BBA in the UK for Indian Students: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

A Bachelor of Business Administration – or BBA – is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees for ambitious students planning on securing top roles in the corporate sector after graduation. With a BBA from the UK, you can add value to businesses across multiple industries, such as sales, marketing, and finance. 

The UK is well-suited to provide you with a world-class education in business administration as it’s home to over 100 business schools recognised for rigorous academic standards. In this blog, we’re looking at some of the top UK universities offering a BBA, the eligibility criteria for and expenses of doing a BBA in the UK for Indian students, and your career prospects after graduation.

Benefits of doing a BBA in the UK 

BBAs are among the most sought-after business administration degrees in the world as they help you develop a strong foundation in all the key components of a business, including in its administration, management, and organisation aspects. During your three-year BBA in the UK, you can enhance your understanding of the key functions of business administration, gain insights into global supply chain management, and learn about modern business technologies and practices. 

By completing a BBA in the UK, you can also:

• Gain practical insights – The UK is a global commercial hub, home to offices of industry leaders. UK universities maintain close links with these companies, allowing you to explore internships, placements, and networking events that would add value to your CV. 

• Develop valuable soft skills – Course structures of BBAs in the UK are designed to improve your critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, leadership, and project management skills. These soft skills are highly valued in the corporate world and are transferable across any industry. 

• Enter a diverse job market – When you graduate from your BBA in the UK, you’ll be entering a diverse job market where you can explore roles according to your passion. You can gain experience in the field you’re interested in and grow in your career accordingly. 

UK universities design BBAs to ensure you can gain access to these opportunities as an international student. When planning your studies in the UK, it’s helpful to start by shortlisting the universities you wish to apply for as a well-planned university shortlist allows you to set manageable goals for your application process and stay on top of crucial application deadlines. 

In the next section, we’ve provided a list of top UK universities offering a BBA so you can get started on your research. We’ve also included some tips on how to make a university shortlist. 

Top 10 universities for international students to study a BBA in UK 

UK universities are some of the most highly recognised in the world as they do cutting-edge research, employ experienced faculty, and have modern facilities. When researching undergraduate programmes at UK universities, you may come across the following two types of programmes as well:

1. ‘Top up’ undergraduate programmes – If you’ve already started your higher education in India or even another country with a Higher National Diploma (HND), NVQ Level 5, or foundation degree, then you can join a top up course in the UK which allows you to build on your previous learnings and graduate with a full degree. 

2. Foundation programmes – Some UK universities have foundation programmes that act as introductory courses for undergraduate degrees. They’ll prepare you for your degree, including helping you with the language skills you need for it. 

All types of undergraduate programmes in the UK provide international students with high-quality education and practical insights into the competitive business world. Here are some of the top UK universities providing various types of business administration programmes:

Since there are many top universities in the UK offering BBA programmes, you may feel overwhelmed when narrowing down your choices. That’s why creating a shortlist is helpful – it helps you understand your options far more easily. Here are some tips on how to create a university shortlist when starting your undergraduate applications to the UK:

• Research the courses being offered by the university and whether individual course modules align with your interests 

• Consider the location of the university as this determines weather conditions, living expenses, and the diversity of the community 

• Choose universities that have extracurricular activities you may enjoy such as specific sports or fine arts classes 

Now that we’ve looked at the top universities offering a BBA in the UK and understood how to create a shortlist of your most preferred choices, let’s dive into the course modules you’ll be studying during your programme. 

Course structure of a BBA in the UK 

A BBA in the UK generally lasts three years. In the first year, you’re introduced to the fundamentals of business such as entrepreneurship, economics, accounting, finance, management, and marketing. In the second and third years you will take a mixture of compulsory and optional modules according to your interests. In general, here’s how a BBA in the UK is structured:

Most BBAs in the UK also give you the chance to complete a project on business administration by producing a business plan, industry report, or dissertation. This experience in independent study puts your business knowledge into practice, refining your analytical, critical thinking, and time management skills. 

Now let’s understand the entry requirements for a BBA in the UK.

Eligibility criteria for Indian students to study a BBA in the UK 

A BBA strengthens the skills you need to succeed in the business world, including important communication and leadership skills. When considering applications for their BBA programmes, UK universities look for passionate, well-rounded students who can contribute to the overall excellence of the university. 

Before applying for your BBA in the UK, you must carefully go through each university’s eligibility criteria to ensure you have all the necessary qualifications, including required English language test scores. You should also demonstrate a passion for business administration in your personal statement. 

In general, these are the qualifications you need to gain admission into a BBA in the UK: 

After you’ve shortlisted your universities and read through the entry requirements of your preferred BBA courses, it can be helpful to:

• Compile a table of entry requirements for your top five course choices to quickly refer to while filling in your applications

• Speak with your teachers about meeting the educational requirements 

• Consider applying to multiple universities which have varying entry requirements so you have safe choices

Another important aspect of your application process to the UK is formulating a funding plan for your studies. UK universities have a variety of tuition fees while your living expenses will vary depending on where your university is located. Let’s explore expenses and scholarship opportunities for BBA students in the next two sections.

Cost of doing a BBA in the UK for Indian students 

The expenses associated with your BBA in the UK are usually classified under three main categories: your pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and your living expenses. Your living expenses will vary depending on your location in the UK and your lifestyle while your tuition fees depend on the university you select for your programme. Your pre-arrival costs generally include the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge you have to pay before coming into the UK.

Pre-arrival expenses to the UK 

Before arriving in the UK, you’ll need to apply for a UK Student visa which gives you the right to study and live in the UK for the duration of your course. This application requires you to make the following payments:

• £490 for your online visa application 

• £1,552 healthcare surcharge for a two-year visa (the exact amount depends on the length of your visa)

Tuition fees  

UK universities have a range of tuition fees, so depending on the funds available, you can select the best-fit one for you. Typically, tuition fees will be between INR 10 lakhs and INR 38 lakhs for BBA in the UK. 

Cost of living in the UK 

Your living expenses in the UK will mainly account for accommodation, food, and travel costs. The average cost of living in the UK per year is around £15,000 (INR 16 lakhs) in London and approximately £12,000 (INR 13 lakhs) in the rest of the country, though this will vary depending on the location. Here’s an overview of the cost of living in the UK: 

You can do a part-time job in the UK as an international student to help with some of these expenses. Additionally, you can manage expenses by securing funding support with an undergraduate scholarship. Let’s now look at some scholarships in the UK that you can apply for as a BBA student. 

Scholarships to study a BBA in the UK for Indian students

Moving to a new country to pursue your undergraduate studies can be exciting, but there are many financial costs associated with it that are important to plan for. The good news is that UK universities, the UK government, and other private donors provide a range of scholarships for undergraduate students to help cover a portion of or the total of these study-related expenses. These scholarships for international students often have the following eligibility criteria:

• Be classified as an international student, living in a country outside of the UK

• Be self-funded i.e. you’re not being funded by your own government or employer 

• You’ve accepted an offer from a UK university to study a full-time undergraduate course with them 

• You meet the entry requirements and conditions coming with the offer 

When searching for scholarship support to do your BBA in the UK, you can start by referring to the UK Council for International Student Affairs website or to the ‘Scholarships’ page on individual university websites. You can also utilise our scholarship search tool for Indian students. 

Here are some scholarships you can apply for as an undergraduate student planning to do a BBA in the UK:

Now that we’ve covered all aspects of your undergraduate studies in the UK, let’s take a look at how your life will look after graduating with your BBA. 

Work permit after your BBA in the UK

Once you’ve graduated with your BBA, you can apply for a Post-Study Work visa (officially known as the Graduate visa). It gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least two years after you successfully complete your undergraduate degree, and is especially popular with international students as it’s an unsponsored visa route. 

When you receive your final results and your university record is updated to reflect completion of your studies, your university will send you an email confirming they’ve reported back to the UK’s Home Office on your status. When you have this confirmation, you can apply for your PSW visa in the UK. After receiving your Graduate visa, you can use your two years in the UK to look for work and gain valuable work experience in your chosen field. 

Jobs and salaries for BBA graduates in the UK 

The skills you gain during your BBA prepare you for a range of careers in the UK. When deciding on your career after your MBA in oil and gas management, a good starting point is to reflect on your areas of expertise, explore your personal interests, and think about your transferable skills that can add value to any role in the industry. Here are some job roles you can apply for in the field of business, along with prospective UK employers and average salaries for each. 

Many employers are keen to recruit BBA graduates as the qualification indicates knowledge and skills applicable specifically in the corporate sector. The UK is home to many high-ranking business schools that can help you develop these skills, but sifting through the choices and finetuning your applications can sometimes be challenging. If you’re unsure about where to begin your application process to a BBA in the UK, have a look at our checklist below.

Step-by-step admissions process for a BBA in the UK

When planning your applications to the UK, it’s good to have a checklist in hand, detailing the steps you need to complete. This can help you ensure you submit a complete application, increasing your chances of securing admission to your dream UK university and getting your visa on time. 

To make the journey smooth and efficient, you can follow this checklist:

• Make a shortlist of universities

• Complete your application form

• Finalise your personal statement

• Collect and organise your documents for the university applications

• Research and apply for scholarships

• Choose the best university offer

• Apply for the UK Student visa and provide supporting documents with your visa application 

• Give your biometrics for your UK Student visa

Our Free UK University Application Service is designed to guide students through each step of this checklist. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you gain admission into your dream BBA in the UK.

FAQs

What is the cost of a BBA in the UK?

UK universities have a range of tuition fees, so depending on the funds available, you can select the best-fit one for you. Typically, tuition fees will be between INR 10 lakhs and INR 25 lakhs for BBA in the UK.

Is a BBA a good course in the UK?

BBAs are among the most sought-after business administration degrees in the world as they help you develop a strong foundation in all the key components of a business, including in its administration, management, and organisation aspects. During your three-year BBA in the UK, you can enhance your understanding of the key functions of business administration, gain insights into global supply chain management, and learn about modern business technologies and practices.

What is a BBA called in the UK?

A BBA is called a Bachelor of Business Administration, and helps students secure top roles in the corporate sector after graduation. With a BBA from the UK, you can add value to businesses across multiple industries, such as sales, marketing, and finance.

What’s the monthly salary of a BBA graduate in the UK?

On average, a BBA graduate can earn between £2,500 to £3,500 – a good salary that helps them manage the monthly living expenses in the UK (approx. £1,900).

How many years is a BBA in the UK?

A BBA is usually a three-year undergraduate programme in the UK. In the first year, you’re introduced to the fundamentals of business such as entrepreneurship, economics, accounting, finance, management, and marketing. In the second and third years you will take a mixture of compulsory and optional modules depending on your interests. You’ll also be required to complete a final year project that tests your business knowledge and skills in a practical context. 

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