MBA in UK without GMAT: Top Universities, GMAT Waiver Requirements

MBA in the UK without GMAT: The MBA (Masters in Business Administration) is a highly sought-after postgraduate program favored by many international students for studying abroad. The UK offers a range of full-time, part-time, executive MBA (tailored for professionals with work experience), and accelerated MBA programs, attracting students from around the world. The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized exam that assesses candidates' analytical and critical thinking abilities and is often a key requirement for studying MBA in the UK. However, surprising as it may sound, there are over 10 highly ranked universities in the UK that do not require a GMAT score for admission to their MBA programs.

Since many UK universities realise that assessing a candidate using GMAT doesn’t reveal their complete capabilities, they offer GMAT waivers for international students and assess their professional experiences, achievements, leadership qualities, and other personal attributes. Admission criterias like a 75% score in their bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience, personal essays, interviews, and letters of recommendation are also taken into account for waiving the GMAT score. Thus, for potential students, waiving GMAT score gives a promising and attainable option to pursue an MBA in UK without GMAT.

Is it possible to study MBA in UK without GMAT?

Yes, it is possible to study MBA in UK without GMAT. To get into the best MBA colleges in UK without GMAT, other eligibility criteria should be met. The admission procedures and requirements are rigorous and stringent. So you should have a good academic ability, and scored at least 75% in your bachelor’s degree program, 3 to 5 years of professional work experience, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of recommendation (LOR), essays and interviews. 

Why should you choose MBA Programs without GMAT?

Choosing an MBA in UK without GMAT has potential benefits. Here we list the reasons to choose MBA without GMAT.

Time Efficiency: Preparing for GMAT is a time-consuming process. It requires several months to prepare and achieve the desired score. Choosing an MBA program without GMAT saves you a lot of time. That time can be utilized to increase your other potential strengths like gaining work experience or improving your essays. 

Cost Saving: The GMAT preparation and examination process not only takes time but also taxes more amount for the preparation, materials, and exam. The saved amount can be used on your living in the UK and tuition fees.

Focus on building your profile: Through the GMAT waiver, aspirants can focus on other skills to get admission to their dream UK colleges. Though many students have a good profile, they might not perform well in standardised tests. So,  waiving the GMAT is a big boon for those students. 

Includes Diversity: By waiving GMAT, B schools can attract students from various educational and professional backgrounds. In the classroom, there will be a potential pool of students, each having a unique perspective.

What are the Requirements to waive off GMAT for MBA in UK?

UK universities that don't require GMAT scores, have a different set of criteria to waive off the GMAT requirements completely or partially. Below are the requirements for international students to study MBA without GMAT.

1. Upper second-class undergraduate or honours degree holders
2. An academic GPA of 6.0 (minimum) in the bachelor’s program
3. IELTS score of at least 6.5. TOEFL scores are also acceptable at most of the institutions
4. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
5. Two to three years of work experience
6. 1 or 2 MBA Essays
7. Updated Resume or CV
8. Letters of Recommendations (LORs)
9. Personal Statement with your strengths and skills

You should strengthen your eligibility criteria and application to be considered by the university’s admissions committee (AdComs) for MBA programs without GMAT in the UK. There can be other eligibility requirements and it varies according to universities. Lets see the universities and the requirements below in a table.

What are the Universities to Pursue MBA in UK without GMAT?

The list of top universities to pursue MBA without GMAT in UK are given below. 

UK Universities without GMAT
S.NO	Name of the University	Course	Requirements to waive GMAT
1	University of Edinburgh Business School	MBA Full time	GMAT is required when you are not able to meet the academic requirements. If you have a bachelor academic score more than 65%, then a GMAT score is not needed.
2	University of Birmingham	12 months MBA program	GMAT score is not mandatory. To waive off the GMAT score, you’ll have to have a good academic (more than 70%) and English Language proficiency score(7.0 band score). In addition to this you will need 5 years of work experience.
3	University of Liverpool	Full Time MBA program	Work Experience of 5 or more years. A valid Bachelor's Degree. English Proficiency scores more than 6.5 Well drafted Personal Statement
4	Glasgow Caledonian University	2 Year MBA	2:2 honours degree Work Experience of 5 years. IELTS overall band score 6.0
5	The University of Reading	Executive MBA	A valid bachelor degree Management Work experience of 3 years Personal Statement Personal References 7.0 is IELTS
6	Birmingham City Business School	Full-time MBA	2.2 honours degree from UK or equivalent degrees from other countries Pre masters program approved by the university IELTS band score of 6.0
7	Cardiff Metropolitan University	Regular Full-Time MBA	2:2 Honours degree from UK or equivalent degrees from other countries Interview by the university 6.0 band score in IELTS
8	Durham University Business School	Executive MBA	A valid bachelor’s degree with 70% score Bachelor Degree + 5 years of work experience Masters + 3 years of work experience 6.0 IELTS band score and above Personal Statement CV
9	Lancaster University Management School	Executive MBA	2:1 honours degree 5 years of managerial work experience Interview with Program Director
10	University of Strathclyde	Full-Time MBA	2:1 Honours or Equivalent degree from a recognized university. 3 to 5 years of Work experience 7.0 IELTS band score
11	Warwick School of Business	Full-time MBA	They require either a GRE or Warwick test as alternatives to the GMAT. They also expect a strong professional experience.

List of Universities offering 1-year MBA in UK without GMAT

Here is the list of universities that provide 1 - year MBA courses without GMAT.

S.NO	University	Type	Duration	Fees (Per Year)
1	The University of Bolton	Full Time	12-18 months	£14,450
2	Canterbury Christ Church University	Full Time	1 year	£14,500
3	The University of Worcester	Full Time & Part Time	1 Year	£15,800
4	The University of Exeter	Full Time	1 Year	£39,000
5	The University of Wales	Full Time	1 Year	£14,950
6	The University of Wolverhampton	Full Time Part Time	1 Year 2 Years	£15,450 £5,775
7	Aston University	Full Time	1 Year	£29,950

Why is having a GMAT score advantageous for an MBA in the UK?

While there are universities in the UK that offer MBA programs without requiring a GMAT score, having a strong GMAT score can offer several advantages when applying for an MBA in the UK.

Global Recognition: Universities in the UK, like institutions worldwide, recognize the GMAT score as a measure of academic aptitude. A high GMAT score can indicate to admissions committees your readiness for MBA studies.

Scholarship Opportunities: Many MBA schools in the UK offer scholarships and financial aid packages based on GMAT scores. A strong score can significantly enhance your chances of receiving financial assistance to support your MBA studies.

Competitive Advantage: Admission to top-tier MBA programs in the UK is highly competitive. A high GMAT score can set your application apart from others, increasing your chances of securing admission to prestigious institutions.

Preparation for Curriculum: The GMAT assesses skills such as analytical and critical thinking, which are crucial for success in MBA studies. Preparing for the GMAT can help you develop and refine these skills, providing a solid foundation for your MBA coursework.

FAQ’s

1. Can I study MBA in UK without GMAT?

Yes, studying MBA in UK without GMAT is possible. There are plenty of top-notch universities that provide MBA courses without GMAT. But in turn, you have to obligate you to prove your eligibility with a wide range of documents.

2. Are there MBA universities in UK that offer admission without GMAT and IELTS?

Some of the top universities in UK like Cranfield University, University of Bristol, Aston University, and University of Westminster provide variety of full time and part time MBA programs to study without GMAT and IELTS.

3. Is MBA in demand in UK?

MBA is the most popular program in UK. Many International students are targeting UK for pursuing MBA, because of its job opportunities and the salary after doing MBA in UK.

4. Which MBA is most in demand in UK?

Many colleges offer 1 year MBA in UK without GMAT. You can also check other executive  MBA in UK without GMAT and Part-time MBA in UK without GMAT programs. The few popular MBA specialisations in UK are Finance, Operations, Marketing, Business Analytics, Human Resource. They are sure shot job providing courses.

5. Is GMAT required for MBA in UK?

GMAT is not mandatory in most of the colleges for pursuing MBA in UK. However, if you have produced GMAT score, it is an added advantage to consider your application for admission.

6. Is it possible to pursue MBA in UK without work experience?

Yes , it is possible to study MBA in UK without GMAT and work experience. You can highlight your good academic scores and exhibit strong leadership and interpersonal skills instead of work experience.

7. What are the universities that allows to do MBA without GMAT and work experience?

The list of universities that offer MBA without GMAT and work experience are:

• Anglia Ruskin University
• Coventry University
• University of East London
• Glyndwr University
• Leeds Beckett University
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Staffordshire University
• University of Sunderland
• University of Sunderland