London Business School (LBS) MBA Program – A Complete Overview

Whether you’re at the starting line of your MBA journey or navigating the admissions process, this article is your compass to understanding the holistic LBS MBA experience.

Explore the intricate details of the London Business School MBA program, including class demographics, industry backgrounds, and the mosaic of nationalities that make up this vibrant community. Delve into employment statistics, witness career switches, and uncover the average salary expectations. Unravel the dynamic curriculum structure, from the foundational first year to the personalized second year with core and elective courses. Gain insights into the cost of attendance, available scholarships, and crucial deadlines. 

London Business School Class Profile

The LBS MBA Class of 2025 comprises 487 students with a diverse international representation. Women make up 43% of the class, and there are 63 nationalities represented. The average age of students is 29, with an average work experience of 5.5 years.

Here is a snapshot of the LBS MBA class profile for the Class of 2025:

• Class Size – 487
• Women Percent – 43%
• Nationalities – 63
• The average work experience – 5.5 years
• Average age – 29 years

Industry Background

In terms of industry background, the class exhibits a varied mix, with consulting being the dominant sector at 29%, followed by finance/accounting at 21%.

Here is the distribution for the Industry Background of LBS MBA Class of 2025:

• Consulting – 29%
• Finance/Accounting – 21%
• Information Technology & Technology – 8%
• FMCG/Retail/Luxury Goods/E-commerce – 8%
• Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals/Biotech –  6%
• Energy/Power Generation – 5%
• Manufacturing/Engineering/Construction – 5%
• Public Sector/Not-for-Profit/Education – 5%
• Automotive/Aerospace/Transport/Logistics – 3%
• Other – 10%

Nationalities

The nationalities of the class are distributed across the globe, with North America leading at 18%, followed by South East Asia/East Asia (17%), and Central/South America (17%). 

Here is the detailed geographic distribution for the LBS MBA Class of 2025:

• UK – 6%
• Europe (excluding UK) – 12%
• South East Asia/East Asia – 17%
• South Asia – 16%
• North America – 18%
• Central/South America – 17%
• Middle East – 6%
• Africa – 4%
• Oceania – 4%

LBS MBA Employment Statistics Class of 2023

The success of the London Business School (LBS) MBA program is mirrored in its robust employment statistics for the Class of 2023. A noteworthy 366 companies eagerly hired LBS MBA graduates for post-MBA positions, underscoring the program’s strong industry connections. An impressive 90% of students secured job offers within three months of graduation, and a remarkable 91% received offers within the same timeframe. Notably, 85% of those who accepted offers received additional compensation or bonuses, showcasing the competitiveness and value of an LBS MBA.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving at LBS, with 37 graduates opting for the path of entrepreneurship by becoming self-employed or starting their own businesses.

Here is a snapshot of the employment statistics:

• 366 Companies Hired LBS MBA Class of 2023 students for post-MBA positions
• 90% – accepted an offer within three months of graduation
• 91% – received an offer within three months of graduation
• 85% – students who accepted an offer received other compensation/bonuses
• 37 graduates – self-employed/ started business

Career Switches

LBS MBA graduates are adept at navigating change, as evidenced by the employment statistics. A significant 50% of graduates chose to switch locations upon graduation, while 55% made a sector transition. Notably, a daring 30% embarked on both location and sector switches, illustrating the versatility and adaptability fostered by the LBS MBA experience.

In short,

• 50% switched location upon graduation
• 55% switched sectors upon graduation
• 30% switched location and sector upon graduation

Average Salary

In terms of remuneration, the LBS MBA Class of 2023 commanded an impressive average salary. The mean salary stood at £99,333.

Employment by Industry

The LBS MBA Class of 2023 witnessed an array of career paths, with 45% venturing into Consulting, 26% into Finance, and 21% into the dynamic Technology sector. 

More information in this table:

Salary by Industry

In terms of compensation, the mean overall salary stood at £99,333, showcasing the financial rewards of an LBS MBA. 

Consulting and Finance led the way with £104,427 and £100,268 mean salaries, respectively. The Technology sector followed closely with a mean of £90,240. These figures signify the lucrative opportunities that LBS graduates command across diverse industries.

Here are more details:

Top Employers

McKinsey & Company, Amazon, and Morgan Stanley emerged as top employers, demonstrating the strong corporate ties fostered by LBS. These renowned entities recruited significantly from the MBA class, affirming the program’s reputation for producing top-tier talent sought after by industry leaders.

LBS MBA Curriculum

The London Business School’s MBA program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering students the option to tailor the duration according to their needs and career objectives. The program spans a duration of 15 to 21 months, providing three flexible exit points at 15, 18, and 21 months

First Year at LBS

In the first year of the London Business School MBA program, the curriculum is structured into three terms, each covering essential business fundamentals and allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests and career goals. 

In Term One (August–December), all students engage in foundational courses such as Data Analytics for Managers, Global Leadership Assessment for Managers, Perspectives in Business Ethics, Understanding General Management, Accounting, Finance I, Macroeconomics for Managers, Marketplaces, and Strategy. 

Term Two (January–March) continues with core courses in Business Fundamentals, including The Science of People in Organizations, Marketing, and Operations Management. Additionally, students have the flexibility to choose from a range of tailored core courses, including Business Analytics, Finance II, Financial Reporting for Today’s Economy, Performance-Driven Strategy Execution, LondonCAP, Developing Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Digital Strategy, Design Led Innovation, Financial Reporting Analytics, Innovation and Technology Strategy. 

Term Three (April–June) further allows students to customize their learning experience by selecting courses such as Customer and Market Insights, Global Economic Analysis, Marketing Planning in Action, Pricing, Value Chain Management, and others. 

This comprehensive and flexible curriculum ensures that students acquire a solid foundation in business fundamentals while tailoring their studies to align with their specific interests and career objectives.

The second year of the London Business School MBA program offers students a highly personalized and flexible curriculum designed to cater to their individual career aspirations and academic interests.

Second Year at LBS 

The summer months (July–August) present students with two distinct options: engaging in internships to gain practical experience in their chosen field or participating in the Entrepreneurship Summer School for those interested in entrepreneurial ventures. 

The entire second year is crafted to be entirely tailored by the students, with flexible exit points at 15, 18, and 21 months, allowing for a customized MBA experience. 

The Capstone project, a culmination of the program, provides students with a practical application of their acquired skills and knowledge. The curriculum encompasses various elements such as Congregation, which fosters collaboration and networking, a Global Experience, enabling students to immerse themselves in international business environments, a Business Project, where theoretical knowledge meets real-world challenges, and Internships, which offer hands-on experience. 

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in an International Exchange, explore a range of Electives, receive dedicated support through Career Management services, and enhance their language skills through the Language Programme. 

This comprehensive and flexible second-year curriculum ensures that students not only deepen their expertise in their chosen areas but also gain a well-rounded, global perspective to excel in the dynamic world of business.

Core and Elective Courses

London Business School’s MBA program offers a comprehensive curriculum comprising core courses and a diverse range of electives.

The Business Fundamentals core, spanning the first two terms, equips students with a robust business toolkit and the cultural sensitivities necessary for global success. This dynamic introduction covers essential management and global leadership tools, crucial for securing summer internships. Core courses include Understanding General Management, Global Leadership Assessment for Managers (GLAM), Data Analytics for Managers, Perspectives in Business Ethics, Finance I, Strategy, Marketplaces, Accounting, Marketing, The Science of People in Organizations, Operations Management, and Macroeconomics for Managers.

On the elective front, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and energy by completing between 10 and 12 electives. These can be tailored to areas of special interest, broadening business perspectives, or preparing for specific career moves. Elective courses are offered in various formats, allowing students to choose from weekday, evening, weekend, and intensive block week schedules. With over 80 electives to choose from, the program covers diverse subjects. To graduate, students must complete a minimum of ten electives.

Elective concentrations offer a more focused study path, allowing students to specialize in specific areas. Concentrations available include Change Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Private Capital, Strategy, Economics, Technology and Analytics, and Sustainability. Successfully completing electives within a concentration provides official recognition of the specialization, enhancing the MBA experience and preparing graduates for success in their chosen fields.

London Business School – Cost of Attendance

The MBA tuition fees amount to £115,000, covering the entire 15-21 month program, regardless of the chosen exit point. These fees exclude program-related travel expenses, offering flexibility for students to customize their experiences and associated costs. 

Various Global Experiences involve different travel and accommodation expenses depending on the chosen location. Additionally, there is a Student Association Fee of £360, encompassing the Student Association (SA) subscription and facilitating active participation in the vibrant student community.

LBS MBA Scholarships

London Business School (LBS) is committed to fostering a diverse and talented community, and to support this commitment, a range of scholarships is available for MBA students. Admitted students are automatically considered for all awards, streamlining the process for financial aid. In total, there are 91 scholarships specifically allocated for LBS MBA students. To explore eligibility and find the scholarships suitable for you, you can use this dedicated online scholarship tool provided by LBS.

This tool allows you to navigate and discover the various scholarship opportunities tailored to your specific circumstances and goals. This comprehensive approach ensures that deserving candidates have access to financial support, enhancing the accessibility and diversity of the MBA program at LBS.

LBS MBA Deadlines

LBS MBA Deadlines for the MBA August 2024 intake 

LBS MBA Admissions

The London Business School (LBS) MBA application process is streamlined and comprehensive, ensuring that candidates have the opportunity to present a well-rounded picture of their qualifications and aspirations. To initiate the application, candidates are required to submit a completed online application form, which includes two essential essays.

The questions for LBS MBA programme are:

1. What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
2. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (Optional) (500 words)

In addition to these long essays, the following are the essay prompts for the short/medium essays as part of the LBS MBA application:

1. Tell us about your responsibilities. Describe your day-to-day role, details of any clients you work with/for, the level/title of the person you report to, the size of the budget for which you are directly responsible, and the number of people in your team. (400 words max)
2. Is your employer willing to support you? In what way – time, tuition, or both?
3. Does your academic performance so far indicate your potential for programme success? If so, why? If not, why not?
4. Tell us about your main interests and activities in your free time. (300 words max)
5. We encourage applicants to consider the study’s impact on family and friends. Whom have you discussed your plans with, and what was the response? (300 words max)
6. If you know any London Business School Alumni or Students, please give their names, graduating class and tell us how you know them. (300 words max)
7. List any academic honours, awards, or scholarships previously received.
8. Please outline your experience of working or studying in an English-speaking environment. Do you plan to take further English language tuition before the programme starts? (300 words max)
9. Please tell us your most significant international experiences to date. (100 words max)*
10. If you are currently not working, or if you plan to leave your current employer more than three months before the programme starts, please explain your activities between leaving your last role and the start of the programme (max 300 words).

Alongside the essays, applicants are required to submit a one-page CV, undergraduate degree transcripts, and test scores from either the GMAT, GRE, or GMAT Focus. Proficiency in English is a crucial component of the application, and candidates can demonstrate this through recognized tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge CPE, CAE, or PTE.

A vital part of the application is a single reference, which provides insights into the candidate’s qualifications and potential for success in the LBS MBA program.

 You need to ask someone to act as your referee, this person could be either of the following:

• your current employer (if you don’t want to ask your employer to be a referee, a colleague is acceptable)
• someone else who knows you well in a work context, for example a former employer or long-standing client.

The application process is designed to be thorough yet accessible, allowing candidates to present their credentials, articulate their goals, and highlight any additional information they deem relevant for a comprehensive evaluation by the Admissions Committee. The combination of essays, academic records, test scores, and references ensures that LBS gets a holistic view of each applicant, facilitating a fair and thorough selection process for the MBA program.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this overview, you’ll have a holistic understanding of the London Business School MBA program. Whether you’re contemplating a career switch, aiming for a salary boost, or seeking a globally recognized education, LBS might just be the launchpad you need.