Top UK business schools

If you're looking to gain a recognised business qualification to kick-start your career, compare some of the best universities and business schools in the UK and make an informed decision on where to study

Careers in business and management are characterised by high starting salaries, rapid progression and early responsibility. An undergraduate or Masters degree in a related subject can open up opportunities in a number of sectors, including:

However, deciding where to study is never easy, and with so many options, it's essential to do your research.

Best universities for business and management

Institutions that appear in the top 20 of 2025 business school rankings include:

City, University of London, Bayes Business School
Durham University Business School
Imperial College Business School
Kings College London, Kings Business School
Lancaster University, Management School
London Business School (LBS)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Loughborough University, School of Business and Economics
Oxford Brookes Business School
University of Bath, School of Management
University of Cambridge, Judge Business School
University College London (UCL), UCL School of Management
University of Edinburgh Business School
University of Glasgow, Adam Smith Business School
University of Leeds Business School
University of Manchester, Alliance Manchester Business School
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School
University of Reading, Henley Business School
University of St Andrews, School of Management
University of Warwick, Warwick Business School (WBS)

They are ranked according to a range of factors, such as:

entry standards
graduate prospects/employability
industry
international outlook
research quality
student satisfaction
teaching.

To compare the top universities and business schools for undergraduate and Masters degrees, visit:

Business and management degrees

Highly rated business degrees from the top-rated universities above include:

BA Economics and Management - University of Oxford Saïd Business School
BSc Business - University of Bath School of Management
BSc Business Management - King's College London
BSc Economics and Management - University of Warwick
BSc Business and Health - University College London (UCL)
BSc Management - University of St Andrews.

These courses last three to four years, with the additional year involving one or more industry work placements.

Entry requirements range from ABB to A*AA at A-level (up to 172 UCAS Tariff points), so you'll need good grades for these universities. Some stipulate that you'll need a combination of A-levels, including essay-writing and numerical skills, while others ask for subjects with a focus on mathematics, humanities or social science.

Masters in business and management

The top institutions offer a variety of postgraduate programmes. As well as the standard accounting, economics, finance and management courses, you can also study more specific Masters programmes, such as:

MSc Entrepreneurship and Management - University of Bath School of Management
MSc Business Psychology - Alliance Manchester Business School
MLitt International Business - University of St Andrews
MSc Business Analytics - WBS
MSc Economics and Strategy for Business - Imperial College Business School
MSc Global Strategy and Innovation Management - University of Leeds Business School.

These one-year full-time Masters courses cost £14,850 to £42,500 in 2025/26.

Despite the cost, many of these courses are globally recognised. For instance, the MSc Business Analytics at WBS was placed third in the UK and 17th in the world in the QS University Rankings 2025.

Graduates from the WBS programme have found work as artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics consultants, data analysts and data scientists for leading employers such as Amazon, Barclays and Deloitte.

Search postgraduate courses in business and management studies.

Key factors when choosing a business school

Studying for a university qualification requires considerable time, effort, and money, so it's important to make the right choice.

You've done some initial research and now have a list of top-rated institutions, but how do you narrow down your options? First, decide on a course and list all the institutions that provide it.

Bear in mind that while gaining a business degree from a prestigious university might look impressive on your CV, it's in no way a guarantee of employment. Weigh up all the pros and cons of an institution before deciding on the right one for you.

To help you reach a final decision, consider:

Location - would you prefer to study near home or further afield? In a city or somewhere a little quieter? You must also consider the living costs at different universities and how you'll cover them. Read more about comparing UK universities.
University campus and facilities - Attend open days and events such as study fairs to talk to admissions tutors, course leaders, current students, and graduates. You can also connect with them via their social media channels. Explore promotional material such as prospectuses and videos to learn as much as possible about an institution.
Reputation - to discover more about an institution's reputation, speak to alumni, look at rankings and find out if the university has industry accreditation. Research its academic community. Is the faculty diverse? Are lecturers considered leaders in the business field? Does the faculty have industry connections? Does the faculty have global experience and business knowledge?
Teaching methods - are class sizes big or small? Are they flexible enough to allow you to meet other commitments such as childcare or a job? Is the programme curriculum as broadly or narrowly focused as you'd like? Will you have access to one-on-one time with a mentor? Do you get the opportunity to complete an industry placement? How will you be assessed? Explore the pros and cons of working while studying.
Alumni - what is the school's employment record like? Connect with alumni networks to find out what past students are doing. What jobs, sectors and countries do they work in? Do they work for high-profile organisations? Also, check out the reputation of the school's career service. How long after graduation is help and advice available?

Course funding options

For undergraduate degrees, you'll pay up to £9,535 per year in tuition fees. Student loans and maintenance loans are available to help you get through university. See student loans and finance.

Most postgraduate business courses are available to study on both a full and part-time basis, enabling you to tailor your timetable around work or family commitments. Each business school is responsible for administering its scholarships and bursaries, so check what financial help is available.

You'll find that postgraduate loans can also help to lessen the financial burden. In 2024/25, you can borrow up to £12,471 to help towards tuition fees.

If you already have a job, consider employer sponsorship. Some business employers may be prepared to foot the bill for your course if there's a benefit to the company. However, you'll probably have to sign an agreement tying you to the organisation for a specific time after completing your programme. Explore other postgraduate funding options.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). For information on deadlines and tracking your application, see how to apply for university.

To apply for a Masters course at most UK business schools, you'll complete an online application form. You'll need to create an account on the university website, answer set questions and submit supporting documentation.

Unlike undergraduate courses, you'll submit your application directly to the university. Be aware of application dates and deadlines (as these can vary slightly) to give yourself plenty of time to complete it to the best of your ability.

The documents that you need to submit include:

academic transcripts and degree certificates
two academic references
a personal statement (sometimes called a statement of purpose).

Some business schools may also ask you to submit samples of your work, plus a CV and cover letter.

Upon completion, you'll need to pay an application fee. Institutions set their own fees, so costs differ, but they're typically around £50 to £60.

Once your application has been processed, you'll receive an offer of a place, or you may be invited to attend a postgraduate interview. To secure your offer, you'll need to pay a course deposit.

Find out more

Explore management courses.
Consider what you can do with a business management degree.
Discover why you should study international business.