It can be quite a dilemma to choose between an MBA in UK or MBA in USA. Both countries are globally renowned for their education, have a rich global culture, and are gateways to several career opportunities. By reading this detailed article, students will be able to make a more informed decision about which MBA destination is right for them.
We have provided a detailed comparison of MBA in UK or MBA in USA in the table below. Various points of difference like eligibility, costs, ROI, etc, have been taken into consideration.
Basis of Difference
MBA in the UK
MBA in the USA
World Ranking
As per QS Global MBA rankings 2022, UK’s London Business School ranks #6 in the world.
QS Global MBA rankings 2022 reveal that six of the US business schools rank among the top 10 universities for MBA globally.
Top Universities
Top MBA universities in UK are London Business School, Judge Business School (University of Cambridge), Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), Warwick Business School (University of Warwick), Imperial College Business School (Imperial College London)
Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford University), Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania), Sloan School of Management (MIT), Harvard Business School (Harvard University), Columbia Business School (Columbia University)
Eligibility
A 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute with 2.75 to 3.6 GPA, 2-4 years of work experience
A 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute with 2.75 to 3.6 GPA, 3-6 years of work experience
Duration
12-21 months (generally 12 months/one year)
2-3 years
Tuition Fees
£10,000 to £15,000 per annum
$70,000 to $75,000 per annum
Admission Requirements
GMAT: 680-700, GRE: 160 (quantitative) and 160 (verbal), TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores
GMAT: 650-730, GRE: 165 (quantitative) and 170 (verbal), TOEFL/IELTS
Curriculum
The program is based on classical curriculum with higher emphasis on theory than practical experience. Students can choose from an array of specializations.
Students can gain hands-on practical experience. A variety of subjects are offered. Moreover, the program provides scope for research and collaboration. Guest lectures and seminars are also conducted.
Cost of Living
£10,000 to £15,000 annually
$2,500 to $5,000 annually
Scholarships
Mostly awarded by universities based on merit/financial need/ethnicity. Some of the prominent UK scholarships include: The London Business School Fund Scholarship, Cambridge Judge Business School Scholarship, Oxford Saïd Business School Scholarships, etc.
Comparatively better in terms of availability of scholarships. Popular US MBA scholarships include Fullbright Foreign Student Program, Harvard University Scholarships, Wharton’s Emerging Economy Fellowships, etc.
Work-Study Opportunities
Relatively fewer on-campus/off campus part-time job options in the UK
A plethora of part-time jobs in the US are available for overseas MBA students
Post-Study Options/Work Visa
2 years’ work visa upon graduation, through the new Graduate Route
Students with F-1 visa can engage in OPT for upto 12 months post graduation. H-1B visa: During OPT, students can apply for an H-1B visa, which is a USA work visa for high-skilled migrants. STEM-certified MBAs have an additional advantage due to the 24-month extension of OPT. It means that they have two more years to apply for an H-1B.
Top Recruiting Firms
American Express, Iceland, Zurich, Building Society, AXA, Legal & General
Google, Deloitte, Amazon, BCG, Goldman Sachs, McLinsey
Average Salary
$116,000 per year
$109,000 per year
ROI
The shorter duration of MBA in the UK means one year less of tuition fees. B-schools such as the London Business School offer a salary of 107%, according to QS.
North America provides the best salary hike in the USA, with an average of 74%. Therefore, MBA graduates from US business schools pay back their tuition fees in around 55 months, according to QS.
Upper Age Limit
The average age of students pursuing MBA in the UK is 28-35.
The average age of students studying MBA in the US ranges between 25 and 28.
While we know that UK has some of the top-ranking business schools, here are some of the other benefits of pursuing an MBA in the UK:
Following are some points to help students understand why an MBA from the USA is a good option:
Well, as explained above, both UK and USA are excellent study destinations for pursuing an MBA. However, in order to decide between two equally good options, students must consider their career goals, interests, and priorities. It is you, ultimately, who will benefit most from an MBA degree, whether it is from the US or the UK. Therefore, consider all the aspects given in the article to make an informed decision.
