Part-time MBA FAQs

Why join the Part-time MBA program at ESMT Berlin?

Our Part-time MBA is a two-year, part-time MBA program that mixes online learning with in-person classes. This makes it an ideal way to continue working full-time while gaining the knowledge and competences to support both your personal professional development and the growth and transformation of your company.

Due to the program's blended format, many students choose to live and study outside of Berlin and commute to campus for in-person residencies. The program therefore attracts a diverse, international cohort, united by their desire to drive career impact.

Part-time MBA key highlights

Blend online flexibility with in-person networking and learning
Spend on-campus residencies in the heart of Berlin, at Germany’s top-ranked, triple-accredited business school
Study from home with the program ranked Germany's #1 Online MBA by the Financial Times
Accelerate your career by applying what you learned in class at work the very next day

Join the Part-time MBA at ESMT Berlin: the MBA program that fits around your schedule so you can drive innovation.

What commitment is required from me?

The part-time MBA program will be an intense, but highly rewarding, experience.

The program will take two years to complete, and 25% of the program will take place in person over 14 residencies. The program starts with a full-week residency in Berlin for all students and concludes with a 1-week international study tour. In between, you’ll join twelve 2.5-day residencies (Thursday lunchtime to Saturday evening) in Berlin. Over 24 months you’ll need just 28 days out of the office.

However, learning doesn’t just happen in person. Our blended approach combines face-to-face and online learning. You get the flexibility of interactive online learning at your own pace plus are able to learn with and from your peers – and our world-class faculty - online and face-to-face.

Expect to devote an average of 15 hours a week to your studies.

What is the difference between the Part-time and Global Online MBA programs?

While both programs lead to the same triple-accredited, globally recognized, ESMT Berlin MBA degree, there are three key differences.

Study mode:

Part-time MBA: 25% in-person; 75% online
Global Online MBA: 100% online

Days on campus:

Part-time MBA: you will spend 42 days away from your home (28 weekdays): 36 days on campus in Berlin, plus a 6–day international study tour.
Global Online MBA: optional 5-day Berlin Experience Week elective at ESMT Berlin

International study options:

Part-time MBA: 1-week international study tour to a destination agreed by the class; optional 1-week exchange at one of the 30+ schools that make up the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM); take up to two courses offered online by GNAM member schools
Global Online MBA: optional 1-week elective taught at ESMT Berlin (Berlin Experience Week); take up to two courses offered online by 30+ GNAM member schools

Will my degree certificate show how I studied for my MBA?

No. Your degree certificate shows only that you earned an MBA from ESMT Berlin.

What international study opportunities are included?

As a part-time MBA student at ESMT, you will have three opportunities for international study.

The international study tour is an integral part of the curriculum and takes place at the end of the program. After selecting the destination together, the class will spend a week abroad that combines academic sessions, company visits, team-building events and a social program. Participation in this week is included in the program fee but you will be required to cover your travel and accommodation costs.
During the elective phase of the program, you can choose to take part in the Global Network for Advanced Management Network Week. If accepted – places are limited and availability is not guaranteed – you will need to cover travel and accommodation costs.
Study virtually through the Global Network for Advanced Management by selecting up to two Network Courses. Credits earned on these courses count towards your elective requirement.

What is the online class schedule? Do I have to participate in all classes?

Live online classes are sessions that take place on Zoom in real time. We expect to agree on a fixed time slot for live classes (e.g. Friday, 4pm). You will then block this date in your calendar (live classes will not be scheduled every week!).

Live classes are designed to maximize interaction with the course teaching team and your classmates. Ideally, you participate in each course, but ESMT also records the live classes so you can watch them later if you were perhaps unable to join.

How often do I have to submit assignments?

Coursework should be completed on a weekly basis. Each course consists of 10 sessions, and each session should ideally be completed in the week it is scheduled. Working ahead is usually possible, but you should strive to follow the course pace to ensure effective group work.

Graded assignments do NOT happen every week in each course. There are on average 3 graded assignments per 10 week-course, and they tend to be scheduled towards the end of a course, but deadlines will be distributed over the entire course to keep workload at a decent level.

How will my work be assessed during the courses?

We seek to provide you with a variety of meaningful opportunities to show your learning and therefore, we have a wide selection of assessment types (essays, presentations, quizzes) in each course. In some cases this will include an exam, but more often assessment will take the form of essays, presentations, and group projects. Most courses include a combination of individual and group assessment.

When will I be able to view the full course content?

Our courses use a variety of media (presentations by Faculty, YouTube clips, etc.) and all materials are available to you at the start of a course. The recording of these lessons are always uploaded within 24 hours. Our courses are designed for you to study at your own pace, though there are occasional synchronous activities.

How will I be able to participate in group projects during the online phases of the MBA?

There are a variety of collaboration opportunities for you and most courses will involve a combination of individual and group assessment. The ability to collaborate successfully with peers is traditionally an essential part of the MBA learning experience, your fellow students will bring a wealth of different perspectives and knowledge from their various backgrounds.

Our courses are designed to encourage and reward collaborative learning.

Do I need to purchase additional study material apart from what will be offered online?

A few classes may require online textbooks and you will need purchase those. The majority of our courses will have all materials provided through the online learning platform or available for free online. We strive to keep any additional costs to a minimum.

What IT equipment do I need?

All students are required to have: a personal computer (laptop or desktop) with a webcam, a headset and microphone, administrator rights on the computer to install required software, and a high-speed broadband internet connection capable of streaming video.

How can Part-time MBA students participate in ESMT’s corporate network?

Given the blended nature of the Part-time MBA program, you have full career services access during your residential modules and are encouraged to take advantage of all events that are held on campus, which are focused on corporate connections.

Blended program students are full members of the ESMT Berlin community and are encouraged to participate in all the networking events organized

Am I a "good fit” for the Part-time MBA?

We are looking for people who want to transform their career and learn how to develop an innovation mindset, regardless of their position in the organizational hierarchy.

You are a strong candidate if among other things:

you want to develop your management expertise and leadership skills while expanding your professional network across diverse industries
you have a university degree and several years of work experience with potential to move into leadership roles
you have the ambition and motivation to work full-time and study part-time
you have clear career goals that you can achieve with an MBA

How is the Part-time MBA structured?

25% of your program takes place in person over 14 residencies. The program starts with a full-week residency in Berlin for all students and concludes with a 1-week international study tour. In between, you’ll join 2.5-day residencies (Thursday lunchtime to Saturday evening) in Berlin.

The classroom setting allows for discussion, network building, and peer-to-peer learning while learning from ESMT’s best-in-class faculty. Expect to devote an average of 15 hours a week to your studies.

What are the admissions requirements for the Part-time MBA?

Before starting an online application, prospective students must meet all of the following admission requirements. Find the full list here.

Is there an application fee for the Part-time MBA?

Yes, you will be prompted to pay a €100 fee before submitting your online application. Start your application!

What are the GMAT and GRE requirements? Can these be waived?

We do not have a specific minimum for GMAT/GRE scores. However, accepted students average scores are: GMAT 640 or GRE equivalent scores of approx. 160/160. However, a test waiver may be granted if you hold a PhD, or have studied a STEM subject at bachelor’s or master’s level.

We do accept the ESMT Admissions Test as an alternative to the GMAT or GRE. The test is an important part of the application process as it helps us judge all applicants on an equal basis. Review of these test scores allows the Admission Committee to ensure a consistent comparable measure and a standard predictor of academic success for all applicants.

What is the ESMT Admissions Test?

The ESMT Admissions Test (BAT) is administered by ESMT Berlin online. The duration of the test is around 2 hours.

The test consists of four parts (each 30 minutes long)

Communication Analysis (CA)
Critical Thinking (CT)
Data Interpretation (DI)
Data Analysis (DA)

How many and what kind of references should be included in the application?

As part of the application, you must include 2 letters of recommendation. These may be academic or professional referees (from previous employers).

The ideal letter of recommendation is from referees that know about your performance and will take the time to write a thorough and supportive letter, detailing specific examples rather than general statements.

Your recommenders can fill in the online reference form, which you can send from the online application system once you have filled in your referee’s contact details. Alternatively, they can send a recommendation letter directly to us via email or provide you with the recommendation letter for you to upload into your online application or send to us via email.

How can I prove English proficiency or waive the test requirement?

English is the working and instructional language at ESMT. Should you need to submit proof of English proficiency with your MBA application, we accept TOEFL (95 minimum), PTE (64 minimum), IELTS (7 minimum) or other English proficiency tests. If you have taken the TOEFL more than once, we consider your MyBest™ scores on the TOEFL iBT® test, as well as your TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date. The ESMT TOEFL institution code is 8707.

You can request a waiver of the English proficiency test requirement if English is your native language or you have earned a university degree from a program exclusively taught in English.

Is German proficiency required for the Part-time MBA in Business Innovation?

German language proficiency is not required. English is ESMT's working and teaching language and English is widely spoken in Berlin.

Pre- and/or post-MBA program, you can take an intensive German language course. Certainly, continuing your German language studies during the MBA is strongly encouraged too!

What are the Part-time MBA tuition fees?

The tuition and fees for the two-year part-time MBA is €40,000, which includes access to all learning materials and case studies, the learning platform and content, and a Smart Certificate. Tuition is payable in three installments over the length of the program.

For more information, visit our dedicated webpage.

Do you offer any scholarships for the Part-time MBA?

Yes. There are a range of scholarships available including scholarships of up to 50% for applicants holding refugee status. We also offer early application discounts. You can find details on the Part-time MBA scholarships page.

What financing is available?

An ESMT MBA is an excellent investment in your personal and professional development. Most students fund their part-time MBA through a mix of personal funds, loans, and employer support. Discover more about the loan and funding options that may be available to you.

Furthermore, you may be able to claim tax relief on tuition and related costs including travel and accommodation. We recommend discussing your personal situation with a tax advisor.

What is the Part-time MBA class profile?

Highlights from the class profile of the Part-time MBA, Class of 2025-2027:

25 nationalities, 61% international
26% female participants
Average age: 37
Average work experience: 8 years

Find our more about the Part-time MBA class profile

What student clubs can I join?

There are many student clubs active on campus, covering a vast variety of topics such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, investment, women in leadership, and many more. All students are welcome to join and take part in initiatives.

Where can I read about the experiences of other Part-time MBA students?

We regularly feature blogs from our Part-time MBA students on our Knowledge Hub.

Filter to the 'Students & Alumni' topic to find interviews with both current students and alumni. You can expect to find insights on everything from the Part-time MBA program itself, to tips on how to split your time between work and school, and more.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about our students, alumni, and faculty.

What rankings and accreditations does ESMT Berlin hold?

ESMT Berlin is among the top 1% of business schools in the world to have achieved Triple Crown accreditation – AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. The "Triple Crown" is the highest distinction of quality for business schools worldwide.

ESMT is also ranked highly by many leading business publications, including the Financial Times, Corporate Knights, and Poets&Quants. Learn more about our accreditation and the latest rankings.

Do I need to speak German to study at ESMT?

No you do not need to speak German to study at ESMT Berlin.

English is ESMT’s working and teaching language. The Part-time MBA is fully taught in English.

Further questions: can I talk to someone at ESMT?

Interested in learning more about the Part-time MBA at ESMT Berlin?

There are multiple ways to get in touch with us to talk about whether the Part-time MBA is the right next step. Explore the links below to learn how to meet us at a global event, join us on campus for coffee or an Open House, or sign up for one of our online webinars and Q&As.