What is the One-year MBA programme? Who is it specifically aimed for?
The LBS One-year MBA is ideal for ambitious, driven professionals ready to take a significant step in their careers in a short time. It’s especially suitable for those with some career direction, as the accelerated pace leaves less time for exploration than a traditional two-year MBA programme. It is aimed at exceptional graduates who have already completed a masters programme and are looking for an MBA that will build on their existing experience to deliver a high calibre MBA in 11 months.
Students on the One-year MBA will have a masters which covers the basics of business, in line with the seven subject areas of the school. This must include finance, accounting and data-analytics.
If I meet the initial eligibility requirements, what are the benefits of the One-year MBA?
If you are looking to get back into the workplace sooner, or looking for a programme that builds on your existing learning from your previous masters, this is a great programme for you. You will gain access to the same world-class faculty, global network, and transformative personal development opportunities as LBS’s other programmes.
Additionally, One-year MBA candidates will also benefit from a brand new suite of core courses. These courses have been developed by LBS faculty to give One-year MBA students a condensed core curriculum focusing on contemporary business challenges. The core courses are split into three themes; Rethinking Corporate Purpose, Navigating the New Business Environment, and Individual Agency and Entrepreneurship.
The One-Year MBA provides a concentrated and impactful MBA experience, allowing you to develop both the technical knowledge and leadership skills needed to achieve your career ambitions in a highly efficient timeframe. You will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse cohort and faculty, gaining international business insights. The programme’s structure, global reputation, and career support make it particularly beneficial for driven professionals seeking a programme to boost their careers.
After they have completed their One-year MBA they will be joining the broader LBS alumni network of 55,000+ members worldwide, giving you lifelong connections.
This programme is designed for professionals who want to maintain momentum in their careers while achieving their academic and leadership ambitions.
With the pre-requisite requirement, what does that mean for how the programme is structured? Will there be core classes?
The pre-requisite requirement ensures that participants have foundational business knowledge and sufficient professional experience before starting the programme. This structure allows us to develop an exciting and robust curriculum, without repeating the basics.
The programme starts with online pre-programme modules students can complete in their own time and at their own pace, to revise concepts from their previous masters and set them up for success on the programme.
The programme starts on our London Campus in August with 10 newly developed short core courses covering content including finance, data analytics and leadership to ensure a robust foundation.
Students will then have access to the wide range of Electives on offer, giving students the freedom to specialise in areas relevant to your career aspirations. At this point, students also have the option in enrolling in experiential courses like LondonCap consultancy project and the Global Experiences. Expect hands-on projects, global study opportunities, and leadership development modules to round out the MBA experience.
Can you give us any insights into how the programme is being shaped at the moment?
The One-Year MBA is being thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of a global, dynamic business environment while leveraging LBS’s strengths. Key priorities include:
- Global relevance: The curriculum will integrate cutting-edge trends like digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.
- Experiential learning: There will be a strong emphasis on practical application through live projects, collaborations with global companies, and access to entrepreneurial resources.
- Tailored support: Career services and leadership coaching are being fine-tuned to align with the unique pace of the One-year MBA timeline.
Feedback from industry leaders and the LBS community is shaping the programme to ensure its relevance and impact.
How big will the class be? Will it be as diverse as other programmes at LBS?
We are anticipating a class size of around 50 highly ambitious candidates. We are building the class carefully, and whilst we do not know what the profile will be exactly at this stage, the cohort will reflect the school’s commitment to diversity, including students from a broad range of industries, nationalities, and professional backgrounds. This ensures a rich learning environment where different perspectives drive innovative thinking.
What is something you’re looking forward to as the planning process for this programme continues?
I am very excited to finally welcome all the bright and inspiring candidates I have been speaking to over the past few months onto campus. In particular, I am looking forward to week 1 of the programme. This week is always exciting, with the campus buzzing with new and old faces alike and no shortage of things for the new MBA1Y students to get involved in.
Starting with Orientation Day, the MBA1Y programme will be welcomed alongside the first year of the 15 – 21 month MBA programme. The MBA programmes will be welcomed into the LBS community by our Dean, Sergei Guriev, alumni and members of the Programme and Career teams. The rest of the week will be packed with introductory sessions, networking events and opportunities to build lasting and meaningful relationships with their study groups, cohort and the MBA programme as a whole. As well as many opportunities to connect with the Career Centre, Student Association and club events.
In the longer term, I’m looking forward to seeing how the cohort will bond and thrive in LBS’s rich and rewarding environment, and how the programme’s experiential elements—such as global immersions and live case studies—will create tangible, career-defining impact for participants.
To check your eligibility for the programme take a look at the candidate requirements and for more information on applying visit our website. If you would like to speak with our team before applying, please get in touch with us: oneyearmba@london.edu