheartened if you’re not explicitly in a managerial role. Rather, universities consider applicants who’ve managed projects, have been part of extracurricular initiatives, and have guided resources in certain tasks, all of which show a student’s motivation and commitment to their work.
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent – While all UK universities usually look for a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from students wishing to enter an MBA, some universities do accept students who may have an extensive, exemplary professional track record.
- Satisfactory GMAT score* – The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a globally recognised assessment of analytical, numerical, and verbal skills. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to show your GMAT scores to gain entry into an MBA programme. If you do meet other academic requirements, most UK universities are lenient about the GMAT score.
- Overall score of at least 6.5 for IELTS – English proficiency test results show UK universities that you’re capable of following both the theoretical and practical components of the MBA coursework in English. While most UK universities accept a range of English proficiency tests, IELTS is the most common one.
*Only for select UK universities
Once you gain admission into your chosen MBA programme, the next step is to obtain a study visa to the UK which would give you the right to live and study in the UK for the duration of your programme.
Visa requirements for the UK to study an MBA
To study an MBA in the UK, you’ll most likely need to apply for a UK Student visa which is given to you by the UK’s Home Office once you’ve proved your intentions of pursuing an academic programme in the UK and shown that you have enough funds to do so. In this process, the documents you submit with your application are extremely important – we’ve outlined below the key documents you need to obtain a study visa to the UK:
- A current passport
- Your CAS
- Documents of financial evidence
- ATAS certificate (if required)
- Proof of guardian consent (if applicable)
- Proof of your relationship to your guardian (if applicable)
- Your TB certificate
- Written consent from your financial sponsor (if applicable)
- Documents about your dependants (if applicable)
The visa requirements to the UK show that when planning for your MBA course in the UK, the funds required for it will be one of the most important factors you consider. We’ve provided you with an overview of the costs of an MBA course in the UK below.
Is a top MBA course in the UK expensive?
MBA programmes in the UK provide valuable international exposure, hone your skills for working in a multicultural setting, and help you develop entrepreneurial and managerial skills. While you may worry about the funds required for one, the good news is that even the top ten MBA colleges in the UK have a range of tuition fees – between £27,000 to £115,000. This means that you can select the one that best suits your funding.
Cost of living for Indian students in the UK
The tuition fee for an MBA programme will usually cost around 29 lakhs INR to 84 lakhs INR. In addition to this, you’ll also have to consider other expenses like your monthly rent and food costs, which we’ve broken down here.
| Cost | London | Outside of London |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition fee | £27,000 to £115,000 | £27,000 to £115,000 |
| Monthly rent | £750 to £850 | £550 to £650 |
| Monthly public transport costs | £100 | £50 |
| Monthly grocery costs | £150 | £100 |
If you’re making a plan for funding your studies, you can consider a wide variety of scholarships available in the UK for MBA students.
Scholarships for top MBA colleges in UK
While you may wish to pursue an MBA in the UK, you may also be considering how to finance some of the costs involved. Both UK universities and other private trusts/organisations provide funding for students so that they can cover either their tuition fees or a portion of other costs. Here’s a list of ten scholarships which includes those that are specifically designed for MBA students and those that are for all postgraduate students:
- Brunel University of London – The Full-Time MBA Academic Excellence Scholarship
Value: £25,600 tuition fee waiver
- University of Birmingham – Purposeful Leader MBA Scholarship
Value: £35,850
- Lancaster University – Management School MBA Scholarship
Value: Up to £16,000
- The Durham MBA Full-time MBA Scholarship (Achievement Awards)
Value: Up to £18,000
- The Skoll Scholarships (University of Oxford)
Value: Course fees and a grant for living costs
- King’s College London – Vice-Chancellor scholarship award for postgraduate Indian students
Value: £10,000
- Chevening Scholarship
Value: Fully funded towards all costs involved including tuition fees, accommodation, and air travel
- Commonwealth Scholarship
Value: Fully funded towards all costs involved including tuition fees, accommodation, and air travel
- Inlaks Scholarship
Value: Up to £100,000
- University of Edinburgh MBA Scholarship
Value: £5,000 upwards
When researching admission requirements and scholarships, it’s also important to look into acceptance rates at top UK universities.
MBA acceptance rate in the UK
When accepting students to their MBA programmes, most UK business schools consider academic capabilities and work experience that show drive and commitment. While this is a competitive process, on average most UK business schools have an acceptance rate of 25-35% for MBA courses.
| University | Acceptance rate | Median GMAT score of accepted candidates | Overall IELTS score required |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Business School | 20% | 710 | 6.5 |
| University of Cambridge | 30% | 697 | 7.5 |
| Imperial College London | 15% | 640 | 7.0 |
| University of Oxford | 20% | 690 | 7.5 |
| University of Warwick | 33% | 660 | 7.0 |
| University of Manchester | 50% | 650 | 6.5 |
| University of Edinburgh | 10% | 600 | 7.0 |
| Cranfield University | 29% | 670 | 6.5 |
| University of Leeds | 38% | 608 | 6.5 |
| Durham University | 15% | 650 | 7.0 |
While the process of getting into an MBA may seem daunting at first, it’s often considered an investment in your future as it’ll allow you to gain the necessary skills to negotiate higher salaries and steadily climb the career ladder. We’ve outlined the steps you can take after graduation to work in the UK next.
Graduate visa route
Once you complete your MBA course, you’ll likely have a goal of putting your skills to the test and developing key work experience while you are still in the UK. A Graduate visa permits you to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing your course and is a great idea if you want to build work experience at leading companies. To apply for this visa, you must be in the UK and already hold a Student visa when you apply.
Similar to your Student visa process, your Graduate visa application also requires a few important documents from your end, including:
- Your passport
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Your CAS reference number from when you applied for your Student visa
Salaries post-graduation from a top MBA in the UK
According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), those with an MBA earn double the amount that undergraduate business degree-holders do and significantly more than those with another postgraduate qualification. Many companies in the UK provide competitive salaries for qualifying MBA graduates ranging from £50,000 to over £100,000.
Companies in the UK that hire MBA graduates
Many students choose to pursue an MBA as it leads to strong future career prospects and opportunities, especially in the UK, where MBA graduates can qualify for some of the highest-paying jobs in the country. The GMAC has identified the top three popular industries for MBA graduates as finance, consulting, and technology. As such, some of the top recruiters of MBA graduates in the UK include:
- Amazon
- Boston Consulting Group
- Citi
- Goldman Sachs
- PwC
When starting your employment journey, remember to:
- Research MBA-related industries in the UK
- Understand the qualities and qualifications that UK employers look for in candidates
- Use online job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed to your advantage
- Craft your CV in the format that is accepted by UK employers
If you’re still unsure of where to start when applying for your MBA course in the UK, we can help you understand more about what’s required and how to finetune your applications.
Roadmap to your dream MBA with SI-UK
The UK is reputed for its modern MBA programmes that enable students to work in evolving industries using a wide range of adaptive managerial and entrepreneurial skills. If you’re planning your MBA, our experts can provide you with important insights into the top MBA programmes in the UK.
We’ll also help you with profile assessments and goal setting, test prep for GMATs and IELTS, your college shortlists, your applications and interviews, your financial plan, and your visa application. Contact our experts at SI-UK today and get started on your journey to a top MBA college in the UK.
FAQs
Which MBA is best in the UK?
The UK is home to many high-quality MBA programmes which train students in managerial and entrepreneurial skills. Among these, MBA courses at the London Business School, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London are top-ranking, according to the QS Global MBA Rankings for 2025.
Is a one-year MBA in the UK worth it?
An advantage of following an MBA in the UK is its relatively shorter duration when compared to other countries like the US. A one-year MBA programme from the UK is recognised globally as the UK is reputed for rigorous academic standards and well-rounded practical learnings in its MBA courses. This means that MBA students can move to high-paying jobs upon graduation.
Which is the highest paid MBA specialisation in the UK?
MBAs can be divided into two categories: general MBAs and MBA specialisations. Among MBA specialisations, finance, consulting, and technology are generally regarded as leading to the highest-paying jobs.
Is an MBA in the UK expensive?
MBA colleges in the UK have a range of tuition fees between £27,000 to £115,000 which gives students flexibility in terms of cost when selecting an MBA. In addition to tuition fees, students will also have to account for living expenses which would be around £1,000 outside of London and about £1,500 within London per month.
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