london.edu

London Business School offers master's-level study across several distinct programmes, and the right one depends mainly on how much work experience you have and what you want to do afterwards. The school's own site groups its offerings into Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online and PhD, and the Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy is described there as an immersive one-year programme for experienced leaders. If you are early in your career, you are looking at the pre-experience master's programmes; if you already have substantial management experience, the Sloan Masters is the relevant route.

The master's programmes at LBS

Based on the school's programme structure, the master's-level options fall into two broad groups.

Pre-experience master's degrees

These are aimed at candidates with little or no full-time work experience who are building a foundation for a career in business, finance or analytics. They are typically full-time and campus-based in London.

• Masters in Management (MiM) — a general management degree for recent graduates who want a broad business foundation before entering industry, consulting or a graduate scheme.
• Masters in Financial Analysis (MFA) — a finance-focused degree for candidates targeting investment banking, asset management, private equity or similar roles.
• Masters in Analytics and Management (MAM) — combines data and analytics skills with management training, for those who want to work at the intersection of business and data.

The Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy

This is a different proposition entirely. The LBS site describes it as a one-year immersive programme designed for experienced professionals, with the stated aim of helping participants "discover your true purpose and unlock your potential." It is built around learning alongside senior peers and faculty who consult to major corporations, institutions and governments. It is not an entry-level degree.

How the programmes differ

The key dividing line is experience. The pre-experience degrees assume you are starting out; the Sloan programme assumes you are already established and want to lead at a higher level.

How to choose

Work through these questions in order:

1. How many years of full-time work experience do you have? If you are a recent graduate or have only a year or two, the pre-experience master's programmes are the fit. If you have a decade or more of management experience, the Sloan Masters is designed for you.
2. What is your target function? Finance roles point to the MFA. Data-and-business hybrid roles point to the MAM. General management, consulting or a broad graduate career points to the MiM.
3. Do you want to specialise or generalise? The MFA and MAM are more specialised; the MiM is broader.
4. Are you looking to relaunch or to accelerate? Pre-experience degrees launch careers; the Sloan programme accelerates an existing one.

Finding official details

The LBS website lists Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online and PhD as its main programme categories, and each programme has its own page with curriculum, duration, admissions requirements and application details. Start from the Masters Degrees section of london.edu and follow the link for the specific programme you are considering. The site also offers a 360° campus tour and a newsletter (Think at London Business School) if you want to get a feel for the school before applying.

Because admissions requirements, deadlines and fees change, check the individual programme page rather than relying on second-hand summaries.

The LBS MBA is the full-time Master of Business Administration offered by London Business School, one of the postgraduate business schools listed on london.edu. It sits alongside LBS's Masters Degrees, Executive Education, LBS Online and PhD offerings, and is aimed at people who want a general management education rather than a specialist master's. It is likely the right choice if you want a broad, cohort-based MBA in London; it is probably not the right choice if you want a narrow technical specialism, a part-time format, or a short executive course.

Where the MBA sits in the LBS portfolio

London Business School describes its offerings as spanning "Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online and PhD," built around "world-class education, research and real-world business insights" for "aspiring students, experienced leaders and organisations seeking meaningful change."

That single sentence is the clearest way to position the MBA:

The practical takeaway: the MBA is one of several routes at LBS, not the only one. If your goal is a specialist master's, an executive short course, or a research doctorate, another category on that list is the more direct fit.

What the MBA is for

An MBA is a general management degree. It is built for people who want to move across functions, industries or geographies, or who want to add management and leadership capability on top of existing experience. That is the opposite of a specialist master's, which deepens one subject area.

The site's own framing supports this: LBS groups "aspiring students, experienced leaders and organisations seeking meaningful change" as its audience, and places the MBA next to Executive Education programmes aimed at experienced leaders. The MBA is the generalist degree in that mix.

How it differs from other LBS programmes

The most useful comparison is between the MBA and the two nearest alternatives:

• MBA vs specialist Masters Degrees. Choose the MBA if you want breadth across management disciplines and a generalist cohort. Choose a specialist master's if you already know the function or field you want to deepen.
• MBA vs Executive Education. Executive Education at LBS includes named programmes such as the Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy, described as an "immersive one-year programme" for becoming a "world-class leader," and Women in Leadership, aimed at accelerating a career move. These are aimed at experienced leaders and are shorter or more targeted than a full degree. Choose Executive Education if you want a focused intervention rather than a full MBA.
• MBA vs LBS Online. If you need to keep working or cannot relocate, the online category is the relevant one to investigate rather than assuming the MBA is the only option.

Judging your fit

The page evidence does not publish MBA admissions criteria, class profile, fees or deadlines, so treat any specific numbers you see elsewhere as unverified until you check the programme page directly. What the site does let you judge is the type of programme:

• You want a general management degree, not a specialist master's.
• You want to study alongside a cohort in London — the site highlights "all the energy of London" and a "London campus" with a 360° tour.
• You are at a stage where a full degree (rather than a short executive course) makes sense for your goals.

If those three hold, the MBA is the LBS category to explore first. If not, one of the other categories above is likely a better match.

Next steps

1. Go to london.edu and open the MBA section under the programme listings.
2. Read the MBA page for structure, duration, admissions requirements and deadlines — these are the details the homepage does not carry.
3. Compare it directly against the Masters Degrees and Executive Education pages using the same questions: format, length, audience, and outcome.
4. If you are unsure between the MBA and a specialist master's, note which one matches the job you want next, then check the admissions requirements for that programme before applying.

The one thing to avoid is treating "LBS MBA" and "LBS masters" as interchangeable. They are separate categories on the school's own site, and the choice between them should follow from what you want to do afterwards.

Online master's courses in Europe are generally structured the same way as on-campus degrees: you complete a set number of credits (usually 60–120 ECTS), pass assessments, and receive the same degree title as campus students at that institution. What changes is the delivery mode. Programs range from fully online and asynchronous to hybrid formats that require short residencies, and recognition depends far more on the institution's accreditation than on whether you studied from home or on campus.

The main formats you'll encounter

Fully online, asynchronous

All coursework, lectures, and materials are delivered through a learning platform. You study on your own schedule within weekly or module deadlines. This is the most flexible option and the most common for working professionals.

Fully online, synchronous

You attend live seminars and lectures at fixed times, often via video conferencing. This mimics a campus timetable and works well for discussion-heavy subjects, but it requires you to be available in the institution's time zone.

Hybrid or blended

Most study is online, but you attend one or more short on-campus periods — typically a kick-off week, a lab-intensive block, or a final thesis defense. Some programs in fields like engineering, health, or business use this to cover practical components.

Online with optional campus tracks

A smaller number of programs let you switch between online and on-campus modules, or complete the degree online but attend electives in person.

Credits, ECTS, and what the degree is worth

European master's programs use the ECTS system:

One ECTS credit represents roughly 25–30 hours of total student workload, including self-study. A 90-ECTS online master's therefore carries the same academic weight as a 90-ECTS on-campus master's at the same institution.

The key question is not "online or not" but who accredits the program. In most European countries, the national quality assurance agency or the state recognizes degrees from accredited institutions regardless of delivery mode. If you need the degree for a regulated profession, a visa, or a public-sector job, verify recognition with the relevant authority in your own country before enrolling — this is a general rule, not legal advice for your situation.

Admission requirements for international applicants

Requirements vary by country and institution, but online master's programs commonly ask for:

• A completed bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• A minimum grade or GPA, sometimes expressed as a class of degree.
• English proficiency — IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent, unless your previous degree was taught in English. Some programs accept a waiver or an internal test.
• A motivation letter or statement of purpose.
• A CV, especially for MBA and executive programs.
• Letters of recommendation (often 1–2).
• Work experience for MBA and some professional master's degrees.
• Specific prerequisites such as statistics, programming, or a portfolio for design and technical fields.

Typical application steps

1. Shortlist 3–5 programs and check each one's accreditation and recognition in your country.
2. Confirm the language of instruction and whether your proficiency test meets the threshold.
3. Prepare documents early — transcripts, translations, and credential evaluations can take weeks.
4. Check application deadlines; many European programs have rolling admissions, but some have fixed intakes.
5. Submit the application and any application fee.
6. If admitted, complete enrollment, pay any deposit, and set up your student account and platform access.

How exams, thesis work, and support are handled remotely

• Assessment: written assignments, online proctored or open-book exams, group projects, presentations, and participation. Some programs use timed take-home exams instead of invigilated ones.
• Thesis or capstone: usually supervised remotely via video calls and email, with milestones and a final written submission. Some institutions require an oral defense by video; a few require it on campus.
• Support: academic advisors, library access (often digital), technical helpdesk, and career services. Quality varies widely, so ask current students or check program pages for what is actually provided.
• Interaction: discussion forums, cohort groups, and live sessions. Asynchronous programs can feel isolating if you don't build in regular contact.

Practical considerations before you commit

• Time zones: synchronous programs may schedule classes in the institution's local time. Check whether live sessions fall at workable hours for you.
• Language of instruction: many European master's programs are taught in English, but not all. Confirm the language for lectures, exams, and thesis supervision.
• Tuition structure: online programs are often priced per credit or per year, and may differ from on-campus rates. Public universities in some countries charge modest fees; private and executive programs cost more. Ask for a full breakdown of tuition, platform fees, and any residency costs.
• Recognition and mobility: if you plan to work in a regulated profession or apply for a visa, confirm in advance that the specific degree is accepted where you intend to use it.
• Time commitment: expect 15–20 hours per week for a full-time online master's, or roughly half that for part-time study.

Online vs. on-campus: a quick comparison

A simple decision checklist

1. Is the program accredited and recognized in the country where you plan to use the degree?
2. Does the format (async, sync, hybrid) fit your schedule and time zone?
3. Are the language requirements realistic for you?
4. Can you meet the prerequisites and admission documents?
5. Does the total cost — tuition plus any residency travel — fit your budget?
6. Does the program offer the support you'll need to finish a thesis remotely?

If you can answer yes to all six, an online master's from a European institution is a credible route to the same degree title as campus study. If any answer is uncertain, resolve that point before you apply rather than after you enroll.

LBS stands for London Business School, a postgraduate business school rather than a general undergraduate university. It offers five main programme families — Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online, and PhD — and the right choice depends mainly on where you are in your career and whether you want a full degree or a shorter, focused course. If you are early-career and want a formal qualification, look at the Masters or MBA; if you are an experienced leader or an organisation, Executive Education is the more likely fit.

The five programme families at a glance

LBS describes its offerings as bringing together "world-class education, research and real-world business insights," with programmes and partnerships "designed for aspiring students, experienced leaders and organisations seeking meaningful change."

How to choose between them

If you are early in your career

A Masters Degree or the MBA is the natural starting point. These are full postgraduate qualifications aimed at people building toward management or specialist roles.

If you are already an experienced leader

Executive Education is built for you. LBS was ranked #1 in Open and #2 in Custom Executive Education globally by the Financial Times, according to the school's own site. Two named examples:

• The Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy — an immersive one-year programme for becoming a world-class leader, taught alongside "high-calibre peers and world-renowned faculty who consult to major corporations, institutions and governments."
• Women in Leadership — a programme for accelerating your next career move, building confidence to lead and a network of female peers from diverse backgrounds.

If you want flexibility

LBS Online sits alongside the campus-based options, letting you study without committing to the London campus format.

If you want to research or teach

The PhD is the research-oriented path.

If you are choosing on behalf of an organisation

Custom Executive Education is the relevant track — the same FT ranking places LBS at #2 globally in Custom programmes.

What makes LBS distinctive

• Postgraduate focus. LBS is not a general university; everything is business education at the postgraduate level.
• Global recognition in executive learning. The FT rankings above are specifically for Executive Education, not for every programme.
• A London campus. LBS describes its setting as "dynamic, cosmopolitan, diverse," with the energy of London — its cultural richness and spirit of innovation — on campus, and offers a 360° tour if you want to see it before applying.

Next step

The programme families differ in entry requirements, format, and application steps, and those details are not covered here. Go to the official London Business School site (london.edu) and open the page for the specific programme you are considering to compare requirements and start an application.

London Business School (LBS) offers five main programme categories: Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online, and PhD. The right choice depends on where you are in your career and what you want to change. If you are early-career and want a specialist qualification, look at Masters Degrees. If you want a general management degree, look at the MBA. If you are an experienced leader who cannot pause your career, look at Executive Education or LBS Online. If you want to pursue academic research, look at the PhD.

The Five Programme Categories

LBS describes itself as delivering "postgraduate business education offering one of the world's best MBA programmes, Masters and PhD degrees, plus short courses for executives." That single sentence maps directly onto the categories above.

Masters Degrees

These are postgraduate degrees for students who want depth in a business discipline rather than a broad management qualification. They sit alongside the MBA as the school's degree offerings for aspiring students.

Choose this route if you are relatively early in your career, you know which function or industry you want to specialise in, and you want a credential that signals that focus.

MBA

The MBA is LBS's flagship general management programme and the one most people mean when they search for the school. It is designed for people who want to move into or advance within general management, often with a career switch involved.

Choose this route if you want breadth across functions, a cohort-based experience, and a degree with strong general recognition.

Executive Education

Executive Education is aimed at experienced leaders and at organisations seeking change, not at students seeking a first degree. LBS groups its offerings under this heading for "aspiring students, experienced leaders and organisations seeking meaningful change."

Two named examples from the school's own materials:

• Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy — an immersive one-year programme for people aiming at senior leadership. LBS describes it as designed to help participants "discover your true purpose and unlock your potential," taught by faculty who consult to major corporations, institutions and governments.
• Women in Leadership — a programme for accelerating a next career move, focused on building confidence and a network of female peers from diverse backgrounds.

LBS also reports being ranked #1 in Open and #2 in Custom Executive Education globally by the Financial Times. Treat that as the school's own statement of its standing in this category, not as an independent recommendation.

Choose Executive Education if you are already experienced, want a defined leadership or functional upgrade, and prefer a shorter commitment over a full degree.

LBS Online

LBS Online is listed as a distinct category alongside the campus-based programmes. It exists for people who need flexibility that a full-time London programme does not provide.

Choose this route if location or schedule rules out relocating to London, but you still want an LBS-affiliated programme. Check the individual programme page for format and duration, since these vary by offering.

PhD

The PhD is the research route. It is for people aiming at academic careers or research-intensive roles, not for those seeking a management credential.

Choose this route only if your goal is to produce original research and you are prepared for a multi-year doctoral commitment.

How to Decide

Work through these questions in order:

1. Do you want to do research? If yes, the PhD is the only fit.
2. Do you want a full degree or a shorter intervention? Degrees point to Masters, MBA, or PhD. Shorter interventions point to Executive Education or LBS Online.
3. Do you want general management or a specialism? General management points to the MBA. A specialism points to a Masters.
4. Can you attend in London full-time? If not, LBS Online or a part-time executive format is the realistic option.
5. How much experience do you have? Early-career leans Masters or MBA. Senior leans Executive Education, including the one-year Sloan Masters.

Getting the Details That Matter

The homepage confirms which categories exist and gives a headline example (the Sloan Masters) plus one named executive programme (Women in Leadership). It does not list application requirements, tuition, deadlines, or class profiles.

For those, go to the individual programme page under the relevant category — Masters Degrees, MBA, Executive Education, LBS Online, or PhD — and read the admissions section there. Requirements and dates differ by programme, so do not assume they carry across categories.

One practical note: LBS runs a 360° virtual tour of its London campus if you want to assess the environment before committing to a campus-based route.