The London Business School Masters in Financial Analysis is a highly competitive program with an acceptance rate of 20%. For students looking to pursue a career in finance, gaining admission to LBS can open up a world of opportunities and networking within the industry. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and professional development, the program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of finance.

To apply for the London Business School Masters in Financial Analysis, applicants need to meet certain academic requirements. A strong undergraduate degree in any subject area equivalent to a UK First or 2:1, or a GPA of 3.3 and above, is required. Applicants must also have completed their undergraduate degree prior to the start of the program. In addition, international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE.

The admission process for London Business School involves submitting an online application, writing essays, providing letters of recommendation, and attending an interview. International applicants must also submit their test scores and transcripts. The admissions committee evaluates each application holistically, taking into consideration academic background, work experience, leadership potential, and personal qualities. Meeting the minimum academic requirements is just the first step towards gaining admission to the prestigious London Business School Masters in Financial Analysis program.

london business school masters in financial analysis acceptance rate

While the London Business School does not publish an official acceptance rate, our users shared that the acceptance rate is between ~10% – 20%.

What degree do I need and how do I know if I meet the academic requirements?

We accept strong undergraduate degrees (minimum 2:1) in a numerate discipline such as finance, accounting, economics, engineering, chemistry, physics, math, computer science and business and management or other proof of quantitative ability. You must complete your undergraduate degree prior to the start of the programme in September.

I don’t have a degree. Can I still apply?

All students who apply for the MFA need at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Do I need to be able to speak English?

Yes. You must be fluent in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to prove fluency unless:

• Your undergraduate degree (minimum two years) was conducted exclusively in English OR
• You have lived in an English-speaking country for at least two years.

I’ve lived in a non-English speaking country all my life and studied in another language, but I’m fluent in English. Do I still need to take IELTS or TOEFL? If so, can I apply and take it later? 

If you’ve lived in a non-English speaking country and/or your undergraduate degree wasn’t taught in English, you’re required to prove their English fluency through an English language speaking test. We recommend you take this when applying for the programme. If you apply without a test score, your application may still be reviewed.

Do I need to follow the word limit on the essay questions? Can you elaborate on whether I’m providing an acceptable answer?

Answers over the word limit will not be considered by the Admissions Committee. We look for concise, informative answers within the word limit that demonstrate your potential for success on the programme.

Do you accept the GRE?

We accept both the GMAT and GRE. You must take one of these tests prior to submitting your application. For more information, please visit the Apply Now page.

Practice the GMAT test with London Business School’s GMAT simulator and prepare yourself for the test.

I’ve taken the GMAT/GRE more than once. Which score do you use?

We take your highest score, but we don’t combine scores from different tests.

Do you offer a GMAT waiver?

No, we do not offer a waiver. However, if you have completed CFA Level 1, you don’t need to provide GMAT/GRE results. I’ve passed the CFA Level 1. Do I still need to submit a GMAT/GRE score?

If you have passed the CFA Level 1, you don’t need to submit a GMAT/GRE score. However, we strongly recommend you do have one of these scores as some recruiters use this as a benchmarking tool.

Can I transfer between programmes or to/from a programme at another institution?

The School does not have any arrangements for students to transfer between its programmes or to/from a programme at another institution.

Programme content

A transformative experience that draws together innovative thinking, fundamental theory and real-life case studies, all in the international finance capital of the world.

Curriculum overview

The Masters in Financial Analysis (MFA) gives you a rock-solid grounding in state-of-the-art financial tools, financial markets and global business understanding. Balancing theory with practice and real-world business exposure, the MFA provides you with the chance to connect with international institutions and practitioners and build an international network.

Our programme equips you with the knowledge and business-ready skills to launch a world-class career in international finance. Here’s an overview of its structure and highlights https://www.youtube.com/embed/v4AbStYIEQE?enablejsapi=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&autohide=1&showinfo=0&controls=1

*Students apply to one of seven Global Immersion Field Trip options

*Subject to availability

**Career search and recruitment happens throughout the whole programme, but this is particularly intense in term one.

For information on changes to how we’re currently delivering learning in light of Covid-19 please visit our Return to campus FAQs page.

Optional fourth term

Contingent on career tracks, and subject to additional fees, MFA students may extend their learning to complete three additional electives courses at LBS or with one of our exchange partner schools to broaden their global exposure and understanding. International exchanges are available with other world-class business schools in Europe, North America and Asia.

Enrolling in the 4th term expands students’ eligibility to apply for more internship opportunities. MFAs may apply for summer internships commencing at the end of their core course work with companies which recruit on a strict penultimate year policy.

Course listing 

• Online pre-programme courses Lay the ground work for your learning before term starts. LBS online modules in finance, accounting and data analytics prepare you for core courses.  MFA Foundations include additional customised Excel and programming code modules to ensure you are up to speed on applications used in the core. Pre-programme courses are mandatory and online test waivers are available.
• Asset Management Investment Fundamentals: This is a rigorous foundations course in investment analysis covering the basics of fixed income, equity and derivative securities as well as modern portfolio theory (how to invest across different securities/assets or asset classes). The focus is on understanding how to value securities, how to measure/manage the risk of these securities, the relationship between risk and return and the practical application of these concepts. Asset Management: Consider how to allocate wealth into different asset classes and investment strategies. You’ll explore the contribution of fixed income in equity portfolios and the role of alternative investments. Focus on long-term investing with a coherent modelling of assets and liabilities, and performance evaluation; look into recent development of more complex investment products; and compare and contrast them with traditional fund structures. This will include the limits to arbitrage and the costs of implementing actual trading strategies.
• Corporate Finance Corporate Finance: Learn how to value companies, taking into account the incomplete information one often finds in real life. You’ll discuss the challenges analysts face when valuing a company, and how to better cope with them. Emphasis is put on the role of information in financial decisions and agency problems. You’ll also gain a detailed understanding of corporate governance, payout policy, IPOs, and SEOs. Capital Structure: In the wake of the financial crisis, this course re-examines the fundamental linkages between valuation and financial structure. Develop an understanding of debt structure and related risk, and analyse the importance of illiquidity and its relation to benchmark asset pricing frameworks.  M&A: Study the market for corporate control and the key concepts of mergers and acquisitions: how to value a target, strategic behaviour, and different landscapes around the world. You’ll also discuss the merits of dispersed ownership versus block control and learn about shareholder activism, corporate re-organisations, workouts and bankruptcy.
• Accounting Analysis of Financial Statements: Learn to interpret a financial story from any organisation, build your technical toolkit and develop an advanced understanding of revenue recognition, revaluations, foreign currency adjustments, deferred taxes, pension accounting and securitisation. Structured over 10 sessions, you’ll gain the skills to read and analyse company financial information. Securities Valuation and Financial Modelling: Delve into issues like business strategy, the reformulation of financial statements, structured forecasting and residual income valuation. Develop a thorough understanding of company value drivers and gain the ability to apply fundamental security analysis and valuation.
• Financial Markets World Economy: Never get caught out on the broad macro issues that drive markets and finance; understand how these impact growth in advanced and emerging markets, and how economic and financial cycles interact. You’ll explore how key data tells a story, including the linkages and interplay between economic and financial variables and gain an understanding of institutional and theoretical frameworks. Financial Institutions: Study the role of banks, insurance companies and investment funds, learning about their business models, assets and liabilities. Start with an overview of the recent financial crisis and, crucially, why banks fail. Analyse the impact of financial regulation; learn to evaluate current market trends and how our major financial institutions are managed. Understand the importance of responsible business, and the role of the investment industry in embedding responsibility into business. Personal Finance: Understand and analyse the financial decisions that individuals/households (as opposed to corporations) make in their lifetime. This course is highly relevant for careers in asset management, private banking, wealth management and financial advising. Investigate the risks and constraints people face when deciding on optional savings, portfolio allocations, annuity products and credit decisions. Private Equity: Introduce the concepts, techniques, institutions and dynamics involved in the private equity sector. Study real cases to gain familiarity with the private equity investment model and specific strategies including leveraged buyouts and venture capital. Discuss the key drivers behind the growth and success of private equity as an asset class and how it fits into institutional investors’ portfolios.
• Data Analytics for Finance Learn how to identify the areas where data analytics add the most value using R and R Studio. Understand and quantify the accuracy of sample evidence to construct simple but powerful models that test your intuitive reasoning. Build regression models to describe and predict complicated outcomes. Communicate quantitative analysis and recommendations effectively.

london business school masters in financial analysis requirements

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 13 March 2023.

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 Masters in Financial Analysis programme, please contact mfa@london.edu.

Required documents
Completed application form
The application form is designed to be completed over several sessions. You can save your work as you go and submit the completed form at any time ahead of the final admissions deadline.

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/GRE/CFA
You must take either the GMAT, GRE or CFA Level 1 certification before you submit your application. If you have not received your official score report by the time your 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
We suggest you use our CV template where possible. Please follow the instructions within our online application form to attach the CV to your application.

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 an entrepreneur, then please select an academic referee who knows you well enough to comment on your character and abilities.

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 English is not your native language, and you have not been studying fully in English or living in an English-speaking country for at least two years, please submit your IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge CPE, CAE or PTE Academic score. Other tests will not be accepted.

Our TOEFL institution code is 0898.

Please upload a soft copy of your score report at application stage and we will verify your test score during the admissions process. Please make London Business School the score recipient for your test score so we can verify your scores electronically.

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
The application fee for MFA is currently set at £100 and is payable online by credit card when you submit your application. Your application is incomplete until the fee is received.

An application fee waiver is available to University of London graduates upon production of your degree transcript.

london business school masters in finance fees

If you are offered a place on the full-time Masters in Finance you will be asked to pay:

• A commitment fee of £2,000 approximately four weeks after your offer
• A second instalment of £8,000 approximately eight weeks after your offer.

These fees are non-refundable and deducted from your total tuition fee payment. The balance is due in early July 2022.

Fees are exclusive of any programme related travel expenses, such as the Global Immersion Elective.

In addition to School fees, there is a Student Association Fee of £135 that covers the Student Association (SA) subscription, enabling you to participate in our vibrant community.