Social Mobility at LBS | London Business School

First-Generation, Low or Intermediate-Income

The FLII In Business Club brings light to an invisible type of diversity: socioeconomic diversity. Our mission is to help FLII students to reach their maximum potential in the lead up to, during and after their time at LBS.

Objectives:

Increase the representation of FLII students across programmes by working with the school admissions team
Facilitate students to build FLII networks and make life and club events at LBS more accessible
Support FLII students with career planning, and engage with alumni and organisations supportive of social mobility

Highlighting invisible socioeconomic inequalities with FLII Club

FLII Club Founders Michelle Alvarado MBA2021 and Shajia Meraj MBA2021 on promoting socioeconomic diversity at LBS and beyond.

Financial Aid

London Business School is committed to increasing the number of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds across all of our programmes. To support this we offer a number of scholarships to individuals with a record of exceptional professional and personal achievement. In addition to the School’s contributions, we also partner with individuals, corporations and organisations who share our values in order to continue expanding our offering.

Visit our Financial Aid pages to find out how we can help you finance your studies.

The Laidlaw Women's Leadership Fund
The Laidlaw Women's Leadership Fund aims to attract high calibre women who might not otherwise be able to afford a top-tier business education. The creation of the fund is part of London Business School’s plan to move towards 51% female representation across our degree programmes, with a special focus on women from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds.

The scholarships range from half to full fees.

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W L Bill Byrnes Scholarship
The Service and Society Scholarship
Supported by the generosity of alumni from the class of MSc12(1979), this scholarship supports an MBA applicant with demonstrated financial need, who is employed in a sector or role that contributes positively to society for example, healthcare, international development, teaching, government, charity or social impact – with a preference for those who aspire to continue in the sector after graduation.

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Sponsors for Educational Opportunity London Scholarship
London Business School is proud to be partnered with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London to support talented SEO London alumni in their career progression through business education. London Business School shares SEO London’s ambitions to prepare students from ethnic minority and low socio-economic backgrounds for successful careers.

This scholarship supports exceptional SEO London Alumni who are pursuing an early career programme or MBA with London Business School.

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93% Club Scholarship

"I believe the MBA will help me build a network of people who are passionate about improving the world and fighting for equality."

Tinan Goli

Read Tinan's profile

"Empowering future leaders to overcome financial obstacles creates engaged global citizens. I'd like to think I'm one of those now, and I'm so proud to call myself a Laidlaw scholar."

Margarita Bicec

Read Margarita's profile

"The Laidlaw Scholarship Fund is a brilliant opportunity and it's so important when it comes to levelling the playing field for future business leaders."

Dilnora Mirpulatova

Read Dilnora's profile

"I originally wanted to move into impact investing or finance, but the people I've met at LBS have inspired me to explore new ideas following the MBA."

Chi Ninh

Read Chi's profile

"The work and purpose of the Laidlaw Foundation is so inspiring, and when I was successful in my application, I couldn’t believe it. It’s such an honour – and from a financial perspective is so helpful."

Gigi Jia EMBAL2021

Read Gigi's profile

Get in touch with FLII Club

Whether you are a current or prospective FLII student, alum, or an ally who’s passionate about socioeconomic diversity, now is the time to get in touch and join the conversation. You can also keep updated by following FLII at London Business School on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Get in touch

External resources

There are many resources available for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who are considering applying to business school.

93% Club Foundation
The 93% Club was founded at the University of Bristol in 2016 and has since expanded to become the UK’s largest social mobility network for students across 35+ universities. As the name suggests, this society aims to represent the interests of state educated students, who account for 93% of the population but face exceptional inequality when it comes to obtaining opportunities at university and in the workplace.

The 93% Club is a national social mobility network dedicated to levelling the playing field for students who were educated at state schools.

https://www.93percent.club/
Sutton Trust
Founded in 1997 by LBS MBA alumnus, Sir Peter Lampl, the Sutton Trust has been working to address social mobility in Britain. This is done by fighting for social mobility from birth to the workplace so that every young person – no matter who their parents are, what school they go to, or where they live – has the chance to succeed in life.

Specific to education, the Sutton Trust support young people from less advantaged backgrounds to access leading universities and careers.

https://www.suttontrust.com/
SEO London
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London is a not-for-profit organisation that prepares talented students from ethnic minority or low socioeconomic backgrounds for career success. The charity operates three flagship programmes, SEO Careers, SEO Scholars, and SEO Connect, to help members at different stages of their professional career.

SEO London thrives by virtue of its alumni-driven model and strong giving back ethos. SEO Careers alumni often become role models, trainers and mentors on other programmes within the group.

https://www.seo-london.org/
Social Mobility Commission
The Social Mobility Pledge campaign
The campaign was co-founded by LBS alumna Rt Hon Justine Greening SEMBA2000 and entrepreneur David Harrison, Chairman of True Potential in Newcastle. Justine drew on her experiences as Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women & Equalities to encourage organisations to put social mobility at the heart of their purpose. The Social Mobility Pledge is a coalition of 550 global businesses employing over 5 million people, as well as more than 50 universities representing almost 2 million students.

https://www.socialmobilitypledge.org/

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Social Mobility at London Business School