London Business School Essay Guide

Quick facts: LBS 2026–2027

Why LBS essays are different

London Business School's MBA application for the August 2027 intake (the MBA2029 class) has two required essays: “What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these?” (500 words) and “What makes you unique?” (200 words). A third, optional essay of up to 500 words covers anything else the Admissions Committee should know. The application also includes a video submission, and LBS's FAQ prohibits AI use in it. LBS's FAQ also sets a clear rule for written work: “The use of any AI tools on your essays and application is permitted for checking and editing, but must be fully disclosed within the application.” If you use MBA Essay Critic, an AI tool with no connection to LBS, on an LBS essay, disclose it as that policy requires. Round 1 closed September 3, 2026. Round 2 closes January 6, 2027 and Round 3 March 22, 2027, at 17:00 UK time. Our critique covers the written essays only.

• 01

  What LBS says it looks for

  We found no named list of admissions criteria on LBS's MBA apply and FAQ pages, so we don't invent one. The prompts themselves are the clearest guide: goals tied to your experience and the program, and what makes you unique. Source: https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/mba/apply

• 02

  Answers the specific prompt (25%)

  Essay 1 covers goals, how your prior experience contributes, and how the program contributes. Essay 2 answers “What makes you unique?” directly.

• 03

  Goal clarity and logic (25%)

  A concrete post-MBA role, how your experience prepares you for it, and the gap the MBA fills.

• 04

  Specific use of LBS and London (20%)

  Program elements, and London's role, tied to your goals rather than described in general terms.

• 05

  Distinctiveness (15%)

  Essay 2: genuinely unique and illustrated, not a list of adjectives.

• 06

  Global outlook and concision (15%)

  Within 500 and 200 words.

Some prompts are shortened here; the school's application site has the exact wording. LBS application site

Essay 1: What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these?

500 words limit

Grade with this prompt

Essay 2: What makes you unique?

200 words limit

Grade with this prompt

Optional: Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School?

Optional · 500 words limit

Grade with this prompt

1. 01

   For Essay 1, write the post-MBA goal first, then the specific prior experience that prepares you for it, then what the LBS program adds.

2. 02

   For Essay 2, pick one thing that makes you unique and show it with a concrete example. 200 words leaves room for one idea done well.

3. 03

   Use the optional essay only if something in your application needs context.

4. 04

   Run both essays through the critique, and note the AI use in your application as LBS's policy requires.

A strong LBS Essay 1 names a concrete post-MBA goal and draws a clear line from the applicant's prior experience and specific parts of the LBS program to that goal. A strong Essay 2 picks one distinctive thing and shows it with an example instead of describing it with adjectives, all within 200 words.

Want to see a fully scored example? Read a real HBS essay critique

• ✗ An Essay 2 that restates achievements

  “What makes you unique?” is not a request for your strongest resume lines.

• ✗ Generic praise of London

  Calling London a global hub adds nothing. Tie London to your specific goals or leave it out.

• ✗ Leaving Essay 2 out of your plan

  Some older guides list only the goals essay. For August 2027 entry there are two required essays.

• ✗ Undisclosed AI help

  LBS permits AI for checking and editing only, and requires full disclosure in the application.