Why study an MBA in the UK?
The UK is top of many businesspeople’s MBA destination wishlists. Statistics reveal that business and management is the most popular area of study by far for international students coming to the UK. For many, the prospect of an international MBA program set in the UK, with its powerhouse economy and major financial institutions, is an enticing one.
Although the UK’s financial institutions are centred in capital London, the quality of business education is spread out across the UK as a whole.
What international MBA programs are offered in the UK?
The UK offers some of the premier business qualifications in the world, with several leading business schools and top-ranked MBA programs. In fact, four of the top MBA schools in Europe are from the UK.
MBA programs in the UK are particularly popular with North America students as the courses take half the time to complete as an American MBA. A full-time MBA program in the UK will typically take one year to complete, compared with two in the United States.
The UK also offers a variety of specialised MAB programs, from corporate and social responsibility to sustainability.
Immigration and visas in the UK
EU citizens are permitted to take a graduate program in the UK providing they fulfil the following:
- Are studying in the UK for more than three months
- Are enrolled at an accredited university or institution
- Have proof of sufficient funds to cover your graduate program in the UK for its duration
Non-EU students will need to apply for a student visa under the tier 4 visa category. They will need to demonstrate the following:
- Proof of funding to cover a postgraduate course and living costs
- A confirmation of acceptance to study (CAS) reference from a university with sponsor status
- Adequate English language skills
You can find out more about visas at the UK Border Agency.
What are the costs of studying for an MBA in the UK?
The cost of studying an international MBA program in the UK will depend on the type of MBA you choose to study, the duration of the program and the business school you choose to attend.
As a guide, you should expect a full-time MBA program from a middling business school to cost you around £20,000 in tuition fees. However, you should expect to pay significantly more for a course at a top ranking MBA school, where fees can exceed £40,000 a year.
Living costs in the UK vary. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live, but you can often live comfortably for a much smaller amount in the UK’s other major cities.
Working in the UK
The UK is one of the world's largest economies and has an extremely competitive job market. Despite recent visa changes, international students with good English language skills and a good postgraduate qualification are still in demand.
Growing industries in the UK include engineering, science and education and many large multinational companies offer graduate schemes. These are particularly common in the banking, technology and engineering sectors, which are good destinations for international students.
What to do next
If you would like more information on choosing and applying for an MBA program in the UK, sign up to our Free Application Service. We’ll get in touch with you with information tailored to your requirements, including advice on the best business course for you.
