With competition for jobs more intense than ever, many students are choosing to gain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. And for good reason - an MBA will almost certainly give you the leverage to get a higher salary than without it.
In fact, an MBA Executive is one of the best-paying degrees in the US, earning on average of $122,000 per year.
The idea of knuckling down and completing another three or four years at university might sound daunting, but the benefits of it, in the long run, are clear. If you need extra motivation, why not check out our article on 7 Fortune 500 CEOs with an MBA.
Table of Contents
- Why study an MBA abroad?
- Which country is best for an MBA for International students?
- A rundown on the cost of studying an MBA abroad
- Top MBA universities in the world
- A walkthrough of the best universities for business administration
- Job prospects after pursuing an MBA degree abroad
- Frequently asked questions
- What are the best colleges for an MBA in digital marketing in the world?
- What are the best business schools in the world for undergraduate degrees?
- What are the top-ranked MBA programs in the world?
- What are the top 20 MBA colleges in the world for Indian students?
- Begin your academic journey with the right program!
Here are our picks of the best MBA universities abroad, some of which rank among the top business schools worldwide.
Your opportunity to pursue an MBA abroad is just a click away! Apply today with Edvoy!
Why study an MBA abroad?
Pursuing an MBA abroad comes with many perks. Here are some factors for international students to pursue an MBA in their desired study destination.
- Adds great value to your CV - An MBA program equips you with skills that will be excellent for your profile. Upskilling is crucial throughout your career journey, allowing you to have an upper hand in the corporate world.
- An opportunity to build a network - Pursuing an MBA abroad will allow you to meet and connect with diverse peers from different parts of the world. You will gain exposure to building a network with potential business leaders.
- An MBA specialisation would enhance the management degree - The job market looks for graduates with industrial knowledge and expertise to apply their skills for the firm's benefit. An MBA specialisation would be an added feather to the cap.
Also read: Guide to choosing the right courses to study abroad
Subjects in an MBA program
- Finance
- Commercial law
- Project economics
- Employment law
- Business intelligence
- Business analytics
- Entrepreneurial dynamics
- Human resource management
- Sustainable business leadership
- Management in postmodern markets
- Strategic project management
- The science of decision-making
- Marketing in a global environment
- Contemporary issues in global finances
- Macroeconomics in a global context
- Corporate governance, business ethics and CSR
Also read: Best study abroad destinations for international students
Which country is best for an MBA for International students?
United States
The USA is a pioneer in business and other management studies. Many of the country’s business schools are top-ranking institutions, making it an ideal destination to pursue an MBA abroad.
Educational institutions in the USA offer a remarkable curriculum and impressive student engagement and help them build their peer network. The courses provide the required knowledge and skills and equip them with hands-on experience for a great career.
United Kingdom
The UK has always been a top study destination for MBA aspirants. The country is also known for offering various lucrative job prospects in the global market. UK's business schools have an international reputation, offering high-quality education, research and training opportunities.
Canada
Canada is often praised as one of the best countries to pursue an MBA abroad, as the country paves the way for landing high-paying jobs right after graduation, thanks to the high-performing economy with a booming industrial sector.
Also read: Top 10 MBA universities & colleges in Canada 2023
Australia
Australia is a popular choice among international students planning to pursue an MBA. The country's excellent education system, diverse culture, and growing business environment make it an ideal destination.
Australia is home to several reputable business schools that offer world-class MBA programs. The country also has a high employment rate, paving the way for high-paying job opportunities.
Also read: Best Countries for Students to Study and Work
A rundown on the cost of studying an MBA abroad
| Countries | Average annual tuition fee (In USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | $40,000-$80,000 |
| United Kingdom | $25,000-$60,000 |
| Canada | $20,000-$40,000 |
| Australia | $25,000-$50,000 |
Data updated as of April 2024
Also read: Which MBA specialisation is the best in the world?
Top MBA universities in the world
Top MBA universities in the USA
Here are the top MBA universities in the USA and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024.
- Harvard Business School - 01
- Stanford Graduate School of Business - 02
- Columbia Business School - 04
- New York University - 04
- University of California, Berkeley - 06
- UMASS Boston - 123
- University of Illinois Chicago - 201-250
Top MBA universities in the UK
The top MBA universities in the UK and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 are.
- University of Cambridge - 05
- University of Oxford - 05
- London School of Economics and Political Science - 11
- UCL - 23
- University of Warwick - 26
- University of Birmingham - 101
- University of Nottingham - 130
- Durham University - 174
- Loughborough University - 251-300
- Cranfield University
Top MBA universities in Canada
Here are the top MBA universities in Canada and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024.
- Rotman School of Management - 21
- Desautels Faculty of Management - 29
- Schulich School of Business - 96
- Smith School of Business - 126-150
- Ivey Business School - 176-200
- The University of Canada West
Top MBA universities in New Zealand
The top MBA universities in New Zealand and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 are.
- University of Auckland - 150
- University of Otago - 301-350
- Lincoln University - 401-500
- University of Waikato - 401-500
- Massey University - 501-600
Top MBA universities in Ireland
The top MBA universities in Ireland and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 are.
- Trinity College Dublin - 134
- University College Dublin - 201-250
Top MBA universities in Australia
The top MBA universities in Australia and their Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 are.
- Melbourne Business School - 08
- Macquarie Business School - 40
- UQ Business School - 74
Also read: How to write an SOP for an MBA?
A walkthrough of the best universities for business administration
Durham University Business School (UK)
Away from Britain’s big cities and outside of the cosy clique of Oxford and Cambridge is a university that has created a real name for itself. Firmly placed in the world’s top 100 universities, Durham University has been providing excellent education since its establishment in 1832.
The business school wing of the university has an outstanding MBA course widely considered one of the best in the UK.
University of Nottingham (UK)
Another big hitter situated south of Durham is the sprawling University of Nottingham. With one of the largest student populations anywhere in the UK, Nottingham is also considered the best university for an Executive MBA for international students.
The University of Nottingham’s Executive MBA program sits within the top 100 of its type anywhere in the world, and the university’s close links with both Singapore and Malaysia means that modules are available for you to spread your wings and live abroad for a few months as you expand your business knowledge even further.
Also read: Best MBA Universities in the USA
Cranfield University (UK)
Cranfield University was one of the first institutions in the country to offer an MBA. This is an institution with a well-established program, which makes it one of the top management institutes in the world. Its expertise in research, technology and management, makes it a truly excellent place to gain an MBA.
Loughborough University (UK)
Loughborough University is one of those institutions that seems to do almost everything very well and ranks highly as a result. It has placed within the UK’s top 10 universities list for the past five years and is a hugely popular choice for many.
With a two-year MBA degree and a three or four-year MBA Executive on offer, there is something for everybody no matter where you are on your Master of Business Administration journey.
University of Birmingham (UK)
Britain’s second-largest city allows you to combine a world-class education with a faster pace of life than the other universities on this list. The University of Birmingham a wide variety of MBA courses including, MBA International Business, MBA Executive and MBA Global Banking and Finance, this is one university that has all bases covered.
It is also Britain’s oldest business school, with over 100 years of experience. Since 1993, Birmingham University has also offered its MBA Singapore degree split between Birmingham and Singapore.
As you might imagine, this is billed as an MBA with more than a slight nod to the East and comes with more Asian business cases and institutional material than in the UK programme.
Also read: Study MBA in Finance in the UK
UMASS Boston (USA)
The University of Massachusetts Boston provides an excellent, streamlined one-year MBA program. This award-winning program is spread across 12 modules and comes without any prerequisites, making it perfect for those itching to do an MBA but may need more educational blocks in place.
University of Illinois Chicago (USA)
The University of Illinois Chicago offers MBA programs through its UIC Business Liautaud Graduate School, where courses can be taken both full-time and part-time. This allows you to study in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the US, and one where the financial district retains close ties to UIC.
With over 33,000 students enrolled, it is the largest university in the Chicago area spread across 16 separate campuses and consistently ranks among the top 10 best-value colleges across the United States.
The University of Canada West (Canada)
The University of Canada West, located in Vancouver, offers a highly regarded ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs) and NCMA-accredited MBA program.
The program has collaborations with business leaders such as Riipen, the Digital Marketing Institute, Salesforce (Trailhead), Tableau and IBM.
And that’s before we’ve even started discussing the location. Few cities in the world can compete with this Canadian metropolis, framed by the imposing image of Mt. Whistler and on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. A phenomenal place to study and live.
Whether you’re looking for an MBA course in the UK, the US, or Canada, and whether you’re looking to dip your toes into an MBA Foundation or go all out with an MBA Executive, there’s something here for everybody.
With some of the highest-paying graduate jobs now requiring an MBA and some of the largest annual salary increases, this is smart long-term thinking.
Job prospects after pursuing an MBA degree abroad
An MBA degree abroad paves the way for various high-paying opportunities in different specialisations in the global market.
To prove the point, talent.com says the average annual salary of a Human Resources Officer is around $122,854 in the USA alone.
Here are some top job opportunities for an international student with an MBA degree.
- Business Intelligence Manager
- Marketing Research Director
- Human Resource Officer
- Brand Manager
- Finance Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Research Economist
- Business Systems Analyst
- Finance Consulting Manager
Frequently asked questions
What are the best colleges for an MBA in digital marketing in the world?
Some of the best educational institutions to pursue an MBA in digital marketing abroad are.
- Nottingham Trent University (UK)
- University of South Wales (UK)
- University of Sunderland (UK)
- Bangor University (UK)
- Rice University (USA)
- Webster University (USA)
What are the best business schools in the world for undergraduate degrees?
Here are some of the best business schools abroad to pursue an undergraduate degree in business.
- Heriot-Watt University (UK)
- Coventry University (UK)
- University of London (UK)
- Harvard University (USA)
- RMIT University (Australia)
- Victoria University (Australia)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada)
What are the top-ranked MBA programs in the world?
Here are the top-ranked MBA programs for international students.
- MBA Human Resource
- MBA Marketing
- MBA Finance
- MBA Project Management
- MBA Supply Chain Management
What are the top 20 MBA colleges in the world for Indian students?
Here are the top business schools for Indian students to pursue an MBA.
- UCL
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Columbia Business School
- New York University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of Warwick
- Rotman School of Management
- Desautels Faculty of Management
- Schulich School of Business
- Smith School of Business
- Ivey Business School
- Melbourne Business School
- Macquarie Business School
- UQ Business School
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
Begin your academic journey with the right program!
Edvoy is here to fulfil your dream of studying abroad! We offer assistance and pave the way for a remarkable academic experience. Explore options, connect with an Edvoy Counsellor, and begin your journey today!
