Imperial MBA Guide – Fees, Class Profile & Admission Details

If you’re a student aiming to study abroad, choosing the right MBA program can shape your entire career path. Among the UK’s best business schools, the Imperial MBA offered by Imperial College Business School stands out for its world-class faculty, tech-focused curriculum, and prime location in London—a global business hub.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Imperial MBA in 2025, including its fees, class profile, rankings, and admission requirements. Whether you’re comparing UK MBA programs or narrowing down your options, this blog will help you decide if the Imperial University MBA is the right fit for your academic and professional goals.

From scholarship options and living costs to career prospects and program structure, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown so you can make an informed decision. If you’re looking for a top-tier MBA in the UK with a strong return on investment and a globally respected brand, read on.

About Imperial College Business School

Imperial College London, often referred to as Imperial University, consistently ranks among the world’s most prestigious institutions. The university is globally known for its leadership in science, technology, and business. Its Business School, established in 2003, has quickly become one of the top UK business schools, earning triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) and recognition across major global rankings.

What sets the Imperial MBA apart is its strong integration of technology, innovation, and sustainability into the business curriculum—key areas of focus for modern, globally minded professionals. Located in South Kensington, London, the business school benefits from deep industry connections, access to multinational corporations, and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Students at Imperial are immersed in an environment that encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership—all essential skills for succeeding in today’s business landscape.

Imperial MBA Program Overview

The Imperial MBA is a 12‑month, full-time program beginning on 1 September 2025 in London—perfect for students aiming to study abroad with minimal interruption to their careers. Here are the key highlights:

• Duration: 12 months (with optional 4–6-month internship extension, bringing total to 16 months and earning 120 ECTS)
• Tuition Fee: £73,000—this includes core curriculum, the Global Experience Week (covering flights and accommodation), and reading materials
• Curriculum Structure:
  • Pre-study modules to prep for core content
  • Core modules on finance, strategy, leadership
  • Flex core & electives (over 40 options) for specialization.
  • Leadership & Global Experience, including modules like LEADS and international treks
• Special Features:
  • Strong technology and innovation integration, reflecting Imperial’s STEM heritage
  • Located in South Kensington, London—offering easy access to global firms and startups
  • High customization: 5 optional concentrations & 40+ electives

Finally, the 81% employment rate within 3 months of graduation (Class of 2023) highlights its ROI. This combination of intense curriculum, global exposure, and practical focus is why “Imperial MBA” ranks among top UK business schools.

Imperial MBA Class Profile 2025

A vibrant, diverse cohort is at the heart of the Imperial MBA experience. For the 2025 intake:

• Class size: 76 students
• Average age: 28 years
• Nationalities represented: 26–28 countries

🎓 Gender distribution: 45% female

💼 Pre-MBA industries:

• Finance/Banking: 26%
• IT/Tech/Telecom: 17%
• Consulting/Professional Services: 14%
• Consumer/Retail: 12%
• Others: Government (7%), Energy (6%), Media & Entertainment (5%), Engineering (5%), Pharma/Biotech/Healthcare (3%)

🎯 Work experience: Typically, 5 years (minimum 3 years required)

The class also reflects a strong Asia–Pacific representation (~70%), alongside participants from Americas (~17%), Africa/Middle East (~6%), Europe (~3%), and the UK (~5%).

“One of the most rewarding parts of the programme is meeting and learning from a group of talented professionals in my cohort… true friendship lasts a lifetime.” – Michelle Tang, MBA Class of 2022

Imperial MBA Fees & Cost of Living

Understanding the financial investment is critical for students planning to study abroad. Here’s the latest breakdown from Imperial’s official site:

• Tuition Fee: £73,000 for the full 12-month Full-Time MBA program. This includes core modules, exclusive business school materials, and covers costs for the Global Experience Week (flights + accommodation).
• Deposit: £7,300 required to confirm your place (10% of total tuition).
• Internship extension: If you opt for a 4–6 month internship after graduation, there’s an additional £1,500 fee .

👉 Living costs in central London (estimated 12 months):

• Accommodation: £210/week (~£912/month)
• Food: £71/week (~£308/month)
• Overall living expenses range from £14,094 to £19,580 annually.

Scholarships & Funding Options

Imperial provides various awards:

• Advisory Board Scholarship: Full tuition
• Dean’s Impact Scholarship: £30,000
• Many regional scholarships (African Future Leader, Black Future Leader, LATAM, FUNED, etc.) ranging from £20k to 50% tuition.
• Forté Fellowship for women and ROMBA Fellowship for LGBTQ+ students also available.

Additional funding sources:

• UK Postgraduate Loans, US Federal Loans
• Private lenders like Prodigy Finance, Lendwise
• Employer sponsorship, external scholarships.

Imperial MBA Admission Requirements

Here’s what the admissions committee is looking for in your Imperial MBA application:

Academic & Test Requirements

• Undergraduate degree: UK 2:1 or international equivalent or recognized professional qualification.
• GMAT/GRE: Recommended GMAT ≥ 600 (average 666); GRE preferred ≥ 156 verbal / 158 quantitative.
• GMAT waivers: Available for exceptional academic & quantitative profiles.
• English proficiency: IELTS ≥ 7.0 (min 6.5), TOEFL iBT ≥ 100 (min 22 per section), or Duolingo ≥ 125.

Work Experience & Profile

• Minimum experience: 3 years full-time; average is 5 years (6 years typical).
• Employers value leadership, impact, and career growth.

Documents & Essays

• CV/resume, transcripts, two professional references
• \Essays focus on motivations, leadership impact, and alignment with Imperial’s values (Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, Innovation, Excellence).

Application Rounds & Deadlines

• Four intake rounds for 2025:
  • Round 1: 23 Sept 2024 – Decision by 22 Nov
  • Round 2: 20 Jan 2025 – Decision by 28 Mar
  • Round 3: 31 Mar 2025 – Decision by 23 May
  • Round 4: 19 May 2025 – Decision by 27 Jun.

Interviews

• Online, 30 minutes, by invitation only
• Used to assess fit, passion, and alignment with career goals .

Imperial MBA Rankings & Accreditations

The Imperial MBA is consistently recognized among the UK best business schools, holding prestigious global and European positions:

• 📊 QS Global MBA Rankings 2025: #18 worldwide, #7 in Europe.
• 🌍 Financial Times MBA 2025: Ranked #38 globally, and the highest among UK MBAs after LBS, Oxford, and Cambridge—Imperial stands 4th in the UK.
• 🧩 Executive MBA: Ranked #16 globally by QS.
• ✅ Imperial holds triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), an elite status held by only ~1% of business schools.
• 🏆 Additionally, Imperial leads in entrepreneurship specialization, ranking 3rd globally and #1 in Europe per QS 2023.

This ranking performance reflects the school’s academic rigour, strong employer recognition, and innovative strengths in STEM-led business education.

Career Outcomes & ROI of Imperial MBA

One of the most compelling motivations for aspiring to the Imperial MBA is its outstanding return on investment:

• Employment rate: 81% of the Class of 2023 secured employment within three months of graduation.
• Average salary (UK salaries):
  • Imperial’s official report: £63,364 for Class of 2023.
  • Industry sites report median annual packages approaching ~£116,600 for post-MBA roles.
• Global placement: Clear Admit notes 77% of grads stayed in the UK; 13% moved to Asia, and the rest to Europe or Latin America.

Industry-Specific Salaries (Median Estimates)

Industry	Median Salary	Median Bonus
Consulting	£68,657	£20,000
Finance	£75,000	£25,000
Technology	£75,000	£25,000
Healthcare	£65,000	£15,000

🔥 These figures underscore the strong ROIs across sectors and geographies, particularly in finance and tech.

Alternatives: Executive & Global Online MBA at Imperial

For students balancing career and education, Imperial offers excellent part-time options:

Executive MBA

• Duration: 23 months (part‑time with blended learning)
• Tuition: £76,500 total (£76.5 k/year)
• Format: On-campus sessions every 4 weeks + online prep
• Work experience: Minimum 8–10 years, average ~15 years
• Scholarships: Up to 15% bursaries for alumni, £25,000 for female leaders (“Inspiring Women”), plus LGBTQ+ awards

Global Online MBA

• Duration: Flexible—choose 21, 24, or 32 months
• Tuition: £50,500–£50,500 (source 21-month structure)
• Rankings: Ranked #1 globally by QS Online MBA 2024 and #2 by FT in 2025
• Format: Starts January & September, mix of interactive online learning and electives
• Target audience: Mid‑career professionals (average 12 years’ experience)

These options offer flexibility while maintaining Imperial’s academic rigor, tech-driven curriculum, and global recognition—ideal for your professional goals if a full-time 12-month program isn’t feasible.

Imperial MBA vs Other Top UK Business Schools

When considering a UK MBA, most candidates compare Imperial with schools like London Business School (LBS), Oxford Saïd, and Cambridge Judge. Here’s how Imperial stacks up:

School	Duration	Class Size	QS Global MBA 2025	FT Global MBA 2025	Focus & Strengths
Imperial	12 mo	76	#18 ∣ #7 Europe	#38 globally, 4th UK	STEM, tech innovation
LBS	15–21 mo	~431	#5 globally	#8 globally	Finance, Consulting
Oxford Said	12 mo	~244	not in top 10 QS	FT ~#25 globally	Finance, Entrepreneurship
Cambridge Judge	12 mo	~244	lower than Imperial	Lower than Imperial FT	General management

Key Differentiators:

• Class Size: Imperial’s cohort is significantly smaller (~76), offering more intimacy and personalized networking compared to LBS’s 400+.
• STEM Integration: Imperial stands out for combining technology and business.
• Location & Recruitment: Proximity to global firms helps with internships and job placements—advantage over Oxbridge.
• Rankings: Slightly below LBS in global rankings, but strong European standing and unique program features.

Prospective international students should weigh factors like program style, cohort size, focus areas, and school brand to decide the right MBA path.

Conclusion: Is Imperial MBA Right for You

If you’re a student exploring UK best business schools with a clear focus on innovation, global exposure, and ROI, the Imperial MBA stands out as a top-tier choice. With its £73,000 tuition, tech-integrated curriculum, and central London location, Imperial College Business School combines academic excellence with practical, future-forward business training.

Whether you’re interested in launching a startup, pivoting into consulting, or stepping into tech leadership, the Imperial MBA offers tailored electives, strong career services, and diverse peer learning. It also boasts strong employment outcomes—81% of grads land jobs within three months—and one of the most diverse MBA cohorts in the UK.

Compared to peers like Oxford, Cambridge, and LBS, Imperial excels in STEM-business integration and personalized program experience due to its smaller class size. For students seeking an elite education with global prestige, scholarship opportunities, and flexible learning paths (including Executive and Global Online MBAs), Imperial University MBA delivers unmatched value.

In summary, the Imperial MBA is more than a degree—it’s a launchpad for globally minded professionals ready to lead in a tech-driven world. Now is the time to think global, Stay focused, be authentic, and let your unique story shine through with MBA&Beyond.