London is one of the most visited cities in the world. Tourists from different countries flock to the city to see the iconic Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, its beautiful theatres and museums, and other amazing attractions.
London is also one of the most popular study destinations for international students because it is the home of many of the world’s top universities and business schools. The city is known to be the Financial Capital of the world which is why business students in London have the advantage of working closely with leading businesses and financial institutions for internships and industry-based projects. Many business schools in London also promote diversity, inclusivity, and equality in their campuses which allows all its students to have a safe and supportive learning environment.
Listed below are five of the best business schools in London along with a few insights that may help you decide which school you would want to start your business education in.
Top Business Schools in London
1. London Business School
Recognized as one of the leading business schools in London, London Business School has consistently appeared in numerous global academic rankings for business education. It has a Triple Crown status and held 1st place in the Financial Times’ ranking for best business schools in Europe from 2014 to 2016.
Not only does LBS pride itself on its world-class business education, but also its inclusive environment and the diversity of its students and faculty. The school grants equal opportunities for study and work to everyone regardless of age, gender, nationality, and background. LBS aims to have a positive impact on society by conducting a significant amount of research on improving people’s lives and imparting social awareness to its students, as well as the knowledge and skills they will need to become successful.
London Business School is one of the best business schools that offer different Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in its two campuses located in London and Dubai. Programs are designed to develop skills that are essential in the business world such as communication, digital, and mathematical skills. Students also conduct voluntary work in the community and developing countries.
2. Imperial College Business School
Part of Imperial College London which is well-known for its excellence in the areas of science and technology, Imperial College Business School is a top business school in London that integrates science, technology, and innovation in providing business education. It is a Triple Accredited business school and has multiple global recognition for its outstanding business programs and for addressing inequalities in higher education.
Imperial College Business School delivers high-quality business programs in London and puts a great amount of effort into providing business education in an international context. 90% of the school’s faculty come from different countries and its network of more than 19,500 alumni assists the school in gaining significant insights about the international business environment.
Imperial College Business School has Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate business degrees available for different specializations including innovation, health management, climate change management, as well as business courses for scientists and engineers.
3. Bayes Business School
Bayes Business School is part of City, University of London and has been one of the leading business schools in the UK for over 50 years. The school consistently appears in several rankings for the best business schools and programs in the UK, Europe, and the world. It is also among the global elite business schools that have been granted the Triple Crown Accreditation.
Bayes Business School was formerly known as Cass Business School. In September 2021, however, the school formally changed its name due to its discovery about Sir John Cass, the man whom the school was named after, and his participation in the Atlantic slave trade. The school is now named after Thomas Bayes, a mathematician, philosopher, and minister whose principles about keeping an open mind to new learnings are very much similar to the schools’.
Bayes Business School offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees where students are taught to be curious, ask questions, and remain receptive and adaptable to new learnings. Students also learn from academic and industry experts and gain experience by working closely with the school’s industry partners.
4. Brunel Business School
Brunel Business School is part of Brunel University London and is among the top 20 business schools in the UK and top 100 worldwide. The school and its programs have received accreditations from several well-known accrediting bodies such as the AACSB, AMBA, the Small Business Charter, and the Principles for Responsible Management Education.
Brunel Business School is also known for implementing an exceptional business curriculum and for providing support services for small and large businesses through conducting consultations, partnerships in research, and assistance in recruiting interns and employees from the school’s pool of business students and graduates.
There are several Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees being offered at Brunel Business School where students gain an in-depth understanding of different business concepts, theories, and issues and come up with strategies to address them. Students are also given the opportunity to work for a year in big companies to gain valuable experience and expand their connections.
5. ESCP Business School
Established in 1819, ESCP Business School is one of the top business institutions in London and is the world’s first business school. It is composed of 6 campuses in different locations across Europe, namely, Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin, and Warsaw. This Triple-Accredited business school has received numerous recognitions for its excellent programs, diversity, alumni employability, and strong international influence.
ESCP Business School offers Undergraduate and Master’s programs. Students enrolled in its programs are given the unique opportunity to study in at least two of the five other European campuses of Tsinghua University which is the school’s partner institution in Beijing, China where they can interact with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds and deepen their understanding on how businesses operate in an international context.
6. London School of Economics – Department of Management
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a leading social sciences university with a distinguished reputation worldwide. Through its Department of Management, LSE offers a range of business and management programs.
At the undergraduate level, the department’s BSc Management program is designed to train students in the skills and knowledge required to be good managers. At the graduate level, the department offers several one-year specialist programs such as the MSc in Management and Strategy, MSc in Finance, and MSc in Management and Innovation.
Professionals seeking to hone their skills can choose from several executive education programs. The department offers innovative and rigorous programs such as the two-year Executive Global Master’s in Management and the one-year Master’s in Management.
LSE is also a part of the TRIUM Global Executive MBA, a prestigious and innovative program jointly offered by three of the world’s leading business and management schools: NYU Stern Business School, the London School of Economics, and HEC Paris School of Management.
In addition to this, LSE’s Department of Management, known for its commitment to research, also offers Ph.D. programs. It has several research centers, including the Centre for Economic Performance, the Financial Markets Group, and the Systemic Risk Centre. It is ranked third in social sciences and management in the world, according to QS World University Rankings 2022.
7. University College London – School of Management
A part of University College London, which is consistently ranked in the top 10 world universities, the UCL School of Management is unsurprisingly one of the premier business schools in London. The school has a presence in the heart of London at the Bloomsbury campus of UCL, as well as in Canary Wharf, one of the world’s largest financial districts.
The emphasis of the school is on technology, entrepreneurship, and analytics, and this is reflected in its degree programs and research centers. Studying at UCL prepares students to thrive in this information and technology-driven world.
At the undergraduate level, the UCL School of Management offers a BSc in Information Management for Business and a BSc in Management Science. These programs are a good blend of information technology, management, and business. At the graduate level, the school offers one-year programs in Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics, and Management Science. Apart from a global online MBA program, the school offers a range of executive education programs, designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers and meet the challenges of today’s tech-centric business world.
UCL School of Management also offers MRes and Ph.D. programs to equip students to undertake research and contribute ideas and insight to the field. It has a very strong track record of producing high-quality research in management studies, with 95% of its research output considered ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. This is the second-highest percentage among business schools in the United Kingdom.
8. King’s College London – King’s Business School
A part of the King’s College London, one of the UK’s top-tier universities, King’s Business School is one of the largest management institutions in London. Established in 1989, the school is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System).
Students from more than 80 countries around the world study at the business school, bringing diverse perspectives and insights. Students also benefit from studying in the heart of London, an international business and financial hub.
The school offers a diverse range of undergraduate, Master’s, Ph.D., and MBA programs, with an aim to instill social responsibility in the leaders of the future and encourage innovative ideas to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
King’s Business School has an excellent research record, with 90 percent of its research output recognized by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. The school seeks to find solutions for the big challenges of modern society and business through its strategic research themes.
9. Hult International Business School
One of the respected business schools in the UK, Hult International Business School is a private business school with seven campuses around the world: London, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Dubai, and Ashridge. Hult opened its first London campus in 2009 with both undergraduate and graduate students and offers a range of comprehensive business programs.
The school has the coveted “triple crown” accreditation status, recognized by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System).
At the undergraduate level, Hult offers a Bachelor of Business Administration, which blends theory and practical aspects to provide a transformative educational experience. The master’s programs offered at the school cover a wide range of subjects including international business, analytics, entrepreneurship, and finance, lectured by some of the sought-after employers and experts around the world.
The school also offers a range of selective MBA programs including the Global One-Year MBA, Executive MBA, and Global Online MBA.
Hult’s global nature means that the students get to work with peers around the world, leading to important networking and contact-building opportunities. The location of the school in the bustling city of London makes it ideal to explore the diverse businesses thriving in the city.
10. Queen Mary University of London – School of Business and Management
Established in 2005 as a part of the Queen Mary University of London, the School of Business and Management, one of the exceptional business schools, has come to be known for its emphasis on social responsibility in education and research. The school’s accreditation by the AACSB affirms its high academic standards and quality of training.
The School offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs across different subject areas including accounting, finance, and management. It also offers an exciting range of specialist programs, including those that give students valuable industry experience, international study opportunities, and foreign language classes.
At the postgraduate level, the school offers MA, MSc, and MRes programs that are designed to enhance students’ knowledge and increase their career prospects. The postgraduate programs cover a broad range of subjects, including management, marketing, and business analytics. The school is well-known for its arts and heritage business programs, which are considered some of the best in the sector.
The School of Business and Management, which has around ten research centers, also offers Ph.D. programs with extensive research training, giving rise to researchers who have an impact on society and the business world.
In conclusion, London is home to some of the best business schools in the world, offering a wide variety of business and management programs. Studying in London, a global hub for commerce can give you many networking opportunities and exciting career options. And if you are worried about financial costs, you can always apply for scholarships! Check out our UK Scholarships Page for more information and learn more about numerous funding options!
We hope that this article on Best Business Schools in London was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Business Programs for International Students!
