How to apply

Take your next step

Please review the below guide below which contains important information about the admissions calendar, required documents and what to expect once you’ve applied. Please carefully review all sections prior to submitting your application.

Application process
Admissions calendar

Your admissions journey is staged, and you may apply by any one of the application deadlines indicated in the calendar. You should submit by 11.59pm UK time at the latest, on the day of your chosen deadline, in order to be considered for that stage. When you submit, please ensure that your application is fully complete with all mandatory documents including your referee’s completed reference form and the application fee.

The same selection criteria are applied throughout the admissions cycle, but competition is often intense in the final months and we recommend you apply as soon as possible. If you wish to be considered for a London Business School scholarship you are strongly encouraged to apply by no later than Monday 10 March.

Our calendar will indicate when you will receive a review decision from us, and the period we will be conducting interviews, as well as the final decision date. If you have any questions about admissions for the MFA programme, please contact mfa@london.edu.

Required documents

Completed application form
Application essays
Application essays are your opportunity to tell us more about yourself and detail your interests, values and goals. We are interested in what motivates you, evidence of leadership and teamwork, why you are looking to pursue a Masters in Financial Analysis and what you will bring to the LBS community.

Essays are a vital part of your application and we recommend you spend a significant amount of time on them. They must be specific to the current application and personal statements will not be accepted in lieu of the essays.
GMAT/GMAT Focus/GRE
You must take either the GMAT / GMAT Focus, GRE or CFA Level 1 certification before you submit your application. If you have not received your official score report by the time you submit, we do accept the unofficial score report as evidence. We have no minimum score but recommend you apply with a GMAT score of 600 or above.

Our institution codes are:

GMAT = Z11-J7-92

GRE = 1242

Practise the GMAT test with London Business School's GMAT simulator and prepare yourself for the test.

These tests are important tools which allow the Admissions Committee to assess your aptitude for graduate management study. With our incoming class drawn from different undergraduate disciplines and education systems around the world, they help us assess your ability to succeed academically.
One page CV

Name and details of referee
All applicants are required to have one reference submitted on their behalf.

Our preference is that you choose a current or previous employer who is able to provide insight into your character and abilities, please choose someone who knows you well. If you are unable to provide a current (or previous) employer e.g. if you work for a family business or are an entrepreneur, you can choose someone you have collaborated with, such as a supplier or client.

You are only permitted to submit one reference, who must submit their reference via our online system. We do not accept pre-written letters of recommendation.
Proof of English language ability
If you are not a native speaker national of a majority English-speaking country, you will need to submit an IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge CPE, CAE, PTE Academic or Duolingo English Test score. Other tests will not be accepted. Please make London Business School the score recipient for your test score so we can verify your scores electronically.

Our TOEFL institution code is 0898.

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, the requirement to submit an English language test score may be waived.

For more information, see our English language requirements information sheet.
A copy of your university transcripts
Transcripts should include a comprehensive record of completed courses, grades and class of degree received and, if possible, class ranking. If it is not in English, you must provide a certified or notarised English translation.

If you have not yet completed your degree you will need to request a transcript that is current at the time of applying. Admitted students are required to provide original copies prior to the programme starting.
Application fee

After you submit

Now that you've successfully submitted your application, what happens next?

What's next
You must submit all required documents before we can consider your application and it is your responsibility to ensure your application is complete. Your application will be reviewed as is and the decision to take your application to the interview stage will be made on the basis of the information submitted.

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an automated email response confirming receipt of your application and instructions on how to pay the application fee.

All decisions are communicated via email by close of business on the deadlines shown in the application calendar. Please note that all decisions are final. We will not discuss your decision over the phone, or with anyone other than you. We will contact you directly should the Admissions Committee require any further information from you.
Interviews
Following your review decision, if shortlisted for interview you will be given further information on the interview process. Your interview will be conducted by a member of our alumni community or a member of the Recruitment and Admissions Team.

Currently, all interviews are held virtually. The Recruitment and Admissions Team and alumni utilise the same interview process – who you interview with will not have any impact on the outcome of your application. The Admissions Committee employs the same assessment criteria regardless of the interviewer (staff or alumni).

After your interview is complete, the Admissions Committee will conduct their final, holistic review of your application and send you a final decision by the deadline indicated in the calendar.
Waitlist

Admissions advice

Alexandra Barnett, Graduate Masters Recruitment and Admissions Director, shares her advice on applying to our Masters in Financial Analysis programme.

Want expert insight on what we’re looking for?

Do you have what we’re looking for? Every year we receive thousands of applications and select only the very best to join us. Send us your CV and receive feedback on your suitability for the MFA programme.

Submit your CV for review

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