London Business School

FAQ

What is the tuition for London Business School’s MBA program?

The tuition for London Business School’s MBA program is 87,900 UK Pounds per year.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to London Business School’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at London Business School’s is 701.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to London Business School’s MBA program?

London Business School does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5.5 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to London Business School’s MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a London Business School student?)

The average number of years of work experience among students in London Business School’s MBA program is 5.5. The average age of a London Business School MBA student is 29 years.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the London Business School MBA program?

The average starting salary for London Business School’s MBA graduates is 83,295 UK Pounds. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is London Business School’s full-time MBA program?

London Business School offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the deadlines for London Business School’s MBA program?

The Round 1 LBS MBA application deadline is September 11, 2020. The Round 2 deadline is January 5, 2021. The Round 3 deadline is March 4, 2021. The Round 4 deadline is April 27, 2021.

What percent of London Business School MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at London Business School that are women is 38%.

VIDEOS

Admissions

The Class Profile

LBS enrolled 497 students in the fall of 2019.  The average amount of professional experience for students prior to matriculating at LBS was five and a half years.  Incoming students scored an average of 701 on the GMAT exam.  International students comprise 92% of the Class of 2021 and represent 66 different nationalities.  Female students make up 38% of the class in total.

Application Procedures

London Business School has four stages of admission, with application deadlines typically occurring in September, January, March and April. In addition to a completed online application form, applicants must submit essays, a one-page résumé, names and details of two references, and academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. The school also requires applicants to send in a £200 application fee, GMAT scores, and, if necessary, results from the TOEFL, IELTS, CPE or PTE. Interviews are conducted on an invitation-only basis. 

Application Checklist

• Data Forms
• GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS/CPE/ PTE Score(s)
• Academic Transcripts
• Résumé
• Application Fee
• Two Recommendations
• Essays

Interview Reports

LBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Alumnus / Zoom

Fairly relaxed and conversational interview with a really friendly alumni interviewer, matched on the basis of my entrepreneurial ambitions and his expertise in the field. He had clearly studied my application thoroughly. Standard Questions: 1) Walk me through your CV and then talk about your interest in the MBA. 2) Why LBS? 3) International Experience? […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Off-Campus

My LBS interview took place at Starbucks with an alumnus. He is working in the VC/PE space and I have worked in startups, so I think that was a common link. Interview was very casual and conversational. It started with introduction: – Schooling & family – College activities, internships – Work experiences After introduction he […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Off-Campus

Background: The LBS adcom spends a lot of time (sometimes upto two weeks) to match you to an alumnus in your preferred location and usually s/he is in a field similar to yours. My interviewer was a recent graduate (2018) and was back in India to head her family business. I was requested to meet […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumnus / Off-Campus

Very casual and conversational interview at the alumni’s private equity office. Early on, I was presented with a business case to present and pitch after a brief 10/15 minute break where I was allowed to prepare. This still felt fairly low-pressure, and I answered two questions about my 5 minute presentation at the end. I […]

LBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumnus / Off-Campus

My interview was at the alumnus’ office. It started by breaking the ice and talking about the current situation in our city, and then the interview started with a classical tell me about yourself. After, the alumnus had a list of questions she started asking and checking after responded. The questions were quite typical of […]

LBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Off-Campus

The interview was very relaxed and casual, which I am grateful for. I was quite nervous beforehand because London Business School is a top choice for me and my brain was in the “better not mess this up” mode. The interview began with the alum giving a short introduction about what he was currently doing, […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alum / Local City

Applied Round 1 Met at a cafe for lunch. Helped to make the conversation very casual because we talked while we waiting in line to order. Questions spanned the following topics: Post-MBA goals and how my experience to-date is relevant Why LBS? Why London vs US? h How/what am I doing now to achieve my […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alum / Off-Campus

Interview was in Mumbai at the office of my alumnus. It was an application-based alumni interview. He knew my goals and background. LBS interviews are long in nature (~2 hours). The format was – 1 hour of standard questions, 30 mins of presentation on case study, 30 mins of general chit chat. Standard Qs were […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alumnus / Off-campus (New Delhi)

For LBS, The interview was with an alumnus, with about 12 years of post-MBA experience. The interview began smoothly, despite some nervousness; on account of it being by my first ever interview experience. The interviewer asked with a traditional “tell me more about yourself”. While it was a non-blind interview and he had my application […]

London Business School Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alumnus / His office

The following LBS interview questions and report were submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 1 applicant. Good luck to them! The interview was conducted in the alumnus’ office building. He talked me through his background and that had me “walk him through my resume”. He then preceded to ask standard business school and specifically questions such […]

Lbs Q&As

Podcast Episode 18: London Business School Admissions Director Q&A

This week we’ve got two new voices joining us on the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, Gareth Howells and David Simpson of London Business School. Howells is executive director for the MBA and Master in Finance (MiF) programs at LBS, and Simpson heads up admissions for both. Not only that, both men have been with […]

Real Humans of MBA Admissions: David Simpson of London Business School

This week’s Real Humans of MBA Admissions takes us across the pond to London. In some of the answers that follow, David Simpson’s British roots shine through—which makes sense for the admissions director of the MBA and Masters in Finance programs at London Business School (LBS). Simpson has been at LBS for almost a decade, […]

LBS Admissions Director on Reduction in Required Essays, Importance of Interview

With London Business School announcing its essay questions for the upcoming application season this week, we thought it a good time to check in with David Simpson, admissions director for the school’s MBA and Master in Finance programs, to see what led to some of the changes implemented this year. In brief, LBS has decided […]

Lbs LiveWire and DecisionWire

Academics

Faculty

Across its seven subject areas, London Business School employs faculty members from over 30 countries.  In addition to teaching courses, these scholars and practitioners help run the School’s seven research centers and initiatives, which investigate topics such as private equity, entrepreneurship, energy markets and asset management.

Curriculum

London Business School notes that while the majority of course material is delivered via lectures and case discussions, instructors also make use of other techniques such as field visits, guest speakers, and role-playing scenarios.  Upon arriving at LBS, first-year students are divided into Throughout the first year of their MBA studies, students work on assignments with their study group members; the school reports that study groups earn about 30% of their first-year grade together.

The pre-term period for first-year MBA students begins online and is comprised of three courses that last through August: Accounting, Finance, and Statistics. Students with prior knowledge on these subjects may take the required tests without completing the coursework. Following pre-term, students spend three terms—Term One, Two, and Three—completing the required curriculum.  Term One runs from August to December, Term Two from January to March, and Term Three from April to June. The core curriculum is divided into two sections: Business Fundamentals and the Tailored Core. Business Fundamentals stretches through the first two terms and is made up of a total of 11 required courses. The flexible Tailored Core offers nearly 20 course options for students to fulfill the remainder of their credits. Students who have extensive prior experience in corporate finance and accounting gained within the last 10 years may take an exam to waive out of core courses in these areas and replace them with elective courses.   In the summer between the first and second years, most MBA students opt to complete a summer internship, though students may also participate in Entrepreneurship Summer School.

Unlike most MBA programs, which last either one or two full years, LBS allows its students to graduate after 15, 18 or 21 months of instruction .  The second year of the program follows the same three-term calendar as the first year.  During the second year, students must complete a summary course called Capstone as well as the course Global Business Experiences, through which teams of students partake in projects at locations throughout the world alongside LBS faculty members.   To graduate, students must complete a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 elective courses.   LBS enables students to tailor their studies to their desired career paths  .

In keeping with the school’s international outlook, LBS recommends that MBA candidates demonstrate competency in a language other than English in order to increase value to future employers; qualifying languages are Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Students who plan to complete their MBA studies in 18 or 21 months may also spend a term studying abroad at one of LBS’s more than 30 partner schools.  The school reports that 30% of MBA students spend a term abroad during their second year.

Other MBA Degree Options

In addition to its full-time MBA program, LBS offers several MBA degree options for applicants who are more advanced in their careers.  One such option is the 20-month Executive MBA, which is held across London and Dubai.  The school also supports two 20-month Global Executive MBA programs: the EMBA-Global Americas and Europe held between LBS and Columbia Business School, and the EMBA-Global Asia held between LBS, Columbia Business School and the University of Hong Kong.

Concentrations at LBS

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Management Science and Operations
• Marketing
• Organisational Behavior
• Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Degree Offerings at LBS

Full-time MBA Program
Exit points at 15, 18 and 21 months
https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/mba#.WrF5BWrwaHu

Executive MBA Programs
London and Dubai
https://www.london.edu/campaigns/masters-degrees/executive-mba#.WrF41mrwaHt

EMBA-Global Americas and Europe between LBS and Columbia Business School
http://www.emba-global.com/#.WrF5RGrwaHt

EMBA-Global Asia between LBS, Columbia Business School and the University of Hong Kong
http://www.emba-global.com/#.WrF5RGrwaHt

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

Students at LBS are provided with many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of the classroom. The school boasts over 75 student-run clubs that are based on a wide variety of professional, regional, athletic and social interests. For example, students who plan to enter the asset management industry after earning their MBA can join the Investment Management Club and participate in club events such as company visits, a guest speaker series and a stock pitch competition. The club also holds workshops on topics ranging from interviews to alternative investment strategies. Meanwhile, on the non-professional side, the Cycling Club holds weekly bike rides at Regent’s Park that are open to all skill levels, as well as mountain biking and road biking trips to destinations throughout England.

Student clubs at LBS also organize several conferences on campus each year. These include the Energy Club’s annual Global Energy Summit, the Women in Business Club’s annual Women in Business Conference, and the annual India Business Forum, among many others. In addition, LBS students compete in a number of case and business plan competitions each year. Some, like the London Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, are sponsored by LBS students, while others, such as the CFA Global Investment Research Challenge, provide students with the opportunity to compete internationally.

Campus Space

London Business School’s campus is located in the center of London and faces the Boating Lake at Regent’s Park. The school comprises three main buildings: the Ratcliffe Building, the Plowden Building and the Taunton Centre. Combined, the Ratcliffe Building and the Plowden Building hold a total of 18 lecture theaters, 176 seminar rooms and a variety of other instructional facilities. Meanwhile, the Taunton Centre is home to the school’s Fitness Centre. The campus also offers four different places to eat, ranging from grab-and-go cafés to more formal restaurants. 

LBS does not provide housing to its students, so most full-time MBA students find private housing near campus in the form of shared apartments and houses. For guidance on how to find accommodations, students can refer to the University of London’s Housing Services office.

MBA Careers

Career Services

The Career Services team at LBS is comprised of career coaches and sector specialists who help students determine their post-MBA paths and connect with potential employers in their desired fields.  Career Services provides students with online career development resources, one-on-one career counseling, and workshops on topics such as résumés, interviews and networking, among others.  The team also organizes a variety of events throughout the year to help students network with recruiters.  These include a career fair, treks to Silicon Valley, Singapore, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and on-campus presentations and receptions.  On-campus interviews for second-year students seeking full-time positions begin in mid-October, and those for first-year students seeking summer internships begin in late January.

Career Statistics

Within three months of graduating from LBS, 93% of the Class of 2019 had accepted job offers.  The average base salary of these graduates was £83,295 with an average signing bonus of £36,423.  Forty percent of the class went into the consulting sector, while 26% chose positions in finance, and 20% into technology.  The remaining 14% of graduates entered corporate sectors such as media and telecommunications, consumer products, energy, and health care.

The companies that hired the most 2019 graduates were McKinsey & Company, The Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company.  Amazon, Strategy&, and Accenture also hired large numbers of graduates.  In total, the Class of 2019 found employment in more than 35 countries worldwide.  Forty-six percent of the class remained in the United Kingdom, while 14% chose jobs in Europe outside of the UK.  A further 13% went to work in Asia, 10% in the USA and Canada, and 9% in Latin America.

Financing

For the MBA program beginning in August 2020, fees including tuition and reading materials come to a total of £87,900.  Students who are admitted to the MBA program within the first three application deadlines have access to a variety of merit- and need-based scholarships provided by LBS and associated sponsors.  Accepted applicants are automatically considered for some of these awards, while others require an additional application.  These awards range from partial to full tuition.  Students seeking further financial assistance can also apply for government and private loans.  LBS sends additional information on applying for financial aid along with their offers of admission.

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