Scholarships and awards make your Global Online 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.
- Awards: Awards are automatically granted if you meet the criteria. You do not have to submit an essay to receive an award, but you may be required to provide proof of test scores. You can be awarded more than one and they can be combined with a scholarship and with payment plan tuition reductions. Certain awards, like the Early Application Awards, are available only before specific application deadlines.
- 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. Scholarships are awarded on merit and only self-funded MBA candidates are eligible.
We recommend applying for scholarships early as they are limited.
Important notes: You will receive all awards for which you meet the criteria. Awards and scholarships can be combined with all payment plans. Note that scholarships and/or awards reduce the total tuition; your selected payment plan will then be applied to the remaining balance.
Scholarships and awards can be combined and apply solely to tuition fees.
Global Online MBA automatic awards: key facts
You will automatically be granted an award if you meet the criteria. You can receive more than one award and they can be combined with scholarships.
You are also welcome to explore our payment plan options to further reduce the cost of tution.
Global Online MBA automatic awards
All automatic awards for the Global Online MBA starting March 1, 2027
Early Application Awards
Early application for our Global Online MBA is strongly encouraged. Successful applications to the March 2027 Global Online MBA (those selected for admission to ESMT) that are submitted before the deadlines in rounds one and two 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 €3,000 (Application must be submitted by October 31, 2026). Current round.
- Round two: Early Application Award is €1,000 (Application must be submitted by December 15, 2026)
Global Online MBA applications for the March 1 2027 intake will stay open after Dec 15, 2026, however later applications will not qualify for an Early Application Award.
Test score excellence award
An excellent test score will qualify you for a €2,000 award that celebrates your success.
Depending on the test you take, the scores required are:
- ESMT Admission Test score of 16 or higher
- 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
- EA of 157 or higher
Official test scores must be sent with your application; scores submitted after the application has been processed will not be considered. Scores must also be no older than five years from your application date for the program.
Regional award
Self-funded applicants will automatically receive an award based on their country of residency as classified by the World Bank country income classifications.
- Low-income countries: €21,000
- Lower-middle income countries: €8,400
- Upper-middle income countries: €4,500
There are no awards for those living in high income countries.
Global Online MBA scholarships: key facts
To apply for a scholarship, you will need to answer the specific question associated with it (see below). Your response is submitted as part of your degree application.
The following conditions apply:
- You can apply to up to three scholarships
- You can only be awarded one scholarship (plus any automatic awards or payment plan discounts)
- Applying for scholarships does not guarantee a scholarship award, irrespective of how many you apply for
- Scholarship values are used to reduce the total cost of tuition
Global Online MBA scholarships
All scholarships for the Global Online MBA starting March 1, 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.
Eligibility: You identify as a woman
Value: €4,800
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.
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.
Eligibility: 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: €4,800
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?
Apply now for the Global Online MBA starting March 2027
Ready for flexible learning and career enhancement? Apply to the Global Online MBA by Oct 31, 2026, and receive a €3,000 Early Application Award off your total tuition.
