London Business School: How It Has Changed and Where It Is Headed

London Business School today in numbers

Founded in 1964, LBS teaches at Sussex Place, opposite Regent's Park, and in Dubai. According to the school, it has about 3,800 students and online learners, almost 1,000 faculty and staff, and more than 59,000 alumni in 166 countries. Around 92% of MBA students are international.

LBS says it has finished in the top three of every FT European ranking since that ranking began in 2004.

What has changed at LBS in the past five years?

The biggest change is at the top. François Ortalo-Magné, dean from August 2017, led LBS through the Covid years and strengthened its Middle East presence. Economist Sergei Guriev became LBS dean at the start of the 2024/25 academic year, as the school turned 60.

The LBS ranking story has also improved. The MBA moved from 8th in the FT Global MBA ranking in 2024 to 7th in 2025 and joint 4th in 2026.

Formats have become more flexible. Alongside the 15 to 21 month MBA, LBS announced the LBS One-year MBA in 2024, an 11-month programme for experienced masters graduates, for August 2025 entry. The Executive MBA today offers London and Dubai streams, each with an in-person September start and a blended January start.

AI has moved to the centre. In October 2025 LBS announced a partnership with OpenAI giving its community access to generative AI tools, alongside a new Data Science and AI Initiative. In 2025 it also opened the Plowden building and an Executive Education office in Saudi Arabia.

Where is London Business School headed?

In December 2025 Guriev set out the direction plainly: "We are embedding AI across our curriculum, teaching more on AI, teaching more with AI." He added that LBS is "investing in hybrid delivery, expanding to other regions and building new global partnerships." The school still teaches in person, which Guriev links to communication, collaboration and working across cultures.

For applicants, that points to more AI inside core courses, more blended options for working professionals, and a growing presence in the Gulf, already visible at LBS Dubai and in Saudi Arabia.

What this means for your application

The LBS programmes form a ladder, and the right step depends on your experience and on the life and industry you want. A short guide:

• Recent graduates (0 to 2 years of experience): read our guide to LBS MiM admissions, or to LBS MAM admissions if you have a quantitative degree and want to work with data.
• Finance professionals with at least two years of experience: see LBS MiF admissions.
• Professionals with around five years of experience: start with LBS MBA admissions.
• Senior leaders, including Gulf-based executives: see LBS EMBA admissions for London, Dubai and EMBA-Global.

Rankings matter, but fit matters more: choose the class, format and outcomes that match the career you are building.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the dean of London Business School?

Sergei Guriev has been dean since the start of the 2024/25 academic year. An economist, he was previously provost of Sciences Po in Paris and chief economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He succeeded François Ortalo-Magné, dean since August 2017.

Does London Business School have a campus in Dubai?

Yes. LBS teaches in London and Dubai. The Dubai campus hosts the Executive MBA Dubai stream, taught either in eight monthly block weeks from Thursday to Sunday (September start) or in a blended format (January start). The Dubai programme is also accredited by the UAE's Commission for Academic Accreditation.

Which LBS programme should I apply to?

It depends mainly on your experience. Recent graduates choose between the Masters in Management, Masters in Analytics and Management and Masters in Financial Analysis. Finance professionals with two or more years look at the MiF. The MBA class averages about five years of experience and the Executive MBA about 15.