Admissions
Everything you need to start your application
ESMT Berlin warmly welcomes applications from students of all nationalities. We are an international business school that thrives on international exchange and discourse.
On this page you will find ESMT Berlin's MBA requirements and find out how to make your application for the Full-time MBA; including entry requirements, the application process, and timelines.
Through the application process, we are seeking to identify a diverse range of individuals 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.
What do I need to apply?
The Full-time MBA program from ESMT is a challenging and comprehensive 15 month program designed to shape you into a leader and prepare you for success in the businesses of tomorrow.
When looking for individuals and reviewing applications we are specifically seeking candidates with the following competencies and qualities:
- Excellent analytical ability, both quantitative and qualitative
- International outlook, intercultural competence, and a responsible approach to business
- Proven teamwork skills in stressful situations
- Leadership potential, especially for high-performance career growth in a global environment
- Willingness to learn from others in a collegial environment
How do I apply?
Admission requirements
To apply to the program you will need to meet all of the following requirements:
- At least three years of postgraduate professional experience at the time of program start.
- A bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years duration (minimum 180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification.
- Strong score in an admission test. ESMT accepts scores from the following admission tests:
- The ESMT admission test (BAT, learn more). This is a two-hour, online, test that costs US$100 and is delivered by Business Test Methods. Contact the admissions team if you want to take the BAT.
- The GMAT exam
- GRE
- GMAC Executive Assessment.
- English proficiency test score (if applicable)
- If English is your native language or you earned a university degree exclusively taught in English you do not need to take an English proficiency test. If you have worked in an English speaking country or an organization whose language of communication was English for 12 months or more the English proficiency test requirement may be waived. A strong command of the English language should also be demonstrated in the admission interview.
- TOEFL - 95 minimum; we accept MyBest™ scores; our institution code is 8707
- PTE - 64 minimum
- IELTS - 7 minimum
When evaluating your application, we look for a diverse group of professionals who share the school’s mission and who will succeed academically and professionally in the MBA program.
Step 1: Online application
To begin the admissions process, applicants complete and submit an online application. The application is easy to follow, and will ask you for the following information:
- An up-to-date CV showing at least three years of postgraduate professional experience
- Two professional recommendations
- Answers to the following questions: (max 250 - 500 words per essay)
- Describe your specific career aspirations and reasons for pursuing an MBA at ESMT Berlin.
- Failures are rich learning opportunities and help us to grow. Tell us about a setback in your life (personal, academic, or professional), your reaction to the setback, and how it changed you.
- You can invite one guest for dinner, be they living, dead, fictional, or other. Who would you invite and why?
- Optional: Is there any other information, not covered in the application, that you would like us to know about you?
- Transcripts of your undergraduate degree detailing courses and grades
- A valid GMAT, GRE or ESMT admissions test (BAT)
- €100 application fee
Depending on your indicated preferences you can now take the ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT). This is a two-hour, online, test that evaluates academic aptitude over four sections of 30 minutes each: communication analysis, critical thinking, data analysis, and data interpretation. The test costs $100 USD and must be paid before it can be taken. Please ask your admissions manager for more details.
Please note applications submitted without one of these documents will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for review in that round. Therefore, incomplete applications will be reviewed only in the following round if the necessary documents are submitted and the application can be considered complete.
Step 2: First screening
Completed online applications will be reviewed once the application round has closed (see table above for admission deadlines).
- If you meet our minimum requirements, you will be invited for your admissions interview.
- If you do not meet our requirements, we will let you know on the day your application was reviewed.
Step 3: Interview
Admission interviews take place at the ESMT Berlin campus or via Zoom. The interview will last 40-50 minutes and help us learn more about you, and assess your interpersonal skills, career goals, and aspirations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions about the school or program.
Please see the table below for the application rounds and corresponding interview dates.
Step 4: Decision
After all interviews in a particular round are completed, the Admissions and Scholarship committees meet to agree admission and scholarship decisions.
This means that if you are accepted into the MBA program, you will receive both an admission and a scholarship decision at the same time.
Please see the table below for the application rounds and corresponding notification dates.
Step 5: Accept your offer
To secure your place in the MBA, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of €6,500 by the date indicated in your offer letter.
Congratulations and we look forward to welcoming you to ESMT Berlin!
Admission deadlines
Apply now to join ESMT Berlin’s Full-time MBA class in January 2026 and advance your career with us.
Timeline (2025)
| Round | Application deadline | Interview dates | Notification of decision | Early application award |
| Round 1 | February 28, 2025 | March 7-17 | March 26 | €6,000 |
| Round 2 | April 11, 2025 | April 22-29 | May 9 | €3,000 |
| Round 3 | May 30, 2025 | June 6-16 | June 24 | €1,000 |
| Rolling basis after Round 3 | ||||
| Final deadline for students requiring a visa | August 22, 2025 | August 27-September 2 | September 9 | |
| Final deadline | November 14, 2025 | Case-by-case, according to availability of seats | On a rolling basis | |
Review of your application will only begin after it is complete. That means that we need to receive your online application plus digital copies of your transcripts (including grade overviews), your GMAT, GRE, EA, or BAT test score, and at least one professional recommendation. You will be informed about the next steps soon after the round deadline and if you are successful we look forward to meeting you during an interview.
Important notes
- 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.
- If you are applying from Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, EU, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States, you DO NOT need a visa to enter Germany as a student. This can change so please check with us or your nearest German Embassy or Consulate
Additional information
GMAT Online Test
The GMAT can be taken online Instead of sitting for the traditional GMAT test, we recommend that you submit results for the GMAT online test.
Testing times are flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
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.
The Mini GMAT Quiz
Preparing to take the GMAT? Test your knowledge with the Mini GMAT Quiz.
ESMT Business Admissions Test (BAT)
The ESMT admission test (BAT) is taken online and is administered on behalf of ESMT by Business Test Methods. It costs US$100 and preparation materials are available online once you have registered.
In order to take the test, please reach out to our admissions team.
Find out how to ace the BAT with MBA programs director Rebecca Loades.
A Q&A with ESMT's Admissions Director
You can find out more about the application process with ESMT's Director of Admissions, Stephanie Kluth, in this Q&A with Clear Admit.
