How to apply

Candidate requirements

• Management experience

  Successful applicants typically have an average of 13 years of management experience, which includes managing teams, projects, budgets and/or resources.

• Leadership potential

  You should be curious with a global outlook, strong leadership potential and the ability to set and achieve goals.

• Motivations for applying

  We want to understand your motivations for applying to the Executive MBA and how you feel the programme will help you fulfil your career objectives.

• Team skills

  We place particular emphasis on working in teams. You should demonstrate flexibility and respect for different approaches. You must be able to aid the development of your fellow students and contribute to the lifelong learning environment of the School.

• Educational background

  Applicants are usually required to hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. If you do not have a degree, we may still consider your application depending on the quality of your experience to date and any other qualifications you hold.

• Career progression

  You should demonstrate strong career progression during your employment history.

• International exposure

  The Executive MBA attracts students from approximately 40 - 50 countries. We select students with an international outlook, and/or those who can build on existing international exposure. You should demonstrate your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and in cross-cultural teams.

How to apply FAQs

• Do I need an undergraduate degree?

  Executive MBA students normally have an undergraduate degree from a recognised university; however, we do occasionally consider non-graduate candidates. We would expect such candidates to have alternative professional qualifications and/or outstanding work experience. We would also look at the GMAT or Executive Assessment more closely as an indicator of academic ability. 

• What is the minimum GMAT score required?

  There is no minimum score requirement. The GMAT is just one of several pieces of information used by the School to assess a candidate's suitability, and just as a high score does not guarantee admission, a lower score does not eliminate a candidate.

  In making an admissions decision, we consider all aspects of a candidate's background, knowledge and experience as demonstrated throughout the application process. 

  If you are concerned about your test score, please contact a member of the admissions team at emba@london.edu or telephone +44 (0)20 7000 7512 (UK) or +971 440 193 01 (Dubai).

• How do I qualify for the GMAT/GRE/EA waiver?

  Only applicants with exceptional work experience and academic performance will be considered for a waiver and all requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some eligibility criteria include:

  • Candidates with C-level experience in a heavily quantitative role from a medium/large organisation
  • Masters qualification and higher in a quantitative field
  • Relevant professional qualifications i.e. CFA Level 2, ACCA Level 4.

  Please note that decisions will be made using a holistic approach. If you feel you are suitable for a waiver please email the EMBA London or EMBA Dubai recruitment team with a copy of your CV and the reason why you feel you meet the waiver eligibility criteria. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed by the admissions team; we will then let you know within seven working days whether your request has been successful.

• What is the School's GMAT code?

  Our GMAT reporting codes are Z11-J7-23 for London and Z11-J7-36 for Dubai.

• Do I need to take TOEFL/IELTS?

  All applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS, unless they have received a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction, or have lived or worked in an English-speaking environment for a minimum of two years.

• Can I apply for more than one programme at LBS?

  You cannot apply to more than one programme at London Business School or our partner schools at the same time, or in the same academic year. You cannot re-apply to the same programme within the same academic year.

• What is the Executive Assessment/EA?

  Brought to you by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), creators of the GMAT® exam, the EA has been developed for time sensitive executives - the assessment is easy to schedule, short in duration, and requires only modest preparation.

• When should I apply?

  We operate a rolling admissions process, which means the sooner you apply, the sooner you receive a decision. In most cases, you will receive a final decision within eight weeks of submitting your completed application.

  Find out more about application deadlines on the apply page.

• How much is the application fee?

  The application fee is £180. You can pay the fee online as part of your online application or by downloading the application fee payment form.

• Can I waive the application fee?

  For graduates of Columbia Business School, the application fee will be waived. This must be requested when you apply, and you must provide a copy of your college transcript. 

  Candidates recommended by London Business School alumni may also be exempt from the application fee. Alumni wishing to recommend a candidate should email emba@london.edu stating their relationship with the candidate and their reasons for the recommendation. Recommendations must be received before the application is submitted.

• Who should my reference come from?

  Your reference should be from your immediate line manager or from someone who can comment directly on your academic or managerial abilities. This will also give us an indication of their awareness of your time commitment to the programme.

• What kind of academic transcripts do I need to submit?

  Candidates are required to submit academic transcripts from their undergraduate or graduate educational institutions. If the original transcripts are not in English, you must also provide certified translated copies.

• How do I apply?

  Our preferred format for receiving applications is via our online portal.

  If you need to make a paper application, please call +44 (0)20 7000 7512 or email emba@london.edu. 

  To hear our EMBA London Admissions team's top tips on submitting an application, listen to our podcast.

• What happens once I've submitted my application?

  We review applications within two weeks of receiving them. If you are successful, you will be invited to interview.

  Prior to the interview, you will be requested to take the Kira video assessment as part of our holistic evaluation process. The Kira video assessment evaluates key traits like leadership, critical thinking and communication skills - which we can then discuss further with you in your interview. Interviews are conducted by a member of the Executive MBA admissions team. You will receive a final decision within six to eight weeks of submitting a complete application.

• What happens if my application is not accepted?

  If your application is not successful, please review the admissions criteria against your application and ensure that your experience and objectives are aligned with the admissions criteria.

  Remember that competition for places is high, and consequently we are not able to offer places to a number of entirely suitable candidates.