Scholarships and awards make your Part-time MBA more affordable by lowering the tuition you need to pay. With options to fit all profiles, we encourage outstanding MBA candidates to apply.
Scholarships & automatic awards
There are two types of tuition reduction you may receive: awards and scholarships.
- Scholarships are applied for as part of your application to the program. Each scholarship has a specific question you need to answer in the application form. While you can apply for up to three scholarships, you may only receive one. Scholarships are awarded on merit and only self-funded MBA candidates are eligible.
- Awards are automatically granted if you meet the criteria (you don’t need to do anything). You can be awarded more than one and they can be combined with a scholarship.
We recommend applying for scholarships early as they are limited. Scholarships and awards apply solely to tuition fees.
Part-time MBA automatic awards
Find out more about relevant award deadlines on the Admissions page.
Early Application Awards
Early application for our Part-time MBA is strongly encouraged. Successful applications (those selected for admission to ESMT) that are submitted before the deadlines in rounds one through five will receive an award corresponding to the round in which the application was submitted.
These Early Application Awards are used to reduce the overall cost of tuition. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm Berlin time on the deadline day to qualify.
- Round one: Early Application Award is €7,000 (Application must be submitted by October 31, 2026)
- Round two: Early Application Award is €5,000 (Application must be submitted by December 15, 2026)
- Round three: Early Application Award is €3,000 (Application must be submitted by January 31, 2027)
- Round four: Early Application Award is €2,000 (Application must be submitted by March 31, 2027)
- Round five: Early Application Award is €1,000 (Application must be submitted by May 18, 2027)
Part-time MBA applications will stay open after May 18, however later applications will not qualify for an Early Application Award. All applications open Oct 1, 2026.
Test Score Excellence Award
If you submit official admissions test scores at the 85th percentile or higher, you will receive a €3,000 scholarship that celebrates your success.
Eligibility: applicants will be considered after submitting a completed application to the Part-time MBA program, including official test results from one of the admissions tests accepted by ESMT.
The scores required are:
- GMAT: total score of 690 or higher
- GMAT Focus: total score of 645 or higher
- GRE: verbal score of 160 or higher; quant score of 165 or higher
- BAT of 16 or higher
- EA of 157 or higher
Requirements: applicants must submit official test results as part of their application (note, BAT results go directly to ESMT). Results must be no older than five years from the date of application. Scores submitted after the application has been processed will not be considered for the Test Score Excellence Award.
Part-time MBA scholarships: key facts
To apply for a scholarship, you will need to answer the specific question associated with it. They are listed below, and your response(s) is submitted as part of your application.
The following conditions apply:
- You can apply to up to three scholarships
- You can only be awarded one scholarship
- Applying for scholarships does not guarantee a scholarship award, irrespective of how many you apply for
Part-time MBA scholarships
All scholarship opportunities for the intake starting September 6, 2027
Women in Leadership Scholarship
The Women in Leadership Scholarship recognizes outstanding women who are committed to advancing gender equity and inclusive leadership in the workplace and beyond. This scholarship supports women who are driving change, challenging barriers, and contributing to a more balanced and diverse business landscape.
Essay question: How have your experiences as a woman influenced the way you approach leadership, opportunity, or professional advancement? Please give an example and explain what perspective you would bring to the ESMT MBA cohort.
Application criteria: You identify as a woman
Value: €6,000 off tuition
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
Responsible Impact Scholarship
The Responsible Impact Scholarship recognizes MBA applicants who are driving positive change by aligning social purpose with business strategy. Preference is given to those working in social enterprises, non-profit organizations, or NGOs, but all applicants who are advancing meaningful impact in their communities or industries are encouraged to apply.
Essay question: Describe the most significant social or environmental outcome you have personally helped produce. What was your responsibility, what changed, and what evidence demonstrates the result?
Application criteria: You are either working at an organization where generating positive social or environmental outcomes is part of the business model, or it is a formal core responsibility of your job.
Value: €4,000 off tuition
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
Rainbow Scholarship
The Rainbow Scholarship recognizes MBA applicants who are actively advancing inclusion and equity for LGBTQIA+ people in their workplaces, industries, or communities. This scholarship celebrates leaders who champion authenticity, representation, and systemic change to create safer and more equitable spaces for all LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Essay question: How have your experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community shaped the perspective you would bring to the ESMT MBA cohort?
Application criteria: You are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
Value: €4,000 off tuition
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
Future Leader Scholarship
The Future Leader Scholarship is awarded to applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic or professional achievement, strong leadership skills, and outstanding growth potential. This scholarship recognizes individuals who show a clear vision for how they will lead responsibly and create positive impact through their careers.
Essay question: Describe a situation in which you assumed responsibility for leading others through a difficult decision or significant change. What did you do, what was the result, and what did the experience change about how you lead?
Application criteria: You can demonstrate how you have lead positively and responsibly
Value: €4,000 off tuition
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
Refugee Scholarship
Education is a catalyst for transformation. The Refugee Scholarship supports up to three refugees each year to pursue the Part-time MBA at ESMT Berlin. This scholarship cannot be combined with other awards (including automatic awards), and proof of refugee status is required.
Essay question: How do you hope to use your MBA, and this scholarship opportunity, to create positive change for yourself, your community, or others facing displacement? Will you make a difference with the Refugee Scholarship?
Application criteria: You must be able to prove refugee status
Value: €21,000 off tuition
Number available: three
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
e-fellows Scholarship
ESMT Berlin is proud to partner with e-fellows.net to offer a dedicated scholarship for e-fellows alumni and participants of e-fellows MBA Day events. Applicants must have taken part in at least one e-fellows initiative to be eligible.
Essay question: MBA programs thrive on collaboration and diverse perspectives. How do you approach learning from others, and how will you help your peers learn from you?
Application criteria: You must have taken part in at least one e-fellows initiative to be considered.
Value: €4,000 off tuition
Status: Open (for applications starting from October 1, 2026)
