British business schools are major players in the international MBA [1] scenario. Of late, a lot of effort has been put in by British Universities to attract overseas students. According to a survey by the International Graduate Insight Group in January 2008, Britain is beginning to topple America as the most popular place for overseas students. Swinging the tide in favour of Britain are factors such as perceived safety, the reputation of its institutions of higher learning and the comparative ease in obtaining a Visa.

Advantages of studying MBA in UK
From the perspective of international students, two major advantages for studying in the UK [2] are:

• The short duration of the MBA course, which is 1 year instead of 2 as in the US [3] and Canada [4]
• Most universities in the UK recognize the three year bachelor’s degree as a pre-requisite for admission to an MBA course
• The British system of education is more flexible. The Oxford MBA programme for instance, can be taken either full time over a 12-month period, or part-time (EMBA) over 21 months
• A 1-year full-time MBA course in the UK is split into 9 months of course work and 3 months of dissertation or project work
• Besides favourable rankings of British business schools, studying in UK is also a culturally stimulating experience as a single campus can be home to as many as 50 different nationalities
• According to ABS (Association of Business Schools), which is the representative body of all leading business schools in the UK, 1 in 7 students were studying business and management in the academic year 2005-06
• In terms of employability for overseas students, Britain’s sombre rules and Visa restrictions are soon going to be streamlined and made more user-friendly to brighten the prospects for overseas aspirants

Eligibility and admission requirements

Undergraduate degree:-To pursue an MBA in the UK, the following points must be kept in mind:

• A good undergraduate degree is a prerequisite. Some universities may however require an Honours degree
• A few may accept students even without a Bachelor's degree, if professional achievements and work experience are exceptional
• A good academic record is a must for admission to an MBA course in the UK. Mark sheets, along with transcripts have to be submitted

Work experience: - Work experience is necessary for most MBA courses. Though most universities ask for 2 to 3 years of business experience, students enrolled in the Lancaster School have an average of 8 years of relevant work experience, despite the fact that the school asks only for 3 years of full-time professional work experience. Birmingham City University, Liverpool Hope University, University of Central England and others ask for 2 years of experience whereas Middlesex University and all other AMBA accredited programmes require a minimum of 3 years full-time work experience.

Screening exams:
Both TOEFL and IELTS scores are accepted in the UK. Some MBA colleges also require a decent GMAT score for admission.

• GMAT:-There is greater flexibility over GMAT as a necessary requirement in the UK. While some universities, like the London Business School, or, the Manchester Business School insist on GMAT, most others may not. Lancaster University insists on a GMAT score of 600 or above if the applicant’s degree is not from a recognized UK university and first language is not English. Brunel University may ask for a GMAT, if any of the academic criteria are not met by an applicant
• TOEFL or IELTS: - Proficiency in English is highly valued. TOEFL or IELTS is a must. Even students who have studied in English medium are not exempt from TOEFL or IELTS

Referral and Statement of Purpose:
Good references make a lot of difference to an aspirant’s chances of getting through. Some universities may insist on at least one reference from one’s current employer. Letters of recommendation must basically explain what distinguishes the applicant from others.

Another requirement for applying to the British universities is a statement of purpose or an application essay. These have to be powerful, well reasoned essays explaining why you want to do an MBA and how you see yourself contributing to the campus environment etc.

MBA study expenses in the UK
The tuition fee varies enormously within the UK. According to one estimate, it can vary from £ 5,000 to £ 30, 000 per year. The tuition fee in Birmingham City University, which is one of the least expensive universities in UK, is around £ 10,000. An MBA in London School of Business and Finance, and Lancaster costs £ 17, 500. The tuition fee for an MBA from Ashridge was £ 29,500 in 2007. Certain universities allow flexibility in the payment of the tuition fee over three installments.
The cost of living in the UK is one of the highest in the world. According to the Lancaster University estimate, living costs will come to around £ 8,500. The south-east of UK including London, and other big cities are more expensive. Accommodation in a hall of residence of a university is more expensive than sharing a flat with friends.

Funding your MBA program in the UK
Unlike US, scholarships are not available on as large a scale in the UK. Only exceptionally bright students qualify for scholarships. Foreign students are, however, allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week during the term. Students who are enrolled for courses of six months or more are entitled to NHC (National Health Centre) services. The rising cost of Visas and the British immigration system are major deterrents for students. Nonetheless, an MBA in the UK is good value for money and the number of overseas students is projected to triple and reach 8,70,000 by the year 2020, according to a report by the British Council.