FAQs

The Masters in Finance gives you a thorough and focused training in finance. Choose the Masters in Finance if you're interested in:

• advancing your career in finance
• changing your role within the finance area
• deepening your existing financial knowledge.

The MBA gives you a thorough training in general management. Choose the MBA if you're interested in:

• building a career in general management
• studying specialist subjects like organisational behaviour, operations management and marketing
• studying finance as a part of a broader degree.

We do not recommend the MiF for people interested in taking PhDs in finance or looking at a career in academic research. The MiF is applied and practical, aimed at finance practitioners.

We can only process one application for one programme per candidate at any one time.

If you apply for two programmes you will be asked which one you prefer.  preferred application will proceed and your second choice will be placed on hold. If your preferred application is unsuccessful, your second choice application will be reactivated.

If you are shortlisted for interview the interviewer will be happy to discuss your programme choices.

No, you can do a general Masters in Finance and tailor the programme to your interests and goals through selecting electives of your choice.  Concentrations allow you to focus your academic and practical learning in a specific area, helping you to progress as a specialist in that area.

Yes, the London Finance Experiences and Talks are designed for everyone to gain practical knowledge and experience from companies in London that you otherwise may not have exposure too, so that you can understand real life issues facing companies and how they deal with those issues.

This is open to students studying on the full-time format only, however weekend format students can still apply to do an international exchange in the first term of their second year.

Option 1: International Exchange
We are currently finalising the schools which will be taking part and will inform you once these contracts have been agreed. Please note these schools will be located in the Asia-Pacific region. You will be able to do the exchange in Term 4 and take up to three electives at the institution.

Option 2: Project
You will be able to complete a project (ideally company sponsored) in Term 4. You will start this project at the end of your summer term (Term 3) and complete it in the additional term (Autumn Term 4)

Option 3: Additional Electives
You can take additional electives - up to a maximum of 10 in total across your programme. 

Option 4: Internship
You will be able to use the additional term to take an internship across the summer break, if you have secured one.

We will ask for an initial indication of your intention to extend in December and will ask for commitment by February.

Yes, you will still be able to do the project if completing the programme in 10 months. You will start the project at the end of Term 1 and hand it in during the summer term (Term 3).

We don't normally consider applicants with fewer than two years' relevant work experience. This is because:

• you will get a great deal more out of the programme if you come to London Business School with prior relevant work experience
• candidates with past experience in finance enrich the programme for other participants.
  

Work experience should be in finance or a closely related field (such as corporate law, finance journalism or IT in a financial institution). Applicants working in IT will need to show significant exposure to finance-related products.

We look carefully at your:

• academic record
• work experience and track record
• application form and personal statement
• references
• GMAT score
• interview performance.

The programme admissions committee makes a careful, balanced judgement based on all these criteria, both on absolute grounds and also relative to the other candidates being considered.

No. Your application is very important, and only the best applicants will be invited for interview. No one is offered a place without a personal interview.

Yes. If you are shortlisted for a place on the programme, we can arrange for you to talk to one of our alumni and hear about their experiences of the programme.
If you are offered a place on the MiF, we will be happy to put you in contact with alumni and current participants.

Part-time students who are qualified accountants or who take and pass our test can ask for exemption from some early sessions of the Financial Accounting and Analysis core course. However, we recommend that everyone attend even these early sessions.

You must have access to a suitable personal computer, and already be familiar with Excel or a similar spreadsheet package.

The programme prepares you for a financial career in any professional organisation. It's of particular relevance to those working in:

• investment banking
• retail and commercial banking
• investment management, security analysis, broking
• capital markets, trading and risk management
• venture capital or private equity
• hedge funds
• the finance function, controller's department or treasury operations of industrial, commercial, and service organisations
• corporate finance and corporate restructuring
• corporate planning and consultancy
• finance in public-sector and not-for-profit organisations.
  

Yes. Many prestigious financial organisations give presentations at the School and hire graduates from the MBA and Masters in Finance programmes.

For more details on working in the UK, see the UK Border & Immigration website.

London Business School's reputation will help you find a job in any country in the world. You will be able to make use of the School's global network of over 34,000 alumni wherever you seek work. Many of the organisations that recruit for Europe will also have operations in other countries too.

Most students on the programme are self-financing, but about 25% are sponsored by their employers. Many companies recognise the benefits of an employee attending the programme. For example, for their project many Masters in Finance participants carry out research and analysis into a particular area of interest to their sponsoring company.

See our Fees and Financing page for information on creating a business case for company sponsorship.

Not as a student on the full-time format - you will be too busy. If you are fully sponsored by your employer they will continue to pay your salary during the course. If you choose the weekend format, you can remain in your job and continue to receive your normal salary.