All Answers
You need at least 3 years of full-time work experience to apply for the LBS MBA. Most students have around 5 to 6 years when they join. Your job role matters more than just the number of years—LBS looks for things like leadership, career growth, and international work.
Internships don’t count, and part-time roles only count if they were full-time hours and structured. People with a bit less than 3 years have been accepted too—but only if they’ve done something special, like starting a business, leading a major project early, or working with global teams or big clients.
Watch this quick LBS MBA review video to see how much work experience successful admits had and what made them stand out.
To apply for the London Business School MBA, you need at least 3 years of full-time work experience before the program begins. But most students who get in have around 5 to 6 years, and the typical range is 3 to 8 years.
LBS cares more about what you’ve done in your work than just how long you’ve worked. Things like getting promoted quickly, leading a small team, handling important projects, or working with people from other countries can really help.
Some people get in with 2.5 years of experience, but they usually have done something that stands out—like starting a small business, handling big clients early in their career, or showing fast growth at work.
Want to know what kind of work experience LBS values? Read this blog that breaks it all down with real examples.
LBS requires at least 3 years of full-time work experience to apply for the MBA, but most students have 5 to 6 years by the time they join. The admissions team looks beyond just the number — they want to see career progression, leadership examples, and impact in your role.
It’s not just about job titles. Someone with 3 years of experience but strong promotions, project ownership, or startup exposure can be just as competitive as someone with longer tenure. What helps is clearly showing how your experience has shaped your goals and why now is the right time for an MBA.
If you're close to 3 years and unsure whether to apply, it can still be worth trying — especially if the rest of your profile is strong. But anything under 3 years won’t meet the minimum eligibility.
To apply for the LBS MBA, a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience is required — and that’s strict.
- The average in the classroom is closer to 5 years, often ranging from 3 to 8.
- What LBS really values is the quality of your work — have you led teams, handled international projects, or created visible impact?
- Applicants from startups or family businesses are considered seriously, provided they can show ownership and results.
- Even if someone meets the 3-year mark, applying too early without clear career clarity or leadership experience can weaken the application.
- Internships and part-time jobs during undergrad don’t count toward the experience total.
It’s best to apply when there’s enough to talk about — not just to meet the eligibility line.
Confused which Schools to Target?
Connect with our Experts for Personalized School Suggestions
