Top MBA colleges in the UK: Cost of MBA and GMAT cutoffs PDF Download

The GMAT evaluates a candidate's analytical writing and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to reason logically and critically and make decisions based on data, which are crucial for success in the business and management world. The GMAT exam is a crucial part of the admission process for over 7,700 programs at 2,400 universities and institutions located in 110 countries. It is important to have an idea of the cutoffs for the colleges of your choice as that can help you set your goals in a better and more realistic manner. The first step to finding the college of your choice is to set your priorities right, like do you have location preferences, your budget and so on. If you wish to pursue an MBA from a college in The United Kingdom, then this article is made for you. We will be going through the average GMAT scores and tuition fees for the top colleges in the UK, while also providing other information necessary to form an informed decision.
The United Kingdom is renowned for being the home of the British Royal Family and hosting some of the world's most prestigious and historic universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. These universities have produced many influential leaders and figures. As a result, the UK is considered a flagship for the world's leading universities. For those seeking to study an MBA in the UK, IELTS is a widely accepted language proficiency exam, however, GMAT scores are also required. This blog provides comprehensive information on the IELTS and GMAT requirements for studying in the UK.
Before we dive into the average GMAT scores for colleges in the United Kingdom, let's make the admission requirements clear

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Admissions in the United Kingdom

To be eligible for admission to top universities in the United Kingdom, applicants must meet certain criteria, provide the required documents, and pay the necessary application fees. The basic admission requirements for these universities include

• Undergraduate Degree
• GMAT or GRE Score
• Work Experience
• Language Requirements
• Passport & Visa

Undergraduate Degree

To be eligible for MBA programs at universities in the United Kingdom, applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Generally, applicants for the top UK universities must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

GMAT or GRE Score

Having a high GMAT or GRE score is a crucial factor for admission to top MBA programs in the United Kingdom. The score requirement can vary based on the university and type of MBA program. For an MBA in the UK, it would be recommended to have a GMAT score of 650, as not many candidates below this score are selected by top schools.

GMAT scores are a significant factor for admissions, but there are some schools that may waive the requirement, which can be advantageous for students who have not taken the GMAT or have lower GMAT scores. To learn more about these waivers, read the following article by EduRev Applying for a GMAT Waiver: Requirements and Process.

Work Experience

Having a minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional work experience in a relevant field is highly preferred for admission to top MBA programs in the United Kingdom. Although not all universities have a mandatory requirement, having prior work experience is considered a significant advantage.

Language Requirements

English proficiency tests are a mandatory requirement for Indian students applying to MBA programs in the United Kingdom. The minimum scores required for the following tests are:

• IELTS : 6.5 to 7
• TOEFL (iBT) : 92 to 100
• PTE : at least 59

Passport & Visa

Having a valid passport and student visa is mandatory for all international students who want to study in the United Kingdom. It is important to note that the visa application process should be completed at least three months before the intended travel date.

Why pursue an MBA from the United Kingdom 

• UK universities offer globally recognized degrees including diplomas, undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in business.
• The MBA program is the most popular business course in the UK and is offered by top-ranked universities.
• In addition to theoretical studies, UK business courses emphasize case studies and practical exposure to improve students' understanding of the subject.
• A business degree from a UK university can enhance students' career options and earning potential.
• Some institutions also require students to complete an internship program as part of their course curriculum.

Top MBA colleges in the United Kingdom

We are taking the QS global rankings into account. The QS Global MBA Rankings is an annual ranking of the world's best MBA programs, published by Quacquarelli Symonds(QS), a UK-based education and careers company. The ranking is based on various criteria, including reputation, career prospects, and class size, among others. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of MBA programs offered by universities and business schools globally, helping prospective students make informed decisions about their education. The top five colleges in the United Kingdom according to their QS ranking are:

• London Business School
• Cambridge Judge Business School
• The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
• Saïd Business School
• Imperial College Business School

#1 London Business School

• London Business School (LBS) was established in 1964 as the London Graduate School of Business Studies and has been offering Master's degrees in MBA, PhD, Management, and Finance for 50 years.
• LBS is a top-ranked business school worldwide with world-class business experts and holds triple crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA).
• LBS has been ranked as Europe's best business school for three consecutive years (2014-2016) by the Financial Times, and its MBA program is ranked 6th and 3rd in the world for Business and Management Studies by the QS Rankings for 2022.
• LBS offers scholarships to students based on their performance and has a global community of over 45,000 alumni employed in 155 countries around the world.

Key highlights

London Business School (LBS) has a strong reputation and is highly regarded by leading employers in the business world. Some of the popular recruiters of LBS MBA graduates include McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Procter & Gamble, The Boston Consulting Group, Unilever, and Amazon.

#2 Cambridge Judge Business School

• Cambridge Judge Business School is the business school of the University of Cambridge.
• The University of Cambridge was established in 1209 and is the 4th oldest university in the world.
• It is one of the most distinguished universities and is ranked 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
• Cambridge has 31 colleges and 6 schools, offering over 65 subject domains for undergraduates and more than 300 postgraduate courses.
• Cambridge has a diverse student population of over 20,000 students from 143 different nations.
• Financial support is offered to international students in the form of country-specific scholarships, trust awards, and college awards.
• The university promises accommodation in college-owned property for 3 years, and recreational facilities are available for students.
• Many famous personalities, including Stephen Hawking, Amartya Sen, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, are among Cambridge's alumni.

Key Highlights

The MBA graduates from CJBS are highly sought after for their broad understanding of business and their ability to think critically and creatively. Some of the top recruiters of CJBS MBA graduates include McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Morgan Stanley.

#3 The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

• The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, founded in 1890.
• Its first classes were held in 1892 with 594 students and 120 faculty members.
• 97 Nobel laureates are affiliated with the university, the largest number for any American university.
• The university offers courses across various departments, including African Studies, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Business, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Immunology, Law, and more.
• Admissions for Autumn 2022 had a total of 18,058 degree-seeking enrollments, with popular majors including Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, Chemistry, Public Policy, Law, Molecular Engineering, and Business.
• The university has more than 180,000 alumni, including notable figures such as Satya Nadella, Larry Ellison, and Robert Mulliken.

Key Highlights

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has a strong reputation and is highly regarded by leading employers in the business world. As a result, its MBA graduates are highly sought after and have a wide range of job opportunities available to them. Some of the top recruiters of Booth MBA graduates include McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Amazon, Google, and Procter & Gamble.

#4 Saïd Business School

• Saïd Business School is a business school at the University of Oxford, England.
• It was founded in 1996 and named after Syrian-Saudi businessman Wafic Saïd, who donated £70 million to the school.
• The school offers a range of business programs, including an MBA, an Executive MBA, and a variety of executive education courses.
• Saïd Business School is known for its global business programs that offer opportunities for international experience and collaboration with students from all over the world.
• The school has partnerships with other top business schools, such as Yale School of Management and HEC Paris, to offer joint programs.
• Saïd Business School is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world by various publications, including the Financial Times, The Economist, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Key Highlights

Saïd Business School has a strong reputation and its graduates are highly sought after by top employers in the business world. Some of the top recruiters of Saïd MBA graduates include McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, The Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, The Financial Times, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Amazon.

#5 Imperial College Business School

• Imperial College Business School is a public business school located in London, United Kingdom, and is part of Imperial College London, a leading research-intensive university.
• The business school offers undergraduate, postgraduate, executive education, and doctoral programs in business, management, finance, and related fields.
• The business school is accredited by international bodies such as AACSB and AMBA and has partnerships with other leading business schools around the world.
• The school is known for its focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology, and its research centers on topics such as finance, health management, and climate change.
• The school has a diverse student body from over 100 countries, and its graduates are highly sought after by employers in various industries, including consulting, finance, and technology.

Imperial College Business School has a strong reputation and its graduates are highly sought after by leading employers in the business world. Some of the top recruiters of Imperial College Business School MBA graduates include: McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and Amazon.

MBA Scholarships in United Kingdom

Numerous MBA scholarships are available for students in the UK, with many of them being fully-funded and awarded based on merit. Below, we discuss some noteworthy MBA scholarships offered in the UK

MBA in the United Kingdom: Without work experience or GMAT score

Documents required for MBA admissions in the United Kingdom

Before submitting their application to any MBA program, international students need to provide a set of accompanying documents. They should verify that the following items are included:

• Transcripts of all previous academic qualifications
• A CV or resume
• Letters of recommendation (LOR)
• A statement of purpose (SOP)
• Test scores for IELTS/TOEFL
• Test scores for GMAT/GRE
• A certificate of work experience.

MBA in the United Kingdom: Expenditure

Tuition fee

Cost of Living

The estimated cost of living in the UK for an international MBA student is approximately £14,400 - £24,000 per year, and may vary depending on individual lifestyles and spending habits. This includes expenses such as rent for accommodation, food, groceries, and other miscellaneous items.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) MBA in the United Kingdom 

Does an MBA in the UK require GMAT?

Most MBA programs in the UK do require the GMAT as part of the admission process. However, there may be exceptions to the GMAT requirement for some MBA programs, particularly for candidates with significant work experience and excellent academic records. Some schools may also accept alternative tests, such as the GRE.

Is the GMAT score of 550 good for the UK?

A GMAT score of 550 is considered to be lower than the average score for MBA applicants in the UK. The average GMAT score for MBA programs in the UK is typically in the range of 650-700, with some programs requiring even higher scores. A GMAT score of 550 may make it more challenging to be accepted into a competitive MBA program in the UK

Is GMAT very important in terms of your admission?

The GMAT score is an important factor considered in the admission process for MBA programs, but it is not the only factor. Admissions committees generally look at a candidate's entire profile, including their academic background, work experience, extracurricular activities, and test scores, to determine their potential for success in the program.

What is the cost of living in the UK for MBA students?

The cost of living in the UK for MBA students can vary widely depending on factors such as location, lifestyle, and individual expenses. However, as a rough estimate, international MBA students can expect to spend approximately £14,400 - £24,000.