MBA in UK without work experience is a popular option among international students. As a masters degree, an MBA requires no separate introduction. For those wanting to get into management, this degree functions as the ultimate gateway.
Typically, universities all over the world prefer their MBA students to have had three to five years (or more) of work experience so that they can apply their learning to real-world scenarios. However, with changing demands, UK universities are becoming more liberal, allowing international students to take up their MBAs right after their bachelor’s degree. This article covers the list of best MBA colleges in UK without work experience.
Yes, absolutely.
There are a number of MBA programs in the UK that are specifically designed for fresh graduates with no prior work experience. You can apply to these programs with your undergraduate transcripts and your English scores. Also, you can specialise in any field you like within an MBA. Did you know that Fashion Management is also a great specialisation in case you have an interest in the field.
Steps to apply for an MBA in the UK without work experience
- Go through our list of universities that provide this option.
- Draft a clear and precise Statement of Purpose (SOP) that tells them who you are.
- Update and edit your resume for submission. Include experiences that you have gained through projects, volunteering and other extracurricular activities.
- Do your best in GMAT/ GRE, if required. (It is not mandatory in most universities!)
- Prepare and score well in IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE or any of the other English exams
- Keep your Letters of Recommendation (LORs) ready
- Apply well before the deadline. You can always reach out to the experts at TC Global to be with you every step of the way.
Pros and Cons of doing an MBA without work experience
Advantages:
- There is no break in your educational career. You proceed from a bachelors to a masters degree while people with a lot of work experience might struggle to acclimate to a student life once again.
- It also means that there is no break in your professional career. You do not have to resign or take a sabbatical to do your MBA.
- By applying to jobs with an MBA, you are looking at mid-level positions or a better bargaining position when it comes to compensation.
Disadvantages:
- The best universities that offer MBA still require you to have professional experience. So, your options are restricted to modern universities who are open to this format.
- An MBA is a practice-oriented area of study. Many still believe that people who pursue an MBA after a few years of work experience gain a lot more out of the programme since they can apply the coursework to real-world scenarios.
Ultimately, the decision is based on an individual’s personal preference and career track.
There are a number of reasons to do an MBA in the UK.
1. Top Universities with Professional Accreditation:
The UK is one of the top countries for international students when it comes to global higher education. It is home to universities that are globally recognised. A UK MBA prepares its graduates to face the demands of a global market and makes you stand apart from others. These universities are also accredited by professional bodies such as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and AACSB. They ensure that courses meet international standards. You can also pursue a Bachelors in Business Administration in UK if you want to go at an undergraduate level.
2. Industry Partnerships:
It is a common practice of UK business schools to work closely with industry partners (organisations/ companies in the area) in order to bring in experts for seminars or masterclasses. This provides immense networking opportunities and teaches students the practical implications of this field of study.
3. One-year masters:
Another important advantage of doing a masters in UK is that you can complete the degree in one year when compared to the USA, Canada, Germany, Australia or New Zealand. This saves your time and the tuition fees while you can kickstart your career sooner.
4. Graduate Route Visa:
To do your MBA in the UK, you need a valid student visa. On completion, you can stay in the UK for up to two years via the Graduate Route. You can spend this time either working or looking for jobs in the UK. This adds valuable work experience on a global stage to your resume.
With its universal recognition across industries and its popularity among international students, an MBA is the preferred gateway into the field of management. However, the one condition most business schools have is that prior work experience is mandatory in order to delve deep into the principles of management. However, there are a lot of aspirants who choose to be done with their masters degree and enter the workforce at a mid-management level rather than starting at the bottom. If you are one of those students who prefer to complete your MBA in UK without work experience, this list is for you.
List of top MBA colleges in UK without work experience
- University of East London
- University of West London
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Coventry University
- University of Central Lancashire
- University of Sunderland
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Derby
- Leeds Beckett University
- University of Northampton
Source: UWL
Course |
MBA (with the option of choosing Extended Masters**, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria.) |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
- Consultancy for Innovation and Change (MBA)
- International Fashion Brand Management
- PG Diploma in Human Resource Management
- MSc International Business Management
|
Duration |
1 year – 15 months |
Application Deadline |
Rolling admissions, early submission is recommended |
Start Date |
February (15 month course) or September (12 months MBA degree) |
Fees |
£16,000 per year for the academic year beginning February |
Employability |
Graduates with a UWL MBA degree have gone on to work for organisations including Citibank, Accenture, GlaxoSmithKline. NHS Trusts, BBC, Yahoo, Continental Tyres, The Times India, Jarvis Hotels and The Guardian. |
Ranking |
- Business School of the Year in 2019 (Times HIgher Education Awards)
- Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice
|
** Extended Masters is offered to applicants who have a bachelor’s degree but do not meet the eligibility requirements of this MBA program.
Source: Liverpool John Moores
Course |
MBA |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
- MBA Educational Leadership
- MBA Scale UP
- MSc Leadership and Management Practice
|
Duration |
1 – 2 years |
Application Deadline |
April |
Start Date |
September |
Fees |
£17,750 |
Employability |
- Employability record of about 96% six months after graduation
- Known for offering MBA students applied learning techniques, powerful industry connections and networking opportunities
|
Ranking |
- Ranked 53rd in UK for business management
|
Accreditation |
|
Source: Coventry University
Course |
MBA (With choice of specialised pathways in Cyber Security Management, Sustainable Tourism, Artificial Intelligence, Marketing or Health Care) |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
- Finance MBA
- Global Business MBA
- International Marketing MBA
- International Human Resource Management MBA
- International Fashion Management
- Global Healthcare Management and Leadership MBA
|
Duration |
1 year full-time (Both in-campus and online modules are available)
2 – 5 years part-time |
Application Deadline |
Rolling admissions, early application is recommended for overseas applicants |
Start Date |
January and May |
Fees |
£20,350 – £23,000 (depending on specialisation) |
Employability |
Graduates have gone on to take up roles such as Financial Planning Analyst for City Bank Indonesia, Senior Finance Officer for Royal Jordanian Airlines, HR Manager within the Marriott Hotels and Financial Administrator for Bank of China. Other recruiters include the NHS, UNICEF, Barclays bank, Standard Life, UK public Sector. |
Ranking |
- 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
- Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide)
|
Accreditation |
- Recognised by professional bodies
- Member of the Small Business Charter, Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
|
Source: University of Sunderland
Course |
MBA |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
- Human Resource Management
- Finance
- Marketing
|
Duration |
12 months taught
24 months MBA with placement |
Application Deadline |
Like most universities offering MBA, the Uni of Sunderland has applications open all year round. It is recommended for international students to apply at least 6 months before the start of the MBA course. |
Start Date |
February and October |
Fees |
£17,000 |
Employability |
Graduates have had an accelerated career path in companies including Facebook, Microsoft, Sage, HSBC, IBM, Enterprise, Nissan, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Merck & Co, Barclays, Nissan, Marriott Hotels, Viacom 18, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Adidas. |
Ranking |
- Ranked 72nd in UK by the Guardian
|
Accreditation |
- AACSB
- Chartered Association of Business Schools
- European Foundation for Management Development
|
Source: University of Derby
Course |
Master of Business Administration – MBA Global and MBA Global Finance |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
- Master of Business Administration (MBA Global Block Delivery)
- MBA Professional
- Sustainable and Ethical Business Management MSc
- International Business and Marketing MSc
- International Business MSc
- Management MSc
|
Duration |
1 year full-time (online option also available) |
Start Date |
January and September |
Fees |
£16,500 for the full course |
Employability |
The Careers and Employment Service will prepare you to become a work-ready graduate with a median salary of £40,000. |
Accreditation |
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) |
Source: University of Northampton
Course |
MBA |
Specializations/ Related Courses |
MBA with work placement |
Duration |
1 year full-time |
Application Deadline |
Year round applications |
Start Date |
September, January, June |
Fees |
£17,500 |
Employability |
Having successfully completed this interdisciplinary program, graduates have gone on to take up management roles in various departments of an organisation including accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources. |
Accreditation |
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
|
There are a number of universities that offer MBA in UK without GMAT and work experience. Just like the general program, you can also choose a specialised MBA degree without your GRE scores or any other standardised tests. The popular specialisations in MBA without work experience are
- Finance
- HRM
- Marketing
- Project Management
- International Business
- Operations Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare / Hospital administration
While the standard eligibility criteria might remain the same, a specialised MBA might require you to have a bachelors degree more directly connected to your field of study.
Let us take a look at the eligibility requirements for the top MBA colleges in UK without work experience.
Academic Qualifications:
A bachelors degree or a bachelors honours degree (at least second-class) from a recognised university is mandatory. The cut-off score ranges from 55 – 75%, depending on the university. Most universities accept candidates from across disciplines since a management degree is required across industries.
Standardised Tests:
The typical test for an MBA application process is the GMAT (Some universities also accept the GRE). However, it is possible to pursue an MBA in UK without GMAT and work experience. Almost all universities listed in this article are test optional. You can submit a good GMAT score to add value to your application but it is not mandatory.
English Language Proficiency:
As international students, you must meet English language requirements by taking either the IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. Minimum of 6.0 – 7.0 (IELTS score) or 88 – 105 (TOEFL score) are required. The scores should not be older than two years from the date of admission.
Work Experience:
Since this article lists some of the best MBA colleges in UK without work experience, prior work experience is not a requirement in these MBA universities. However, work experience is also not a reason for them to reject your application. One or you years of professional experience in a relevant field will be considered on a case by case basis.
Let us now answer the question, “How much does it cost to pursue an MBA in UK without work experience as an Indian student?”.
It is important to note that the figures shown are average costs and approximations to give you a general idea. The actual costs can vary depending on your selection of courses, the universities and the city that you will be living in.
Cost |
Amount in Pounds
(Approx figures per year) |
Amount in INR
(Approx figures per year) |
Tuition (Range) |
15,500 – 20,000 GBP |
Rs 16 – 20 lakhs |
Additional Costs |
Rent (On Campus) |
£4,000 – £7,000 |
Rs 4 – 7 lakhs |
Rent (Off campus, shared living) |
London – £9,000
Rest of UK – £6,700 |
London – Rs 9 lakhs
Rest of UK – Rs 6.7 lakhs |
Food |
£1,800 – £2,200 |
Rs 1 – 2.5 lakhs |
Transport |
£1,000 |
Rs 1 lakh |
Health Insurance |
£470 |
Rs 50,000 |
Utilities |
£650 – £800 |
Rs 65,000 – 80,000 |
Average Total Living Expenses |
£14,400 – £16,800 |
Rs 14 – 17 lakhs |
While planning for your application, you should also plan for scholarship awards or bursaries that will help with your finances as you apply to some of the best MBA colleges in UK without work experience. Typically, a scholarship is awarded based on merit while a bursary is offered on the basis of financial need. Most UK universities have some kind of scholarship or a discount for international students. The most important aspect of availing them is ensuring that you apply early.
As an international student, it is important to look at four sources of financial aid
- Scholarships from home government
- UK government scholarships for international students
- Department/ University scholarships
- Awards/ grants/ scholarships from external charitable organisations.
That said, here are some you can consider for your MBA in UK.
- Aziz Foundation Scholarships
- British Council Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Felix Scholarships
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
- Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
- Global Study Awards
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
After graduating from universities in UK for MBA without work experience, the scope of career prospects in the United Kingdom is quite vast. No business or organisation can function without well qualified management graduates. Depending on your organisation and your specialisation, you can be hired as
- Financial Managers
- Strategy Consultant
- Marketing Managers
- Business Analysts
- Business Development or Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- Investment Analyst and so on.
The name of the role can change from organisation to organisation. However, since you would have graduated from one of the universities in UK for MBA without work experience, it is highly unlikely that you will be hired for an upper management position such as CEO or CFO. The average salary for a beginner after an MBA is anywhere between £30,000 and £45,000. With more professional experience, there is a lot of scope for rising up the ranks.
Is work experience necessary for MBA in UK?/ Can I do MBA without work experience?
No. Work experience is not mandatory to pursue an MBA from some UK universities. You can apply for some of the best MBA colleges in UK without work experience.
Do I need GMAT to do an MBA in UK without work experience?
Yes and no. Most UK MBA universities are test optional which means GMAT is not mandatory. However, you can submit your GMAT or GRE scores in order to augment your application.
Is it good to do MBA without work experience?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to doing an MBA without work experience. Simply put, the advantage is that there is no break in your education or your career. You finish one at a stretch and then start the other. You will even enter the corporate world at a mid-management level than right at the bottom. The disadvantage is that an MBA is a practice-oriented course. Without the minimal work experience, it might be harder to do case studies, projects, or look past the theory.
Can I get a good job after doing an MBA from the UK?
Yes. While the job market is competitive, there is a growing demand for management professionals, not just in the UK but globally. With rapid technological development and pressure to optimise at all levels, qualified MBAs are always on demand.
While studying MBA in UK without work experience can be very thrilling, the prep and paperwork of it all can get overwhelming. The easiest way to reduce your stress is to sign up with TC Global.We simplify international education, learning, and mobility through connecting students, universities, and a global community on a single platform where there are over 1000+ education providers and over 80,000+ courses.
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