Top 15 MBA Universities in the UK

Many students dream of studying MBA in a different country, and many countries provide some of the best MBA universities that anyone will ever see. But one of the best countries to study MBA would be the UK! The country has some of the top MBA universities in the world, and in this blog, we will talk just about that! So, Let us dive into the top MBA universities in the UK!  

Why Study MBA in the UK?

Before we even begin our list, many might question, why study MBA in the UK? The answer is simple; you must learn to do business from the finest! Among the several programmes available, "business" is a prominent subject in which UK higher education institutions have excelled for many years. And since the UK is a major hub for business and entrepreneurship, MBA programmes are constantly in high demand and are often considered better than studying MBA in the US. The top business schools in the UK are well-known internationally and have an innovative and creative culture. This says a lot about the calibre of the education, research, and training they offer. So let us look at them in a bit more detail.

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Universities in the UK

Each university in this list has its eligibility criteria, so we will list some basic requirements you will need to tick off before applying to your dream MBA university in the UK.

1. An undergraduate degree.
2. Minimum three years of management experience.
3. An IELTS score of anywhere between 6.0 - 7.0.
4. A TOEFL score of anywhere between 90 - 110.
5. A few universities also accept PTE ranging anywhere between 59 - 100.
6. A GMAT score of anywhere between 600-870
7. Some universities also take GRE scores between 156 - 160 in Verbal and Quantitative.

Top Universities for MBA in the UK

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The UK is a powerhouse of world-class education, with its universities renowned for offering excellent MBA programmes that can propel your career to new heights. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the top universities for MBA in the UK, delving into their unique offerings, outstanding faculties, and rich learning environments. Also explore your

1. London Business School

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 5

Fees: £97,500 to £108,100

London Business School, situated in the energetic metropolis of London, has regularly held rank one among the top 10 business schools in the UK. The university provides excellent MBA and EMBA degrees in organisational behaviour, management science, marketing, and finance. This one is one of the best business schools in the UK to pursue an MBA. The LBS MBA, which calls itself "the world's most flexible," is considered one of the most renowned programmes worldwide and unquestionably among the most well-respected in Europe.

The Financial Times has consistently placed London Business School in Europe's top 2 business schools for three years running. You can study for 15, 18, or 21 months. LBS also offers the Executive MBA and two more EMBAs—the EMBA Global Asia and the EMBA Global Americas and Europe—. First, you'll have the opportunity to study in Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, and London, while in the latter, you'll study in both London and New York, which makes it one of the top MBA colleges in the UK.

2. University of Cambridge (Judge Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 12

Fees: £61,000 to £75,800 

The University of Cambridge is internationally renowned as one of the best business schools in the UK. Cambridge Judge Business School, originally known as Judge Institute of Management Studies, enrols students from over 100 nations. In addition to being a member of the prestigious Cambridge University and being ranked #1 in One-Year Programs in the UK by the Financial Times in 2021, CJBS is also well-known for its excellent programmes. 

The MBA programme at Cambridge University is founded on modern pedagogical and practical practices. The emphasis is on providing the students with both academic and practical learning. The Global Consulting Project, where groups of students work on real consulting assignments for businesses worldwide, is the centrepiece of Cambridge's MBA programme. The curriculum comprises four phases: team building, leading, influence and impact, and application and relaunch. It follows a "micro to macro" pattern which makes it one of the top MBA universities in the UK.

3. University of Oxford (Saïd Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 16

Fees: £63,442 to £98,590

The University of Oxford is regarded as one of the top MBA colleges in the UK. The oldest English-speaking university in the world is situated in Oxford, England, and was founded in 1096. Over time, Oxford acquired a crucial body of knowledge due to its antiquity, curriculum, philosophical foundation, and privileges. The MBA program's highlight project, Global Opportunities and Threats: Oxford (GOTO), is described as "action-oriented problem-solving that addresses a key issue impacting the globe today."

Oxford University has some of the best business schools in the UK for international students. The MBA programme consists of demanding academic lectures, seminars, and group projects. Said also offers an Executive MBA that allows students to participate in various challenging and strenuous programmes.

4. Imperial College London (Imperial College Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 21

Fees: £41,350 to £61,500

The esteemed Imperial College London includes the Imperial College Business School, which is one of the top business schools in the UK. According to the QS Global MBA Ranking 2022, the business school's full-time MBA programme is ranked #21 globally and #9 in Europe. In addition to the MBA, there are currently 2,000 post-graduate students enrolled at Imperial College Business School, including visitors from 103 different nations.

The advanced curriculum offers students countless management, entrepreneurship, and business prospects. A weekend MBA, a two-year Executive MBA, and a two-year global online MBA are other choices offered by one of the top MBA universities in the UK. Enrolling in a course at the Imperial College Business School might be expensive. As a result, candidates can submit applications for scholarships to study in the UK, like the Chevening Scholarship and more! 

5. University of Warwick (Warwick Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 35

Fees: £35,650 and £49,900

The Warwick Business School's MBA programme, a part of the University of Warwick, is ranked first in the UK and seventeenth overall by The Economist. It aspires to produce capable, innovative, and enterprising international leaders. Warwick MBA is a catalyst for the advancement and change of your career, regardless of your level of experience as a professional or whether you are a recent graduate, which makes it one of the best business schools in the UK.

The MBA programme at Warwick Business School, one of the top MBA colleges in the UK, enables you to participate in courses on customer persuasion techniques, powerful presentations, diversity and global business, and persuasive applications and interviews. You will have the option to focus on entrepreneurship, which entails devoting 50% of your time to that subject and 50% to the essential MBA material. Options at Warwick include an Executive MBA and a distance learning MBA (both of which can be completed at the university's London campus, The Shard).

6. University of Manchester (Alliance Manchester Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 47

Fees: £30,000 and £65,000 

Alliance Manchester Business School, a division of the esteemed University of Manchester, is one of the top business schools in the UK. It was founded in 1965 as one of the first two business schools in the United Kingdom. The MBA programme at this institution helps students enhance their leadership skills and sets goals for their future. You will engage in three consulting projects with actual clients as part of The University of Manchester's curriculum, which bills itself as "one of the most practical MBAs in the world." The largest campus-based business and management school in the UK is Alliance MBS.

It is ranked among the Top 50 B-schools in the world by the Financial Times (2021), Forbes, and Bloomberg's Best Business School, which makes it one of the top MBA universities in the UK. This MBA college offers globally accessible programmes with a diverse international student body, flexible completion times, and a high level of professionalism. It also has overseas campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, So Paulo, and Shanghai, in addition to its flagship campus in Manchester.

7. The University of Edinburgh Business School

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 56

Fees: £34,700 to £35,900

Three pillars - Strategic Leadership, Professional Development, and Personalised Approach - support the University of Edinburgh's MBA programme. The University of Edinburgh's business school is one of the best business schools in the UK. Edinburgh Business School was founded in 1919 and is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. The school is part of a university that has produced three UK prime ministers, an Abel Prize winner, three Turing Awards winners, two Pulitzer Prize winners, and 19 Nobel laureates.

The university's MBA programme includes a customised coaching programme as well. The Edinburgh MBA offers a "boutique experience" combining an individualised learning environment and small cohorts. You will broaden your perspectives while developing the abilities managers and business leaders need. The University of Edinburgh offers two full-time MBA programmes and a full-time MBA with foreign exchange, which makes it one of the top MBA colleges in the UK.

8. Cranfield University (Cranfield School of Management)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 87

Fees:  £27,000 - £39,000

The world-renowned Cranfield School of Management is a pioneer in management education, research, and consulting. The Cranfield School of Management is a post-graduate aeronautics institution situated in Bedfordshire, England. The institute was founded in its current form in 1967 due to the rising demand for management training. It is one of the top MBA universities in the UK for international students and hosts more than 15,000 participants annually in its executive and professional development programmes. It is the only institution in the UK solely dedicated to post-graduate study.

According to a Financial Times 2019 article, the institution is among the top business schools in the UK. This organisation does not charge applicants an application fee since it supports equal rights and high-quality education for all. With a high employment rate of almost 92%, it is a popular choice among international students studying in the UK.

9. Durham University Business School

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 94

Fees:  £15,000 -  £40,000

The Durham University Business School, a part of the prestigious Durham University, stands as one of the premier business schools in the UK. Established in 1965, it has a long-standing tradition of shaping future leaders and decision-makers. Its MBA program is designed to equip students with robust leadership qualities and strategic planning skills, preparing them for a successful future in a wide array of fields. The program boasts an engaging "boardroom simulation" model, allowing students to tackle real-life business scenarios and challenges, thereby calling it one of the most immersive MBA experiences around. Also, Durham University Business School is the largest campus-based business and management school in the North East of England.

This distinguished institution has consistently received high rankings from respected sources like Financial Times (2021), Forbes, and Bloomberg's Best Business School, solidifying its place as a top-tier MBA destination in the UK. The school offers programs that attract a diverse international student body and provide an unrivaled level of academic rigor, with flexible completion times to suit different student needs. 

10. University of Leeds (Leeds University Business School)

QS Global MBA Ranking 2023: 111 - 120

Fees:  £31,250

Leeds University Business School is a business school in Leeds, widely regarded as one of the best universities in the UK for MBA. It's part of the University of Leeds and has been around since 1997. First, it was called the School of Business and Economic Studies, but later in 2003, it became the Faculty of Business. Today, it has around 4,000 students, with 2,000 doing their bachelor's and 2,300 pursuing postgraduate degrees. They take pride in being accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, which means they provide top-quality education and research.

The school is famous for its research, and they have over 200 teachers exploring various subjects like Accounting, Finance, Economics, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Work and Employment Relations. In 2019, they appointed Professor Julia Bennell as the Executive Dean, adding to their reputation. Leeds University Business School offers many academic programs, including a sought-after one-year intensive MBA, preparing students for leadership roles in a rapidly changing world.

11. Lancaster University (Lancaster University Management School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 121 - 130

Fees: £34,500 - £49,900

Lancaster University Management School is one of the top MBA colleges in the UK, and it is the place to go if you want to pursue an MBA in the UK in a truly global, renowned, and aspirational environment. The prestigious parent company of Lancaster University is home to the business school known as Lancaster University Management School, which is one of the best business schools in the UK.

One of the top MBA universities in the UK, LUMS consistently ranks in the top 10 of three UK league tables. Applications can be submitted online at Lancaster University Management School using the UCAS system for undergraduate programmes and the university application portal for post-graduate programmes. Lancaster University does not charge an application fee, and admissions are available on a rolling basis.

12. The University of Southampton (Southampton Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 121 - 130

Fees: £28,000

Southampton Business School, a Southampton-based University of Southampton unit, was founded in 1920. On Hampshire's South Coast is where you'll find Southampton. Southampton is renowned for its top-notch business education and is one of the Russell Group of UK Universities' best business schools. In addition, the business school collaborates with more than 300 companies across the globe, including giants in their fields like Rolls-Royce, Microsoft, IBM, and Phillips.

More than 2,500 students worldwide can choose from the bachelor's, master's, MBA, DBA, and doctoral programmes Southampton Business School offers. Students pursuing an MBA at the University of Southampton learn to think strategically and make judgments. Here, you can acquire all the managerial expertise you need to graduate and lead teams and individuals. You learn how to handle sustainability concerns in today's fast-paced corporate climate.

13. University of Glasgow (Adam Smith Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023:  151 - 200

Fees: £29,950

The University of Glasgow, located in Scotland, was established in 1451 and has a rich history of providing top-quality education. The university's business school, known as the Adam Smith Business School, is highly regarded as one of the top MBA universities in the UK and stands as a prominent member of the Russell Group of UK Universities, known for its excellence in business education. Collaboration is key at the University of Glasgow Business School, with over 300 partnerships worldwide, including industry giants such as Rolls-Royce, Microsoft, IBM, and Phillips. This extensive network ensures that students have access to real-world experiences and cutting-edge insights.

At the University of Glasgow Business School, more than 2,500 students from around the globe can choose from a diverse range of programs. For those pursuing an MBA at the University of Glasgow, the focus is on strategic thinking and decision-making skills. Through comprehensive courses, students gain the managerial expertise required to lead teams and individuals effectively.

14. University of Birmingham (Birmingham Business School)

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 151 - 200

Fees: £22,225 - £31,500

The University of Birmingham's Birmingham Business School is one of the top MBA universities in the UK. It is a highly respected institution known for its excellent research and teaching. They are passionate about fostering curiosity and thought leadership in responsible business, aiming to create better, simpler, and more responsible business strategies. The school offers various postgraduate Master's degree programs, such as Accounting and Financial Management, International Business, and Marketing, among others. Students can benefit from over £1 million in scholarships and study at their lovely Edgbaston campus in the vibrant city of Birmingham, UK. The Birmingham MBA has a long history since 1902 and has earned international acclaim with consistent top rankings, being accredited by leading bodies AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.

15. Bayes Business School

QS Global MBA Rank 2023: 328

Fees: £47,000- £51,000

Located in the heart of London, Bayes Business School, formerly known as Cass Business School, is a proud part of City, University of London. The school, established in 1966, is one of the top MBA universities in the UK, nestled in one of the world's most bustling financial hubs. Bayes Business School holds the prestigious 'triple-crown' accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), a testament to its commitment to delivering high-quality education.Bayes Business School is also an active collaborator with businesses across the globe, connecting students with industry leaders like Deloitte, Barclays, and KPMG. 

The school offers an impressive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral programs, with over 3,800 students from around the globe immersing themselves in the Bayes learning experience.The curriculum is designed to equip you with comprehensive management skills and a deep understanding of sustainability issues in today's fast-paced business world. Also explore your options with the best law universities In the UK.

Well, there you have it! There is all the necessary information; all you need to do now is start preparing to get into your dream university. These are among the top MBA colleges in the UK, and they will surely be the place for you to be! And at amber, you can easily find student accommodation near all the universities before you even set foot in the city! So, what are you waiting for? Let the preparations begin!