MBA In the UK Without Work Experience



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.


Is it possible to do an MBA in the 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.

Why study MBA in UK?


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.

Top Universities for MBA in UK without work experience


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

1. University of East London


Source: UEL

Course Master of Business Administration (With optional Placement year)
Specializations/ Related Courses
  • MBA Entrepreneurship
  • MBA Business Analytics
  • MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship
  • MBA Project Management
  • MBA Digital Marketing
  • MBA FinTech
  • MBA Supply Chain Management
  • MBA Sustainable Energy
Duration 2 years full-time
Application Deadline Applications typically open 1 year before the start of the MBA program. The deadline for January intake is in November and the September intake in June.
Start Date January and September
Fees £16,740 plus an additional cost of £3,000 for placement year
Employability MBA graduates are welcome in any sector, across industries, worldwide. You will also have access to UEL’s worldwide MBA Alumni Network, and their superb careers guidance portal. UEL also works closely with top organisations such as Bloomberg and Barclaycard.
Ranking
  • Ranked 34th in UK for Business and Management by the Guardian
Accreditation
  • Chartered Management Institute

2. University of West London


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.

3. Liverpool John Moores University


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
  • AACSB

4. Coventry University


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).

5. University of Central Lancashire


Source: BBC News

Course MBA with Professional Placement (For International Students only)
Specializations/ Related Courses
  • Pg Diploma in Business Administration
  • MSc Financial Management/ Technology
  • MA/ MSc Human Resource Management
  • MSc International Business and Management
Duration 2 years
Application Deadline November for January intake and July for September intake
Start Date January and September
Fees £15,500 per year plus £2000 for placements
Employability Graduates of the MBA program have gone on build their careers in numerous management level positions across industries
Ranking
  • Ranked 68th in the UK for business and management
Accreditation/ Partnerships
  • Small Business Charter (SBC)

6. University of Sunderland


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

7. Anglia Ruskin University


Source: ARU

Course MBA
Specializations/ Related Courses
  • Educational Leadership and Management MBA (Distance learning)
  • MBA Healthcare Management
  • MBA Finance
  • MSc International Business Management
  • MBA Enterprenuership
Duration (Options)
  • 12 months full-time
  • 16 months full-time
  • 2 years with professional experience
  • 18 – 24 months with study abroad option
Application Deadline Applications open all year round. It is recommended for international students to apply at least 6 months before the start of the course.
Start Date January and September
Fees £19,200 per year
Employability Students will have access to their star-up hub and career guidance services to make professional connections. This UK MBA university also provides immense opportunities to network with local employers.
Accreditation Level 7 CMI accreditation

8. University of Derby


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)

9. Leeds Beckett University


Source: Leeds Beckett

Course MBA Program
Specializations/ Related Courses
  • Executive MBA
  • MSc Human Resource Management
  • MSc Management and Finance
  • MSc Management and Marketing
Duration 16 months full-time
Application Deadline No fixed application deadline but early submission is recommended
Start Date January and September intakes
Fees £16,000 for the academic year 2023-24
Employability MBA graduates have been hired in roles such as Business development manager, Sales manager, Project manager or Operations manager among other positions. Skill sets include strategic analysis, financial analytics, ethical decision-making, people management, marketing and risk management, and problem solving.
Ranking
  • One of the top 100 business schools in the UK
Accreditation
  • Graduates are eligible to apply for Level 7 CMI qualification

10. University of Northampton


Source: University of Northampton

Course MBA
Specializations/ Related Courses
  • Finance MBA

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)

Types of specialisations in MBA in the UK


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.

Eligibility Criteria For MBA without work experience in the UK


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.

Cost of Studying MBA in UK


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

Scholarships for a Masters in Business Administration in the UK


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

Career Opportunities After Pursuing an MBA in UK


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.

FAQs


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.

How to apply to UK universities with TC Global?


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.

Our platform enables students to study anywhere in the world in just a few steps. From search and discovery and finding the right course fit for you, to the application process, student visas and departure – we see you through it all.

To move forward with us, download our app or visit tcglobal.com and sign in to create an account on our student platform and onboard with us in quick, easy steps.! 🚀
Then simply set up a visit Calendly.com/tcglobal to pick a Relationships Team closest to you and choose a slot to meet with a Relationship Member.

Let’s shape your future together.

You May Also Like:



Date added
11.11.2023

Filed under:

Global Ed

Subscribe!

No spam, just your favourite topics.

Choose Insight topics that you are interested in to subscribe for your personalized newsletter.

A world
of possibilities awaits.
Join the movement.
Find your perfect university,
in one of 40 countries all over the world
Prepare for the future,
whether at university, business or in employment
Secure your future,
through STEM courses
Connect with leading international companies
and unlock the potential of your team
Fill in the form, so we can contact
you and start our journey together.