London Calling: Why the UK Capital is a Great Place to Study for a Master in Management Program

London is a diverse and vibrant commercial and cultural capital that offers unparalleled access to top employers, startups, business mentors and cultural attractions. Not to mention top business schools offering highly ranked Masters in Management programs.

“London has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and is a truly global city,” says Craig Robinson, the director of the MSc in International Management program at King’s College London.

“Thriving business and financial sectors are combined with two thousand years of history and culture to make it one of the most vibrant cities in the world. The diversity of people, businesses and cultures is unrivaled.”

He says London offers excellent job prospects and a huge amount of choice for graduating MiM students. It is well known as a leading center for financial services, but many international companies of all kinds have a presence in London.

“There is also a thriving start-up culture and substantial creative industries sector for those who are less interested in a corporate path,” says Robinson. “Studying in London can also be a stepping stone to a career in another UK city, offering a different lifestyle – the distances aren’t enormous so you will have the opportunity to explore.”

Jolande Bot-Vos, academic director of the MSc International Management at Imperial College Business School, agrees. “Most of the UK is easily accessible from London as well as Europe, which makes it an attractive destination for students,” she says.

Many London-based Masters in Management programs leverage the city’s central location to integrate international study trips, to mainland Europe, Asia, or beyond.

A whole world in one city

With over 300 languages spoken and 43 percent of residents born outside the UK, London is a whole world in one city. Whether it’s food, entertainment, or opinions, the diversity is unrivaled and invigorating —which is a huge draw for prospective MiM students.

“London is one of the world’s most global cities and a true business capital; the city is home to more global and regional headquarters than anywhere else in Europe,” says Bot-Vos.

“This enables us to bring the experts directly to our students; industry leaders regularly share their experience as guest speakers and lecturers on campus.”

Imperial’s campus is located in one of London’s most famous cultural areas, South Kensington. This area is home to three of London’s most famous museums: the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The campus is also a short walk from Hyde Park and the historic Royal Albert Hall, where the MiM students’ journeys come to a close with their graduation ceremony.

Post-London MiM career options

Those studying for a business degree in London have many options when it comes to career paths.

On the Imperial program, for example, some 95 percent of those seeking employment typically accept an offer within three months of completing their MiM program.

“Our students are recruited by a range of leading companies globally including Amazon, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, Tencent and Unilever, with the majority of our students securing opportunities within the finance, technology and consulting industries,” says Bot-Vos.

The location of employment for our graduates reflects the international diversity of MiM students in London, with the UK and Asia being the most popular destinations for Imperial’s graduates.

The relatively new Graduate Immigration Route, a post-study work visa, gives all international students the opportunity to remain in London for two years after finishing their degree. “Securing a post-study visa continues to be possible and is an option that many of the students take up,” says Daniel Beunza, director of the MSc Management program at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass).

London’s metropolitan culture and unique diversity offers unparalleled attractions. Bayes Business School, for instance, is located in the trendy area of Shoreditch next to the city’s fashionable bars, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.

It is also located next to the City of London, the financial center. That proximity allows students to attend professional networking events, corporate information sessions and a whole range of other career-enhancing activities. “Real-world connections, the global diversity of our faculty and students, and our location in the City of London give students unique opportunities for learning and building their future career,” says Beunza.

Studying in London: some drawbacks

For some students studying in London, not all is wine and roses.  The vibrancy of London can also make it a stressful city. “As a major financial hub, the cost of living and accommodation is also higher in London than in other parts of the United Kingdom, so business education in London can prove expensive,” Beunza says.

Back at King’s College, Robinson agrees. “Like other capital cities London is more expensive: at King’s we have various opportunities for part time work that will fit around your studies as well as a number of scholarships,” he says.

There are so many options that the biggest challenge might be choosing what is right for you and maximizing your time in London. “Recruitment processes and other opportunities start early, so spend the summer before you start getting your CV ready and speak to your careers team early on to be strategic about what you pursue,” says Robinson.

“Our Careers Consultants work with students from their very early weeks on campus to help with decision making and applications all the way through to [the] interview stage.”