LBS MiF Admissions: Masters in Finance Requirements and Deadlines

What is the LBS Masters in Finance and who is it for?

The Masters in Finance is a post-experience degree taught in London, and LBS says the Financial Times ranked it first in the world for post-experience finance masters in 2024. You can take it in two formats, both with the next intake in August 2027.

The 16-month full-time route has an exit point at 10 months, plus an optional internship and exchange term. The LBS MiF part-time format lets you keep your job while you study. The full-time MiFFT2025 class had 131 students, 34% women and 48 nationalities.

If you have less than two years of experience, the LBS Masters in Financial Analysis (MFA) is the pre-experience option. It suits graduates from the last two years, and 92% of the 2025 MFA class received an offer within three months.

What are the LBS Masters in Finance requirements?

• Normally at least two years of relevant experience in finance or a closely related field.
• A GMAT or GRE score, unless you are granted a waiver.
• An English test (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge CPE or CAE, PTE Academic or Duolingo), which the committee may waive.
• A one-page CV on the LBS template, transcripts and one reference.
• A £150 application fee.

The LBS MiF GMAT waiver is real but narrow: CFA Level II or above earns one automatically, and the FAQ below explains the rest.

How do LBS MiF admissions work?

LBS runs several rounds through the year, with deadlines at 17:00 UK time. In the last cycle the third round closed on 5 January 2026, so check the current calendar and aim early, as competition rises in the final rounds.

There are two essays: your career objectives and the steps you are taking to reach them, including alternatives and your preferred region (500 words), and the parts of LBS life you want to get involved in (300 words). Every admitted student is interviewed, usually in their region, by MiF alumni or senior admissions staff.

LBS MiF tuition and career outcomes

LBS MiF tuition for the 2026 intake was around £67,950, plus a £200 Student Association Fee; the part-time listing shows the same figure. Fees change each year, so confirm the 2027 amount.

According to LBS, 83% of 2025 full-time graduates were employed within three months. Of those, 83% joined the financial sector, mainly banks and investment managers, and 17% went into consulting, technology and other sectors.

How to stand out

• Be precise about your goal: function, type of firm and region. The essay asks for all three.
• Show your quantitative depth through CFA progress, modelling work or strong grades.
• Prepare for a technical, markets-aware interview with alumni who work in finance.
• Be honest about fit. The MiF deepens a finance career; if you want to change industry, LBS MBA admissions may suit you better. For the bigger picture, read our overview of London Business School.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an LBS MiF GMAT waiver?

Possibly. CFA Level II or above earns an automatic waiver. Other waivers go to a very small number of candidates with excellent quantitative academics and outstanding finance experience. If you apply without a score, LBS considers you for a waiver automatically, but lack of preparation time is not a valid reason.

How much work experience do I need for LBS MiF admissions?

LBS does not normally consider applicants with fewer than two years of relevant experience. The full-time class averages about five years and the part-time class about seven. With less experience, look at the Masters in Financial Analysis instead.

What is the difference between the LBS MiF and the MFA?

The MiF is for professionals already working in finance, with two or more years of experience. The Masters in Financial Analysis is for recent graduates with no more than two years of post-graduation experience. Both are taught in London.