Ever wondered what it’s like to study at one of the world’s leading business schools? Our Full-Time MBA Class of 2026 are undertaking their first month of studying at Imperial Business School. Throughout their Induction Week, we caught up with many of our new students, marking the start of an exciting one-year journey that will both challenge and accelerate their careers.

From launching start-ups to driving innovation and pivoting into new fields, their ambitions are as diverse as they are. This year’s class represents 24 nationalities, bringing diverse cultures and perspectives to the classroom, with 39% of them being women and an average age of 28. They arrive with an average of six years’ professional experience across IT, consulting, finance and energy – bringing rich insights and a shared drive to learn, grow and make an impact.

There are many reasons why our new students chose Imperial Business School and during our interviews with them, several key themes stood out:

• The curriculum. Imperial’s Full-Time MBA is designed to develop both core business foundations and industry-specific skills. With over 40 electives and five concentrations to choose from , students can tailor their learning experience and signal to employers their career intentions, whether that be in tech, finance, leadership roles or entrepreneurship.
• STEM and business approach. Several of our students shared plans to tap into Imperial’s renowned STEM expertise through the Imperial Innovation Challenge and Enterprise Lab.
• Global and leadership experiences. The Personal Leadership Journey, a Careers module, is designed to help students develop their post-MBA career strategy, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to market themselves in a competitive field. Meanwhile, the LEADS module focuses on developing students into strong and reflective business leaders. Global Experience Week, an international trip, immerses students into new environments and cultures, allowing them to experience and engage with the complexities of global business.
• Hands-on learning opportunities. Students tackle real-world challenges through consulting projects, entrepreneurial ventures and industry collaborations. Imperial provides a hands-on learning environment to test ideas, gain experience and learn by doing.
• Our London location. Based in central London – Europe's hub of business – the Business School gives students unparalleled access to industry leaders, start-ups and global companies, enabling networking and collaboration that can lead directly to career opportunities.
• Career support. Each MBA student is paired with a dedicated Career Consultant, gaining personalised guidance through one-on-one mentoring, workshops, company projects and industry talks.

By graduation, the Class of 2026 will leave with the knowledge, skills, confidence and networks to lead, innovate, and drive meaningful change in the global business landscape.

What has your career journey been before joining the Imperial MBA?

For the last five years, I have worked as a Senior Salesforce Developer and Technical Architect at Deloitte US India, leading complex CRM solutions across healthcare, pharmaceuticals and utility sectors. Most recently, I led the design and implementation of Agentic AI solution, an application that helps patients with appointment management, screening, FAQ resolution and programme enrolment through an intelligent agent chat interface.

Why did you choose the Imperial Business School Full-Time MBA?

Imperial Business School is the ideal place to refine my skills and grow into a holistic leader in technology, strategy, consulting and product management, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

I have always been passionate about designing and implementing technology solutions - from conceptualising ideas, to designing their architecture, to bringing them to life. My ambition is to build and enhance digital products that truly make a difference to businesses and customers, making their work easier, smarter and more impactful.

I came to realise that technical skills alone aren’t enough. I began to consider broader questions: is my solution scalable? Can it be commercialised? Do I have the capabilities to navigate the complexities of building a successful venture? This reflection highlighted the value of pursuing an MBA. The Business School’s strong emphasis on innovation, its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and global network provide the ideal environment for the next stage of my professional journey.

What opportunities are you most excited about on the Imperial Full-Time MBA?

I’m really looking forward to diving into the Imperial community and exploring the networking opportunities that come with being part of such a diverse and ambitious cohort. Learning from peers with different professional and cultural backgrounds is something I value highly, and I see this as one of the most powerful aspects of the Imperial Full-Time MBA.

Being in the heart of Europe’s start-up capital also means having unparalleled access to industry leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneering companies. I’ve already started noting down events and opportunities I would like to attend, and view this as another opportunity to build meaningful connections and stay on top of the latest in innovation.

What is your top advice for future Full-Time MBA applicants?

Planning is key – avoid last-minute submissions, as the process requires time and thoughtful reflection. Ultimately, the MBA application journey doesn’t end when you submit your application; it really begins the moment you engage with the school and start envisioning your next steps.

What research helped you choose the right MBA programme?

I would say that the most valuable piece of research I carried out was to clearly understand the positioning of each business school, both now and in the future. I looked into Imperial’s history and spoke with alumni, which helped me realise Imperial’s key strength: connecting a STEM-driven approach to business - something that is increasingly essential in today’s ever more complex world.

I am confident that, through both the modules available on the Full-Time MBA and its network, Imperial will give me privileged access to the resources needed to address the challenges of an era in which business management will be profoundly reshaped by the hard sciences.

How does the Imperial Full-Time MBA support your career goals?

After five years of working in finance, I needed both to accelerate my career towards a more global path and to adopt a more holistic perspective in preparation for managerial positions. In this respect, Imperial’s international positioning, the global exposure it offers – specifically through its London location and networking opportunities - and its strong emphasis on collaborative leadership projects align perfectly with my career goals.

I am especially looking forward to undertaking modules that go beyond my current field of expertise and will enable me to better grasp the challenges of tomorrow. This is why I am particularly keen to take part in the Strategy and Digital Transformation concentration, as well as the Analytics & Operations concentration, both of which are becoming increasingly critical with the rise of artificial intelligence.

What is your top advice for future Full-Time MBA applicants?

The best advice I can offer to those who are just starting their application journey is to start writing the first draft of your application now. Then wait for a few weeks before going back to it and use that time to gather some more information, contact alumni and refine what you want to say for your professional reflections. This way you can make sure that it’s an impactful application.

What research helped you choose the right MBA programme? 

The most valuable piece of research I conducted when comparing MBA programmes was evaluating each school’s curriculum, teaching methods and extracurricular opportunities. Every school is unique in what they offer, and as a jewellery professional aiming to pivot into health tech or senior care, I needed a programme that balanced rigorous business fundamentals with opportunities to explore innovation and entrepreneurship.

What opportunities are you most excited about on the Imperial Full-Time MBA?

I most look forward to opportunities like the Imperial Innovation Challenge where I’ll be able to work directly with Imperial scientists to bridge together business expertise and technology innovations to solve real world business problems.

I also look forward to customising my own MBA journey by selecting electives related to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Concentration, modules like Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital, and projects like the Entrepreneurial Journey  - an opportunity to pitch a business proposal to a panel of venture capitalists.

Equally exciting is the Enterprise Lab - a start-up incubator with dedicated resources, mentorship and even funding to help bring science, technology and other business concepts to life. This level of support is unmatched and significantly boosts start-up success rates, which I’m eager to leverage to jumpstart my own entrepreneurial journey.

What is your top advice for future Full-Time MBA applicants?

Really consider what your short- and long-term goals are after studying an MBA and let that guide you in selecting your ideal school and become your narrative in your application process. Avoid generic reasons and focus on what is personal to you – that will really help you stand out. 

What has been your professional journey so far and what stood out about Imperial Business School?

I began my data science career at Meta, working on WhatsApp Business Analytics, before joining Rei do Pitaco, Brazil’s largest daily fantasy sports company. As the first data scientist there, I later became Data Science Manager, leading a team of 12 and driving product growth, pricing and risk initiatives.

I chose Imperial Business School for an MBA that lets me stay close to technical work while broadening my business impact, and for its strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering hands-on engagement with startups and innovation.

How does the Full-Time MBA align with your long-term career goals?

The Full-Time MBA curriculum aligns perfectly with my career goals of becoming either a Product Manager or Head of Data Science. Imperial provides the strategic and leadership knowledge I need to excel in those roles, while also offering access to a strong network of startups and scaleups across industries.

I am particularly excited about the Entrepreneurial Journey and Personal Leadership Journey modules, which will help me refine my leadership style and develop an entrepreneurial mindset to tackle large-scale challenges.

How do you plan to engage with the wider Imperial community during your MBA?

I’m particularly excited about the Venture Catalyst Challenge at the Enterprise Lab, as well as the Idea Surgery sessions where entrepreneurs can brainstorm and receive feedback on early business ideas.

I look forward to connecting with professors and students from the Engineering School to exchange perspectives and explore innovative approaches to solving complex problems.

And I’m particularly looking forward to joining the Latin America Business Club and the Sports Business Club, as both will give me opportunities to connect with peers who share my professional interests and regional background.

Beyond career-focused clubs, I’m also very keen on joining the IC Lawn Tennis Club, which will allow me to stay active, meet people outside the Business School, and engage with one of my biggest personal passions.

Why did you choose the Imperial Business School Full-Time MBA?

When researching different business schools there were two things that stood out to me about Imperial Business School:

• As someone with a non-STEM background, I was intrigued by the possibility of pursuing a business degree in an environment that places an emphasis on science and innovation.
• In parallel to this, the alumni profiles were also an important confirmation that I would find myself in a diverse cohort and that the Full-Time MBA was not just for one type of student - it seemed to fit students with different backgrounds and career goals.

What opportunities are you most excited about on the Imperial Full-Time MBA?

I’m most looking forward to the Global Experience Week and the chance to travel to a different country for a week to learn about the challenges being faced by local businesses and the solutions they are coming up with.

It offers an opportunity to apply what I’ve been learning in the classroom to a real-world setting where the culture and business practices of a foreign country will play a role in assignments. On top of that, it will be a unifying experience for the cohort and a chance to create lifelong memories.

What advice would you give to Full-Time MBA applicants?

My advice would be to really think about what your motivations are for pursuing an MBA and what you want to get out of the experience. If you’re clear on what you want, and find an institution that resonates with that, the application process will be so much easier because you can just be yourself.

Why did you choose the Imperial Business School Full-Time MBA?

From the start, I was determined to study at Imperial Business School, and I’m so happy to have achieved that goal. There are so many reasons why the Full-Time MBA stood out to me, from the entrepreneurship focus to the networking opportunities available, including plenty of events for us to connect with alumni and industry experts.

A particular highlight for me was the high employability statistics surrounding the Full-Time MBA – it sets it apart from other leading institutions around the world. I’ll have access to a dedicated Career Consultant during my studies and am able to interact with industry leaders, which was a huge draw. This will give me amazing guidance and clarity on which direction I want my career to go in.

How does the Full-Time MBA support your career goals?

In the short term, I would like to pivot from sales to consultancy. Imperial Business School has some of the best faculty for consulting and organises many events with their alumni, so I would like to utilise this knowledge and connections to be able to break into this industry.

And in the long term, I would like to take the skills and knowledge gained from the Full-Time MBA to expand my family business back home in India. Joining clubs like the Family Business club and interacting with the Enterprise Lab will give me access to like-minded individuals so that we can learn and grow from each other. And this experience will set me up to help accelerate my family business later down the road.

What advice would you give to Full-Time MBA applicants?

Don’t second guess yourself. The competition is high, however if your application is genuine and passionate, you can’t go wrong. Being yourself is always the strongest application you can make – if you do that, then your passion will shine through.

What has been your professional journey so far and how does the Full-Time MBA support your long-term career goals?

I’ve built my career at Agoda, an online travel agency, progressing from Project & Operations Coordinator to Senior Specialist on the central programme management team. I drive strategy and performance for a key product, collaborating with marketing, product, analytics, and regional teams to launch initiatives that increase hotel conversions.

The Full-Time MBA aligns with my goal of becoming a leader in business development or product management in tech.

I’m especially looking forward to the finance and analytics related modules  as they will equip me with the tools to make informed, data-driven decisions in the future. I’m also excited about the Personal Leadership Journey module and being challenged to grow professionally, connect with Career Consultants and actively prepare for future career opportunities.

What research helped you choose the right MBA programme?

During my application, speaking directly with current students and alumni was invaluable. One alumnus from my previous company shared candid insights, helping me understand Imperial’s culture, collaboration, and career support. Their perspectives made it clear where I would thrive academically and personally, guiding my decision with confidence.

Why is London the ideal location to study for an MBA?

I grew up in Thailand and completed my undergraduate degree in the US, so studying in the UK is an exciting opportunity to broaden my mindset even further.

Being in the heart of London, a hub for both technology and finance, means I’ll be exposed to a diverse range of industries and perspectives. I’m especially looking forward to learning from peers who are experts in their fields, and gaining insights from the city’s dynamic, global business environment.

How did you first hear about Imperial Business School and what made us stand out?

I took part in the Clipper Round the World Race – a sailing competition and endurance challenge. And whilst racing across the Atlantic, I met a professor from Imperial. Amongst some of the many conversations we had, one was about a technical business idea I would like to explore and off the back of that, we’ve kept in contact and that’s how Imperial Business School came onto my radar.

Imperial’s world-leading STEM-B university status was a big appeal when I looked into the university further. Doing a Full-Time MBA at Imperial Business School provides me with a unique environment where, on the one hand, I can hone my management skills and on the other hand, can access world leading knowledge and experts so that I can explore my ideas.

How has the Imperial community supported your MBA journey so far?

The community at Imperial is incredibly warm and welcoming. From the very beginning, it felt like everyone here is accessible and people are super supportive. This warm atmosphere has made for an incredibly smooth start to the programme.

Why is the Imperial Business School MBA worth it?

I am convinced that the Full-Time MBA will be a key catalyst on my path to achieving my goals, both in terms of personal growth and idea development. I am excited to throw myself and my ideas into this vibrant environment, and to craft relationships with all the bright people around me to create real value for our society.

What advice would you give to Full-Time MBA applicants?

Follow your heart and pick those options that truly inspire your imagination in terms of your ideas and aspirations for your future. Focus your efforts on those options as you will be able to craft a much stronger and more impactful application: go for quality not quantity.

Although the Full-Time MBA Class of 2026 has only just begun their journey, their stories already reflect the drive and ambition that define Imperial Business School. With diverse aspirations, they will immerse themselves in all Imperial that has to offer – challenging their perspectives and learning from faculty, peers and alumni who will inspire and support them as they shape the future of business. We look forward to following their journeys and seeing the impact they will make - at Imperial and beyond.