The Full-time MBA program philosophy
Our philosophy is simple: every step should help you build momentum towards your next role. Our curriculum is designed to help you find focused professional impact.
Build a rigorous management foundation
Establish your management foundation together as a cohort. Work in diverse teams, explore new leadership styles, and question conventional thinking, while developing the professional capabilities that will support you through the program and into your career.
This phase creates confidence and equips you with the fundamentals expected of MBA graduates by employers worldwide.
Apply theory in practice
Choose a summer option that will put your new knowledge to the test and build the practical skills that can boost your employability.
- Summer internship: apply for an internship within an organization to learn while doing
- Sustainability in Practice project: explore a team consulting project at a real company
- Summer language school: fast track your German language skills
This phase gives you the practical momentum to move towards your post-MBA ambitions.
Specialize and deepen expertise
Tailor your Full-time MBA even further by choosing the specialization track that will help you reach your career goals.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship track: Explore how businesses become viable ideas. Then, build confidence in how you can lead innovation responsibly in complex, uncertain environments – from within, or as a founder.
Managerial Analytics track: Learn to lead in data-rich, technology-driven environments. Then, go beyond the technical details to focus on decision making, judgment, and responsible use of AI and data.
This phase refines your focus and sets you up for specific career goals.
Transition into your post-MBA career
Conclude your transition into a leader of tomorrow with your capstone consulting project. Working in small team, you will take on a strategic, analytical, or innovative challenge from a real-life business - and present your findings to real-life employees.
Previous MBA cohorts have completed capstone projects at major companies, startups, scaleups, and NGOS.
This phase provides confidence and credibility as you transition into your post-MBA career, building a bridge between your time at ESMT and your next role.
Create career impact with an MBA in Germany
At ESMT we nurture talent and ambition with practical, personalized career guidance.
From day one of your studies, you are supported by the Career Development Center, who help you move from career goals to career results. You will build a toolkit of professional skills – then connect with the employers who demand them, in Germany and beyond.
Learn more about how the Full-time MBA can help you create lasting career impact.
Full-time MBA career stories
It just opened my path. It opens our paths when we come here.
At ESMT I was able to access a network of people that was also very global – among my colleagues, among the alumni – who have given me all kinds of opportunities: from coaching, to referrals, to simply allowing me to understand the different possibilities in the German market.
The program has taught me a lot about things that were not part of my routine as an expert before I joined here. It just opened my path. It opens our paths when we come here.
The access to top German companies is really unbeatable, and it truly helped establish and accelerate my career here in Europe
Germany truly welcomes global talent, and opens up career doors... I am part of the 80%+ of ESMT graduates who choose to stay and work in Germany after graduation. The access to top German companies is really unbeatable, and it truly helped establish and accelerate my career here in Europe.
Be part of an international cohort
At ESMT you will join a highly international cohort, based in the heart of diverse, student-friendly Berlin. On average, 91% of our participants come from outside Germany – representing more than 20 different countries.
With an average age of 32, and an average work experience of seven years, our Full-time MBAs also bring experience and knowledge of many different industries, creating a rich, peer-to-peer learning environment.
Full-time MBA student stories
Everyone comes from different countries, industries, and backgrounds, so you’re constantly exposed to new perspectives.
Even though I’m German and studying in Berlin, the experience feels very international. The program being fully in English and the diversity of the cohort really shape how you learn. Everyone comes from different countries, industries, and backgrounds, so you’re constantly exposed to new perspectives.
You understand that there isn't one right way to a solution...and you learn to be a bit more open minded. You also get to know other fields, like consulting, tech fields, entrepreneurship
I am finding people that I think I am going to be talking to long into my career.
I am learning so much from all the people with different backgrounds, whether that's the country they're coming from, or their professional background, or their personality.
Something I was thinking about was "what do we all have in common as a cohort?" Because I am finding people that I think I am going to be talking to long into my career. I think it's this passion for purpose, and wanting to help and grow, and be part of positive change in the world.
Full-time MBA FAQs
Still have questions? Try our in-depth FAQ page for the Full-time MBA.
Am I a "good fit" for the FTMBA program?
The Full-time MBA program is designed for those who have strong professional experience in any field and feel ready to move to broader business-wide leadership responsibility.
You are a good fit if you are:
- Ready to seize your future and accelerate your career in Europe or beyond
- Aligned with our values of community, curiosity, courage, and rigor
- Excited to join an MBA program where you can tailor your academic journey to meet your needs
- Committed to your learning and development, and are ready to support others in theirs
We want a diverse group of professionals who share our values, want to be part of our mission to develop responsible leaders, and who will thrive academically, personally, and professionally in the MBA program. We therefore strive to achieve a fit between what our program has to offer and what you need for your professional advancement and self-development.
What are the admissions deadlines and requirements for the FTMBA?
Admissions deadlines
You can see a full overview of our program deadlines and requirements on our Admissions page
Admissions requirements
To apply to the program you will need to meet all of the following requirements:
- At least three years of consecutive postgraduate, professional experience
- An undergraduate, or first university, degree (bachelor)
- Strong GMAT, GRE, EA, or BAT scores
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
What Full-time MBA scholarships are available?
There are multiple scholarships available for Full-time MBA students.
These scholarships have been designed to help you make your international business career a reality, giving outstanding MBA applicants a warm welcome at ESMT Berlin.
Our scholarships include those for academic excellence, as well as those designed to support students from diverse backgrounds. These include a Gender pay gap scholarship for woman candidates, a Rainbow scholarship for LGBTQIA+ candidates, and Regional scholarships for students from specific global areas.
Details of all available scholarships for the current intake are on the scholarships page.
Join an MBA event
Event highlight: ESMT Open House
Join us to explore ESMT's historic campus, meet our community, and learn more about the impact our Full-time MBA can have on your future career.
Global events for prospective MBA students
09:30 - 14:00 | ESMT Berlin
17:30 - 21:00 | Taipei, Taiwan
10:00 - 20:00 | Shenzhen, China
17:30 - 21:00 | Shenzhen, China
Visit us on campus and get €300
Meet us in Berlin – join an Open House or an on-campus chat and we will even pay your expenses: you'll get €300 off if you enroll in an MBA program.
Other ways to connect
Meet a Full-time MBA representative
Find out more about the ESMT Full-time MBA by visiting us online, on campus, or at one of our global recruiting events.
Meet an ESMT Berlin representative or current student and find the answers to questions you might have about ESMT.
