118

RANKINGS

Which MBA? 2009

Background

London Business
School

London Business School (LBS) is the best-known in Britain and is indeed one of the worlds truly global schools. It maintains its position through
a series of strategic initiatives including fostering world-class research and making the most of its location in London. As one of only a handful of
European schools that follow the North American two-year MBA model (although it does offer shortened versions of its programme), LBS combines
many of the best aspects of the North American and European traditions. Like other leading European schools, it prides itself on attracting a diverse
mix of nationalities. In December 2008 the dean, Robin Buchanan, became president of LBS, a new role focusing on the schools development and
external relations. He was replaced as dean by Sir Andrew Likierman, formerly professor of management practice in accounting at LBS.
Facilities

LBS benefits greatly from its location in the centre of London (although it is closer to the West End, Londons entertainment centre, than the
City, the financial centre). Facilities are good, but the main building, designed in the 1820s by John Nash, is much smaller and less high-tech in
appearance (both inside and out) than some of its American competitors. Its advantage is that the scenic Regents Park is just across the road. A
separate building nearby provides excellent IT and sports facilities.
Student assessment of facilities

Regents Park
London
UK
NW1 4SA
Tel: +44 207 000 7536
E-mail: mbainfo@london.edu
Website: www.london.edu
Programme director: Gareth Howells

Number of faculty per student

Percentage of faculty with PhD
Student rating of faculty

Rank (out of 100) Full-time

8

Regional rank
Open new career opportunities
Diversity of recruiters
Number in jobs three months after graduation
Jobs found through the careers service
Student assessment of careers service
Personal development and educational experience
Faculty quality
Student quality
Student diversity
Education experience
Increase in salary
Increase in salary
Post-MBA salary
Potential to network
Breadth of alumni network
Internationalism of alumni
Alumni effectiveness

3
29
5
28
37
40
20
61
32
35
20
12
45
13
14
83
3
39

Student profile (full-time)

(%)

0.2 (98)
99 (24)
4.2 (69)

1.0
99

1.1
99

LBSs full-time MBA has 19 required courses (over both years) plus a number of soft skills and careers workshops. In the second year, students
take 912 electives, from around 70 on offer, which can be grouped into a concentration. Students also complete two required projects and two
elective projects are offered. The programme is flexible and can be completed in 15, 18 or 21 months.
The 20-month Executive MBA leads to the same degree as the full-time version and the programme details are similar. There are two start
dates, January and September. Classes meet all day Friday and Saturday on alternate weeks. Students take 16 core courses, including soft skills
courses, during the first year and choose 68 electives in the second year. There is an international field trip and a graded project and report
carried out in students own organisations.
The EMBAGlobal is now offered in two versions. The EMBAGlobal Americas and Europe is a 20-month joint programme between LBS
and Columbia Business School in New York. It is a mix of campus-based classes, projects, teamwork, field trips and online learning. Students
alternate each month between London and New York for the core courses and take elective courses in New York or London, or in both cities. The
second year includes a week-long international seminar. The EMBAGlobal Asia includes Hong Kong University Business School (see page 103)
in the mix and follows a similar timetable and structure.
In 2007 LBS launched the DubaiLondon EMBA, a modular programme lasting 1720 months with 11 four-day modules in Dubai in the first
year and electives and soft-skills modules in London in the second year. Students also complete an in-company project.

Student rating of programme

Overseas exchange places available (% of intake)
Number of languages on offer

4.3 (50)
61 (26)
6 (1)

320
7:1
25 (94)
74 (5)
693 (17)
5 (46)
26-32
28.4
4.4 (30)

78
3:1
9

n/a
11
28-39
34

77
2:1
21

648
9
29-37
33

Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates

11 (1)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation
91 (59)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services
73 (35)
Student rating of careers service
3.8 (38)
Post-MBA salary ($)
116,939 (16)
Percentage increase in salary
87 (29)
Principal recruiters of graduates
McKinsey & Co, Credit Suisse, Boston Consulting Group

145 ($269)
45,560 ($84,385)
Total programme
n/a
8,532 ($15,800)
993,515 ($1.8m)
Scholarships, loans
Merit, need

120 ($222)
88,200 ($163,333)
Total programme

120 ($222)
47,700 ($88,349)
Total programme

Apr 25th
Aug start, 15-21 months
Usually first degree;
3 years work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL, references; 5 essays;
interview

Nov 30th
Sep start, 20 months
First degree;
5 years work experience;
GMAT (600); TOEFL; references;
5 essays; interview

Nov 30th
Sep start, 20 months
Usually first degree;
5 years work experience;
GMAT (600); TOEFL; references;
5 essays; interview

Students
Annual intake
Applicants:places
Percentage of women students
International diversity score
Average GMAT score
Average number of years work experience
Age range of students
Average age
Student rating of culture and classmates

Recruiters careers service

EU
Non-EU Europe
North America
Other Americas
Asia/Australasia
Africa/Middle East

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths: strategic and international management, finance,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: some teaching in the core
EQUIS

Student/alumni quotes
The true differentiator is the student body. LBS attracts
a truly diverse set of students who on average have more
work experience across a broader range of geographies and
industries.
Some of the core courses are taught by faculty who are either
too advanced for such basic material or too junior to teach
effectively. The quality of elective classes is far better.
(Figures in brackets represent rank)

Executive MBA

Programme highlights

Overall rank

Accreditation
AACSB
AMBA

Dubai-London Executive MBA

Faculty Number of faculty: 98 full-time, 22 part-time, 20 visiting

Ranking

Full-time MBA
4.0 (90)

Cost
Application fees
Programme fees
Comments
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year)
Financial aid available
Type of aid available
Criteria on which aid is granted

Application details
Application deadline
Programme dates
Admission requirements