LBS MBA Review: All you need to know about the Degree

LBS MBA program stands among the top-ranked business schools worldwide, renowned for its academic excellence and global reputation. With a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, the LBS MBA equips students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the dynamic business landscape. Designed for ambitious individuals seeking career advancement across diverse industries, the program attracts a vibrant and diverse student community, representing over 100 nationalities.

At LBS, the MBA experience offers a distinctive blend of theoretical foundations and practical application. Through engaging case studies, simulations, and real-world projects, students gain a deep understanding of business concepts and develop the ability to apply them in practical scenarios. This experiential learning approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to make an immediate impact in their chosen fields.

Choosing MBA at LBS means joining a prestigious institution committed to fostering global business leaders. Through a dynamic and immersive learning experience, students gain a solid foundation, expand their professional networks, and position themselves for successful careers in the ever-evolving global business landscape.

LBS MBA Class Profile

The LBS MBA class profile also boasts a highly international cohort, with students representing more than 100 nationalities. This diversity enriches the learning experience and provides valuable opportunities for cultural exchange and networking. The MBA LBS program provides an exceptional educational experience and prepares students for leadership roles in the global business world.

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of the program is highly competitive around 9%, making it one of the most prestigious MBA programs globally. The program is known to attract a large pool of highly qualified candidates from around the world. The LBS MBA admissions committee takes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, considering factors such as academic and professional background, leadership potential, and personal qualities.

LBS MBA general acceptance rate- 9%

LBS MBA Program & Curriculum

The quite extensive and hardcore experiential program content with a course that balances theory and practice with a structure tailored to meet your leadership and development needs. During the first year, the program aims to provide one with a rigorous and analytical grounding in the techniques and frameworks of global general management. In the second year, the school helps one to continue to develop your goals.

With over 80+ electives, deepening expertise in a specific area, or broadening your learning, the LBS MBA program does it all. It leads you to extend your global focus, engage with leading companies around the world concerning a Global Business Experience, and study with one of our 30+ academic partners on International Exchange.

Core courses (Year-1)

Core courses of year 1 at LBS MBA program-

Core courses (Year-2)

Core courses of year 2 at LBS MBA program-

Electives

Here are the explained program electives students can choose from.

Clubs & associations at LBS

• Entrepreneurship Club
• Tech and Media Club
• Women in Business Club
• Black in Business Club
• Out In Business Club
• Impact Consulting Club
• Private Equity and Venture Capital Club

Extra activities at London Business School

Apart from academics, LBS focuses a great deal on extracurricular activities and co-scholastic endeavors. There is a range of LBS clubs that play a key role in creating phenomenal global experiences, for instance, visiting the spice sellers in Kolkata, India, partaking in PE treks in Hong Kong, etc.

LBS MBA program takes you on a worldwide adventure, making you travel the world, and leading you to become aware of the profound aspects of different cultures and traditions. Moreover, LBS paves the way for you to build on your leadership acumen and build a dynamic personality.

With 75+ clubs, 1000+ events, and 150+ student leaders, the MBA at LBS is a place to be.

Scholarships

• Forté Foundation Fellowships
• The London Business School India Scholarship
• 30% Club Scholarship for Women
• The Aditya Birla Scholarship
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
• Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
• Tata Scholarship

Eligibility & Requirements

To be considered for admission to the LBS MBA program, applicants must hold a suitable bachelor's degree or equivalent, have obtained a valid GMAT or GRE score, and demonstrate at least three years of work experience. Moreover, candidates should also possess adequate English proficiency as well as show evidence of professional acumen and leadership qualities; all these criteria must be met in order to enter this prestigious course.

You should be aware of the MBA program and duration at LBS and other details. Here are the LBS MBA eligibility & requirements criteria and documents related to the application:

Eligibility

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification
• With a minimum of two years’ work experience.

Application fees

• As a part of the application, there is a direct LBS MBA fees of £200.

Application documents

• Degree certificate(s) or current certificate of enrolment.
• A one-page resume (CV).
• All official up-to-date academic transcripts and official GPA.
• GMAT or GRE official test score report.
• English language proficiency test score report (IELTS or TOEFL or PTE or Cambridge).
• Two completed online reference forms.

GPA

GPA, or Grade Point Average, is an indicator of academic achievement. LBS does not stipulate a minimum GPA requirement for admittance into its programs; however, it remains common knowledge that an exemplary educational pedigree will commonly be expected from candidates. In addition to, GPA criteria such as class standing and test marks evaluated during the application process are also taken into consideration by admissions officers when assessing candidates' qualifications.

Average GMAT score

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a globally recognized standardized examination that many business schools utilize as an evaluation tool for candidates hoping to gain admission into their MBA programs. In order to be considered for admission and get a good LBS MBA GMAT applicants must attain a minimum GMAT score of 600; however, should other tests such as the GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) yield comparable results they may also be accepted in lieu of this requirement.

GRE

Business schools around the globe have made accepting GRE scores as a substitute for GMAT scores more prevalent. Leading academics like LBS are among those that will accept an SCQ minimum of 158 for Verbal and 160 for Quantitative sections- even if applicants have yet to attain this benchmark on their own.

Average work-experience

MBA students typically possess an average of five years' worth of professional experience, though no hard-and-fast limit exists. Admissions officers seek applicants who reflect the potential for leadership and have attained success in their respective fields.

English language proficiency test scores

The LBS requires a minimum score of 7.0 for non-native English speakers to prove their proficiency in the language. Accepted tests include the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, and Pearson Test of English Academically - though they may vary depending upon the place or institution where one is seeking admission.

LBS MBA Deadlines & Admission Process

The LBS MBA deadlines vary depending on the round in which applicants choose to apply. The school typically has four application rounds per year, with deadlines usually falling in September, January, February, and April. It's worth noting that the school operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means that applications are reviewed as soon as they are received, and decisions may be made before the final deadline.

Applicants for the LBS MBA program typically commence the admissions process in September or August of each year - although, always consult with their official website to ascertain when dates will be availed.

Admission process

The typical path to admission into an LBS MBA program includes the following itinerary:

• Applying: Commencing the process of applying is first and foremost an endeavor that necessitates the submission of an online application. This comprises both personal details as well as academic achievements; while it certainly should also include essays, letters of recommendation - and so on!
• Standardized & English language proficiency: Applicants to the BAR program must take either the GMAT or GRE and submit their scores. For applicants whose native language is not English, they must undertake TOEFL or IELTS assessments for English proficiency.
• Interview: Candidates who have been shortlisted for admission are cordially invited to meet with a member of the admissions team. The interview may take place on campus, off-campus or via Skype.
• Decision: After deliberation, the admissions board resolves the candidate's application. This could result in an offer of admission, placement on a waitlist or outright denial.
• Acceptance: If an offer of admission is made, the candidate can readily accept it and make a downpayment to secure their space in the course.

Career, Employment & Placement

The LBS MBA program has an outstanding reputation for preparing graduates for successful careers in various industries globally. The school's Career Center offers comprehensive support to students, including career coaching, networking opportunities, and access to job postings. The employment and placement statistics of LBS MBA are impressive, with graduates securing top positions in leading companies worldwide. According to the latest LBS MBA employment & placement report, 95% of the class of 2020 secured employment within three months of graduation, with an average salary of £78,787.

The school's extensive alumni network also provides excellent opportunities for graduates to continue their professional development and connect with fellow LBS MBA alumni. Overall, LBS MBA is a wise investment in your future career, with the school's strong industry connections and career impact services providing exceptional employment and placement outcomes.

Average starting salary

According to the most recent employment report, the starting LBS MBA salary is around £85,000 - a significant increase from last year's figure. Salaries in consulting; finance and technology reached as high as £110,000- £120,000 for some candidates with diverse work experience and industry expertise.

Placement statistics

The latest employment report for LBS MBA graduates reveals that 94% of those graduating were offered a position within three months. Consultant, finance, and technology sectors have the highest number of job placements secured; UK-based placements are at the top with US and Asia coming in third place respectively.

Employment report

Despite having different admission requirements and curricula, the MIT MBA Employment Report is a critical reference point for LBS MBA students. Not only does their school have an impressive reputation in business education; its latest figures reveal that the average salaries of recent graduates were around $160,000 – with consulting and finance sectors being among the most lucrative industries. Furthermore- according to this report - 92% of those who successfully graduated from MIT's program within three months received job offers.

Top Sectors Hiring MBA Graduates

Several top companies across various industries recruit from the program. The program's graduates are highly sought after and have gone on to work for some of the world's leading organizations. The program's global reputation and alumni network plays a crucial role in securing job opportunities for MBA graduates.

Companies Recruiting

Herein, we shall talk about companies in the top three sectors hiring LBS MBA graduates so that you get a brief idea of the MNCs that you are willing to be a part of in the future:

MBA Alumni at LBS

More than 45,000 successful business professionals working in over 155 countries make up our thriving LBS MBA alumni community. Benefit from ongoing alumni career support as you move through your professional life, experiencing increasingly senior challenges and career moves.

Some famous alumni

• Tony Wheeler - Co-founder, Lonely Planet
• Kumar Mangalam Birla - Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group
• Maria Kiwanuka - Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of Uganda

LBS MBA Application Essays

Essays are a great way to let the school know what you have achieved, what you aim to achieve, and how these things align with the program you are applying for. LBS MBA essays are a way to let admission chances why they should choose you over other candidates? Make sure while writing your essays, you stand out from other applicants. these are the 2 essays LBS asks for:

Application questions

Apart from these 2 essays, there are application questions as well. These are a total of 8 of these questions that you must learn to answer. Keep in mind these can make or break your admission chances to get into LBS for their MBA program.

1. What learning outcomes are you aiming to achieve as part of your Master in Management programme? What challenge(s) might you encounter? (500 words)
2. During your time as a Master in Management student, how will you contribute to the school community? (400 words)
3. If applicable, please explain any reasons for academic underperformance. Have you ever received formal disciplinary action from an academic institution or been forced to withdraw from a course of study? If so, you must declare the information here.
4. Please detail your plans from now to the start of the programme, detailing any further work experience, travel, and/or further qualifications
5. In 300 words or less, please describe your post-Programme career goals, telling us your ideal sector, role and function; and your motivation for this goal.
6. In 300 words or less, please describe your alternative career goals, telling us how you would you respond in a challenging job market and how you would expand your job search to other roles and locations if your primary goal is unsuccessful.
7. In 150 words or less, tell us about your hobby or main interest.
8. In 300 words or less, please tell us how will your previous experience(s) enable you to thrive within our school’s diverse and international community?

Letter of Recommendations (LORs)

To submit an application for LBS MBA, you need to share a document called the Letter of Recommendation attested by a referee. Also, one needs to share the names of the referee and their details.

In order to do so, you must first find someone to serve as your referee. This person might be one of the following:

• Your current employer (if you don’t intend to ask your current employer to be a referee, a colleague shall suffice).
• Someone who knows you well in a work context, such as a former employer or long-standing client (if you don’t want to ask your current employer to be a referee, a colleague will suffice).

The university shall send your referee an email with log-in details for their online reference system when you enter their information into the online application form. In connection with your application, LBS MBA reserves the right to contact your referee for additional information.

LBS MBA Interview Questions

The LBS MBA interview questions is a crucial component of the admissions process, allowing the selection committee to assess an applicant's suitability for the program. The interview typically includes a mix of behavioral, situational, and industry-specific questions. Interviewers may explore an applicant's professional experiences, leadership abilities, career goals, and motivations for pursuing an MBA.

They may also delve into the applicant's knowledge of the global business landscape and their understanding of LBS's values and culture. The interview aims to evaluate an applicant's communication skills, critical thinking, and potential contribution to the LBS MBA community.

Thorough preparation, self-reflection, and aligning personal experiences with LBS's core values can greatly enhance an applicant's performance during the interview process.

SET 1
Q: Why LBS?
Q: Tell me about yourself?
Q: Can you list down your achievements?
Q: How will you prioritize activities in LBS?
Q: Why MBA in UK over the USA?
Q: How do you plan to manage areas of improvement during LBS?
Q: How much work experience do you have and in which background?
Q: If you get into LBS MBA, which courses or classes would you lead the study group?
Q: Do you have any start-up ideas?
Q: What do you like about LBS?

SET 2
Q: Apart from what’s present in your resume, tell us something new?
Q: List down your 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses?
Q: What are the extracurricular activities you have been involved in?
Q: Would a scholarship make or break your application?
Q: Have you ever set up a team? How did it go?
Q: What does your team think about you?
Q: How would you contribute to LBS peers? How is it different?
Q: What areas of business and management you like to get into?
Q: How do you plan to improve your global outlook?
Q: Share your thoughts on your work experience?

What Makes LBS Unique?

Is LBS MBA worth it? The LBS MBA program is a unique program that provides students with an eminently balanced education while also offering access to a global network of alumni. It emphasizes practical learning experiences and accommodates students from varying backgrounds, enabling them to gain real-world knowledge and insights from classmates who come from diverse life experiences.

1. Flexibility with regard to program tenure: MBA applicants at LBS can complete their master’s degree in 15, 18, or 21 months, depending on their particular objectives. The 15-month program is ideal for students who want to get back to work as soon as feasible after completing an outstanding. It provides a fuller experience than other elite European programs (such as the 11-month INSEAD and IMD full-time programs) while being significantly shorter than most US MBA programs (traditionally 21 months).
2. Curriculum: The MBA LBS curriculum is well-known for its high quality and rigor. It strikes an interesting balance between case discussions, lectures, and group work, which is an obvious benefit for students who believe that the case method alone cannot adequately teach some fundamental ideas.
3. Student Body: LBS has a highly diversified student body. For instance, 90% of the 409 students in the 2015 batch were international students representing 69 different countries. The ratio of female students continues to rise, reaching 32% in the 2015 class (from 28 percent in the class of 2012). Today, in 2022, it has reached 38%.
4. It’s London: The school’s location is an important factor to consider. London, despite its high cost of living, or high program fees. It indeed is a fantastic city to live in, particularly with a busy nightlife, a rich cultural atmosphere, and a scrumptious, mind-boggling food scene. Above all, the school is situated near Regent Park, one of London’s most beautiful parks.
5. Placement Opportunities: London is one of Europe’s most vibrant business centers. It is a financial center and home to several European headquarters, providing MBA graduates with a plethora of professional options. MBA recruiting powerhouses like BCG, Bain, and McKinsey, as well as banks and private equity firms like Citi, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank, hire students from the school on a regular basis. However, many of the largest names in tech and CPG, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, Amex, and J&J, as well as a slew of industrial enterprises, actively seek LBS graduates.

Conclusion

The program is a globally recognized program that offers a comprehensive and challenging curriculum. The program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the business world and has a diverse and dynamic student community. With a strong reputation and extensive network of alumni, graduates of the LBS MBA (one of the best MBA colleges in UK) have achieved significant career success and are employed in various industries globally.