15 Best Business Schools in the UK-Tuition & Programs

In business education, the United Kingdom is said to be a global leader. This makes them a popular choice for most students all over the world.

They have the best business schools in the UK providing top-tier education, wide networking opportunities, and a balanced student lifestyle too.

In this article, we will be looking at the best business schools in the UK.

Many successful businessmen/women and entrepreneurs who lead some of the most powerful and innovative companies in the world hold a business degree from UK universities.

The educational system in the United Kingdom operates with each country of the UK having separate systems under separate governments.

The UK Government is responsible for England; the Scottish Government is responsible for Scotland; the Welsh Government is responsible for Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for Northern Ireland.

One of the benefits of getting admitted to a  business program in the UK is that the courses offered are of the best quality.

Most of the business courses there are designed to allow the students to choose their areas of specialization from any business discipline, depending on their interests and passions.

This, in turn, gives them a personalized degree in the wild field of business. 

Also, business programs in the UK often come with paid placements. If you’re running a four-year program, the paid placement would take place in your third year.

This placement is designed to build and hone the business skill of the students and give them ideas for their dissertation topic. The dissertation would be conducted in the fourth year of study. 

The preparation for the paid placements begins from the very first year of study. Students prepare for it by sending out applications and also preparation modules.

This is similar to what they will face upon graduating from university and entering the workforce.

MBA Entry Requirements UK

The best business schools in the UK are also some of the toughest to enter but once you get in, you would receive one of the best education.

Most degrees in business offered by schools in the UK have a shared program of study in the first year. Students are allowed to choose a path of interest in the second year of study. 

Business Management degrees are offered in more than 120 schools in the UK and requirements for getting admitted to study business vary from one university to the next.

It is advised to always make inquiries specifically about any course and institution you are considering.

Although there is one thing you will find in common throughout all the courses and institutions, you would have to show competency in the English language. 

Before you can get admitted into a business program in the UK or any program, your level of understanding and competency in English will determine if you will be accepted or not.

You have to make sure you have a good level of understanding of English, you can do this by taking one of the commonly accepted tests of proficiency in English

  • TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language.

  • IELTS – International English Language Testing System.

  • UCLES – University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.

  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). 

  • Students can also submit Duolingo English Tests, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), and Trinity Secure English Language Tests (SELTs).

The requirements for an undergraduate level are:

  • Certificate for completing 10+2 education with minimum marks.

  • Original academic transcripts from previous academic institutions.

  • Statement of Purpose.

  • Letters of Recommendations.

  • Scores of English Proficiency Tests.

  • Passport and other ID proof.

  • Bank statements to provide proof of Financial Funds.

  • Offer Letter.

  • Student visa.

The requirements for a postgraduate (masters)  level are:

  • An undergraduate degree from a recognized university in the same or related field with minimum acceptable marks.

  • Official Academic Transcripts.

  • Two letters of recommendation.

  • Statement of Purpose.

  • English Proficiency Tests.

  • A detailed resume.

  • Financial Statements.

  • A valid passport.

  • Offer Letter.

  • Student Visa.

The requirements for the Ph.D. level are:

  • A bachelor’s and master’s degree from a recognized university with minimum marks in both programs.

  • Official academic transcripts.

  • Research Proposal.

  • Statement of Purpose.

  • English Proficiency Tests.

  • A detailed CV.

  • Financial statements.

  • Valid Passport.

  • Offer Letter.

  • Student Visa.

The List of Some of the Best Business Schools in the UK

The UK is home to several high-ranked business schools that are accredited by reputable external authorities that can vouch for the standard of education they provide.

These best business schools in the UK can help give your CV a boost, which will help you succeed in today’s competitive workforce.

If you are a student with a desire to have a career in business and you’re looking for the best university to apply for a business program, this article is for you. We have put together a list of the 14 best business schools in the UK. Keep reading to see the list.

London Business School (LBS):

LBS is a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is a business school that was founded in 1964. The school is ranked among the best business schools in the world. 

LBS is one of the few schools in the world to have a triple crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).

The school offers postgraduate degrees and covers seven subject areas.

Students are also allowed to travel the world as the university allows international exchanges to over 30 business schools and internships.

The tuition fee is $131,000. The fee covers the full length of the program.

University of Oxford – Saïd Business School (SBS):

SBS is a provider of management education and is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top business schools. The school offers programs for graduate students in business, management, and finance.

SBS provides cutting-edge programs and research that is ground-breaking to transform individuals, organizations, business practices, and society at large.

The tuition fee of their program is $120,915.

University of Cambridge – Judge Business School:

Judge Business School provides management education and is also ranked as one of the top business schools in the world. The school is particularly strong in entrepreneurship and innovation management.

The school has several courses which are available at the Ph.D.’s, master’s, and executive education levels.

They aim to create a transformative experience for their students to pursue a career they can be proud of in the future.

The tuition fee for the program is $74,938.

Imperial College Business School:

This is one of the best business schools in the UK. The school was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. They also have many alumni in 124 countries.

The school is a global top 10 university and they offer 13 Master’s programs, four MBAs, a newly launched undergraduate program, a Doctoral program, and Summer School. 

The tuition fee for a Full-Time MBA is $70,155. 

The University of Warwick – Warwick Business School (WBS):

WBS is an academic department of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Warwick University. WBS is also ranked amongst the best business schools in the world.

The school offers degree programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. levels. And also, non-degree executive education for individuals and companies. 

The business school offers a variety of courses, covering undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, doctoral, and executive education in a world-class education.

The school opens its students up to new ideas and viewpoints that help them have new perspectives and challenge their thinking. 

The tuition fee for this school is $56,403.

City, University of London:

The university is a public research institute. The school is organized into five schools, with around forty academic departments and centers, including the Business School.

The university is a global leading one and they are among the top 15 universities in the UK.

They offer over 61 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate courses that attract students from over 150 countries.

The courses offer the students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and professional network while they also gain the critical skills they need.

The tuition fee depends on the student’s residential status and the course of choice. For UK undergraduates, the fee is $11,357/year. The fee for international students varies. You can check for the information here.

Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS):

Alliance MBS is the second oldest business school in the UK and also one of the most prestigious business schools. The school offers education at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive levels.

Under the degrees offered, there are 14 undergraduate programs, 16 postgraduate programs, and also, a full-time flexible MBA program of 18, 15, or 12 months. The MBA program has triple accreditation by AACSB International, AMBA, and EQUIS.

The tuition fee for MBS is $23,657.

Cranfield School of Management:

This school was established in 1967 and it was ranked Top 10 in the UK and 34th in Europe in the Financial Times European Business Schools 2021 rankings. Cranfield School of Management has a triple-accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), EQUIS, and AACSB.

They offer programs that have been running for 50 years, thus giving the university a long tradition of excellence.

Their MBA programs help students develop the needed skills, management tools, and techniques and thus put them in high demand in the world of business.

Information about the tuition fee can be found here

Newcastle Business School:

Newcastle Business School is a business school in the north of England, the school offers undergraduate education in Business, Management, Leadership, and the MBA qualification. 

In November 2015, the school won the “Business School of the Year award” at THE Awards. It is accredited by all of the key Professional Bodies and has 18 undergraduate programs accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development

The tuition fee for Newcastle Business School is $6,131 per term.

The University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS):

The university has offered business education since 1918, and the MBA degree since 1980. The school enjoys a long history of teaching and research.

They offer education programs in undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive in several options. 

The School also has triple accreditations from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS and their international students are from around 100 countries around the world.

The MBA program in Edinburgh is ranked 95th in the world in the 2020 Financial Times’ Top 100 MBA programs.

The tuition fee is $44,095 per year.

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS):

LUMS is a business school that was established in 1964. They offer a full range of subjects ranging from undergraduate degrees to postgraduate degrees including MBAs, PhDs, and post-experience executive education.

They are also ranked among the top in the world, making them one of the best business schools in the UK.

The university offers an international, established, and ambitious community. They are quadruple-accredited. Graduates from the school go on to excel in the workforce.

The tuition fee for home and international students can be viewed here

University of Law Business School:

The University of Law is a for-profit private university in the United Kingdom. The university has nine campuses in the UK in Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Leeds, London (Bloomsbury and Moorgate), Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield. They also have an international branch in Hong Kong.  

The University of Law Business School offers programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels across the UK.

The Business School is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and its courses are designed with a unique and innovative learning approach that gives its students the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the world of business. 

The details of their Tuition fee can be accessed here

Birmingham Business School (BBS):

BBS is the oldest business school in the United Kingdom. This business school offers world-class research and teaching that provides the necessary insights and skills needed to shape better business strategies. 

Their education and research are embedded with the culture of responsible business which helps students to step up to be contributors to the responsible business agenda.

The tuition fee per year is $38,722.

Durham University Business School:

This business school was established in 1965. It holds triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS) and is currently ranked 7th and 67th in the world for its MBA and MSc programs by the Financial Times, The Economist, and Expansión. 

This university believes that for one to succeed in business, they have to be close to the realities of business.

They offer a globally outstanding center for education and research, a community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historic setting.

The details about tuition fees can be viewed here

Why Study Business Management in UK?

The UK is known to have one of the most extensive and highly rated universities in the world. Acquiring a graduation scroll from a university in the UK commands a lot of respect and for good reason too, the United Kingdom has set several international standards of education that have been adopted worldwide.

If you study business in the UK, you get to have an education that is recognized worldwide.

The reputation of a degree from the UK is recognized worldwide. Apart from this, some other benefits are:

Improve in English:

The need for a high command of the English Language is a plus when it comes to doing business, especially in this social media age.

Studying in the UK gives you the exposure to learn and adopt the standard English language and pronunciation, it also convinces anyone who takes a look at your CV that you are proficient in the language.

Get a degree faster:

Unlike in many countries, the time it would take for you to finish a program in the UK is relatively short but very high in quality. On average, it would take three years to finish a Bachelor’s degree.

Allows part-time work:

International students studying in the UK are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week when school is in session and full-time during the holidays

Engage in an international environment:

a large diversity of ethnicities, races, and cultures exist in the UK in small and medium businesses. This promises to give you a wide exposure to cultures and business experiences.

Why is it Important to Study Business? Is the UK The Best Place To Study Business?

The UK has a location and time zone that allows it to connect with businesses around the globe easily.

This makes it a global business hub. The country is recognized as the seventh-best country to start a business and has London in it, the world’s top financial city that supports more than 6 million jobs, all alone.

With several opportunities, businesses from all over the world are attracted to the cities in the UK.

This helps ensure that graduates of business leave with skills that can be applied anywhere.

Can International Students Start a Business in UK?

A business program in the United Kingdom is often accompanied by a year of working experience as part of their paid placement during the third year of study, for a four-year course.

This sets you ahead of most graduates who might be looking for jobs after graduation.

With a business degree from the best business schools in the UK, you can have a career in several specialties, such as:

  • Business analyst.

  • Data analyst.

  • Data scientist.

  • Management consultant.

  • Systems analyst.

  • Project manager.

  • Human resources.

  • Logistics and distribution.

  • Marketing.

  • Retail.

How Long Does It Take To Study Business In The UK?

Another benefit of studying in any of the best business schools in the UK is that the university courses offered are generally shorter than in other English-speaking nations. 

The duration of an undergraduate degree in the UK is three or four years, it depends on your placement year if you do it or not. Also, postgraduate degrees would take only one or two years.

How Much Does It Cost To Study Business In the UK?

The tuition fee in UK universities varies for several reasons, with prices for home students paying up to $13,050 per year.

For international students, the fees start at around $14,130 and go up to $53,700. 
The total average cost of studying in the UK is estimated to be $31,380 per year, at least.

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