A Comprehensive Guide to Pursuing an MBA from Top UK Universities

Of all the domains studied across the world, business is the most popular. This is because management and entrepreneurial skills are crucial in today's competitive arena. For better career growth and strong business acumen, a specialised MBA degree in the UK can be of great help. Consider pursuing one from a leading university in the hub of business excellence - the UK. The country is home to several top business schools and colleges at par with global academic excellence. Most universities offering MBAs in the UK enjoy high ranks in QS World University Rankings and offer students internship opportunities to facilitate real-world exposure.

Why Choose UK Universities for Studying MBA?

You’ll find plenty of factors that work in your favour when choosing the UK for your MBA specialisation. High living standards, affordable living, superior-quality education, and much more make the UK one of the top choices for international students. The following reasons are likely to attract you to join the best universities in the UK for MBA:

  • The UK allows international students to work part-time while pursuing their studies alongside

  • The standard of courses and programs offered at UK universities is well at par with the international educational benchmarks

  • Most UK universities offer short MBA programs to students for a total duration of 1 year

  • The MBA programs in the UK offer a wide variety of specialisations and electives to allow students ample choice to pursue the subject of their preference

List of Top MBA Universities in the UK

Here’re the top MBA universities in the I

University

QS World University
Rank 2023

Next Intake
for MBA

Imperial College London

6

Sep

The University of Edinburgh

15

Nov

The University of Manchester

28

Sep

The University of Warwick

64

May

University of Glasgow

81

Sep

University of Southampton

78

May

University of Birmingham

91

Oct

University of Leeds

86

Sep

Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023

Best MBA Courses to Study in UK Universities

Choosing the right university isn’t enough. You also need to know which MBA specialisation would ideally match your skill set and help enhance your knowledge base. To help simplify your decision, listed below are some leading names in the world of MBA in the UK, along with the THE World University Rankings of 2023 and the best MBA courses in the UK offered at these institutions.

Name of the University

THE World University
Rank 2023

Top MBA
Courses Offered

University of Oxford

1

Oxford MBA
Oxford Executive MBA
Oxford 1+1 MBA

University of Cambridge

3

Full-Time MBA
Executive MBA

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

37

Global Executive MBA

UCL

22

Global MBA Program

University of Warwick

104

Full-Time MBA

Source: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/locations/GBR/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats

Admission Requirements to Study MBA in Top UK Universities

Pursuing an MBA degreev at a university of your choice in the UK requires you to meet certain specific criteria. While each university or business school may have a different set of requirements as part of the admission process, some commonly accepted MBA requirements in the UK are:

  • A completed Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field of study

  • A minimum score of 6.0-6.5 in IELTS

  • A minimum professional experience of 3 years in a full-time job role

  • GMAT completion (in case the applied university so demands)

Cost of Studying MBA in UK Universities for Indian Students

The duration of an MBA program at a top UK university requires students to invest a certain amount of time, effort, and money into the course. Regarding the monetary part, MBA in the UK for Indian students’ fees is likely between GBP 31,000 and GBP 88,000 per year. This cost is expected to vary from one university to another. Therefore, it is best to check the specific cost of the MBA program at the applied university during the application process.

FAQs

1 .What exams are required to study MBA in the UK?

Most universities in the UK accept admission into MBA courses upon completing competitive exams such as the GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and the like. However, every university has specific exam requirements for applicants. Hence, it is best to check with the applied university its eligibility criteria before applying.

2. Are there any MBA scholarships available in UK universities for Indian students?

Yes, UK universities encourage Indian students to apply for MBA programs in the country by offering a host of scholarship options. A few examples include the MBA Visionary Scholarship at the University of Strathclyde, 2023, the GREAT Henley Scholarship - India, 2023, and Brunel University London - MBA Scholarships in the UK, 2023.

3. What is the difference between full-time and part-time MBA in UK universities?

Full-time MBA courses are generally offered for a shorter duration, i.e., 1-2 years; however, they are more elaborate and comprehensive in terms of curriculum. They are an ideal choice for those students who can afford to invest their time into full-time studies and are not bound by any other obligation. A part-time MBA program may stretch longer for up to 3 years (in some cases). The pace of the course is slower and generally appeals to part-time working students.

4. Is work experience required to study MBA programs in top UK universities?

Yes, most UK universities demand students to show a minimum of 3 years of professional experience to pursue an MBA.

5. What are some challenges that can be faced by international students pursuing MBA in UK universities?

Some of the most common challenges that most international students face while studying in the UK are:

  • Difficulty in understanding and responding in English

  • Sufficiency of funds to finance the course duration

  • Cultural differences

  • Staying away from home, sometimes resulting in homesickness

  • Racial discrimination (in some cases)

6. What kind of jobs can Indian students do after completing MBA at top universities in the UK?

Some of the most popular job roles on offer for Indian course graduates of MBA at leading UK universities include:

  • Project Manager

  • Business Development Manager

  • Marketing Manager

  • Finance Manager

  • Operations Manager

  • Chief Executive Officer

  • Management Consultant

7. Which UK city is best for Indian students to study MBA?

London is among the top choices for international students aspiring to pursue MBA courses in the UK.

Read more insightful articles