If you are interested in attending an MBA program in Europe, you might be considering London Business School, which is based in London, or INSEAD, which is based near Paris.
In addition to being considered two of most reputable MBA programs in the world, London Business School (or LBS as it is often called) and INSEAD are typically thought of as the top two business schools in Europe. The programs are simultaneously quite similar and quite different. So how do they compare to one another? And what factors should you consider if you are researching these two schools?
In this post, we will take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between LBS and INSEAD.
Commonalities
These elite international MBA programs both pride themselves on having a very international focus with respect to their program content and the diversity of their students. The student body at LBS and INSEAD is typically 80% to 90% international, with no one dominant nationality, and represents 70 or more different countries. For comparison purposes, the most globally diverse U.S. MBA programs have student bodies that are 30% to 40% international. Many of the students at LBS and INSEAD will tell you that a large amount of learning comes directly from their classmates, whether that is hearing their peers share professional stories during classroom discussions or collaborating with them on team projects. Gaining such a breadth of perspectives from one’s fellow students can be a very valuable part of the MBA experience.
In addition, both LBS and INSEAD are able to strongly position their students for post-MBA employment within Europe, with 40% to 60% of the programs’ graduates remaining in Europe each year after earning their degree. INSEAD and LBS also have strong ties and study opportunities with other schools globally, particularly within Asia and the Middle East. INSEAD has a campus in Singapore and a newer location in Abu Dhabi, while LBS has a campus in Dubai and international exchange options at 30 partner schools worldwide.
The two schools are similarly competitive, with students’ average GMAT scores in the 700 to 710 range. And finally, both offer a wide variety of electives and a reasonable amount of flexibility in how students can structure their education during the program.
Differences
One of the biggest ways that INSEAD and LBS differ is an obvious one: the length of the program. Generally speaking, INSEAD is a one-year MBA program, whereas LBS is effectively a two-year program.
Worth noting is that at INSEAD, the standard program option starts in September and lasts for ten months—covering five two-month study periods—and does not include an internship. However, the school also offers a slightly longer program that begins in January, lasts for 12 months, and does include an internship option.
By contrast, the two-year (21-month) program at LBS includes a summer internship or alternate summer option, such as the Entrepreneurship Summer School, which is unique to LBS. This extended timeline could be beneficial to candidates who would like to have more time to explore their options, try different electives, and participate in an internship and career research. The longer program format can also be particularly helpful for career switchers. Most LBS students follow the typical two-year path, but the school does offer shorter 15- and 18-month options, in which students take fewer electives.
Another differentiating factor between the two programs relates to their length: their cost. With the shorter INSEAD program, students have fewer living expenses and less lost income.
An additional difference between LBS and INSEAD is relatively obvious, but still important to consider fully, and that is location! Would you prefer to study in London or in the French countryside, 40 minutes from Paris? Neither is better, of course, but these are very different experiences. Some people might enjoy being in LBS’s bustling city setting, while others might enjoy INSEAD’s more quiet campus setting, where the community comes together and creates bonds.
Other Factors to Consider
Whenever you research an MBA program, make sure to review its most recent employment reports—these are typically available on the schools’ websites—to confirm that your desired career choice is one you can effectively pursue via the program.
In recent years, more than 50% of INSEAD’s graduates have gone into consulting immediately after earning their MBA. In fact, INSEAD often sends more of its graduates to McKinsey than any other global business school. Approximately 20% of INSEAD MBAs enter technology positions, and just 10% to 15% enter roles in financial services.
At LBS, a large number of graduates also go into consulting, often more than 35% of the class, and McKinsey has recently been the top recruiter at both schools. However, LBS MBAs tend to be more spread out across multiple industries, with close to 30% entering technology and more than 25% going into financial services.
In terms of post-MBA geography, 50% to 60% of LBS students typically stay in the United Kingdom after earning their degree, thanks to the UK Graduate visa program, which allows them to work in the region for two years following graduation, without needing company sponsorship.
As for INSEAD’s graduates, approximately 40% of each class finds employment somewhere in Europe. Although that figure is lower than LBS’s, it is still impressive. The bottom line is that either program could be a good option if your goal is to work in Europe after gaining your MBA.
With respect to curriculum, the two schools have similar core offerings that students take early on in the program, and both offer extensive elective options, but because the LBS program is longer, its students are generally able to take a greater number of elective courses.
LBS’s longer program length also means that students can choose an optional elective concentration, or specialization—this is not an option at INSEAD. Specializations are available within Change Management, Entrepreneurial Management, Finance, Marketing, Private Equity, Strategy, Economics, and Technology and Analytics.
In terms of teaching style, INSEAD is known for its use of the case study method, whereas LBS has a more mixed teaching style that includes case studies, discussions, and group projects.
So, what about the expectations of the programs’ admissions officers? Both LBS and INSEAD seek globally minded professionals and require that candidates submit test scores, along with all the other traditional elements that MBA programs demand as part of the application process. However, INSEAD takes things a step further by requiring that candidates have proficiency in a second language by the time they apply to the school and basic proficiency in a third language by graduation. LBS does not have language requirements, but the school recommends that students achieve competency in a second language to increase their career prospects, and it offers language training courses and related opportunities as part of the MBA program.
To summarize, these programs share some real similarities, being globally focused MBA programs in Europe, but they also significantly differ in terms of teaching method, location, length, and admissions prerequisites. When deciding where to pursue your degree, pay close attention to those differences, because you need to know that you can be happy at the school you ultimately choose.
If you are interested in learning more about either or both of these schools, we offer a “Learning about” module for LBS and for INSEAD—and for many other MBA programs—in onTrack by mbaMission, our on-demand and highly customizable admissions course. In each school’s module, we go deep into the reasons someone might want to attend the program, as well as the reasons someone might not want to, and address the curriculum, career opportunities, and a number of school-specific special topics. These onTrack modules can also facilitate your essay writing, short-answer strategy, interview preparation, and other important application tasks.
