PhD

FAQs

• Submission requirements
  • A completed application form with Statement of Purpose (online)
  • Two academic reference letters (online)
  • Original GMAT or GRE score report (online), completed within the last 5 years and shared with LBS via the institution’s code (see GRE/GMAY section below)
  • Official transcript or certified copy of university grades from all past degrees (online). All final official transcripts or certified copies of university grades (signed and stamped) for degrees awarded.
  • All final official certificates or diplomas (signed and stamped) for degrees awarded.
  • All up to date transcripts (signed and stamped) for degrees in progress (not yet awarded)
  • Valid, original Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Cambridge score report (if required) Thes tests must have been taken and passed in the last 2 years prior to application submission. TOEFL scores must be share with the Programme via the institutional code (see Language section below).
  • Current CV, noting whether qualifications are in progress or the date of award if already achieved.
• Is there an application fee?

  UK applicants from low-income households who are able to evidence that they were in receipt of full state support for maintenance as an undergraduate at a UK university within the last 4 years are eligible for an application fee waiver.

  Applicants who are able to evidence they have a valid Asylum Registration Card or Biometric Residence Permit and Overseas Applicants from any of the countries included on the UN list of least developed countries are also eligible for an application fee waiver.

  Individuals who feel that they need a fee waiver but do not meet these criteria may contact the Programme Office- phdprogramme@london.edu explaining their circumstances to request a waiver.

  For all other applicants, there is an application fee of £75.

• Interviews

  Short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview between January and March. Initial Interviews may be online with follow up interviews taking place in person, depending on the subject area. If you are short-listed, you will be contacted by the relevant subject area who will provide full details of the interview arrangements. If you are invited to attend an in-person interview at LBS, the Programme will reimburse reasonable travel costs, accommodation and subsistence.

  Regrettably, due to the large number of applications received each year, it is not possible to arrange meetings with members of faculty prior to an interview.

• English Language Proficiency

  Unless you are an English speaker or have a degree from a university in an English-speaking country, (where the language of instruction was English) according to UK Visa and Immigration policy guidance you must submit evidence of proficiency in English. Please click here to verify if you meet the requirements.

  Minimum acceptable scores for eligibility for the PhD Programme are at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL to be considered for the PhD programme.

  Other recognised English language tests (IELTS, Cambridge) are also accepted. A valid test report, taken in the last 2 years prior to application submission. All test scores must be shared via the appropriate institutional code below.

  London Business School institution code for TOEFL is 0898

• GMAT and GRE Score Requirement

  GMAT and GRE are administered by independent agencies. The tests measure verbal, quantitative and analytical skills and provide an indication of the ability for clear and systematic thought. One of these tests is required from each applicant and the requirement cannot be waived.

  For more information on GMAT, visit: https://www.gmac.com/gmat-other-assessments and GRE at www.gre.org.

  Your GMAT or GRE score must be shared with LBS directly for review. Please find the relevant codes below:

  London Business School GMAT code is: Z11-J7-75

  London Business School GRE code is: 3491

  Some subject areas state which test they would prefer applicants to take:

  • GRE – Economics, Management Science and Operations
  • GMAT – Accounting, Marketing

   

• Is there an induction programme at the start of the academic year?

  Some students are expected to attend a four-week maths refresher or pre-programme course at the LSE in September (depending on the subject area). All students will be required to attend a 2-day orientation at LBS which is normally held on the last Thursday and Friday of September. This orientation session will provide you with the opportunity to meet faculty, your first-year supervisor and other PhD students. You'll also receive training and induction in London Business School's facilities and services.

• Is there funding available for the PhD Programme?

  All students registered on the PhD programme receive, which includes a tax-free stipend for five years and a tuition fee waiver, subject to satisfactory academic progress. View more details here

• Do I need to make contact with faculty members before I submit an application?

  No, you are not required to contact faculty members before you make an application. Decisions on supervisors are only made after the first year in the Programme, so you will have plenty of time to get to know faculty. We do encourage you to read the faculty profiles on our website - to see if our faculty have research interests aligned with your own.

  The PhD Programme team are not able to contact the faculty on your behalf. Please note that only information submitted via the application system will be considered as part of the application process.

• How long does it take to complete the PhD programme?

  Students normally complete the Programme within five - six years.

• When does the academic year start?

  Core PhD teaching at LBS starts at the beginning of October. The year is divided into three terms (AUT, SPR and SUM), lasting 10 weeks each. Orientation at LBS normally takes place on the last Thursday and Friday of September.

• When should I apply?

  The application deadline for 2026 entry is 7 January 2026

• I understand I have to provide teaching assistance and/or research assistance. How much should I expect to do?

  All students must work as teaching or research assistants for 20 days (160 hours) a year except in year 1 and the year in which the student is on the job market – this may be year 5 or 6 of the Programme. At least 10 days (80 hours) should be of teaching assistance (and the other 10 days could be research assistance, depending on each subject area’s preference). This is seen as a valuable part of your training.

• Can I do the Programme on a part-time basis or through distance learning?

  The Programme is run on a full-time basis only and students are expected to live in London.

• What is the deadline for applications?

  The Application deadline for 2026 entry is 9 January 2025.

  Make sure you have allowed enough time for your GMAT/GRE, English Language Proficiency results and your qualifications (final transcripts and degree certificates) to have been verified before you submit your application. You must use the relevant LBS institutional codes to submit any test scores - https://www.london.edu/phd#how-to-apply

  You will receive an automated email confirmation once you have submitted your application.

  We do not accept late applications.

• I have done the first two years of my PhD but now need to relocate. Is it possible to transfer to London Business School?

  We do not accept transfers. You may be admitted to the Programme from year one and apply for exemption from courses already taken. In such cases students will be required to pass a waiver examination. No more than three course waivers are permitted.

• I have a Masters from LSE. Do I still need to submit a GMAT or GRE score?

  All applicants must submit a GRE or GMAT score before their application can be considered. Your score is valid for up to five years. Successful applicants typically have a GMAT score above 690 or GRE quantitative and analytical scores above the 80th percentile.