International MBA degrees are some of the most sought-after programmes in the world. The schools in the United Kingdom are among the best worldwide. There are numerous business study options available in the UK, both in London and other major places.
The Financial Times provide yearly rankings of business schools in diverse categories. Below are some of the top schools in the UK that offer the best quality business programmes:
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- The London Business School (LBS)
The London Business is a business school that is globally recognized as a top leader. It has two branches in London and Dubai. The focus is to raise extraordinary leaders with diverse visionary perspectives who would be willing to impact the business world and change the narratives. The school was established in 1964 with the aim of inspiring individuals and helping them to drive their careers to the zenith. Furthermore, 93% of their students receive an offer within 3 months of graduation.
The London Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
Full-time MBA cost of LBS is £87 900 and the programme lasts for 15 – 21 months.
- The Warwick Business School (WBS)
Warwick Business School is poised to raise global leaders with a dynamic mindset and passionate drive to positively leave their footprint on the world of business and beyond. The school offers the tools, confidence, challenges, and support needed by the students to soar and achieve high-flying success. The students are taught to personally develop themselves in order to become influential and reach their full potential in their career fields.
Furthermore, the school collaborates with policymakers, the healthcare sector, and disability rights charities to ensure future change is embraced by organizations in creating a fair world.
Warwick Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
MBA programme at the Warwick Business School costs £43 950 and the programme duration is just 12 months.
- The Imperial College London Business School
The Imperial College London Business School is geared towards inspiring students with global minds to become future leaders in the world of business. The school combines business and technology, together with an entrepreneurial mindset to drive business advantage globally.
Imperial College of Science and Technology, in 1907, came into existence through the merging and collaborative efforts of the City and Guilds College, Royal College of Science and the Royal School of Mines. In 2008, it was officially named Imperial College Business School. With the new name comes the incorporation of a new mission which is ‘business’.
In addition, Imperial College London Business School is accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
The cost of obtaining an MBA at Imperial College Business School is £53 500. The duration of the programme is 12 months.
- Durham University Business School
This is one of the oldest business schools existing in the UK. It encompasses the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level programmes, combining academic excellence, incisive research as well as exceptional global business connections. The research of the school is internationally recognized academically as it partners with global organizations to push boundaries and set records in the business world.
The business programme is designed to help the students develop the skills that would project them for global relevance. As a result, a full range of career services is offered to complement the events, workshops, and fairs organized by the university’s Career and Enterprise Centre.
Durham University Business School is fully accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
The cost of obtaining an MBA in Durham University Business School is £31 500. The duration is 12 months.
- City, University of London – Cass Business School
Sir John Cass Business School is constantly ranked among the top business school in the UK and the global place. It offers high-tech learning resources and an advanced learning environment for its students. It also has a strong partnership with City firms, international businesses, a community of students, and alumni.
Cass Business School is also accredited by the AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The master’s programmes offered in the school include Financial Mathematics, Quantitative Finance, and Innovation, Creativity and Leadership.
The cost of pursuing an MBA programme in Cass Business School is £46 000 and the programme lasts for 12 months.
- University of Oxford – Saїd Business School
The Oxford MBA is one of the most difficult and global full-time MBA programmes the world can boast of. The SaÑ—d Business School aims at developing world-class business leaders who are ever ready to handle problems facing the global economy.
The programme entails a one-year intensive programme whose focus is to imbibe in the students the basic skills that would enable them to think logically, laterally, and independently.
The curriculum of the Oxford MBA follows a three-tier structure that includes entrepreneurship, global rules of the game, and responsible business.
MBA programme in Oxford Business School is £63 000, while the programme length is 12 months.
- Cambridge Judge Business School
Cambridge Judge Business School is a young business school that is fast rising to become the most sought after in the world. The biggest strength of the school lies in its entrepreneurship and innovation management programmes. More than 1 600 firms have been developed by the innovators in Cambridge and boast of over 30 000 employees. Entrepreneurs who aspire to build businesses upon graduation find Cambridge Judge Business School an interesting place to study.
The tuition for Cambridge Judge Business School is £49 000; the duration is 12 months.
- The University of Manchester – Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS)
This is another triple-accredited UK business school that is known to produce creative, resilient, and socially responsible graduates who would command the technological age. The school curriculum is designed to tackle complex business challenges faced by leaders and how to navigate such challenges with confidence. The teaching approach is highly effective in producing employable MBAs who would challenge the existing world of business.
The duration of the programme is 18 months and tuition is £45 000.
- University of Edinburgh Master of Business Administration
The programme is an intensive programme that provides young leaders who wish to progress to more senior leadership roles in business. They are delivered by world-class faculty with teachers from all among top business practitioners of the world. Students would be awarded certificates in specialized areas like Finance, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, or Sustainability and this must be agreed upon in advance with the programme team.
The fee for the programme is £32, 500 and the duration is 12 months.
- The University of Strathclyde – Strathclyde Business School
Strathclyde Business School is triple-accredited with its lectures taught with a rich blend of experience. Students come from various professional backgrounds in industries, public service, and agencies, and this includes marketing managers, engineers, consultants, IT specialists and finance managers. The full-time programme is 12 months, with ten months spent in classes, group work and personal development and two months spent in completing the MBA project.
The fee is £31 450 and the duration is 12 months.
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Who Can Apply for an MBA in the UK?
Anyone! Whether you are a domestic or international student, you are eligible to apply for an MBA programme in any of the UK universities that offer it. The Prospective Students Survey of 2019 recorded that about 8% domestic and 92% international students applied for MBA in the UK in 2019.
To apply for an MBA in the UK, you need to understand that each college has its own specific requirements for application. But below are the general requirements in all schools:
- You must have graduated three years before the application with a 50% – 60% score;
- You do not need a degree or a professional qualification before applying for the programme; however, you must possess a GMAT score of at least 550 points;
- A minimum of 2 years work experience;
- Where you have a strong supporting education or experience but lack any of the above requirements, you may, in exceptional cases, be admitted into the college for the programme. This, notwithstanding, is done at the discretion of the individual university or college involved;
- A GMAT score is not usually a compulsory requirement, but having it gives you an edge if you do not have any qualifications. It can also help you to get a scholarship;
- English language proficiency is needed for international students.
Visa Requirements for an MBA in the UK
An international student is expected to possess Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to pursue a full-time MBA programme in the UK. Once you are admitted, the school becomes your visa’s sponsor and offers you a Confirmation of Acceptance number to support your visa application.
In addition, you will need to provide proof of sufficient funds for your studies. In case you wish to work while studying, you are permitted to work for 20 hours per week during study periods and full-time during the holiday periods.
You are also offered to opportunity to bring your dependents along and these include your spouse, unmarried partner, or children below the age of 18.
Scholarships Opportunities in the UK for MBA Students
Both the cost of living and the cost of studying are quite on the high side in the UK. However, you can be offered some financial aids in form of student loans and scholarships. Several scholarships are made available to the students by the government and MBA colleges.
Below are the requirements for obtaining a government scholarship for a one year master programme, including MBA:
- An undergraduate degree;
- At least two years of work experience;
- English language requirements.
Some of the scholarships in UK universities are merit-based, need-based, or just available to all international students. Check with your MBA College to know the type, amount, and eligibility of the scholarship. Most student loans are available for only the UK, EU, and EEA students.
In conclusion, obtaining an MBA degree of international standard is a great decision and studying in any UK college is one of the wisest decisions you can take. It may cost you an arm, but the reward is priceless in terms of career growth and development.
