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Subject guide

Business courses for international students

Business is the most popular subject among international students for a reason: it opens more doors than any other degree, it is taught everywhere, and it works at every level from a foundation year to an MBA. The hard part is choosing well. A business degree from a triple-accredited school with a placement year is a different product from a generic one.

What a business degree involves

A business degree teaches how organisations work: strategy, finance, marketing, operations, people and law. Undergraduate programmes cover all of these; master's programmes usually specialise (international business, management, analytics, finance) and the MBA is for people with work experience.

Why study business abroad

  • Recognised by employers in every industry and country
  • Wide choice of specialisms at master's level
  • Placement years and internships built into many degrees
  • Strong scholarship availability because intakes are large
  • A natural route into consulting, banking, marketing and start-ups

Best countries for business

CountryWhyTypical annual tuition
United Kingdom1-year master's, triple-accredited schools at Aston, Loughborough, Exeter, Glasgow£16,000 to £33,000
IrelandTech and finance hub, 2-year stay-back after a master's€12,000 to €25,000
CanadaCo-op programmes, PGWP up to 3 yearsCA$20,000 to CA$40,000
United StatesLargest choice, assistantships in some master'sUS$25,000 to US$60,000
AustraliaStrong Group of Eight business schoolsA$30,000 to A$50,000
GermanyPublic universities with low fees, English-taught master's€0 to €20,000

Universities to consider

Entry requirements

LevelTypical requirement
UndergraduateCompleted secondary school with strong marks (typically 65 to 80 percent depending on the university), maths at school level, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
PostgraduateA bachelor's degree in any subject at 2:2 or above (55 to 60 percent), IELTS 6.5; some analytics programmes ask for quantitative background.
MBAA bachelor's degree plus 2 to 5 years of work experience; GMAT optional at most UK schools, required at top US schools.

Careers

Management consultantBusiness analystMarketing managerFinancial analystOperations managerProduct managerEntrepreneurHR business partner

UK graduate starting salaries of roughly £26,000 to £35,000, rising sharply with experience in consulting and finance.

Scholarships and funding

Oasis does not award scholarships, but partner universities discount fees for strong applicants and several government schemes cover this subject. See the scholarship guide and our loan partners.

Fees and salaries are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.

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Questions

Business: what students ask

Do I need work experience for a business master's?

Not for an MSc in management, international business or marketing. Work experience is required for an MBA and helpful for executive programmes.

What is the difference between an MSc Management and an MBA?

An MSc Management is for recent graduates with little or no work experience. An MBA is for professionals with several years' experience and costs more.

Which country is best for business studies?

The UK for speed and recognition, Ireland for tech and finance, Canada for immigration routes, the US for scale. We shortlist based on your budget and goals.

Can I get an education loan for a business degree?

Yes. Business degrees at recognised universities are readily funded by education lenders; our loan partners pre-approve in days.

Is GMAT required?

Rarely for UK master's programmes. Top US and some European MBA programmes still ask for GMAT or GRE.

Are business degrees expensive?

They span the full range: from free public universities in Germany to £60,000 MBAs. A one-year UK MSc from a good school typically costs £17,000 to £25,000.

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