In short
London Business School (LBS), Cambridge Judge, and Oxford Saïd are the three flagship MBA programs in the UK. The table below is designed to make comparison fast: program format, location context, class profile, and published outcomes from the original post. Use it to narrow fit, then validate your decision through your target role, recruiting pathway, and a realistic application timeline (so research doesn't turn into delay).
UK MBA Programs: Quick Comparative Table
This table preserves the facts and figures as provided in the original content (including year-specific items like "Tuition (2020)").
| Category |
London Business School (LBS) |
University of Cambridge, Judge Business School |
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School |
| Program Duration |
15 or 21 months. |
1 year. |
1 year. |
| Tuition (2020) |
£92,735. |
£57,000 |
£63,000 |
| Location Context |
LBS's campus is located in the middle of London, overlooking one of the country's famous Royal Parks. London campus forms a triangle between Sussex Place, Taunton Centre, Sammy Ofer Centre and North Building.
LBS also has a campus in Dubai.
|
Located on Cambridge University's campus in the heart of Cambridge, England, Judge campus is less than an hour's train ride from London.
|
The university is a "city university" in that it does not have a main campus; instead, colleges, departments, accommodation, and other facilities are scattered throughout the centre of Oxford.
|
| Class Size |
497 students in the full-time Class of 2021. 38% of women and 92% international students. |
208, 94% of international students. |
311. 92% of international students. |
| GMAT Average Score |
701 |
700 |
685 |
| Average Age |
29 years old. |
29 years old. |
29 years old. |
| Average Work Experience |
5 years. |
6 years. |
5 years. |
| Academic Structure (As Described) |
- Pre-term begins in late August and consists primarily of three courses that last through the end of September.
- After pre-term, students spend three terms completing the required curriculum.
- Each term, first-year students complete four to five core courses focused on foundational business disciplines.
- Students with extensive prior experience in corporate finance and accounting gained within the last 10 years may take an exam to waive out of core courses and replace them with electives.
- Many students complete a summer internship; students may also participate in Entrepreneurship Summer School.
- Second year includes Capstone and Global Business Experiences (projects at locations throughout the world alongside LBS faculty members).
|
- 4 terms, each with a distinct focus:
- Team building
- Team leading
- Influence and impact
- Application and re-launch
- Ability to tailor your course based on:
- 16 compulsory core courses
- 48 elective courses
- 19 concentrations
- Career Development Programme
|
- The programme lasts 12 months from September to September and roughly follows Oxford's three terms, with an additional summer term.
- You begin with core courses and leadership fundamentals, then undertake project work combined with electives that allow you to tailor learning.
|
| Average Post-MBA Salary |
Overall mean salary in the UK was £83,295 according to the Class of 2019 employment report. |
£99,753 average package salary. |
Mean salary in the UK: £70,560 |
| Employment Rate |
92% employment success within 3 months of graduation. |
94% received job offers three months out. |
92% accepted an offer within 3 months of graduation. |
FAQ
How Should I Choose Between LBS, Judge, And Saïd?
Start with your target outcomes and constraints: role goals, geography, and whether you need the extra runway of a longer program for internships and recruiting. Then validate with students and alumni in your exact target role and ask what they did in the first 90 days to build momentum.
Is A 1-Year MBA Too Short For A Career Pivot?
Not necessarily, but it compresses the timeline. If you're switching functions or industries, you'll want a clear pre-MBA plan (skills, story, target list) so recruiting doesn't start before you're ready to execute.
How Much Weight Should I Put On Salary And Employment Rates?
Treat them as context, not the decision. Averages can hide what matters (role, geography, prior background). The higher-signal question is whether the program has repeatable pathways—and alumni density—in the outcomes you want.
How Do I Protect My Admissions Timeline While Comparing Programs?
Set a shortlist deadline and cap research weekly. Back-plan essay drafts and recommender milestones first, then use conversations to validate decisions—not delay them. If research isn't changing choices, stop expanding scope and execute.