Top 10 Most Affordable MBA Programs In The UK

Looking for the best value MBA? We list our top 10 affordable MBA programs in the UK, which cost less than £45,000 but don’t skimp on quality

The United Kingdom is famed globally for its high level of business education. Ten of the top 100 MBA programs ranked by the Financial Times are based in the UK.

A one-year MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School costs £74,000. At London Business School, the 15 to 21-month program, ranked best in the UK by the FT, is £115,000.

At the same time, the UK is home to some of the world’s cheapest MBA programs. An MBA at the University of Worcester costs UK-based students £9,000, and internationals £17,400.

Meanwhile at the University of Suffolk, an MBA costs £14,040 for UK students and £17,100 for internationals. Plymouth University prices its Full-Time MBA at £11,600 for UK students and £18,400 for international students.

However, applicants need to strike a balance between cost and quality. Lesser-known MBA programs without accreditation may be looked upon less favorably by prospective employers.

Best UK MBA programs for value for money

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 most affordable MBA programs (full-time) which cost under £45,000, but don’t skimp on quality or accreditation.

The University of Liverpool School of Management, for example, offers a gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. It is a one-year MBA program costing just £25,950 for UK students, and £32,950 for internationals. Aston Business School’s full-time MBA costs £24,500 for UK students and £30,000 for internationals.

The University of Bath's MBA—focused on practical business experience—costs £37,500 and offers special scholarships for students with experience in social impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership, among others. 

Nottingham Trent University charges £24,000 for its full-time MBA, while Birmingham Business School's full-time, one-year MBA program is priced at £35,850.

Just outside our top 10 are: Warwick Business School at £53,750; and Cranfield School of Management at £46,405.

More affordable MBA programs in London include those offered by City's Bayes Business School, at £50,400 and Imperial College Business School, at £67,500.

Top 10 most affordable MBA programs in the UK:

The UK MBA programs below are all triple accredited, by AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB. Durham Business School is ranked 78th in the world in the FT MBA ranking, while the University of Edinburgh MBA is ranked 92nd globally.

This article was first published in September 2017 and updated in July 2024.