Executive MBA

An Executive MBA (EMBA) is the ideal fit for professionals who want to gain advanced business knowledge and leadership skills while continuing to work full-time. It allows you to apply what you learn immediately on the job, accelerating your impact and enhancing your career trajectory without the need for a career break.

The London Business School Executive MBA is designed to be an intensive and transformative experience, blending rigorous academics with real-world applications. This format not only fast-tracks your learning but also helps you build a global network of peers and mentors to support your long-term professional and personal development.

We also understand how valuable your time is, so we’ve introduced in-person and blended study options, taking less time away from the office and enabling you to complete the programme in a timeframe that suits you and your organisation – anywhere between 17 to 22 months.

An Executive MBA (EMBA) is an MBA designed for experienced professionals, managers, and executives looking to enhance their leadership and management skills without interrupting their careers.

Unlike full-time ‘traditional’ MBAs, EMBA programmes typically cater to mid-to-senior-level professionals with substantial work experience, focusing on practical, real-world applications of business theories. EMBA programmes are often structured with flexible schedules, such as weekend or modular classes, to accommodate busy professionals.

No, you must select and commit to either the London or Dubai stream when applying for the Executive MBA programme. This choice determines the primary location for your core courses and sets the schedule for your first year.

However, once you complete the core modules, you have the flexibility to customise your experience by selecting electives from London Business School’s extensive elective portfolio, which includes options across both campuses. This allows you to tailor your learning experience to fit your professional needs while maintaining your chosen core stream.

Our full-time MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) are both prestigious programmes that cover similar core material and lead to the same MBA qualification, but they are designed for professionals at different stages of their careers and have distinctive formats and delivery methods.

All Executive MBA September streams are offered in-person, in a part-time format in the location of your choice. All Executive MBA January streams are offered in a blended (in-person and online) format, part-time in the location of your choice and virtually. The full-time MBA is, by nature, delivered full-time over a 15, 18- or 21-month duration.

The profile of an EMBA candidate differs from that of a full-time MBA candidate, particularly in terms of career stage and professional experience. Our typical full-time MBA candidate joins the programme with an average of 5 years of work experience, often looking to accelerate their career, pivot industries, or build a foundation for leadership roles. In contrast, our Executive MBA candidates have an average of 15 years of professional experience and are seasoned leaders, often already in senior management or executive roles. These individuals are seeking to refine their strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and global business insights while balancing work and study. The EMBA is tailored to meet the needs of professionals at a more advanced stage of their careers.

Securing company support—whether financial or in terms of time flexibility—is crucial for a successful Executive MBA (EMBA) journey. Here are a few strategic steps to help make your case effectively:

• Identify key stakeholders: Engage with leaders such as your line manager, HR, Talent Development heads, and even the CFO or CEO if possible. Many executives have experienced or are familiar with MBA programmes and understand their strategic value.

• Demonstrate immediate and long-term ROI: Highlight how the EMBA will allow you to apply new skills and insights directly to your role, yielding immediate benefits for your team and organisation. Emphasise that this investment has a compounding benefit—beyond your graduation—by preparing you for higher levels of responsibility.

• Focus on tailored learning and strategic impact: The EMBA is structured so you can tailor electives and projects to your company’s specific needs. This can provide a direct knowledge boost in areas like strategy, leadership, and innovation, benefiting both you and your employer as you bring fresh perspectives and solutions into the business.

• Expanded network and resources: The EMBA provides access to a global network of professionals, which can unlock potential partnerships, insights into industry best practices and collaborative opportunities. Emphasise that this network benefits not only you but the company as well.

• Commitment to growth and retention: Present your EMBA commitment as a strategic move aligned with the company’s goals and growth trajectory. Many organisations see value in supporting employees who plan to advance internally, reducing recruitment costs and enhancing retention.

By positioning the EMBA as a shared investment with mutual benefits, you’re more likely to gain support.

Once you have explored the EMBA web pages and reviewed the brochure, one of the best ways to learn more about the Executive MBA is to attend one of our online information sessions or an in-person Experience Evening at our campus in London (Regents Park) or Dubai International Financial Centre. You can also get in touch with our recruitment team directly.

Email us at emba@london.edu for any London-related queries or embadubai@london.edu for any Dubai-related queries.

Both streams offer the same content with the key differences being in the format of the programme and the location.

All Executive MBA students have access to London Business School's extensive elective portfolio and international elective options. The majority of these are delivered from our London campus, with some running from Dubai.

We offer a fully aligned curriculum and admission requirements across both streams, so your choice of primary study location is dependent upon your personal preference and circumstances.

You can attend one of our virtual information events. To find out more, see the information events page.

We can have a telephone conversation with you. Depending on your location, you can either call our London campus on +44 (0)20 7000 7512, or our Dubai centre on +971 (0) 4 401 9343. Either call us at a convenient time for you, or email us at emba@london.edu with the number you would like us to call you on. We will be in touch to answer your questions about the programme and London Business School.

If you would like to speak directly with students or alumni, send your CV to emba@london.edu, so that we can match you with a suitable contact. You can also email us at emba@london.edu with any questions about the Executive MBA programme or London Business School.

There are no admissions restrictions in terms of geographic location.

However, as the majority of the Executive MBA programme is delivered in London or Dubai, please think carefully about how you can combine the travel requirements with your full-time employment.

At least 30% of Executive MBA students live outside the UK and the UAE, and commute to London and/or Dubai for classes.