How To Get Into London Business School

Update: This article was originally posted on August 4, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below.

Located in one of the most important global business centers and with a 15-month option, London Business School is one of the best and most efficient places to prepare for a successful and international career. Considering that LBS offers one of the best-ranked MBAs out there, earning a spot at this school requires you to really stand out among the competition. 

In this guide, we will go through how to get into LBS. While many applicants think that simply marketing themselves well is enough to gain admission, successful applicants are the ones who understand a) who LBS is looking for, b) how LBS’s MBA program, community, and opportunities fit their profile and goals, and c) how to prepare an LBS-specific essay and interview. Read on for our expert advice on how to master these three things.

 

1. Understand who LBS is looking for

(Photo courtesy of @londonbschool on Instagram)

“We nurture our students to challenge the status quo, to question the norm and to develop the skills to become the world’s best business leaders. Over the years we have adopted a truly global outlook tackling challenges faced by international businesses and their leaders.” London Business School Admissions

Every year, London Business School searches the globe for outstanding professionals to join its annual class of less than 500 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity and a global mindset (65 nationalities are represented in the Class of 2026), there is no “typical” LBS student, yet the average admitted student does tend to a GMAT score of “around 700” (on the old scale). 

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, LBS offers its students the chance to prepare themselves to lead in an increasingly globalized world.  

So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of LBS’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with changing the status quo, collaborative leadership, and a value for internationalism and diversity. 

So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of LBS’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with changing the status quo, collaborative leadership, and a value for internationalism and diversity. 

 

2. Know LBS’s program and how you can use it

The second thing you must do to get into LBS is to know the MBA program and how it applies to your career goals. If you want to get into LBS, you really need to show the admissions committee why it’s a good fit for you (and why you’re a good fit for the community too)!

While you will have to do your own research to find the specifics of what aligns specifically with your goals and profile, below we are highlighting some of the main aspects of LBS’s MBA program so you can be informed about what makes it unique in comparison to other business schools.

LBS’s global culture 

LBS has a reputation for its extremely diverse MBA class and strong network that is maintained even as graduates take jobs across the world. Additionally, there are many opportunities for global immersion, student treks, and exchange programs that give students an extra dose of international experience. For example, LBS’s Global Business Experiences (GBEs) provide students with an immersive global business experience and the opportunity to build networks abroad.

Students can also take part in international exchange programs with partner schools across the globe. Partner schools include HEC in Paris, Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy in Japan, Kellogg School of Management in the US, Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa.

Collaborative opportunities

Group work is a key component of the LBS experience, whether it’s inside or outside of the classroom. Although business can often be a competitive environment, LBS emphasizes collaboration over competition. Particularly, LBS values lectures and discussion, group work and role-plays, field visits and experiential learning opportunities in London and around the globe, and talks with industry leaders and real-world entrepreneurs.

London location

To complement the school’s unique international opportunities, students can also take advantage of LBS’s location in one of the biggest global hubs for a number of industries. From the classroom to clubs, students can leverage LBS’s close relationships with local businesses and organizations for events, projects, and internships. For example, LondonCAP allows students to test the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom alongside a group to create value for real-world companies and organizations in London. Previous students have worked on projects with leading London-based organizations such as the BBC, Football Association, AB InBev, and the British Fashion Council. 

Looking for more than just a summary of the London Business School MBA? 

Luckily, we’ve created a complete guide on LBS, including program specifics, MBA class profile, and LBS post-MBA salary and employment information. 

Additionally, we have dozens of sample London Business School MBA essays that got our past clients into LBS, plus essays for numerous other top schools, all in one place. Click to join!

 

3. Prepare a winning application

Last, but certainly not least, is knowing how to write an outstanding essay and prepare for a successful interview. Below are our top tips on succeeding at both of these key aspects of your LBS application!

Write an outstanding essay

Your admissions essays are one of the most critical components of your London Business School application. They’re your chance to share your unique perspective, demonstrate your values, and show how you align with the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. These essays aren’t just about recounting experiences. They’re about weaving a narrative that highlights who you are at your core and the impact you aim to create.

That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to navigating London Business School’s MBA essay questions, complete with actionable advice and examples. 

Remember that authenticity, reflection, and clarity are your most powerful tools as you approach this section of your application.

Video essay tips

The video essay, which you will complete if you are selected to interview, gives the admissions committee the chance to truly “meet” candidates — as well as identify red flags in potential members of the LBS community. In their words, “[The video essay] is an addition to our interview process, which we hope will give us a chance to get to know you better.”

The first question is random, and the second is a fixed question (which will be asked of all applicants). 

For more on how to respond to LBS’s video essay prompts, click here.

Prepare a winning interview

LBS interviews are conducted by current students and alumni, include both an interview section and a presentation section, and last around one hour.

Interviewers will try to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the LBS program, and if you fit well with the program’s global community. They will have access to your application before the interview, but will not have seen your video essay responses. 

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test how collaborative and globally-minded you truly are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with LBS in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. For some clients, questions were far more personal in nature, covering topics like their childhood and family upbringing. Other clients reported their interview was strictly professional, so make sure you’re ready for anything when you interview with LBS. 

In addition to the traditional interview questions, you will also be required to answer a presentation question (similar to a case study) during the LBS interview. 

The key to the presentation element of the LBS interview is to see how you think on your feet. You will have around 5 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to present. 

For more on how to prepare for the London Business School MBA interview, click here.

 

Make sure you get into LBS 

The MBA application process can be overwhelming. Between deciding your profile strategy, writing multiple essays, tailoring your resume, and preparing for interviews, it’s easy to feel like your application isn’t capturing the true strength of your profile. The reality is that many applications fail to stand out, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Without the right guidance, you could miss out on your dream school.

But you don’t have to do this alone. With a 98.9% success rate, our expert MBA consultants know exactly how to make your application shine. From crafting compelling stories that showcase your unique experiences to helping you fine-tune every detail, we provide personalized, 1:1 support at every step of the process that ensures you get into your top choice schools. 

That’s the approach we took with Fernanda, who was admitted to London Business School. 

In her words, “My experience with Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting was exceptional. They know what the schools want, and my consultant helped me a great deal in preparing my application, helping me highlight certain qualities for each school. 

What most impressed me was the attention my consultant gave me, which makes the application process much easier for applicants. The work schedule and application strategy are prepared individually for each student, which helped me fit applying to business school in with my busy work schedule. 

I strongly recommend Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting to anyone who wants to apply to a top MBA program—they made all the difference for me in preparing my own application and preparing for my interviews. I can say I was accepted to London Business School largely because of their work!”

If you’re ready to turn your MBA dreams into reality, learn more about working with us here. Let’s work together to craft an application that gets you noticed and accepted into your dream schools!