MBA in UK

Last Updated on July 29, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Are you an MBA aspirant from UK? Are you an international student looking to pursue MBA in UK? If yes, this article will be of help to you. Here, you will find useful information such as – best MBA programs, colleges, relevant tests, requirements, eligibility, admission process and fees.

“How’s this article of help to me?”, you may ask. Before securing admission into any B-School in UK, it is very important to know some basic details. Details such as college rating, eligibility, tests & scores required, fees structure etc will help you make an informed choice!   MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. It is a postgraduate level management education program.   MBA is a very popular choice among graduates in UK. Not just that, many international students also dream about pursuing an MBA Degree in UK! It is a dream destination among International Students.   It is not uncommon to see Graduates from around the world moving to UK in order to pursue MBA! Quality of institutes, easy immigration process and availability of new opportunities – these are the main attractions that UK offers to International Students.   “What are the benefits of pursuing an MBA?”, you may ask. The benefits are many! You will find the main advantages in the next section. Here they are –  

Why MBA?

Managerial/administrative jobs are financially well rewarding. An MBA can help you build a dream career in the management sector!   Reports show that employers are keen on recruiting candidates with management skills. Irrespective of the nature of the job, employers want employees to have basic management skills. Such candidates are highly valued and rewarded by recruiters!   A Bachelor’s Degree will help give direction and shape to your career. But a Master’s Degree like an MBA will help broaden the career prospects. It will open new doors of opportunities in front of you!   It is not uncommon to see Bachelor’s Degree holders hitting a plateau (career-wise) after setting sail! An MBA can give a boost to your stalled career! It is not uncommon to see working professionals going after an MBA for obtaining a promotion!

Why UK?

Looking from International Students’ point of view, UK B-Schools have a lot to offer. Some of the main attractions are –

• Competitive curriculum
• Availability of reputed Institutes and Universities
• Chance to settle down in UK/Europe
• Chance to experience the culture and lifestyle
• Experienced faculty
• Excellent infrastructure
• Opportunity to work part-time

UK has always been a very popular destination among International Students. The higher education system in UK is designed to accommodate them easily. Apart from that, the diversity of ‘student population’ is also an advantage that attracts foreign students to UK.   For many international students, UK MBA is like an entry pass into European job market! European MBA can help them get hired by companies having business interest in Europe.   Curriculum-wise, MBA programs available in UK can be classified into two types. Here they are –

Types of MBA programs in UK

MBA programs can broadly be classified into two types –

• General management program
• Specialization program

A general MBA program focuses on the fundamentals of management. The curriculum covers core management subjects such as HRM, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship etc.   Apart from that, there also exists numerous MBA programs, which focus on a particular niche/domain/discipline. Such programs are known as specialization programs.   A typical specialization program focuses on both general management subjects and specialization-specific subjects.

Best MBA Specializations in UK

UK B-Schools are also generous when it comes to modes of learning. They offer wide variety of learning modes. Here they are –

1 MBA in HR Management

HRM is here to stay! As long as companies recruit and employ personnel, HR managers will be in demand! Companies hire skilled HR managers to take care of tasks such as recruitment, employee development, training & retention, performance analysis, compensation and rewarding.

2 MBA in Marketing Management

In order to sell goods and services, businesses need an effective marketing strategy. They depend on skilled marketing managers to develop, test and execute marketing campaigns and strategies. In short, skilled marketing managers will always be in demand!

3 MBA in Digital Marketing

Thanks to the advent of IT and Digital Technology, Digital Marketing has become very important. Sectors such as Digital Media, Online Branding and E-Commerce have opened doors to new opportunities!   In order to remain competitive in Digital Age, companies need skilled Digital Marketers. This relatively new MBA specialization is here to stay and will generate more job opportunities in the future!

4 MBA in IT

IT (Information Technology) plays a key role in our day to day lives. We use IT systems for purposes such as healthcare, education, governance, entertainment and shopping!   MBA in IT program is well known for churning out IT managers. IT managers are hired by IT firms and allied companies to take manage IT projects.

5 MBA in Travel and Tourism Management

UK has a thriving travel and tourism industry. Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit NZ!   If you want to build a career in travel and tourism sector, this academic program will be of help to you!

6 MBA in Finance Management

Why do companies hire finance managers? Finance managers ensure that there is good cash flow. They take care of strategic management and monetary decisions. They play a crucial role in ensuring the operational health of a company.   Skilled finance managers will always be in demand!

7 MBA in Business Analytics

Data, if analyzed properly, can work wonders for a company! Business analytics mainly deals with data analytics and statistical methods!   Business analytics uses a set of metrics to investigate and study the past performance of a company. The conclusion can be used to formulate strategy and plans for the company’s future!

8 MBA in Healthcare management

Healthcare sector is growing at a healthy pace in UK. In order to ensure healthcare system’s smooth functioning, we need skilled healthcare managers!

9 MBA in Media Management

Media managers are recruited by newspapers, Digital media firms, Internet media firms, Publishing firms etc. Media – traditional and new age – is here to stay. As long as it stays, skilled media managers will always be in demand!

10 MBA in Aviation Management

Aviation industry is doing decently well in UK. Around the globe, this sector is doing well. It generates ample job opportunities. Aviation management professionals are hired by Airlines, travel and tourism firms.

11 MBA in Operations Management

Operations managers are usually hired by manufacturing firms. An Operation manager is capable of taking care of day-to-day operations related to manufacturing, inventory management and quality control.

12 MBA in Infrastructure Management

Infrastructure managers are skilled in areas such as project management, finance management, construction management, legal aspects and HRM. They are usually hired by realty firms, infrastructure developers and real estate firms.

13 MBA in International Business

Keeping globalization in mind, it is safe to say that employers will prefer managers who have knowledge about Global business practices. This is where a Degree like MBA in International Business comes handy! This program will make you a manager capable of handling international business operations.

14 MBA in Event Management

Event management is getting more and more creative. Event management firms are looking for skilled managers who also have that streak of creativity in them!

15 MBA in Hospitality Management

Hospitality sector is closely tied with other domains such as – aviation, travel and tourism, hotel management etc. It is a sector that is growing at a steady pace!   The hospitality sector needs skilled managers who are capable of operating in domains such as travel & tourism, hotel management, aviation etc.   Hospitality sector is here to stay. Its demand will only increase in the near future. In short, it is safe to say that this sector will generate ample amount of job opportunities in the future!

16 MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Logistics is a part of Supply Chain. It primarily deals with ensuring the efficient flow of goods, services or information from the point of origin to the point of consumption.   Consider your nearest vegetable market as an example. The goods (vegetables) come from remote locations to the market. Goods (vegetables) are grown in farms and then transported to the market by goods carriers.   The chain gets completed when the vegetable (goods) reaches you (the customer). As long as consumers exist, Supply chain sector is here to stay!

17 MBA in Taxation

This discipline is related to other domains such as investment, banking and finance. Big businesses and corporate firms generate so much revenue that the tax payable by them adds up to a huge number! This is where tax management comes handy!   MBA in Taxation professionals are usually hired by corporate firms, MNCs, Businesses and Consultancies. After completing this course, you may even start your own tax consultancy!

18 MBA in Retail Management

The retail sector has been around us for quite some time now! And this field shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, this sector is growing at a healthy rate!   Retail Management consists of aspects such as – supply chain management, retail economics, HR management, retail finance and inter-department coordination.   Skilled retail managers are hired by retail firms, supply chain firms, logistics firms and consultancies.

19 MBA in Shipping Management

Technically, shipping management is a part of logistics and supply chain management. But shipping sector has evolved so much that it has its own set of problems, procedures, technical aspects and laws.   This is the main reason why MBA in Shipping Management has emerged as a discipline of its own! This course will train you in areas such as – shipping laws, international business laws, maritime laws and port management.   MBA in Shipping Management professionals are usually hired by shipping agencies, logistics firms, supply chain firms and port trusts.

20 MBA in Airport Management

Who is responsible for supervising day-to-day operations taking place in an airport? Yes, a team of skilled airport managers are responsible for this task.   An airport employs a wide variety of professionals to handle the following tasks – security, ground duty (cargo, passenger handling etc), customer service, ticketing etc. An airport manager is supposed to look after these professionals. He/she must make sure that there’s inter-department coordination.

21 MBA in Agribusiness Management

Agribusiness, as the name suggests, combines concepts of agriculture and business management. We all know how agricultural engineering has improved agricultural productivity by combining aspects of both agriculture and technology.   Similarly, Agribusiness is aimed at improving agricultural profitability by combining aspects of agriculture and business management. In short, this discipline is about applying concepts of business management in order to boost agricultural profitability.

22 MBA in Branding

In this age of cut-throat competition, branding has become necessary for the survival of any business! Branding deals with developing a distinct/unique image of a company/organization that sets them apart from their rivals!   Branding makes extensive use of advertising and marketing. A skilled brand manager is capable of planning, developing and executing branding campaigns for big, medium and small sized businesses.   Branding, if done properly, can work wonders for the fortune of a business. It can result in increased sales, increase in profit and customer base.

23 MBA in Energy Management

If there’s one thing that will never run out of demand, it has to be Energy! We are so dependent on energy that it is very hard to imagine a day without it!   Energy management is an exciting and challenging field. We are largely dependent on non-renewable sources of energy such as – Oil, Natural Gas and Coal. Soon, we will run out of these resources.   This is the main reason why we have shifted our attention towards alternative, renewable sources of energy. This means that there exists new opportunities and challenges in this field (energy management).

24 MBA in Entrepreneurship

Are you an entrepreneur at heart? Or are you all set to inherit your family’s business? Whatever the case may be, MBA in Entrepreneurship program will be of help to you!   This program will help develop leadership and business management skills in you. These skills will help you work on a startup or expand your existing family business!

25 MBA in Fashion Merchandising

Do you have good business acumen? Are you passionate about fashion? This deadly combo can help you build a good career in fashion merchandising sector!   It is a promising sector and has got huge potential for growth in future. Fashion merchandising consists of aspects such as – fashion exhibition, fashion retailing, fashion communication and finance management.

Different modes of learning

In UK, you will find learning modes designed for everyone’s needs! An individual may choose a learning mode based on his/her present status (employed, student, international student etc).   Here are some of the notable learning modes –

• Regular Classroom programs
• Online learning programs
• Distance Education programs
• Fast-track programs (Accelerated MBA)
• Executive MBA programs (EMBA)
• Part time MBA programs

Other Management Programs

If you are not interested in an MBA, there are other Master’s level management programs available in UK. Some such notable programs are –

• Master of Science (MS/M.Sc.)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
• Attractive specializations are also available in these programs. Notable specialization programs are –
• Master of Science in Logistics Management
• Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
• Master of Science in Marketing Management
• Master of Science in International Business
• PG Diploma in Business Administration

Dynamic nature of programs

MBA curriculum is constantly evolving. We are living in the Digital Age now. Here, business practices get easily influenced by technology. As a result, in order to keep up with these changes in business practices, MBA curriculum must also be updated!   Signs of change are visible though. The emergence of relatively new MBA programs such as MBA in Digital Marketing & MBA in IT (Information Technology) shows that management education is still capable of evolving!

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible to pursue this academic program, one must satisfy some basic requirements. Let’s take a look at the basic eligibility criteria –

• Minimum educational qualification: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• GMAT or relevant admission test
• Work experience (1-3 years, may vary though)
• Non-native English speakers and International students must hold a valid score in English language tests such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic).

Eligibility criteria may vary from one institute to another. For example, some institutes demand 2-3 years of work experience. Some other institutes have pretty relaxed norms, when it comes to work experience.

Admission Process

While applying for admission, applicants must submit GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or other relevant admission test’s score.   Non-native English speakers and International students must hold a valid score in English language tests such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic).

You may also check –

GRE preparation

SAT preparation

  Apart from that, depending upon the admission policy of the institute, they must also submit the following documents and applications –

• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation
• Essays
• Transcripts
• Other supporting documents

Colleges

Here are some of the best MBA colleges in the UK –

• London Business School
• London School of Commerce
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• University of Liverpool
• London College of International Business Studies
• University of Glasgow
• Coventry University
• University of Greenwich
• King’s College, London
• Oxford Brookes University
• Cardiff University
• Durham University
• University of Worcester
• University of Birmingham
• University of West Scotland
• University of Nottingham
• University of East London
• University of Suffolk
• University College London
• University of Huddersfield
• Newcastle University
• Bournemouth University
• Imperial College London
• University of Sunderland
• University of Brighton
• Birmingham City University
• University of Exeter
• University of Dundee
• University of Wales
• University of Manchester
• University of Lincoln
• The University of Buckingham
• Staffordshire University
• University of Warwick
• The University of Edinburgh
• University of Bristol
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Aberdeen
• Lancaster University
• University of Southampton
• University of Sussex
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Surrey
• Cranfield University
• University of Bolton
• The University of Winchester
• University of York
• University of West London
• University of Kent
• University of Bradford
• University of Reading
• University of South Wales
• University of Chester
• University of Hull
• University of Leicester
• Plymouth University
• University of Derby
• University of Portsmouth
• Swansea University

Fees

Fees charged for the program varies from one institute to another. Tuition fees depends upon the following factors.

• Nationality of student (UK/International)
• Rating and Status of College
• Type of College (State Sponsored or Government)

On an average, the tuition fees could be anywhere between £25-50K. For Institute-specific tuition fees, readers should check the institute’s prospectus or website. Also check out – MBA in USA & Low cost MBA in UK.