The UK is recognised as a global leader in business education, with several top business schools in the UK achieving prominent rankings worldwide. London, the country’s economic powerhouse, offers numerous prestigious options for prospective business students. The University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School are amongst the top business schools in the UK.
The duration of MBA in the UK is less than in the USA and Canada. As per QS Rankings 2022, more than 15 business schools in the UK are globally ranked within the top 100 positions and around 25 in the global top 200. Learn about best business schools in the UK and why the UK is a great place to start your business career!
Top 10 Business Schools In The UK – Financial Times
Although many highly-regarded business schools exist to provide top MBA in the UK, attending one can undoubtedly boost your resume and help you succeed in today’s competitive job market, it’s important to note that rankings are not always entirely reliable. University scoring systems cannot consider every student’s unique needs and aspirations, and rankings can be influenced by biases, such as their influence on recruitment decisions.
Job recruiters often use university rankings when making hiring decisions. As a result, top MBA schools in the UK may receive higher scores, resulting in more hiring in the future. Financial Times (FT) rankings are widely respected. According to the latest FT top European Business School Rankings, the following are the top MBA schools in the UK:
| Rank in the UK | Business school |
| 1 | London Business School |
| 2 | University of Oxford: Saïd |
| 3 | ESCP Business School |
| 4 | University of Cambridge: Judge |
| 5 | Imperial College Business School |
| 6 | Warwick Business School |
| 7 | City, University of London: Bayes |
| 8 | Alliance Manchester Business School |
| 9 | Henley Business School |
| 10 | Cranfield School of Management |
Top 10 MBA Programmes In The UK (The Economist)
There are some of the best business university in UK to choose from for an MBA programme. The average cost of an MBA in the United Kingdom is between £15,000 and £25,000, but elite institutions like Oxford and Cambridge can charge up to £65,000. Despite the initial investment, having an MBA can result in substantial salary increases, making it worthwhile.
Here are some of the best business schools in the UK for MBA programmes ranked by The Economist, along with their expected salary increases upon completion.
| Overall rank | Business school | Salary increase |
| 1 | Warwick Business School | +96.6% |
| 2 | Durham University Business School | +81.6% |
| 3 | University of Nottingham – Nottingham Business School | +149.5% |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh Business School | +36.7% |
| 5 | Cranfield School of Management | +29.4% |
| 6 | Leeds Business School | +40.2% |
| 7 | University of Exeter Business School | +32.8% |
| 8 | Lancaster University Management School | +6.1% |
| 9 | University of Birmingham – Birmingham Business School | +53.5% |
| 10 | University of Glasgow – Adam Smith Business School | +38.5% |
Best Business Schools In the UK For Undergraduate Programmes
The UK has some of the best business schools offering various undergraduate programmes. The duration of most courses is typically between 3 to 4 years. Additionally, universities often provide opportunities for students to enrol in intercalated programmes during their third or fourth year of study in collaboration with partner universities abroad.
Upon completing their degree, graduates can pursue job opportunities in various sectors such as healthcare, construction, fashion, grocery, and more. The starting salary range typically falls between £25,000 to £27,000 per year, subject to the candidate’s industry-specific knowledge and skill set. Many students opt for further education, such as International Business Management or MBA programmes, to advance their career and earning potential.
If you’re an international student looking for the best undergraduate business schools in the UK, below are the details you need to know:
| programme | University | Duration (Years) | Annual Tuition Fees (GBP) |
| BA (Hons) Business | University of Strathclyde | 4 | 15,300 |
| BSc (Hons) International Management | University of Manchester (Alliance Manchester Business School) | 4 | To be announced |
| BSc Management | University of Warwick (Warwick Business School) | 3 | 25,770 |
| BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business | London School of Economics and Political Science | 3 | 21,570 |
| BA (Business and Management) | Durham University Business School | 3 | 21,500 |
Eligibility For Bachelor’s Programmes In Business
International students must meet specific nationality-based requirements to be eligible for undergraduate programmes at the best business schools in the UK. But there are some common requirements, as mentioned below:
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirements |
| Qualifications | A minimum of 70% to 75% in classes X and XII/Higher Secondary Certificate |
| Language proficiency | IELTS 7.0 (overall 6.5)/PTE 75 (minimum 59 in each component)/CAE A/CPE C |
Fees and Funding Bachelor’s Programmes In Business
- For undergraduate business programmes in the United Kingdom, tuition fees range from £15,000 to £25,000 per year.
- Undergraduate programmes receive less funding from universities. However, Warwick Business and the University of Oxford are 2 popular universities that provide undergraduate scholarships.
Postgraduate Programmes Provided By Business Schools In The UK
Over 55% of nationalities worldwide are represented in the UK’s MBA and postgraduate business programmes. Other options include a Master of Science in Marketing, a Global Masters in Management, joint degrees, an Executive MBA, and a Master’s degree with a Major in Management. UK universities have a strong reputation globally and are consistently ranked highly in the QS Global Rankings.
| Degree | University | programme Duration (in months) | Tuition Fees per year (in GBP) |
| MSc in Management and Strategy | London School of Economics | 12 | 29,760 |
| MBA | Warwick Business School | 12 | 40,050 |
| MSc Management | Alliance Manchester Business School | 12 | 23,000 |
| MBA | University of Oxford (Saïd Business School) | 12 | 59,490 |
| MBA | London Business School | 15-21 | 87,900 |
MBA Schools In The UK
There is a high demand for MBA programmes around the world. According to QS Salary trend reports, the UK ranks fifth among countries paying MBA graduates the highest salaries. It is estimated that 90% of MBA graduates from the UK find a job within 3 months of graduation.
Eligibility & Fees For Masters
The following requirements must be met to apply for a postgraduate programme in Business:
- A GMAT or GRE is required for admission to MBA programmes only
- Bachelor’s degree in honours subject with a minimum of upper second class (60-69% marks)
- The following language requirements apply: CAE – grade B, CPE – grade C, PTE – 66-73, IELTS – 7.0, TOEFL (internet-based) – 100
- Furthermore, some institutions, such as Warwick Business School and the University of Oxford, require 2-3 years of professional experience.
Fees & Funding For Masters:
- Tuition fees for master’s programmes or MBA at the best business schools in the UK range from £29,000-£88,000 per academic year.
- At admission, students are required to pay an additional non-refundable fee of £2,500 to £8,000.
- Payment of tuition fees can be made either as a lump sum or in instalments.
- Applicants from low-income countries, as determined by the World Bank, can request admission fee waivers during the application process.
- Scholarship programmes can reduce tuition fees by 50% or more in exceptional cases.
- External funding is available through banks or other financial institutions.
Popular Scholarships Offered By the Best Business Schools In The UK
The cost of living is an additional expense for international students, in addition to tuition fees. However, studying in the UK can be more affordable when scholarships are available. Following is a list of scholarships offered by the best business schools in the UK at various educational levels:
| Scholarship Name | Organisation | Eligible Students | Scholarship Amount (in £) |
| International Merit Scholarship | University of Bristol | International undergraduate students in any field | 5,000 |
| Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships | University of Edinburgh | International undergraduate students in Mathematics | 1,000 – 5,000 per year |
| Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme | University of Cambridge | International students pursuing a PhD | Full tuition and an annual stipend |
| Future Leaders MBA Scholarship | Imperial College Business School | International students applying for MBA programme | Up to 52,000 |
| Leeds University Business School Undergraduate Scholarships | University of Leeds | International undergraduate students in Business | 2,500 – 3,000 per year |
Career Scope At The Best Business Schools In The UK
- The UK offers world-class education and a global job market, with 80% of graduate jobs in the business sector.
- Employers in the UK often provide graduate training programmes to retain talented students in commercial roles.
- Postgraduates in the UK earn an average of 29% more than graduates, while PhD holders in business earn 23% more than postgraduates.
- There is still a gender pay gap in managerial roles in the UK, with male counterparts earning 5% more than their female colleagues.
- Top-rated employers for business graduates in the UK include Bain & Company, McKinsey & Company, FTI Consulting, and Boston Consulting Group.
- Despite these large corporations, 99% of business graduates in the UK are employed by small or medium-sized companies.
- After graduating from a business college in the UK, students can expect to pursue various job roles and earn competitive salary packages.
The table below lists some of the top job roles that graduate from the best business schools in the UK can consider with respect to their annual salaries –
| Job Role | Annual Package (in GBP) |
| Business Analyst | 37,000 |
| Management Consultant (entry-level) | 25,000-30,000 |
| Management Consultant (5 years experience) | 50,000 |
| Management Consultant (+10 years’ experience) | 125,000 |
| Audit Manager | 50,000-70,000 |
| Business Development Manager (entry-level) | 22,000-25,000 |
| Business Development Manager (mid-level) | 30,000-60,000 |
| Business Development Manager (senior-level) | 80,000 |
| Asset Protection Associate | 151,000 |
| Financial Manager | 60,000-100,000+ |
| Administration Manager | 134,000 |
| Professor (MBA) | 101,018-103,886 |
| Operational Researcher | 100,000+ |
Conclusion
The UK is home to some of the best business schools to offer a wide range of programmes and opportunities for students to excel in their careers. Additionally to the business and management colleges listed in this article, there are many other places in the UK where you can study top MBAs. Don’t limit your search strictly to rankings; find the one that’s right for you.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further