TV9
user profile
Sign In

By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Planning an MBA Abroad? Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, costs, aid

Pursuing an MBA abroad offers access to top global business schools, diverse career opportunities, and international exposure. Key factors include meeting eligibility criteria, understanding tuition fees, and applying for scholarships to reduce financial burden and enhance the educational journey.

Study Abroad MBA. (Image: Getty Images)
Study Abroad MBA. (Image: Getty Images)
| Updated on: Jul 14, 2025 | 08:27 PM

New Delhi: The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is one of the most demanding courses that students seek to pursue to study in international universities. For the MBA programme admission, the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and Australia are among the most preferred countries.

This programme has a wide range of specialisations like marketing management, financial management, human resources, international business, entrepreneurship and others. MBA in an international university prepares future business leaders by equipping them with global business insights, strategic thinking and leadership skills. Students get exposure to diverse cultures, cutting-edge industry trends and networking opportunities worldwide. Through case studies, internships and projects, students gain hands-on experience, enabling to tackle complex business challenges with confidence and innovation.

Also Read

To apply for admission at top MBA universities candidates must meet the necessary admission criteria. Students also need to appear and pass the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores and also need to qualify for one of the English Proficiency Tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or similar other. The cost of studying MBA abroad varies depending on the specialisation and the university one opts for. 

Course NameMaster of Business Administration (MBA)
MBA Abroad CostTuition Fee - INR 23 lakh per year (average)Living Expenses - INR 6.50 lakh per year (average)
Top SpecialisationsGeneral ManagementFinanceHuman ResourcesAccountingInternational Business
English Language TestInternational English Language Testing System(IELTS)Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL)Pearson Test of English(PTE)Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)Certificate of Proficiency in English(CPE)Duolingo English Test (DET)
Admission ProcessApplication form, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LORs), resume, entrance exam, interview, and visa application
  • Top Countries To Study MBA Abroad
  • Top 10 MBA Universities Abroad 2025
  • MBA Abroad Fees 2025
  • MBA Abroad Eligibility
  • MBA Abroad Scholarships
  • MBA Abroad Jobs and Salaries

To select the top destination for studying MBA abroad is a bit challenging task for international students as there are over 1,400 universities available worldwide for MBA admission. Some of the top countries to study MBA Abroad include the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Australia and others.

  • MBA in USA: The United States boasts world-ranked business universities, which makes it the best country for an MBA degree.
  • MBA in the UK: Known for its intensive programme, universities like Oxford, Cambridge and London Business School provide a strong academic foundation and global business exposure.
  • MBA in the USA: Home to Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, the USA offers extensive opportunities for students.
  • MBA in Canada: Canada provides high-quality education, post-study work opportunities, and a strong business ecosystem with institutions like Rotman, Ivey, and Schulich.
  • MBA in Australia: Universities like Melbourne Business School and UNSW, Australia offer a dynamic learning environment, a strong economy, and post-study work prospects.
  • MBA in Germany: Known for its affordable tuition fee and a strong industrial base, the business schools in this country like Mannheim and ESMT focus on innovation and technology-driven management.

Based on the QS global MBA ranking 2025, here are the top 10 MBA programmes worldwide-

RanksUniversitiesCountries
1Stanford Graduate School of BusinessUSA
2The Wharton School, University of PennsylvaniaUSA
3Harvard Business SchoolUSA
4MIT Sloan School of ManagementUSA
5London Business SchoolUK
6HEC ParisFrance
7Cambridge Judge Business SchoolUK
8Columbia Business SchoolUSA
9IE Business SchoolSpain
10IESE Business SchoolSpain

The cost of pursuing an MBA programme in an international university varies based on the country, university, and the duration of the course. In the USA, the course fee in top B-schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton are between $ 80,000 to $ 120,000 per year. In the UK, institutions like London Business School have tuition fees ranging from £60,000–£100,000. To pursue an MBA in Canada can cost around CAD 50,000 to 90,000, while Australia charges between AUD 60,000 to 100,000. Additional expenses include living costs, travel, and other miscellaneous chargers. 

To pursue an MBA abroad, candidates need to meet the course-specific eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirement varies depending on the country and university. However, candidates can check the basic key requirements below-

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A recognized undergraduate degree of a minimum of 3 to 4 years in any discipline is mandatory for candidates to have.
  • Work Experience: Most top universities prefer a minimum of 2 to 5 years of work experience. While some of the universities accept fresh graduates as well.
  • GMAT, GRE Scores: A GMAT (600 to 750+) or GRE score equivalent is required for admission to the top business schools.
  • English Proficiency: An IELTS score of between 6.5 to 7.5 or a TOEFL score of 90 to 110 is required for international candidates as per the eligibility requirement.
  • SOP, LORs: A Statement of Purpose and two to three Letters of Recommendation (LORs) are mandatory.
  • Interviews: Most universities conduct personal interviews or video assessments round which candidates need to appear.

To help students reduce the financial burden of pursuing an MBA abroad there are severe scholarships to hich students can apply. Check here some of the top options-

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

  • Harvard Business School (HBS) Scholarship – This covers partial tuition fees on a merit basis.
  • Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Fully funded scholarship for exceptional candidates.
  • INSEAD Scholarships – It is a need and merit-based award of up to € 25,000.
  • London Business School Scholarships – LBS provides funding for high-achieving students to pursue the MBA programme.

2. Government-Funded Scholarships

  • Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) – This covers tuition, living expenses and travel expenses of the student
  • Chevening Scholarships (UK) – This is a fully funded scholarship provided by the UK government.
  • Australia Awards Scholarships – International student gets financial aid to cover the tuition and living expenses through this scholarship.
  • DAAD Scholarships (Germany) – Supports MBA students with tuition and living costs.

3. Corporate and Organization-Based Scholarships

  • Forté Foundation Scholarships – This scholarship is only for women candidates pursuing MBAs in top business schools.
  • Skoll Scholarship (Oxford Saïd Business School) – This scholarship is awarded to social entrepreneurs. It covers full tuition fees and provides a living stipend. 
  • Rotary Foundation Global Grants – This scholarship supports graduate-level studies in areas like peace, disease prevention, water sanitation, and economic development. It provides funding of at least $30,000 for tuition, travel, and living expenses. Applicants must have a strong academic background to be eligible.

An MBA abroad opens doors to high-paying jobs in top global companies. The salaries depend on the country, specialization, and experience. The top job roles after pursuing an MBA programme in an international university include Management Consultant, Investment Banker, Marketing Manager, Product Manager, Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Entrepreneur 

The salaries can be higher for graduates from top B-schools like Harvard, Stanford, LBS, often exceeding $200,000 with bonuses. The tech, finance, and consulting sectors offer some of the best packages.

MBA Salaries by Country (Per Year)

CountriesAverage Salary (USD)
USA$100,000 – $150,000 and more
UK$80,000 – $120,000
Canada$70,000 – $110,000
Germany$60,000 – $100,000
Australia$85,000 – $130,000
Singapore$90,000 – $140,000
{{ articles_filter_432_widget.title }}