Application and admissions
ESMT Berlin welcomes applications from talented individuals of all nationalities and backgrounds. As an international business school, we value diversity of thought as well as global exchange and discourse.
Admission requirements
The admissions process for the Master in Global Management is designed to identify candidates who will thrive in the program’s collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary environment.
When evaluating applications, the Admissions Committee looks for the following qualities:
- A desire to drive positive change through business
- An international outlook, intercultural competency, and a responsible approach to business
- Potential for high-performance career growth in a global environment
- Willingness to learn from others and demonstrate collegiality under pressure
- A strategic mindset, intellectual curiosity, and analytical rigor
- Willingness to actively engage in and contribute to the ESMT network, enriching peer learning inside and outside the classroom
- Potential to serve as an ambassador for the school’s mission globally
What do I need to apply?
General requirements
- A previous degree (at least Bachelor's equivalent) with excellent grades. If you are completing your undergraduate studies within the next year, your application will also be considered.
- Recently graduated, with no more than 24 months of postgraduate work experience (excluding internships)
- English language proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Submitting an English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC) is not mandatory. Your English language skills are also assessed in the selection interview.
- You will receive a waiver for the English proficiency test if English is your native language or if you have completed a university degree completely taught in English.
- If required, ESMT expects a minimum score of 100 in the TOEFL, 7.0 in the IELTS, or 850 in the TOEIC. The ESMT TOEFL institution code is 8707.
- Evidence of quantitative skills - depending on your profile, you may be required to take the BAT or GMAT/GRE test)
- GMAT or GRE scores are not obligatory if candidates can provide alternative evidence of quantitative skills or scientific training within their Bachelor studies through competitive grades, that included general quantitative courses or with a degree in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative field (including economics or business with mainly theoretical/quantitative coursework).
- As a guideline, GMAT scores below 600 or GRE scores below 304 are not considered competitive. Depending on educational background and the grades, the review of scores can focus more on the quantitative section of the respective test.
- Candidates may also take the ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT) or receive a waiver for the tests if their academic transcripts or related qualifications demonstrate sufficient quantitative skills.
- Completed application - including essays, one reference, and €75 application fee.
Interview assessment
During the interview process at ESMT, applicants are assessed on their analytical and problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities, and English language proficiency.
Interviews are conducted in English by trained staff or alumni, using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to ensure candidates meet the B2 level or higher.
How do I apply?
If you have any questions about applying to the master's program or your profile, please contact the Admissions Office.
To begin the admissions process for an ESMT Master's Program, you will need to create an account.
The application form will ask you for following information:
- Basic personal data
- Your academic and professional background
- Answers to short essay questions
Additionally, you will be asked to submit the following documents with your application:
- Your CV
- Academic transcripts from all higher education institutions you have attended
- One recommendation letter from a current or former employer, or a professor (a form template can be provided by ESMT if needed)
- GRE/GMAT and TOEFL scores, if needed
ESMT cannot begin assessing your application until all of the required documents are received.
If you would like to join the Global Impact Program (GIP) in your second year, please indicate your interest in your application.
Final confirmation will be required during your first months at ESMT. Please note that there are only 30 slots available for the Global Impact Program.
Once you have submitted your application, the Admissions Team will review it. If your profile fits the program requirements, you will be invited to an admissions interview.
Following a thorough review of your application, you may be invited for a short interview with an ESMT administrator or professor.
All interviews for the program will be conducted online via Zoom or at the ESMT campus in Berlin. The admissions interview will test your interpersonal communication skills and your competency under pressure among other traits. You will also have the opportunity to to clarify open questions and provide deeper insights to your application.
After the interview, the ESMT Admissions Committee will review your application and make a decision. Following their decision, the Scholarship Committee will then meet to review applications for scholarship consideration.
You will receive an email with the admissions decision and scholarship award (if any) directly after these meetings. If you are successful, you will also receive details about the next steps to enroll in the ESMT Master's Program.
To confirm attendance, admitted candidates must pay a deposit towards their tuition.
After accepting your offer of admission and paying the tuition deposit, your place in the class is confirmed.
At this stage, you will receive access to an internal student portal, which will provide you with all necessary information regarding the next steps that you may need to take, such as:
- how to look for and find housing in Berlin,
- student visa application,
- obtaining health insurance,
- registering upon arrival in Berlin, and more.
A dedicated Student Services manager will be available to assist you with any further needs and questions you may have.
When can I apply?
Applications for the 2026 intake are now open. The intake will start on September 8, 2026. Submit your application here.
Applications to ESMT Master programs are reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis regardless of the application stages.
The Admissions Committee meets and publishes admissions decisions on average within two to four weeks.
Seats fill up fast, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Application stages
- Early Application
1st Early Application Award deadline: January 31 (€4,000 discount)
2nd Early Application Award deadline: March 31 (€2,000 discount)
If you complete your application to the master program by these deadlines, you will be automatically considered for an Early Application Award that gives you a discount on your master tuition fees. You will receive an admissions decision within two to four weeks.
- Student visa applicants
Deadline: June 1 (Applications after this date will still be considered)
Due to long visa processing times, citizens of countries that require a student visa to study in Germany are strongly advised to apply by this deadline.
- Soft-deadline for applications
Deadline: July 31*
*Applications after this date will still be considered. The final deadline should serve as a guide for your application planning. We will still accept applications that are submitted after this date but would recommend that you apply as soon as possible to secure your place before the class gets filled.
Additional information
GMAT Online Test
Instead of sitting for the traditional GMAT exam, the GMAT can be taken online. Testing times are flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
We recommend that you submit results for the GMAT online test.
GRE General Test at home
ETS offers candidates the option to take the GRE® General Test at home or at a test center.
The GRE® General Test is available everywhere that the computer-delivered GRE General Test is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran.
Admission Test Codes
- GRE – ESMT Designated Institution (DI) code: 7768
- GMAT – ESMT Master in Global Management code: H4D-SJ-17
- TOEFL – ESMT institution code: 8707
Student visa details
We have extended our deadline for international students who require a visa to enter Germany.
Please note that issuing a German student visa might take up to 6 months. Though the process is often quicker, we advise all admitted students to reach out to the embassies in their countries as early as possible.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER JUNE 1 WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED. However, ESMT can only provide minimal visa support for applicants from non-EU countries submitted after June 1.
More visa information can be found here.
- Do I need a student visa?
As a general rule, all non-EU/non-EEA nationals staying in Germany for more than 90 days for work or study purposes need a visa before entering the country.
Applicants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, EU and EEA countries, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States, DO NOT need visas to enter Germany as a student. As these regulations can change dynamically and without notice, we recommend consulting with ESMT representatives or your nearest German Embassy/Consulate.
- Additional information for graduates from Chinese or Indian universities:
If you are a graduate of a Chinese or Indian university, there are some additional steps you need to take in order to study at a German university. This process can take up to 6 months to complete.
Please visit the appropriate APS website: China (Chinese; Deutsch) India, for further information.
Contact our Admissions Team
Have questions about admissions or need more information?
We're here to help—simply reach out to our Admissions Team.
