The United Kingdom (UK) has long been a popular choice among foreign students, particularly those pursuing an MBA, due to its many prestigious educational institutions, excellent level of education, and abundance of job prospects upon graduation.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the United Kingdom provides an excellent opportunity to network with other ambitious individuals from all walks of life while also preparing you for a wide range of rewarding careers. Here you can find the most affordable MBA programs in the UK for international students.
The UK is one of the most popular places to study for international students due to its esteemed universities and top-notch education.
The MBA program in the UK is still a top pick for overseas students among all the programs offered by universities in the United Kingdom. Some of the best business schools in the world, such as Said Business School, London Business School, Warwick Business School, etc., are in the UK and are popular with MBA aspirants worldwide.
It might be wise to take into account the tuition fees as one of your first priorities when applying to an international institution. Managing the daily expenses, rent, tuition, and other costs while studying overseas is undoubtedly difficult. However, what if you could select an affordable MBA program in the UK without sacrificing the standard of education?We present to you in this blog a list of British universities that provide the least expensive MBA programs to overseas students, together with their tuition fees and the most popular MBA specializations.
Let’s start by analyzing the reasons why an MBA in the UK is a great choice for students from abroad. The following are some of the biggest benefits of pursuing an MBA in the UK:
Excellent Quality of Education: Despite offering affordable MBA programs, UK MBA universities keep a high standard of teaching and research. Experts regularly evaluate and analyze the educational system to ensure that the predetermined quality standards are met. The tutors are very experienced practitioners with years of experience in their disciplines.
Program Length: The one-year program is a major factor in the popularity of the most affordable MBA in the UK. Students find the UK’s one-year MBA program to be incredibly fulfilling, economical, and time-efficient.
Diverse Specializations: In contrast to American business schools, UK-based, cost-effective MBA programs provide a wide range of specializations.
The criteria for MBA admission in the UK may differ among universities. Below is a comprehensive overview of the basic criteria for admission to an MBA program in the United Kingdom.
Particulars | Details |
Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent |
GMAT Score | GMAT is required for a few & not for all universities |
Work Experience | Minimum 2-3 years, but several UK Universities offer MBA without work experience |
Language | IELTS – 6.5 |
Visa | Required for overseas students |
CV | Require updated CV |
Letter of Recommendation | 2 Generally |
Statement of Purpose | A detailed statement on career goals & background |
Financial Evidence | To prove that you have sufficient funds available |
The most significant advantage of obtaining an MBA in the UK is the short course duration, which is suitable for professionals who cannot afford to take a long sabbatical from their jobs. Most courses last 12 to 18 months. This allows you to earn a coveted degree while saving time and money. Furthermore, the United Kingdom is the place to go if you want to get an MBA that is both reasonable and of high quality. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which universities offer the cheapest MBA in the UK for international students.
University | Fees (in GBP) | Duration (In Months) |
Ulster University, Birmingham | 13,600 | 12 |
Ulster University, London | 15,250 | 12 |
Edinburgh Napier University | 10,260 | 12-24 |
University of the West of Scotland | 14,500 | 12 |
Teesside University | 14,300 | 12-24 |
University of South Wales | 14,950 | 12 |
University of West London | 14,975 | 12-22 |
York St John University, London | 11,800 | 12 |
University of Bolton | 14,450 | 12-18 |
Leeds Trinity University | 12,500 | 12 |
University of Chester | 14,500 | 12 |
Now, let’s examine the specific criteria for admission at each university.
University | Admission Criteria |
Ulster University, Birmingham | 55% or above in bachelor’s degree, or equivalent. Applicants would normally have 2 years’ relevant work experience. |
Ulster University, London | 55% or above in bachelor’s degree, or equivalent. Applicants would normally have 2 years’ relevant work experience. |
Edinburgh Napier University | Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. In addition, applicants must have two years’ relevant work experience. |
University of the West of Scotland | Bachelor’s degree with 60% or above or relevant academic. |
Teesside University | Minimum of 55% or CGPA 5.8/10 from a recognised Indian university. Must have a minimum of two years full time work experience in a relevant role. |
University of South Wales | Require 55% or above in Bachelor’s Degree. Require minimum 60% or above in English in Standard XII |
University of West London | 55% in Bachelor’s + 2 Years of work experience. |
York St John University, London | Bachelor’s Degree – 55% or higher |
University of Bolton | Significant work experience in a business or management capacity. A UK Honours degree/postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. |
Leeds Trinity University | An honours degree (minimum 55% or above) in any discipline. |
University of Chester | 60% or above in Bachelor’s Degree. 55% in Bachelor’s + 2 Years of work experience. |
There are several options available in the UK for MBA specialisations. The most popular MBA programs in the UK are listed below:
MBA in Finance: The MBA in Finance program is specifically developed for individuals who aim to enhance their skills and knowledge in order to pursue leadership roles in banks and financial organisations.
MBA in Marketing: The MBA program in Marketing focuses on providing students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in the field of marketing management, applicable to many industries and sectors.
MBA in Entrepreneurship: The MBA in Entrepreneurship program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial analysis using research and theoretical frameworks.
MBA in International Business: The MBA in International Business is specifically developed to cultivate advanced business acumen with a global outlook, including modern perspectives.
MBA in Human Resource Management: The MBA program in Human Resource Management is designed to cultivate advanced abilities in managing human resources.
MBA in Information Management: The MBA in Information Management is specifically designed to enhance students’ proficiency in e-business, management information systems, and decision-making abilities.
MBA in General Management: The MBA program in General Management equips students with the necessary abilities to effectively manage and lead organizations in a highly competitive and professional environment.
The United Kingdom is home to over 6 million private-sector company entities. Obtaining employment in the UK following the completion of an MBA is not a challenging task. Nevertheless, universities may not provide direct placement and internship opportunities. Instead, they refer their foreign students to a career advisor who assists students in navigating their job prospects.
MBA graduates in the UK have several career options due to the high demand from recruiters seeking applicants with excellent analytical abilities and proficiency in technology. Below is a compilation of recruiters in the UK who have employed individuals with an MBA degree, along with the corresponding compensation they provide.
Recruiter | Average Annual Salary |
Ernst & Young | 125,000 GBP |
PricewaterhouseCoopers | 64,741 GBP |
Bain & Company | 83,000 GBP |
HSBC | 128,000 GBP |
Roland Berger | 54,000 GBP |
To summarize, earning an MBA in the UK provides foreign students with an outstanding combination of high-quality education, broad specialty possibilities, and multiple professional opportunities after graduation. Despite the high expense of living in the United Kingdom, numerous universities offer cheap MBA programs that maintain good academic standards. Institutions like Edinburgh Napier University and York St John University, among others, are known for their low tuition prices and strong academic programs.
The UK’s one-year MBA programs are particularly tempting because to their efficiency and economic value, making them excellent for professionals looking to further their careers without taking a significant break from work. Furthermore, the UK’s vibrant employment market and high demand for MBA graduates increase the likelihood of landing lucrative jobs after graduation.
Whether you are interested in finance, marketing, human resource management, or any other specialization, the UK has a diverse environment for MBA students. With extensive support systems in place, such as career advisers and strong industry ties, foreign students are well-positioned to succeed academically and professionally. Choosing an MBA in the UK is a smart investment in your future, providing a route to success in a globally competitive world.
The United Kingdom offers several notable universities that provide world-class education, training, and employment possibilities. Many universities in the United Kingdom provide the most affordable MBA programs for international students. Out of them, Edinburgh Napier University is the cheapest university for MBAs in the UK for overseas applicants.
Yes. International students may easily get a job in the UK after finishing an MBA, especially with the implementation of the two-year stay-back legislation. Individuals might earn more than GBP 80,000 per year after completing the MBA education program in the UK.
The basic admission criteria for gaining admission to an MBA in the UK for International students are:
1) Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
2) At least three years of full-time job experience. (Not for all programs)
3) GMAT/GRE scores. (Not for all programs)
4) IELTS and TOEFL scores
Want to know which are the cheapest universities in Canada? Check out the top 11 cheapest institutions in Canada for UG, PG, & Diploma programs.
Interested in Canada’s grading system? Find out about the Canada’s GPA system and other requirements for international students in this blog.
Explore logical reasons to pursue 1-year Master’s programs in Canada for international students with Global Campus. Book a free consultation today!
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