A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular graduate degrees in the world, giving students in-depth knowledge of all aspects of business management and helping develop key leadership skills. Obtaining an MBA qualification is a worthy investment in your career as it’ll help you build your business knowledge, grow your professional network, and boost your career prospects.
MBAs can be costly to follow at most UK universities, but there are some universities that offer more affordable MBA programmes without compromising on the quality of education. This blog will provide details on 10 universities offering cheaper MBA options for international students, breaking down the cost of studying an MBA in the UK and exploring MBA scholarships and career prospects with an MBA. Let’s get started.
UK universities offering MBAs are known for quality education, culturally diverse learning environments, and strong connections to top-ranking business firms. These programmes are generally one year long, significantly reducing your costs when compared to obtaining an MBA from other study-abroad destinations with two-year degrees. If you’re looking for universities offering high-quality education with affordable tuition fees, take a look at our list of the cheapest MBAs in the UK for international students below.
| University | Annual tuition fee for an MBA |
|---|---|
| York St. John University | £11,800 |
| Birmingham Newman University | £13,500 |
| Teesside University | £14,300 |
| University of Wales Trinity Saint David | £15,000 |
| University of Bolton | £15,950 |
| University of Staffordshire | £16,750 |
| University of Cumbria | £16,900 |
| University of Worcester | £17,400 |
| Bath Spa University | £19,500 |
| London Metropolitan University | £20,000 |
The respective university websites have detailed course pages for their MBAs, and they are a good place to start further research on your preferred programme. For the time being, you can refer to our next few sections for an overview of the course details and eligibility criteria at each university.
The MBA at York St. John University helps you improve your international marketing skills and discover how you can apply them when operating on a global scale.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5
Birmingham Newman’s MBA is centred around three key themes: responsible leadership and management, global career enhancement, and sustainable business development.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
IELTS score of 6.5, with no component below 6.0
The MBA programme at Teesside University places an emphasis on the global context of business and the development of practical, strategic knowledge to face business challenges.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.5
The MBA course at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David helps you address high-level global and strategic issues organisations face in the 21st century.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5
With the MBA at the University of Bolton, you’ll get the opportunity to apply research and analysis skills in a capstone project – a research or other hands-on project delivering a solution to a business problem you’ve recognised.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5
At the University of Staffordshire, the MBA is centred on Problem and Practice Based Learning (PPBL) where you’ll engage in 'learning to learn' to develop key management and leadership competencies.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Three years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5
The MBA at the University of Cumbria helps you develop strong links with regional businesses and partnerships nationally and internationally, growing your network and boosting your employment prospects.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.5, with no component below 5.5
Worcester University’s MBA provides a six or 12-month work placement where you’ll learn about marketing, HR, finance and strategic decision-making in a range of practical settings.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class upper-division honours degree
Work experience (Unspecified)
IELTS score of 6.5, with no component below 5.5
Bath Spa University’s MBA develops theoretical and practical knowledge in many aspects of business, including change management, marketing, data analysis, and financial decision-making.
Eligibility criteria:
Second-class lower division honours degree
Work experience (Unspecified)
IELTS score of 6.5, with no component below 6.0
The London Metropolitan University’s MBA develops your understanding of business operations and the external factors affecting organisations, and how you can best make business decisions to adapt to these changes.
Eligibility criteria:
Second class upper division honours degree
Two years of work experience
IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5
These cost-effective MBAs have a high return on investment in terms of career advancement as UK universities don’t compromise on the quality of education being provided. To increase your career prospects, you can also consider an MBA specialisation, especially if you’re interested in a particular industry like finance or healthcare. We’ve gone into detail about popular MBA specialisations in the UK next.
There are two types of MBAs you can follow in the UK: either a general MBA or an MBA specialisation. Both help you learn how to best approach high-level business challenges, but if you want to develop and advance your skillset in a particular subject, then an MBA specialisation would suit you well. Here are some popular MBA specialisations in the UK:
MBA in Entrepreneurship – Learn about innovation in businesses, sustaining a start-up, venture feasibility, resource management, and entrepreneurial strategies
MBA in Finance – Develop a critical understanding of techniques and concepts in financial and risk management
MBA in Healthcare Management – Learn about the operation, leadership, and documentation of healthcare organisations
MBA in Human Resource Management – Understand human resource management from a strategic and an operational perspective
MBA in Marketing – Learn about communication and PR strategies, and become up-to-date in new marketing concepts
Whether you choose to follow a general MBA course or specialise in a certain subject, there are a few common eligibility criteria you have to meet when considering a UK university to apply to. Let’s have a look at these next.
Before applying for an MBA in the UK, you must carefully go through each university’s eligibility criteria to ensure you have all the necessary qualifications, including work experience and English language test scores. In general, these are the qualifications you need to gain admission into an MBA in the UK:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | A UK second-class upper division honours degree in any subject or an international equivalent |
| Work experience | Two to three years of work experience in a managerial role |
| English language test scores | Minimum overall score of 6.5 for IELTS, with at least 6.5 for speaking and writing and 6.0 for listening and reading |
Once you make sure you meet all of the entry requirements of the UK university you’re applying for, you need to compile a competitive application with a persuasive personal statement and your professional skills listed on your CV. Our experts at SI-UK can help you finetune your application documents, so book a free consultation today to get started.
As you prepare for your studies in the UK, you also have to think about the funds required to study for an MBA. We’ve broken down these expenses below.
The expenses associated with your MBA in the UK fall 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 mean the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge you have to pay before coming into the UK. We've provided details for each category of expenses below.
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 MBA. This application requires you to make the following payments:
£490 for your online visa application fee
£1,552 healthcare surcharge for a two-year visa (the exact amount depends on the length of your visa)
In the UK, MBA courses have a range of tuition fees, so depending on the funds available, you can select the best-fit MBA for you. Typically, tuition fees will be between £20,000 to £115,000 for an MBA. Cheaper MBAs in the UK can cost you between £11,000 to £15,000.
Your living expenses in the UK will account for accommodation, food, and travel costs. The average cost of living in the UK per year is around £15,000 in London and approximately £12,000 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:
| Cost | London | Outside of London |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent | £750 to £850 | £550 to £650 |
| Monthly public transport costs | £100 | £50 |
| Monthly grocery costs | £150 | £100 |
A good way to help you manage some of these expenses is to obtain a postgraduate scholarship to the UK. Let’s look at some MBA-specific scholarships you can apply for next.
Financing the costs of your MBA may be one of your biggest considerations as you plan to study in the UK. The UK has a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to help cover a portion of or the total study costs. The following table shows MBA-specific scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost of studying in the UK.
| Scholarship | Value |
|---|---|
| Brunel University – Full-time MBA Scholarship | £8,000 tuition fee waiver |
| Birmingham University – Purposeful Leader MBA Scholarship | £15,000 tuition fee discount |
| Durham University – Executive Dean’s MBA Scholarship | £20,000 |
| Lancaster University – Management School MBA Scholarship | Up to £16,000 |
| University of Sheffield – The Sheffield MBA Scholarship Scheme | 50% of the tuition fees |
To be eligible for an MBA scholarship in the UK, you generally have to demonstrate outstanding work experience, have an impressive academic record, and show proof of volunteering and/or community service activities. Having a scholarship can help you focus on your studies without worrying too much about the expenses involved. It can also increase your employability by introducing you to valuable scholarship alumni networks.
Next, let’s have a look at the many lucrative career opportunities in the UK for MBA graduates across various industries, so you can plan according to your interests.
During your MBA programme in the UK, you get the chance to learn firsthand how to handle high-level business challenges and gain a deep understanding of business environments. When deciding on your career after your MBA, 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 industry.
Assessing your interests and capacities can help you decide whether you want to advance your career in the same industry you were working in or start your own business. You can also switch to a new industry or profession as an MBA provides you with the flexibility to choose from multiple industries, such as:
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Let’s now have a look at some job roles you can apply for in these fields, along with prospective UK employers and average salaries for each.
| Job Role | Prospective Employers | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Business Analyst | JP Morgan Chase, Radancy, JLR | £43,340 |
| Finance Manager | Disney, BBC, M&S | £44,841 |
| Human Resources Manager | BlackRock Investments, McDonald’s Limited, PwC UK | £41,611 |
| Information Technology Manager | NHS England, Bangura Solutions, Uniqlo | £49,257 |
| Marketing Manager | Unilever, Coty, Mitchells & Butlers | £38,409 |
Many employers are keen to recruit MBA graduates as the qualification develops knowledge and skills that are applicable across various sectors. 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. Experts at SI-UK can help you with profile assessments and goal setting, test prep for IELTS, college shortlisting, your applications and interviews, financial plan, and your visa application. Contact our experts at SI-UK today and get started on your journey to a top MBA college in the UK.
MBA courses in the UK have a range of tuition fees, so you can select the one that’s best suited for you depending on the funds available. Typically, tuition fees will be between £20,000 to £115,000 for an MBA. Cheaper MBAs in the UK will cost you between £11,000 to £15,000.
One of the cheapest MBAs in London is offered by London Metropolitan University – its annual tuition fee is £20,000. Despite it being a relatively expensive student city, the wide variety of study options in London gives you many affordable choices.
One of the cheapest MBAs in the UK is at York St. John University, with a tuition fee of just £11,800. Other universities offering cheaper tuition fees for MBAs include Birmingham Newman University and Teesside University.
UK universities with low fees for international students include York St. John University, Wrexham University, and Middlesex University.
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