Mansi parihar Study Abroad Course Expert
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London Business School (LBS) is a well-known business school based in London, United Kingdom. It is a small, exclusive school with a class size of around 500 MBA students per cohort. Admissions are extremely selective with an acceptance ratio of around 20%. The duration of the program is flexible ranging between 15 to 21 months, and it also offers summer internships and international business experiences. Popular specializations include Consulting, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Technology & Analytics. The three-month graduate employment rate is approximately 94%, and the median base salary is about INR 86,80,000 (converted from $104,624) with a signing bonus of INR 19,80,000 (converted from $23,872).
INSEAD ("The Business School for the World") is a worldwide top-ranked business school with campuses in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. It's a relatively small school with around 1,000 MBA students. Admissions are extremely competitive. The duration of the program is an accelerated 10-month MBA (optionally 12 months with internship). In-demand specializations reflect International Business, Consulting, and Leadership. Job rates are good, with around 88% of graduates placed within three months. Graduates have a total average compensation of around INR 99,00,000 (converting total median compensation $141,900).
| London Business School | INSEAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | PG Programs -7 Doctorate Programs -7 | PG Programs -6 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 144950 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 64847 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 137500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16508 Per Year |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 135/160GMAT - 600/800IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 72/90TOEFL - 105/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -135130 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 5, 2025 (Application Deadline For Round 1) Jan 5, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 2) Mar 23, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 3) | Sep 16, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Nov 4, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Nov 21, 2025 (Round 1 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) Jan 16, 2026 (Round 2 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) Jan 20, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Mar 10, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Mar 20, 2026 (Round 3 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) May 8, 2026 (Round 4 Interview Decision For August 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
London Business School vs INSEAD
Academic Reputation and Global Recognition
Both INSEAD and London Business School stand internationally acclaimed as two of the world's best business schools, ranked among the top 5–10 in MBA and executive education. Based on the 2025 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, INSEAD stands at 2nd globally, and London Business School at 4th position.
Program Structure & Duration
The biggest difference is program duration. LBS has a flexible 15–21 month MBA program, enabling students to prolong the duration for internships or exchanges. INSEAD provides an accelerated 10–12 month MBA program, suitable for those who want to return to the workforce quickly. LBS students spend more time on internships, career discovery, and networking, while INSEAD focuses on an intensive global curriculum with quick career moves.
Acceptance Rate & Selectivity
Both schools are extremely competitive. Acceptance to London Business School is approximately 20%, and INSEAD is slightly more exclusive at ~32%. Both schools require good GMAT/GRE scores, international experience, and leadership potential. INSEAD, in particular, focuses on global exposure and cultural flexibility, while LBS prioritizes candidates with significant professional success and leadership potential.
Cost of Study
LBS MBA fees are approximately £109,700 (~$140,000) for the entire program, while London living expenses average £25,000–30,000 per year. INSEAD MBA fees are approximately €103,500 (~$112,000), with living costs from €20,000–25,000, varying according to campus location. While slightly cheaper overall, London living expenses render LBS more expensive.
Student Body & Diversity
Both schools boast international diversity. INSEAD is frequently referred to as "The Business School for the World," with more than 90+ nationalities represented in its MBA class, and no nationality comprising more than 12% of the class. LBS is also highly diverse, at 90% international students, but has a larger number of finance and consulting professionals represented due to its UK location.
Graduate Outcomes & Employability
Both LBS and INSEAD provide great career outcomes. The post-MBA average salary for INSEAD students is approximately $120,000–125,000, while those from LBS average more in the range of $130,000–140,000, thanks to London's finance sector opportunities. The two biggest recruiting industries at both schools are consulting and finance, with recruiters such as McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon aggressively hiring graduates. INSEAD graduates usually find employment all over Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, while LBS graduates maintain more solid placements in the UK, Europe, and the U.S.
Campus Culture & Lifestyle
LBS provides a London-intensive experience with exposure to Europe's biggest city, networking opportunities, and professional clubs. Its student life is cosmopolitan, fast-paced, and highly integrated with the financial world. INSEAD's Fontainebleau campus provides a more intimate and intensive academic environment, while the Singapore and Abu Dhabi campuses expose students to Asia and the Middle East. INSEAD's MBA is especially reputed for its intensity, teamwork culture, and focus on international mobility.
