QS Business Masters Rankings 2026: Top UK universities for Management, Finance, Analytics and Marketing
The QS Business Masters Rankings 2026 have just been released, hot on the heels of last week’s FT Masters in Management 2025 blog.
This year’s results provide fresh insights for students considering postgraduate business and management courses in the UK - and especially for international applicants looking for scholarships.
QS Masters in Management Ranking 2026: UK highlights
The Management ranking is the flagship QS list. While French schools continue to dominate globally, the UK has strong representation in the top 100.
UK universities in the QS Masters in Management top 100 include:
London Business School (LBS) – consistently top 5 worldwide and the highest-ranked UK institution.
Warwick Business School (WBS) – globally respected for its MSc Management.
Imperial College Business School – strong on both employability and thought leadership.
Alliance Manchester Business School – a long-standing contender in the global top 100.
University of Leeds – rising in the rankings, recognised for strong “value for money” and international student outcomes.
University of Edinburgh Business School – well regarded for diversity and graduate outcomes.
These programmes score highly for employability, international diversity, and increasingly value for money — all important considerations when planning your funding strategy.
QS Masters in Finance 2026: UK universities in the top 100
Finance is a traditional UK strength, and the 2026 QS Finance ranking reflects this.
UK business schools featured in the QS Masters in Finance top 100 include:
London Business School (LBS) – often ranked top 10 globally for Finance.
Oxford Saïd Business School – strong global reputation with high alumni salaries.
Cambridge Judge Business School – another Oxbridge leader with excellent employer connections.
Warwick Business School – well regarded for its MSc Finance.
Henley Business School (University of Reading) – consistently listed in the top 100.
For scholarship applicants, these Finance masters programmes are highly competitive — but their prestige can also strengthen applications to external scholarships such as Chevening or Commonwealth awards.
QS Masters in Business Analytics 2026: UK universities in the top 100
The UK is gaining ground in Business Analytics, one of the fastest-growing subject areas.
UK universities in the QS Business Analytics top 100 include:
Imperial College Business School – among the world’s top 10 for Business Analytics.
Warwick Business School – strong in analytics, strategy, and data-driven leadership.
University of Manchester (Alliance MBS) – ranked globally for its MSc in Business Analytics.
University of Edinburgh – rising recognition for data and analytics teaching.
University of Leeds – MSc Business Analytics and Decision Sciences ranked in the global top 70.
These programmes emphasise data literacy, employability, and STEM designation, making them especially attractive for scholarships linked to digital skills and technology.
QS Masters in Marketing 2026: UK universities in the top 100
Marketing remains a UK strength, particularly with internationally recognised master’s programmes.
UK universities in the QS Marketing top 100 include:
Imperial College Business School – MSc Strategic Marketing ranked among the world’s best.
Warwick Business School – MSc Marketing & Strategy well established in the global top 50.
University of Manchester – strong focus on digital and global marketing.
University of Leeds – MSc International Marketing Management ranked 24th globally in recent QS cycles.
University of Edinburgh – growing international reputation in marketing education.
Marketing programmes often combine creativity, digital skills, and global perspectives — factors that scholarship committees value when funding applicants who can make an international impact.
QS vs FT rankings: What this means for scholarships
Comparing the FT MiM 2025 and QS Business Masters 2026 rankings gives scholarship seekers a fuller picture:
FT rankings focus more on salary outcomes and graduate career progression.
QS rankings balance employability, value for money, and diversity alongside reputation.
UK universities perform strongly across both, particularly LBS, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick, Manchester, and Leeds.
👉 For scholarship applications, mention both rankings to show awareness of global recognition.
Scholarship tips based on the QS 2026 rankings
Apply early to UK universities with strong subject rankings — they’re more likely to offer internal awards.
Highlight value for money in your essays — QS places emphasis on ROI, which aligns with many scholarship panels.
Tailor your application to the subject area:
Finance = quantitative and career-driven.
Analytics = data skills and employability.
Marketing = creativity and global impact.
Management = leadership and diversity.
Look beyond London — regional UK universities like Leeds and Edinburgh combine lower living costs with global ranking recognition.
Combine rankings with scholarship lists — check Scholarship Scanner for UK scholarship opportunities linked to your target universities.
Final thoughts
The QS Business Masters Rankings 2026 confirm the UK’s continued strength across Management, Finance, Business Analytics, and Marketing. For international students, this means a wide choice of globally recognised programmes — and plenty of opportunities to apply for scholarships.
When planning your applications:
Use the rankings to guide your shortlist.
Compare programmes across subjects.
Leverage ranking positions in your scholarship essays.
With the right preparation, you can secure both a top-ranked degree and the funding to make it possible.