Let us dive further into the key requirements to keep in mind for every university, some facts about the universities, the programmes offered, the work experience needed, the scores needed and so forth. Do refer to the table for the rest of the information.

Established in 1967, an MBA from an elite B-School like Warwick may be just what you need to transmute your career. Taught by world business experts, Warwick creates creative and entrepreneurial leaders. The course lasts for a year and students focus on key business, management and strategic skills. It is ranked 5th in the UK and 34th in the world for an MBA. 

Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 660

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 7

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

Warwick was among the top 3 B-schools in the UK targeted by employers, with companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Loreal, Disney, Marks and Spencer coming for recruitments. The mean salary of a full-time graduate is around INR 72 lakhs. They have an employment rate of 90%. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~25 October 2021

Round 2 – ~31 January 2022 

Round 3 – ~31 May 2022 

Round 4 – ~31 July 2022

Established in the year 1965, this B-School offers an 18-month hands-on, practical approach to business management. The program is flexible in terms of months, with the alternatives offered being 12 – 15 months long. They offer actual consultancy opportunities to students, have an excellent alumni network and wonderful placement drives. It is ranked 6th in the UK and 48th in the world for an MBA. 

Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 630

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 6.5

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

Top companies such as the ‘Big 4’, American Express, Citi, J&J, Amazon, and Microsoft come to recruit at Manchester Business School. The mean salary of a full-time MBA graduate is around INR 91 lakhs. MBS has excellent placement drives and have an employment rate of 93%. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~15 March2021

Round 2 – ~19 April 2021 

Round 3 – ~24 May 2022 

Round 4 – ~1 June 2022

University of Edinburgh B-School ranks 7th in the UK and 52nd in the world for an MBA. Similar to Oxford, the University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest universities in the world, and one of the best when it comes to the UK. Their business program was established in 1919 and is currently a 12-month MBA program focussing on analysis, strategy, leadership, and core business management. 

Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 600 (although it need not be compulsory)

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 7

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

Edinburgh boasts a 96% employment rate with top recruiters like Deloitte, EY, Google, HSBC, NatWest, Nestle, PwC, Rockstar Games, Salesforce, and Microsoft. The mean salary of a full-time graduate is ~ INR 85 lakhs. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~7 October 2021

Round 2 – ~11 November 2021 

Round 3 – ~16 December 2021 

Round 4 – ~27 January 2022

Round 5 – ~ 10 March 2022

Round 6 – ~21 April 2022

Cass Business School is ranked 8th in the UK and 75th in the world for an MBA. A one-year program, Cass is known for inculcating the best skills and knowledge in students through theory and practical applications. They focus on decision-making, versatility, leadership, and consultancy. 

Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 653

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 7

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

With an employment rate of 90%, Cass also has top recruiters for placements, including: IBM, J.P. Morgan, Warner Bros., Goldman Sachs, Loreal, UBS etc. The mean salary of a full-time graduate is ~ INR 94 lakhs. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~27th September 2021

Round 2 – ~8 November 2021 

Round 3 – ~10 January 2022 

Round 4 – ~14 February 2022

Round 5 – ~28 March 2022

Round 6 – ~9th May 2022

Cranfield School of Management was established in 1967, and is one of the only universities in the UK solely dedicated towards postgraduate studies. This 13-month program focuses on applying academic knowledge and research to business problems in order to obtain solutions. Cranfield is ranked 9th in the UK for an MBA, and 79th in the world for an MBA. 

 Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 680

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 7

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

Cranfield has an employment rate of 92%, with the employers being companies like Barclays, Deutsche Bank, HCL Tech, Infosys, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, Samsung, Singapore Airlines, TCS Mumbai, and Amazon. The mean salary of a full-time graduate is ~ INR 67 lakhs. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~August 2021 (kindly check their website)

Round 2 – ~27 October 2021

Round 3 – ~24 January 2022 

Round 4 – ~15 March 2022 

Round 5 – ~25 April 2022

Round 6 – ~13 June 2022

Round 7 – ~26 July 2022

Lastly, we have Durham University B-School, ranked 10th in the UK and 84th in the world for an MBA. The program lasts for 12-15 months and is designed to allow you to excel in a global, fast-paced business environment. Durham University is also one of the oldest universities in Europe. 

Key Requirements: 

• Average GMAT Score: 650

• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4

• IELTS 7

• 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience 

Over 95% of its students get employed after graduation, with a mean salary of ~ INR 70 lakhs. Employers include, J & J, EY, Accenture, IBM, Rolls-Royce, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., and Samsung. 

Important Dates: 

Round 1 – ~16 November 2021 

Round 2 – ~25 January 2022

Round 3 – ~22 March 2022 

Round 4 – ~24 May 2022 

Let us now look at the top jobs and prospects after an MBA in the UK! 

Despite it being harder to obtain a work VISA for EU and non-EU internationals, B-Schools in the UK continue to welcome high-achieving international students in search of talent and skill. The Brexit process was completed last year, and the UK economy has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic far quicker than expected. Employers want candidates to possess skills such as adaptability, self-motivation, efficiency and other interpersonal skills. B-schools are perfect for such as a setting, as they ensure these skills are well inculcated in their students before jobs. 

It is no secret that the pandemic has impacted the hospitality, entertainment and retail sectors but things are starting to look up, with global vaccination rates rising and covid-19 protocols set in place. 

The UK is known for Finance, with traditional institutions like Goldman and JP Morgan being the go-to companies for banking roles. Financial technology is another strong point in the UK, particular with the increase in contactless payments and trading. E-commerce and Marketing have been steady sectors in the UK, and are always good options to go for. The pandemic has impacted consumer behaviour in new and different ways, which presents tons of marketing opportunities in the companies that come to recruit at these b-schools. Apart from this, the tech and IT sector is strong in the UK, with various management roles staying in demand throughout the years.  

The UK government extended the post-study work visa up to 2 years before the pandemic struck, and it has remained the case even now. With a points system set in place for VISA, business graduates are well-positioned to stand out and get employed.  

As a general state of things, consulting roles and roles related to finance are among the highest-paying jobs after an MBA. Let us look at some of the best prospects after an MBA in the UK.

Banker :

As we mentioned earlier, banking roles are strong in the UK, with MBA in Finance majors looking to handle high-end clients and close business deals for the bank. The avg. salary of a banker after an MBA in Finance is ~ INR 51 lakhs.

Investment Banker:

 They are bankers who are focused on increasing the capital of the organization through stock and bond markets. A developed knowledge of market trends and financial news is required and an MBA in Finance is usually required for such roles. The avg. salary of an investment banker after an MBA in Finance is ~ INR 79 lakhs.

Financial Manager:

 You will be working collaboratively with clients, fintech and your team for accounting, revenue projection, strategy and financial processes. You will also manage the finances of the entire organisation or division and be well-versed with financial laws and reports in the UK. Avg. salary range is around ~ INR 90 lakhs. 

Financial Analyst:

 You’ll track and understand the financial operations of the organisation, their expense and their budget, while also identifying risk points and track the capital of the company. Avg. salary range is around ~ INR 35 lakhs.

Consulting :

Business Management Consultants identify business troubles and problems, and come up with solutions in order to resolve said problem, improve the organisational output, aid in growth, and overall serve as consultants to streamline any process they are required to provide solutions to. This can range from Marketing and Sales Strategies, to managing the internal management process for better efficiency. The avg. salary of a consultant is ~ 

Marketing and Sales Manager:

 This is one of the ‘big jobs’ in any organisation, for it involves managing and coordinating the entire Marketing sphere of the organisation – ranging from Business Development, Promotions and Advertising, Market Research and Competitor Analysis, and product growth and sustenance. They work with the Marketing Executives, the Sales Team, Marketing Analysts, and pretty much every department that has anything to do with the product including customer care, messaging and brand perception. Campaigns, Strategies and Consumer Experience is their bread and butter. The avg. salary of a Marketing Manager after an MBA in Marketing in the UK is ~ INR 85 lakhs. 

Marketing Analysts :

Marketing Analysts use Market Research and Business Analytics to study the market and consumer data, to identify opportunities, find out what people want, track trends, assess their competition. Marketing managers use this information to formulate sales tactics, marketing campaigns and promotional endeavours. 

HR Managers:

 This is a specialization that is crucial to the functioning of every organisation, and it is no different for the UK. HR Manager – HR Managers coordinate and direct the administrative functions of the company, executive recruitment processes, and ensure the smooth conduct and flow of information and work between the management and the employees. They work to promote the morale and spirit of the organisation with the entire HR team, and work closely with the heads of the organisation to ensure an efficient, optimised and happy team. The avg. salary of a HR Manager after an MBA in HR is ~ INR 52 lakhs.

Operations Manager:

 Operations involve supervision of workers and facilities, frequently related to the manufacturing and labor sector. They’re typically responsible for ensuring and managing the production of goods and services in a company. This involves designing, optimizing, and execution of the operations process keeping in mind resources, labor and costs. They seek to do the best they can with the available capital and resources. The avg. salary of an Operations Manager after an MBA in Operations is ~ INR 46 lakhs. 

Project Manager :

Ranging from IT Projects, Engineering to Marketing Strategy, MBA Graduates are invaluable as Project Mangers in the UK. The avg. salary of a Project Manager varies widely depending on the field in context and the company involved. 

Other roles include: 

• Sports Manager 

• Media Manager 

• Hospitality Manager 

• Software Manager

• The world is your oyster, just try your best and aim for the stars!

Let us now look at the cost of living in the UK during your MBA. 

Depending on which B-School you get in, whether they have on-campus housing, your personal living preferences, which part of the country you are in, your cost of living will quite naturally vary according to these factors. However, there are certain fundamental expenses that can be generalised using averages, to give you a rough idea of your cost of living. 

Before we look into that, let me tell you that finding a part-time job during your full-time MBA is one of the best things you can do. Yes, it is going to be difficult when you’re up to your neck in coursework, assignments and projects, but your part-time job will help you cover a lot of your expenses, and significantly reduce your debt. 

You will (most likely) be staying back in the UK for 2 years to utilise your 2-year post-study work VISA, so a part-time job will offer tons of opportunities to familiarise yourself with the country you have come to study in. Explore the culture, interact, observe, and live a little! Yes, the part-time job will cover your expenses but it will also help you get to know the UK a bit. The standard and quality of living in the UK is high, and there’s ton to explore and do. Travel, visit museums, revel in nature, and explore the cities and culture of the UK! 

If your finances are well-set, and you wish to focus purely on your academics, more power to you. The above was just something to think about. For those who cannot afford to not think about it, a part-time job is a boon. Full-time university students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week during academic breaks. The national minimum wage for those aged 21 and above, is 8.36 pounds per hour which equals ~863 rupees per hour.  

Now, let us look at certain fundamental expenses that can be generalised.  

• Food and Drinks – INR 25k per month.

• Internet – INR 4.2k per month.

• Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) – INR 6.2k per month. 

• Rent – Avg. INR 56k per month. 

• Transport – varies widely – Avg. INR 10k per month. 

• Clothing + Laundry – Avg. INR 7k per month. (Invest in durable clothing)

• Entertainment – Varies widely. 😀 

The UK VISA stipulates that you need to have a budget of about 1.3 lakhs per month apart from your university fees. If you work for up to 20 hours per week with minimum wage, you can earn around INR 70k per month. The rest will have to come from your educational loans or other finances. Quite obviously, your lifestyle also matters a lot. Spend wisely! 

All of this may seem too overwhelming, but the fact is, if you are at this stage in your academic career, or have got some admits, it will all be worth it once you get your job and assimilate your learnings from the university. Best Wishes! 

Financing your studies abroad can burn quite a hole in your pocket, which is why there are plenty of scholarships available to students. Here are some of the most useful and top scholarships for an MBA in the UK, offered by top universities and organisations in the UK. 

Note: While applying to a particular b-school or university for an MBA in the UK, make sure you go through their website thoroughly and check out any potential scholarships they offer. This applies for any program you apply for abroad. 

Kindly scroll upwards and read the note once again. While the table consists of some of the most widely known scholarships, many universities offer their own scholarships if you meet their criteria, so do your research thoroughly. 

We at Galvanize hope this article has contributed to your study abroad plans. For a guide to top business schools in Canada, kindly click here. For details about the UK’s VISA requirements, click here. 

There’s an indepth blog about study abroad VISA’s

Study Abroad VISA Guide

Hope this blog helped you! Written by Saahil R Bhatt.

• The Definitive Guide : Statement of Purpose
• Business Schools in Canada
• MBA Abroad Destinations
• MBA Specializations List