Key takeaways
- London Business School: £123,950 for the 2026 MBA and £77,950 for the One year MBA.
- Oxford Saïd is £94,120 for September 2026, Cambridge Judge £86,250 for September 2027 entry and Imperial £81,000.
- Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial run twelve month programmes.
- GOV.UK says the Graduate visa lasts 18 months for applications on or after 1 January 2027.
The UK is the home of the one year MBA. You spend less time out of work, but the fee for that single year is high, so the comparison with a two year US MBA depends on living costs and what you earn afterwards.
| School | Programme | Published fee |
|---|---|---|
| London Business School | MBA, 15 to 21 months | £123,950 (2026 intake) |
| London Business School | One year MBA | £77,950 (2026 intake) |
| Oxford Saïd | One year MBA | £94,120 (September 2026) |
| Cambridge Judge | Cambridge MBA | £86,250 (September 2027 entry) |
| Imperial College Business School | Full time MBA | £81,000 (published fee) |
What the fee includes
These figures are tuition for the programme. Cambridge also lists an application fee of £165 and a £7,950 reservation fee that counts towards tuition. Budget for living costs in London, Oxford or Cambridge, which are significant, and for health charges that come with a student visa.
Entry requirements
Schools accept the GMAT or GRE and, when your degree was not taught in English, an English test such as IELTS Academic. Minimum scores are set by each school, so read the admissions page. Practise the English side with our free IELTS Writing and Speaking tests.
Scholarships
Chevening is funded by the UK government and supports one year master level study for applicants with at least two years of work experience, who commit to returning home for at least two years. Not every MBA is eligible, so check the course list. Oxford also says scholarships are available for all three of its MBA programmes. See MBA scholarships for Indian students.
After the MBA
The Graduate visa lets international students stay to work or look for work after an eligible course. GOV.UK states 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Read the page again when you apply.
One year or two years?
- One year costs less in living expenses and lost salary.
- Two years leave room for an internship and a clearer career switch.
- Decide by the career you want, not only the fee. The UK page and the USA page show the numbers side by side.
A simple budget worksheet
- Programme fee from the table above.
- Application fee and deposit, such as Cambridge's £165 application fee and £7,950 reservation fee.
- Living costs for one year in your city, using the school's own estimate.
- Health charge, visa fee and flights.
- Test costs: IELTS in India is INR 19,000 and the GRE is US$249 from 1 August 2026.
- A buffer for exchange rate changes.
Choosing between the four
- Pick London Business School if you want the longer 15 to 21 month format or its One year MBA.
- Pick Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial if a twelve month programme in a university setting suits you.
- Compare their class profiles and employment reports before you decide, and read each school's scholarship page.
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.