12 minsWhat’s included in this article?
- Why study MBA abroad?
- Who can study MBA abroad?
- Entry requirements for studying MBA abroad
- Can you study MBA without GMAT?
- Can you study MBA without work experience?
- Are there any visa requirements?
- What are the different options to study MBA abroad?
- Full-time MBA
- Online/distance MBA
- More details about MBA courses offered by foreign universities
- Topics covered as part of an MBA course
- MBA specialisations
- Duration of MBA courses abroad
- How is studying MBA abroad different from studying MBA from India?
- Which are the top-ranking business schools for MBA?
- Which are some institutions that offer MBA programmes at lower cost?
- Scholarships to study MBA abroad
- Career options after MBA
- FAQ
Why study MBA abroad?
MBA is one of the most popular courses in India after Engineering and Medicine. People choose to do an MBA even after completing a non-business-related course for their bachelor's degree. Some do an MBA after several years of work experience. Some others do an online or distance MBA to boost their career prospects.
When this course is so widely popular in our country, it is only natural that people look for options that would give them an edge in the competitive job market. An MBA abroad is the answer to that. It is also highly valued by prospective employers. The course opens a world of opportunities.
Who can study MBA abroad?
Anybody who has completed a degree programme with a decent score will be able to study MBA abroad provided they meet the criteria set by individual universities.
The course you chose for your undergraduate course is not a limiting factor. Want to do an MBA after completing your engineering course? It is very much possible!
Most universities abroad have similar requirements which include:
- An undergraduate degree
- Meeting any competitive exam score requirement. Most institutions ask for GMAT or GRE scores.
- Proof of English language proficiency. IELTS and TOEFL scores are widely accepted.
- A compelling Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation
Note:
- Several institutions abroad have waived their GMAT/GRE score requirement. But there could be other requirements to be met. For example, the University of North Chapel Hill in the USA waive test score requirements for candidates with more than 5 years of professional experience.
- Some institutions also do not demand an essay while applying.
Read more about studying master’s in the USA without GRE/GMAT.
Important: Apart from the basic requirements for studying MBA abroad, some institutions ask for proof of work experience. It could be a minimum of 3 years of work experience or a minimum of 5.
Quick details on entry requirements for studying MBA abroad
Here’s a table to guide you on the different MBA requirements:
|
Academic qualifications |
A bachelor’s degree. Very few institutions ask for a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. |
|
Documents needed |
Academic transcripts Resume SOP LORs Proof of funds Test scores Proof of employment, if needed |
|
Competitive exams to be cleared |
GMAT (The Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Read more about the competitive exams to clear for studying abroad |
|
Language tests to be cleared |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced Cambridge etc. are some of the accepted language tests. An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.5 or 7.0 is expected by most business schools. |
|
Other application requirements |
Minimum GPA score Professional experience |
Here are the admission requirements set by some prominent universities abroad:
|
University |
Requirements |
|
UNSW, Sydney, Australia |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent IELTS Academic overall score of a minimum of 6.5 GMAT score of 550 Minimum 2 years of work experience Check out the MBA course details. |
|
University of Wollongong, Australia |
Bachelor’s degree with 50% average marks A minimum of 3 years of professional experience A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 Get further details about this MBA course. |
|
Northern Arizona University, USA |
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 Bachelor’s degree IELTS score of a minimum of 6.5 Learn more details about this MBA course |
|
Massey University, New Zealand |
Relevant bachelor’s degree B-grade average in academics 3 years of relevant postgraduate practical work experience Explore the MBA course further |
Can you study MBA without GMAT?
Due to the pandemic, several universities around the globe decided to offer GRE/GMAT waivers. Some institutions offer GRE/GMAT waivers based on certain conditions:
- If the candidate has an exceptional GPA
- If the candidate has relevant work experience
- If they had undertaken exceptional research projects during their undergraduate course
Some institutions that allow students to request for GMAT waiver:
- The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: Applicants who have 5 or more years of professional experience need not submit GRE/GMAT scores for admission to their MBA programmes. Other applicants can also apply for a waiver, provided they meet the other requirements.
- Montclair State University: Applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher can request for waiver.
- Kansas State University: MBA aspirants who have a good academic profile, analytical skills and the ability for success can request for GMAT waiver.
- Northern Kentucky University: GMAT is not required for applying to their MBA programmes.
Read more about the different universities in the USA where you can study MBA abroad without submitting GMAT scores.
Can you study MBA without work experience?
Yes, you can study MBA without having relevant professional experience. Though you might come across several institutions that require candidates to possess a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience, it is not a general rule followed by all business schools.
Here are some institutions which do not ask for work experience:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Though most MBA applicants to MIT have an average of 5-year work experience, it is not a mandate set by the university.
- The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania clarifies that there is no requirement or minimum amount of work experience required for applying to the Wharton MBA programme.
- University of East London does not require candidates to have work experience to be eligible for application to their MBA course.
Read more about studying MBA abroad without work experience.
Are there any visa requirements?
There are no specific visa requirements per se, but if you are applying for an MBA form a U.S. university, you should be prepared to face questions around this during your F1 visa interview. Here are some questions to prepare yourself:
- Why did you choose to do MBA in the USA and not in India?
- Which specialisation did you opt for and why?
- Do you have any prior work experience?
- What do you plan to do once you complete the course?
Get more details to help you prepare for your F1 visa interview.
What are the different options to study MBA abroad?
There are different options to do your MBA course.
- As a full-time course – As part of which you will be expected to attend the classes in person.
- As an online/distance course – You can complete your course online and take your exams online too.
- As an online course with a few weeks of in-person sessions – Several universities that offer online/distance MBA prefers that students attend a few intensive sessions in person.
While a majority of them offer full-time courses, there are enough number of universities offering online/distance MBA. An online MBA helps you get an international degree at a reduced cost. You are also saved from the hassles of moving to a different country.
Institutions providing full-time MBA programmes abroad and the tuition fee:
|
Country |
List of universities |
|
USA |
The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee – 20.9 lakhs/year Pace University – 45.2 lakhs/year The University of Cincinnati – 26.8 lakhs/year The University of Rhode Island – 22.2 lakhs/year Suffolk University – 40.1 lakh/year Pittsburg State University – 15.9 lakhs/year Portland State University – 44.9 lakhs/year Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – 16.7 lakhs/year |
|
UK |
Swansea University – 21 lakhs/year Coventry University – 19.5 lakhs/year Ulster University – 14.8 lakhs/year Kingston University – 23.2 lakhs/year Cardiff Metropolitan University – 15 lakhs/year The University of Wolverhampton – 14 lakhs/year Loughborough University – 31 lakhs/year The University of the Creative Arts – 17.9 lakhs/year |
|
Australia |
The University of Sydney – 28.5 lakhs/year Murdoch University – 16.9 lakhs/year Deakin University – 23.7 Lakhs/year Kaplan Business School – 13 lakhs/year The University of Tasmania – 17.9 – 19 lakhs/year The University of New England – 16.3 lakhs/year The University of Queensland – 44.9 lakhs/year Edith Cowan University – 18 lakhs/year |
|
Canada |
York University – 32.6 lakhs/year Brock University - 20.8 lakhs/year The University of Windsor – 13.7 lakhs/year Thompson Rivers University – 13.9 lakhs/year Royal Roads University – 31 lakhs/year The University of Alberta – 10.5 lakhs/year The University of New Brunswick – 7.1 lakhs/year The University of Northern British Columbia – 4.6 lakhs/year |
Institutions providing online/Distance MBA abroad
Here are some examples of institutions where you can study an international MBA from the comforts of your home. There are others that require students to attend at least a few weeks in person, generally towards the end of the course.
Get details about institutions offering distance education MBA courses abroad.
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Australia |
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UK |
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USA |
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Canada |
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Here are more articles that you might be interested in:
- Should you study MBA in the USA or in Canada?
- Read more about the best colleges to study MBA in the UK
- Where to study MBA in Canada
Details about MBA courses offered by foreign universities
Here are some more details that will give you some clarity about the course including the modules included, specialisations available and the course durations.
Topics covered as part of MBA abroad
The MBA course will be structured in such a way that your strategic thinking skills and problem-solving skills are enhanced through the efficient use of language, tools and techniques. The topics covered will vary across universities. It is always best to go through the course details before finalizing which courses to apply to. Keep in mind that most institutions also offer electives, so you have some control over what you learn during the course. Some of the topics covered by most business schools as part of an MBA course include:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Global Strategies
- Organisational Behaviour
- Sustainability Issues
- Research Methods for Business and Management
- Financial Management
- Responsible Management and Ethics
A dissertation or project will also be a part of most MBA courses abroad.
MBA Specialisations
There are a large number of institutions that offer general MBA courses. You can also find courses with unique specialisations. Courses that offer dual degrees, one of which is MBA, are also quite common at universities abroad. Explore some of the MBA specialisations and pick the best one for you.
Some of the available MBA specialisations include:
- Digital Transformation
- Tourism Management
- Artificial Intelligence
- Digital Marketing
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Legal Leadership
- Event Leadership
- Finance Concentration
- Hospitality
- Global Healthcare Management and Leadership
- International Fashion Management
- International Marketing
- Business Analytics
- Energy Management
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Some Dual degree courses include:
- M.P.H./M.B.A. Dual Degree
- J.D./M.B.A. Dual Degree
- M.S. in Civil Engineering/MBA - Master of Business Administration
- M.S. in Computer Engineering/MBA - Master of Business Administration (Dual Degree)
- M.S. in Network Engineering/MBA - Master of Business Administration (Dual Degree)
Check out our article to know some more unique MBA specialisations to study abroad.
Duration of MBA courses abroad
The course duration for MBA programmes range from a few months to 2 years or more. Indian students who are looking to complete their course within a short duration has ample number of options. It will help reduce the living expenses and the overall expenses involved in studying abroad. There are fast-track courses and those which can be completed in just a year. Get the details below:
|
Up to 1 year long |
Fast-track MBA at the University of Alberta (10 months) The University of Queensland (1 year) Brock University (1 year) The University of Ottawa (1 year) MBA offered by the University of the Creative arts (1 year) MBA offered by New Castle University (1 year) |
|
1 - 2 years long |
York University (16 months) Queensland University of Technology (18 months) The University of Sydney (18 months) Royal Roads University (18 months) MBA offered by Ulster University (18 months) The University of New Brunswick (20 months) The University of Northern British Columbia (21 months) |
|
2 year long courses |
The University of Technology, Sydney (2 years) Edith Cowan University (2 years) Thompson Rivers University (2 years) Loughborough Full-time MBA offered by Loughborough University (2 years) |
For a more elaborate list, check out the Hotcourses India website or speak to our IDP counsellors.
How is studying MBA abroad different from studying MBA in India?
There are some clear differences between an MBA from India and one from universities abroad.
Course duration: The MBA courses offered by Indian universities are 2 years long. While in universities abroad, you can find fast-track MBA courses too, which can be completed in as little as 10 months.
Course fees: The tuition fee ranges from a few thousands at government colleges to as high as 35 lakhs at private institutions. The tuition fee at universities abroad also varies widely. You can find MBA courses at 4 lakhs tuition fee per year.
Course entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree is the major requirement for studying MBA at colleges or universities in India. However, a lot of universities abroad expect their candidates to have some work experience.
Indian institutions do not also demand language proficiency. To study at universities abroad, especially in the English-speaking countries, you need to submit proof of English language proficiency.
Clearing competitive exams is not mandatory in Indian institutions, especially private colleges. However, universities abroad ask for GMAT/GRE scores.
An international MBA degree can boost your career prospects. If you would like to know more about studying MBA abroad, just reach out to our counsellors and they will guide you for free.
Read more on how an international MBA programme differ from Indian programme.
Which are the top-ranking business schools for MBA programmes?
The QS Global MBA Rankings 2023 lists 300 universities across the globe that are the best for studying Master of Business Administration. 113 of these institutions are in the USA. The United Kingdom has 29 institutions on the list, Canada has 22 and Australia has 14 universities on list.
Here are the top 10 and their MBA programmes:
|
Top ranking universities |
MBA programmes |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA |
2-year programme University offers financial aid |
|
Harvard Business School, USA |
2-year, full-time programme You should score a minimum of 7.5 in IELTS Harvard offers need-based scholarships |
|
Penn (Wharton), USA |
2-year, full-time programme Essays on specific topics should be submitted as part of your application |
|
HEC Paris, France |
16-months course Their MBA programme is the number 1 in Europe 93% of their MBA students are international students |
|
London Business School, UK |
15 – 21 months course It offers 80+ electives to choose from |
|
MIT (Sloan), USA |
2-year, full-time course In 2021, international students made up 43% of the class. 96% of its graduates were employed within 3 months of graduation. |
|
IE Business School, Spain |
11-months long international MBA course Rolling admissions – meaning, there is no deadline for application Candidates should have 3-years work experience |
|
Columbia Business School, USA |
2-year programme MBA by Columbia Business School offers real-world exposure |
|
Instead, France |
INSEAD offers a 10-month accelerated MBA. There are 2 intakes in a year for this programme. Students can pick from 75 electives. |
|
IESE Business School, Spain |
15 or 19 months long International students make up 85% of the total number of students of the MBA course |
Institutions that offer MBA programmes at a lower cost
Are you looking to complete an international MBA course at a lower cost? Here is a list of universities across the globe with a lesser tuition fee compared to the others.
|
Course and University |
Tuition Fee |
|
Online J.D./MBA Dual Degree by the University of Toledo |
6 lakhs/year |
|
MPH/MBA Dual Degree by the University of Toledo |
10.6 lakhs/year |
|
MBA by the University of Toledo |
10.6 lakhs/year |
|
MBA (Top-up) advanced entry route, a full-time 6 months course offered by the University of Roehampton |
7.3 lakhs/year |
|
MBA (top-up) offered by the University of Plymouth (1 year, Online course) |
4.8 lakhs/year |
|
Northwest Missouri State University offers an MBA:General course |
5.2 lakhs/year |
|
MBA in Sport and Recreation Management offered by the University of New Brunswick, a full-time, 20 months course |
7.1 lakhs/year |
|
Full-time MBA offered by the University of Northern British Columbia |
4.6 lakhs/year |
|
Global Business Administration MBA offered by the University of Gloucestershire |
15 lakhs (overall cost for the 2-year course) |
|
Full-time MBA offered by California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt |
5.8 lakhs/year |
|
MBA offered by Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia |
5.2 lakhs/year |
|
Full-time, 1 year MBA by INTI International University |
4.2 lakhs/year |
Head to our site to gather more details about these cheaper MBA courses.
Scholarships to study MBA abroad
- Apart from oranisations and governments that offer scholarships to international students, the universities themselves provide multiple scholarships to students.
- MBA Scholarship offered by Cardiff Metropolitan University: Up to £1,500 (Approx. 1.5 lakhs).
- The Dean’s Scholarship offered by Aston University, Birmingham: 5 scholarships of £14,000 (Approx. 13.5 lakhs).
- Global Leadership Scholarship offered by Aston University, Birmingham: Approx. rupees 9.5 lakhs
- Global MBA Alumni Scholarship offered by Macquarie University: 10% of total tuition fee
- Lancaster Global Scholarship offered by Lancaster University: Approximately 4.8 lakh rupees.
- 2022 International Student Support Scholarship offered by Adelaide Education Group: 30% of tuition fee.
- ULMS Liverpool MBA Excellence Scholarship offered by the University of Liverpool: Full and partial tuition fee waiver.
- ScotiaMcLeod Scholarship offered by the University of Alberta: Approximately 3.5 lakh rupees.
- GMAT MBA Scholarships offered by the University College Dublin: Up to 100% tuition fee.
These are just some of the scholarships available for MBA courses. Head to our site for an extensive list of courses with scholarships.
Read more: MBA scholarships offered by UK universities
You might also be interested in reading about how to repay your MBA loans easily
What are your options after MBA?
MBA continues to be a popular subject chosen from undergraduate students as well as individuals with years of work experience. It is only natural for you to wonder what your options are after completing an MBA. Like any other field, competition is unavoidable. Here are some career options for MBA graduates and the estimated salary. (Source: indeed.com, November 2023)
|
Job |
Average Salary |
|
Business Operations Manager |
71 lakhs |
|
Marketing Manager |
>1 crore |
|
Product Manager |
86.5 lakhs |
|
Business Analyst |
56 lakhs |
|
Human Resource Advisor |
24.5 lakhs |
|
Financial Analyst |
51 lakhs |
|
Senior Business Process Analyst |
57 lakhs |
|
Strategy Manager |
>1 crore |
FAQ
Is it worth doing MBA abroad?
An MBA from universities abroad is worth in multiple aspects. An international degree will enhance your career prospects, give you a cosmopolitan experience, expose you to latest tools and techniques and give you the opportunity to interact with international experts in the industry.
What is the fee for MBA abroad?
Just like in India, the fee for MBA abroad ranges widely. You can study an MBA course with the tuition fee as low as 4.5 lakhs/year or as high as 40 lakhs/year. Ideal would be to head to our site and filter the institutions based on tuition fees that fits your budget. Remember that the tuition fee is not an indication of the quality of the course offered.
Which are the top countries to study MBA abroad?
Some of the top countries to study MBA abroad are the USA and Canada. Of these, the USA has some of the top-ranking universities in the world for MBA.
Is work experience mandatory for doing an MBA abroad?
No, not all institutions abroad require candidates to have work experience. You can do your research to find such universities or simply get in touch with our counsellors for the details.
What is the duration of MBA courses abroad?
Most MBA courses abroad are between 1 and 2 years long. Fast-track MBA courses abroad can be completed with 10 months.
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