MBA at Durham Business School vs Said Business School

Overview Comparison
Durham University Business SchoolSaid Business School
ranking (overall)# 74 Financial Times 2021
# 62 Financial Times 2020
# 43 Financial Times 2019
# 17 Financial Times 2021
# 21 Financial Times 2020
# 13 Financial Times 2019
ProgramsPG Programs -1
UG Programs -1
PG Programs -3
Doctorate Programs -1
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees  44071
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10569 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   51763
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  52560
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 17723 Per Year

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 198 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023
# 12 for Business by The Guardian 2021
# 201 for Business by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021
# 1 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023
# 1 for Business by The Guardian 2021
# 51 for Business by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021
application#594 Applicants
# 59 Admissions
# 10 % Acceptance Rate
#5183 Applicants
# 311 Admissions
# 6 % Acceptance Rate
exam scoresGMAT - 600/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 92/120GMAT - 650/800GRE updated - 314/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 66/90TOEFL - 100/120
Admission Criteria/Better to Have

GPA of 3.1 to 3.5 average and preferably 650 GMAT Score. Average Work Experience required around 5 years.



cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -44071Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -71440
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary110506#Average Salary111245
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesJul 31, 2024 (Application Deadline for 2024 Intake)
Aug 31, 2023 (Stage 1 Application Deadline)
Oct 12, 2023 (Stage 2 Application Deadline)
Jan 4, 2024 (Stage 3 Application Deadline)
Mar 22, 2024 (Stage 4 Application Deadline)
Comparison Notes

Durham University’s Business School and the University of Oxford’s Said Business School are prominent in the field of business education in the United Kingdom. Students planning to do an MBA in the UK need to keep the following facts in mind while selecting between the two schools:

  • Although Said has a much better global ranking of #21 compared to Durham’s #62 according to Financial Times, Durham has a slightly better employment rate and salary increase for MBA graduates.
  • Both schools have a standard 12-month MBA, but Durham also has a 15-month option if you are looking to gain more experience.
  • Said offers a higher amount in scholarships to help students fund their education.
  • Durham graduates have three possible specialist pathways - Entrepreneurship, Consultancy and Technology.
  • Apart from the regular electives, Said students have the opportunity to do international electives, which will be taught in other cities like Johannesburg, London and New York City.
  • The main attractions of the Durham MBA program include the Boardroom Exercise, the Charity Consultancy Project, the Strategic Business Project, and the International Business in Context.
  • Said students can get to be a part of GOTO, participate in an Entrepreneurship Project and a Strategic Consulting Project, and do co-curricular lab activities.
  • Durham has the triple accreditation of AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS while Said only has EQUIS. However, Said has an Athena Swan Bronze Award and is a member of the Global Network for Advanced Management.

Durham has a lot of advantages in career preparations, but the program at Said is more holistic and has better recognition globally. In fact, Durham is a good option if you are planning on staying in the UK after graduation, as the placements are more central to the business scenario in the UK, while Said is a better option if you are looking for an internationally immersive course that prepares you to excel in a global setting.