Top 10 MBA Colleges in London for 2025 Entry

Following an MBA—a Master of Business Administration—in London can fast-track your career with the education you can gain from the top-ranking business schools in London and the opportunities that the city offers. Whether you want to network with peers and industry experts or explore the many career opportunities from global companies located in the city, London is an ideal place to begin the next phase of your education and career. 

If you are looking to start your MBA in London, this article is a good place to kick off your research. We’ve covered why London is the best place to pursue your MBA, the types of MBA programmes you can follow, along with top colleges in London for your MBA and why they can be a good fit for you. We also look at admission requirements in each of these colleges, tuition fees, course duration, scholarships, and more, including the top recruiters hiring from MBA colleges in London and the salary potential of the most in-demand professions you can follow after your MBA. Let’s get started.

Why Study MBA in London

London is known for its prestigious universities and research-focused colleges that drive innovation, offering students studying for an MBA at a college in London the chance to benefit from the many opportunities in the city. Let’s take a look at these:

• Top-ranking business schools: Many top-ranking business schools offering internationally-recognised MBA programmes are located in London, close to the city’s business districts. Following an MBA at one of these top-ranking business colleges will help open up career opportunities in the city and across the world. 
• Access to global companies: London houses 70 companies listed in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index and around 400 companies from the Fortune 500 list. Studying in the city gives you convenient access to potential internship programmes and job vacancies at these companies, helping you to start or advance your career at a globally recognised company.
• Earning potential: As a business hub of high-value companies, many businesses in London offer career opportunities with great salary potential. Working in London right after you complete your MBA sets you up for success, earning a competitive salary that meets global industry standards. 
• Diverse international community: London is home to a multicultural community within and outside of your campus, so you will have the chance to connect with peers from around the world with similar professional goals. You can start building an international network of professionals while you pursue your degree and leverage your connections for both your career and community. 
• Work-study permit and graduate visa: The UK’s work-study permit will allow you to work as you follow your course, giving you the chance to gain industry experience while completing your degree. Once you graduate, the graduate visa will allow you to live and work in the UK for the next two years, allowing you to apply for your education at a global company based in London. Both the permit and the visa can help you get on-the-job experience and fast-track your career as a fully qualified professional.

The city of London offers students many opportunities for career and personal growth—to make the best of them, it’s important to choose an MBA programme that best fits your goals. Let’s go over a breakdown of different types of MBA programmes next so you will know what to look for in your research. 

Types of MBA Programmes to Follow 

Business schools offer a few different types of MBA programmes you can pursue as an international student, allowing you to select the best fit for you based on your professional experience and expected time commitment.  

• Full-time MBA: This is a full-time MBA degree programme with a duration of one to two years, depending on the field of study. This may be a good fit for you if you are a recent graduate and haven’t started your career yet, or if you are a professional who can take a break from your career for the duration of the course. 
• Part-time MBA: This degree is delivered on a flexible schedule with classes that may take place in weekday evenings or on weekends. If you are a professional who wants to earn your MBA while working, this might be the right fit for you. 
• Executive MBA: The Executive MBA degree generally spans two years, but you have the flexibility to complete the full programme in up to five years. This might be a good fit when you want to balance your career alongside your education, making room for professional commitments while you pursue your MBA.
• Online MBA: This MBA allows you to access your coursework and earn your degree entirely online through a virtual classroom. While the curriculum would be the same as an MBA delivered in person, the online MBA gives you flexibility to fit your classes into your personal schedules. 

When you are looking for the best MBA programme to pursue, you can factor in your academic and professional goals as well as your availability and choose an MBA that best works for your goals and your schedule. Next up, we are looking at the top 10 colleges in London offering MBA programmes so you can explore your options for your MBA. 

Top 10 MBA Colleges in London and Programmes They Offer

The top 10 colleges in London for MBA have been chosen for their industry standing, quality of coursework, and the relevance of the programme in terms of industry trends and innovation. Let’s have a look:

These business schools deliver MBAs covering diverse specialisations in business and management fields, so let’s find out what each of them can offer you as an international student.

Top 10 MBA Colleges in London: Details

Colleges offering MBAs generally require good performance in a Bachelor’s degree and professional experience in some cases, along with an acceptable GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score. These tests gauge your problem-solving abilities and critical reasoning skills—a requirement for students who want to pursue an MBA. Let’s go into detail with the top 10 colleges in London offering MBA programmes, covering their popular courses, admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, and more.

1. London Business School

Why choose London Business School

The London Business School gives you convenient access to global businesses and innovative start-ups located in the London business districts. Ranked 2nd in the European Business School Rankings 2023, its MBA programme offers 100+ electives to build your own course and tailor it to your career goals as well as your schedule. The programme focuses on academic excellence, delivering coursework via experienced faculty and guest speakers from the industry. 

The school’s Career Centre allows you to engage with industry experts and recruiters from leading companies. This paves the way for top performers to be hired immediately after graduation, leading to 90 per cent employment three months after graduation.  

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

2. ESCP Business School

 Why choose ESCP Business School

ESCP Business School offers its programmes full-time, online, or as a blend of both, giving you the freedom and flexibility to tailor your education to your schedule. You can choose 10-12 electives from among 50 electives and curate your MBA to align with your professional goals, while nine core courses help you build a comprehensive foundation in managerial concepts.

As you enrol at ESCP Business School, ranking 4th in the European Business School Rankings 2023, you become a part of an influential global community of over 75,000 ESCP alumni in over countries, increasing your capacity to become a leader in your relevant field. In fact, ESCP graduates see a 101% increase in salary after completing the programme.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

3. Bayes Business School

Why choose Bayes Business School

With 50 years of education excellence, Bayes Business School (formerly Cass Business School) has delivered cutting-edge business education via a faculty consisting of academics, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. In addition to ranking 27th in the European Business School Rankings 2023, it is also thrice accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), AMBA (Association of MBAs), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), highlighting the school’s commitment to providing a world-class education 

Bayes Business School empowers thought leadership and practical learning, creating a significant impact on your career progression and business growth. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

4. Imperial College Business School

Why choose Imperial College Business School

Ranking 28th in the European Business School Rankings 2023, Imperial College Business School leverages the expertise of Imperial College London in the fields of technology, innovation, business, and sustainability, adopting a cross-disciplinary approach to deliver their MBA programmes. Imperial College’s role as a contributor for groundbreaking research is reflected in the MBAs offered by the Imperial College Business School, combining business education with latest industry insights and innovation.

You have the flexibility to curate your MBA, pairing a number of electives with core learning modules that empower global experience in business and leadership. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

5. Hult Business School 

Why choose Hult Business School

Located between a business district and an academic district, the London campus of the Hult Business School offers students the best of the city’s wide range of career opportunities. You have the opportunity to explore many pathways of professional growth at on-campus career events, off-campus company events, and student clubs, giving you insight into the diversity of businesses in London.

The MBA programmes at Hult Business School are designed to complement your career in international business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, enhancing your strategic thinking capabilities and your capacity for value creation in business. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

6. King’s Business School

Why choose King’s College London Business School

The MBA programme at King’s College London Business School focuses on nurturing leadership through one-on-one coaching, skill development workshops, and resilience training alongside the coursework. The coursework prepares you for real-world challenges, helping you engage with teams of professionals and lead them towards achieving your business goals. 

You will also have the opportunity to work on global immersion and impact projects with private and non-profit organisations where you and your peers can apply what you have learned to solving challenges, researching solutions, and creating a real impact on global communities.  

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

7. UCL School of Management

Why choose UCL School of Management

UCL School of Management offers a master’s course in management as well as customisable executive education programmes that complement your professional experience and career goals. The programmes cover major factors that drive change in management, focusing on technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and analytics.

UCL’s reputation for world-leading research into innovation extends to the School of Management as well, helping you gain the latest industry insights into modern management that you can adopt within your current or future business. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

8. Brunel Business School

Why choose Brunel Business School

The MBA programme at Brunel Business School delivers education that contributes to the continued growth in your profession. Covering core modules in finance, marketing, management, strategy, business economics, and professional soft skill development, you will also have the opportunity to choose electives to specialise in either digital technology management or healthcare management. 

Brunel Business School welcomes MBA students from diverse industries, professions, cultures, and countries, allowing you to build an international network of peers that you can lean on when you re-enter the business world. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

9. School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London

Why choose the School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London

The School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) offers a range of Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Research (MRes) degrees designed to improve your career prospects and advance your professional growth. 

The school also carries out extensive career and employability activities that help you enhance your personal and professional skills, setting you up for success in the workforce as you graduate with full qualifications. 

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

10. Middlesex Business School

Why choose Middlesex Business School

The MBA offered by Middlesex Business School is designed to give you a competitive edge in your profession, sharing industry insights and developing your professional skills. The faculty consists of experienced academic and industry professionals who take you through the latest trends and developments in business with a focus on international perspectives and best practices.  

Skill-building workshops are in place to support personal and leadership development, covering communication, negotiation, team-building, and more. You also have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with your peers and business leaders who visit for guest lectures, allowing you to build an international network of professionals that you can leverage as you advance in your career.

*Tuition fees, admission requirements, and standardised test requirements may vary depending on the programme.

If these colleges and their MBA programmes align with your professional goals, counsellors at SI-UK can help you explore your preferred MBA programmes and assist you in the application process—you can reserve a free consultation to research your options, eligibility, and scholarship options you can apply for. 

Career Prospects with an MBA from London

An MBA from a recognised and accredited business school in London can open up pathways you can follow to accelerate your career. Additionally, studying in the city of London gives you access to recruiters from top global companies, and if you are a good fit, you might find yourself working at a world-class company right after you graduate. Let’s find out more about the top recruiting companies in London. 

Top recruiters from MBA Colleges in London

As you pursue your studies in London, you have the opportunity to attend company events and career fairs where you can explore your options after graduation, submit your resume, and even land interviews with recruiting companies. Here’s a list of businesses that recruit from reputed business schools in London and the industries they operate in: 

If you are aspiring for a career in companies, it’s best to look into what their recruiters are looking for so you can improve your technical and personal skills aligned to your preferred career track. Next, let’s go through a list of in-demand professions you can go into with an MBA and the salary potential they offer. 

Salary potential with an MBA 

An MBA can accelerate your career or grow your business, setting you up for success as a well-rounded professional. Here are a few roles with high earning potential you can explore in the UK, effectively putting your MBA into use:  

*Retrieved from payscale.com in September 2024

Getting an MBA from a business college in London helps you broaden your horizons and reach out for international opportunities to accelerate your career. So to make the best of your MBA, you will need to know the factors you should consider as an Indian student choosing to follow your MBA in London. 

Factors to Consider as an Indian Student Applying for an MBA in London 

Whether you are a professional or a student aiming for an MBA in London, you’ll need to consider admission and visa requirements along with a few other factors when you make your decision. Let’s take a look at each of these factors:

• All MBAs require a completed undergraduate degree, but the entry requirements can vary by programme.  
  • Academic excellence: You may need a minimum of second-class honours upper division for your undergraduate degree. Some MBA programmes even consider a master’s degree as a requirement as well.
  • Work experience: Most MBA programmes require full-time work experience of at least three years, but some MBAs look for more years of work and experience in managerial roles. 
  • GMAT/GRE score: As a measurement of your critical skills, strategic thinking,  and leadership capacity, most MBA programmes need you to meet their required GMAT/GRE score. 
  • English language proficiency: Many MBA programmes require you to show evidence of your language proficiency through an accepted test. However, some MBA programmes waive off this requirement if you have followed your undergraduate programme in English or gained work experience in an English-speaking environment.
• You need to apply for a student visa to enter the UK as an Indian student, and you need to submit a few documents to support your application.
  • Valid passport  
  • CAS (Confirmation of Studies) letter
  • Documents to show financial evidence 
  • Your TB test results 

If you need to learn more about student visa requirements for Indian students starting studies in the UK, our blog on UK Student Visa: Checklist of Documents can help. 

• Cost of living can pose a financial challenge when you are planning to study in London, so you need to factor in your living expenses as well as tuition fees.  
• • Living in London: The city of London has a high cost of living across accommodation, utilities, and other living expenses like groceries. You can reduce the impact of some of these costs by working while you study, and this can help you support your studies in London.    
  • Tuition fees: Tuition for your MBA in London can range from around ₹25,41,000 to ₹99,48,000. You can get support funding for your tuition with scholarships available in most colleges offering MBA programmes. 

You can also go through our extensive list of UK scholarships if you want to explore funding and scholarships to support your MBA education at a college in London. 

Choosing the best-fit business school for your MBA can help accelerate your career and let you enter the workforce as a well-rounded professional. If you need help selecting a business college and an MBA programme that fits your academic and professional goals, experts at SI-UK can support you with exploring your options, assessing your eligibility, and applying to your preferred college. 

FAQs

Is London a good place for international students to study?

Yes, London is a popular destination for international students. It offers high-quality education, a diverse cultural experience, and a chance to improve English language skills. Renowned universities, historic cities, and personal and professional growth opportunities make London attractive.

Which city in the UK is best for international students?

London is a top choice owing to its world-class universities and vibrant cultural scene. Other cities like Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham offer great academic environments and unique experiences.

What are the admission requirements for studying business in London?

Admission requirements vary by university and programme. Generally, international students must provide academic transcripts, English language proficiency scores (such as IELTS or Pearson PTE), letters of recommendation, personal statements, and standardised test scores (like the GMAT or GRE).

Which MBA course is best in London?

The MBA offered by London Business School is considered to be the best MBA in London. The school has MBA and EMBA programmes in finance, management science and operations, marketing, organisational behaviour, strategy, and entrepreneurship.

Can I get a job after MBA in London?

Yes, you have a high chance of landing a job after completing an MBA in London if you fulfil job requirements set out by top companies recruiting from your MBA programme.

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