Key takeaways
- An MBA abroad usually means a one year programme in the UK or Europe, or a two year programme in the USA and Canada.
- Published tuition for the schools we track runs from £77,950 for a whole UK programme to between $83,700 and $93,908 for each of two years in the USA.
- You need a test score (GMAT or GRE), usually an English test such as IELTS, work experience, essays and references.
- Start 12 to 18 months before you want to begin the programme.
An MBA abroad is a big decision about money, time and where you want to build your career. This guide gives you the full picture in one place and sends you to the detailed pages when you need numbers.
Two year and one year programmes
The USA and Canada are known for two year programmes with a summer internship between the years. The UK and much of Europe offer one year programmes, and INSEAD runs a ten month MBA. A shorter programme costs less in living expenses and lost salary. A longer programme gives more time to change careers through an internship.
Where to study
- MBA in the USA: ten top schools with published tuition between $83,700 and $93,908 for each academic year.
- MBA in the UK: one year programmes with fees from £77,950 to £123,950 for the whole programme.
- MBA in Europe: INSEAD, IE, Esade, IESE and SDA Bocconi, from €82,500 to €117,000.
- MBA in Canada: Rotman, Ivey and Schulich, with international fees well above domestic fees.
- MBA in Singapore: NUS and Nanyang, close to India with fees below most US schools.
What it costs
Tuition is only the start. Harvard budgets between $130,318 and $186,312 for its nine month year once housing, food and other costs are included. For a worked comparison across countries, read how much an MBA abroad costs.
What you need to apply
- A test score. Most schools accept the GMAT or the GRE. See GMAT or GRE.
- An English test if your degree was not taught in English. See IELTS for an MBA abroad, then practise on our free IELTS Reading tests.
- Work experience. Full time MBA classes are built around people who have worked, and Chevening asks for at least two years.
- Essays, references and an interview where you explain your goals clearly.
Paying for it
Plan funding early. Scholarships such as Chevening and the Inlaks Scholarship exist, schools run their own awards, and many students combine savings with an education loan. Read the guides on scholarships and on building a funding plan.
Abroad or an IIM?
If you are also preparing for CAT, compare both routes honestly. Our guide on MBA abroad or IIM sets out the questions to ask, and the CAT practice tests are free if you decide to keep that option open.
Next steps
- Pick a region and read its page on the MBA abroad hub.
- Choose GMAT or GRE and book a date.
- Book IELTS if you need it, and use the practice tests until your band is where it should be.
- Follow the 12 month timeline.
Fees change every year and each school sets its own. The figures here come from the schools' own pages and were checked in October 2026, so confirm them on the school site before you decide. This guide is for planning and is not an offer from any school.