How to get into the London Business School MBA

TL;DR

• LBS looks for applicants with a strong GPA, solid work experience, and clear career goals, backed by a competitive GMAT/GRE and thoughtful essays
• Use your essays and interview to explain what you want from the MBA and how you would contribute to the LBS community
• Highlight your international outlook, teamwork skills, and the unique perspective you’d bring to the cohort
• Tuition is £123,950, but LBS offers a wide range of scholarships, so research funding and connect with alumni and admissions early

London Business School's MBA program is consistently ranked among the best in the world. 

Competition is strong, which means you’ll need to be ready with a top GMAT or other exam score, strong application essays, work experience, and a good GPA. 

If you’re aiming for a place in the LBS MBA, preparation matters. Here's how to stand the best chance of LBS MBA application success:

London Business School MBA Admission Requirements

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification
• A strong GMAT or GRE score
• Excellent professional references
• A minimum of two years’ work experience
• The ability to work in multicultural teams and demonstrate an international outlook
• As part of your LBS application, you will also be asked to complete two essays, around 500 words, and attend an interview

Use your LBS MBA essays to communicate your career goals 

The latest LBS MBA essay questions are:

⇨What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School program contribute towards these? (500 words)

⇨What makes you unique? (200 words)

⇨Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (Optional - 500 words max)

Although your career ambitions may change course during your studies, it's important to be clear on what you want out of your time with LBS, so the school can see whether you’re a suitable fit.

The MBA application essay is the perfect opportunity to clarify your career ambitions, and lay out precisely how the LBS MBA will help get you there.

The LBS MBA is known for its flexibility, allowing you to customize your course to your specific interests, so it’s worth researching which modules you might want to take, and explaining in your application how they suit your goals.

David Simpson, MBA recruitment and admissions director at LBS, says self-awareness, and an understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, is important here: “Use your LBS MBA essays to communicate your career goals, talk about yourself and tell us anything else you think we need to know.”

Ask yourself what you will bring to the LBS MBA classroom 

It’s good practice in your application to reflect on the experience, qualifications and perspectives you have developed in your career so far, and consider how they might be useful to other MBA candidates.

“We’re eager to understand what it is that [candidates] can offer to their classmates and the LBS community as much as what LBS can offer to them,” says David.

LBS will be looking to build a diverse cohort where students can learn from each other, so it’s worth reflecting on the ways your professional experience, business philosophy, and skillset make you unique.

The school boasts one of the most diverse student bodies, with 66 nationalities represented in the MBA class of 2027.

With LBS valuing a global perspective, any international experience is worth talking about in your application.

Make your LBS MBA application personal

One common pitfall in applications, particularly in essays and interviews, is not making them personal enough. “Candidates will sometimes tell us what they think we want to hear, rather than the best thing about them,” says David.

“The best thing to do is think: ‘Who am I? What do I want out of this, and how should I put that across to business schools?” he says.

LBS MBAs note that making an effort to know the school, its culture, and its community, was particularly valued in their applications. 

When it comes to your reference, make sure you choose someone who knows you, your ambitions, and your abilities really well. Don’t just choose the most senior person in your company, unless you have a particularly strong relationship.

LBS MBA cost and scholarships

Tuition fees for the 2026 MBA intake are £123,950 (around USD$165k).

The tuition fee covers the full length of the 15-21 month program and is not affected by your chosen exit point.

According to our BusinessBecause Cost of MBA Report, we estimate the total cost of your MBA at LBS to be over $250,000. This total cost includes tuition, living expenses, healthcare, and additional fees.

Despite the costly fees, LBS are keen to accept bright students from all backgrounds and there are a growing range of scholarships available offering full or partial funding.

Reach out to LBS MBA alumni and faculty

It’s well worth reaching out to speak to alumni and faculty members to get a sense of the school’s values, and how you may fit into them. LBS wants to know why they are the best school for you, not just why you want to do an MBA.

Don’t be shy to the admissions team either. It’s their job to help you be as informed as possible throughout your application, so take the opportunity to reach out for any information you may need.

Getting into a top program such as the LBS MBA is competitive, but that shouldn’t deter you. The school is intentional about building a cohort with varied backgrounds and perspectives, and it looks for applicants who are open-minded, collaborative, and curious.

A holistic review process means there are multiple ways to stand out. If you can explain your career goals, why LBS is the right fit, and the perspective you would add to the class, you’ll give yourself a strong shot.