Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is an educational powerhouse; a hub of creativity, where original thinkers come together to help shape the world around us.

Located in the heart of the UK’s capital, LSE serves as the intersection of academia, business, politics, and media. It’s a world-renowned institution where diverse ideas influence economic, political, and social thought. It’s this legacy that first attracted Aleksandar Simoski, who was looking to break into a global leadership role.

“You’ve got some of the biggest Nobel prize winners coming off the LSE desk,” says Aleksandar. “You learn not only from the classroom, but from all these world-renowned leaders who are joining LSE as part of this community.” (00:06)

In fact, a total of 21 LSE alumni or staff members have been awarded Nobel Prizes over the past century, including 16 for Economic Sciences, which together account for a quarter of all prize winners in that category.

An Unshakeable Spirit of Curiosity

These Nobel Prize winners and their fellow LSE alumni all have one thing in common: a proactive mindset that looks beyond the surface to find solutions. This mindset is embodied in the school’s motto: Rerum cognoscere causas, which means “to know the causes of things.” For Aleksandar, it inspired him to think differently.

“Questioning the status quo, questioning assumptions. This curiosity, but also the criticality of how you approach certain things… is what LSE certainly helped me [to develop],” he says. (00:59) 

The school has the reputation to back up its claims as a groundbreaking institution. LSE currently sits 5th globally for Social Sciences and Management in the QS World University Rankings. In addition, The Times named it the number one university in the UK in its Good University Guide 2026, beating Oxford and Cambridge for the second year in a row. 

A Top-Tier Program For Global Leadership

Aleksandar was looking for more than a traditional Master of Business Administration, or MBA. He wanted something that would prepare him for a global leadership role, but also enable him to continue working full-time between courses. 

“I chose the Executive Global Master’s in Management, which is the LSE equivalent of an MBA, because it allowed me to work in parallel and pursue this type of education,” he says. (00:38)

It’s an education renowned for its mix of flexibility and academic rigor. LSE’s Department of Management’s Executive Global Master’s in Management (EGMiM) reimagines the traditional MBA curriculum to reflect the complexities of modern business. 

It does this through a series of short, intensive modules that are designed to fit around your personal and professional commitments. Studies take place at the LSE campus in London, with two international modules (currently in Vietnam and Mumbai) providing valuable insight into diverse business cultures and global markets. These international modules combine immersive company visits and lectures from local industry leaders. 

Learning From a Global Cohort

LSE is one of the most diverse business schools in the world. Around 70% of LSE students originate from outside the UK, representing more than 160 different countries worldwide. It’s not just the cohort that’s diverse, with over 40% of LSE staff hailing from outside the UK. This brings an exceptional blend of perspectives and experiences.

“You’re in a group of five people, and you approach a case study. You have a certain viewpoint on how you start doing this, and then you see six other people having a completely different angle to you,” explains Aleksandar. “I think this is where you grow… I think this blend of curiosity and different backgrounds is what makes you grow personally, as well as academically.” (01:13)

This rich, multicultural learning environment is supported by LSE’s expert Student Advice and Engagement Team. They are on hand from the outset to offer tailored tips for international students and to generally oversee student wellbeing at LSE.

Landing a Global Leadership Role

The LSE EGMiM was pivotal to Aleksandar securing his role as Global Head of Investor Relations and Strategic Controlling at Breitling. The Swiss luxury watchmaker was the focus of his dissertation during the program, and he relished the opportunity to impress.

“I was researching the CFO role under private equity ownership and comparing it to publicly listed entities,” he explains. “So, I was interviewing the CFO of Breitling during the dissertation.” (01:52)

LSE awarded Aleksandar’s dissertation the prize for best dissertation of the year. His study helped him graduate with Distinction from the LSE EGMiM. He was offered a leadership position by Breitling on the day of his graduation.

Become the Leader You Were Born to Be at LSE

Aleksandar’s time at LSE has been formative. A combination of curiosity, dedication, and a willingness to learn helped him transition into the Swiss luxury watchmaking industry. At Breitling, he’s now influential in establishing the brand’s place in the global market.  

“I’m very grateful for having spent the time at the Executive Global Master’s in Management at the LSE, because I still draw on the wealth of knowledge and experiences I gained there,” he says. (02:17)

LSE helped Aleksandar become adaptable and build resilience, crucial for thriving in an international environment. 

“All of these aspects help you mature as a person, but also develop your social skills and your networking skills,” he says. “This, in conjunction with the academic rigor, forms you with a very strong foundation to be successful in any organization in the future.” (02:36)

Like all success stories, Aleksandar combined personal drive with top-tier education to fuel his career growth. If you’re looking for a truly transformational program, the LSE EGMiM gives you the actionable steps, industry access, and mindset needed to shape your own path.

The rest is down to you.  

Want to study at the London School of Economics and Political Science? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!