Executive MBA admissions
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 find out everything you need to know about making your application for the Executive MBA at ESMT Berlin; including entry requirements, the application process, and timelines.
Through the application process, we are seeking to identify talented, high-potential leaders who can succeed in a challenging environment. Those applying should be engaged with ESMT’s mission and goals: specifically an interest in technology management and a desire to uphold responsible leadership practices.
The next intake will start September 27, 2027: applications are now open.
What do I need to apply?
Before applying for the Executive MBA ensure that you have the following:
- Strong career record with at least seven years of postgraduate professional experience, three of which should include managerial experience
- Indicators of senior leadership potential for high-performance career growth
- International outlook, intercultural competence, and a responsible approach to business
- Proven teamwork skills
- Strong motivation, commitment, and drive to succeed in a challenging academic program
- Clear commitment by your company about study time allowances and project agreements, or an in-depth discussion with our EMBA management about your career plan for EMBA Career Change candidates
Meet us on campus & get an application fee waiver
Join us on our historical campus for a one-on-one Coffee Chat or come to an ESMT Open House and receive a full waiver on your degree program application fee
How do I apply?
Admission requirements
EMBA applicants should have the following:
- Seven or more years of professional experience, including three years of managerial experience with an emphasis on leadership qualities and achievements (managing people, process, or budgets)
- An undergraduate degree of at least three years duration (minimum 180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification
- Strong score in an admissions test
- A test waiver may be granted if you hold a PhD, or studied a STEM subject at bachelor’s or master’s level.
- 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 (EA)
- 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 for 12 months or more in an English speaking country, or an organization whose language of communication was English, the English proficiency test requirement may be waived. A strong command of the English language should also be demonstrated in the admission interview.
- TOEFL - 5.0 minimum, with a minimum score of 5.0 in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing (updated 2026 scoring); our institution code is 8707
- PTE - 64 minimum
- IELTS - 7 minimum
Step 1: Pre-evaluation
Before the official application, ESMT will seek to engage individually with you to ensure that your career goals match the Executive MBA program’s track record for excellence. You can engage with us in a number of ways:
- Submit your CV to EMBA Admissions, and a member of the ESMT team will respond shortly.
- Meet us around the world at an event or through a one-to-one meeting. ESMT meets EMBA candidates in an individual atmosphere while conducting recruitment events. Please get in touch with us to arrange a meeting near you.
- Meet us on campus for an Open House or a one-on-one Coffee Chat. If you meet us on campus, you will receive an application fee waiver.
- For applicants from companies with whom we have a long-established relationship you may contact your HR department. In many ESMT partner companies, there is a dedicated professional working with ESMT to further your company’s career development goals.
Step 2: Online application
Following the pre-admission process, you are then invited to complete the online application form. The application is easy to follow, and will ask for the following:
- Basic personal data, including birthdate, address, and nationality
- Your academic and professional background
- Short essay questions
- Your CV
- Two recommendations
- €100 application fee
Step 3: Interview
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an in-person interview (on campus, or online). During your interview we will discuss a business case sent to you the day before.
Successful candidates will then be invited to a personal conversation with the program's academic director.
Once these two conversations have taken place, the Admissions Committee will make a final decision regarding your application. You will be notified of the outcome and next steps soon after.
Step 4: Admissions and Scholarship Committee
After the interview, ESMT’s Admissions Committee reviews the complete application and makes an admission decision. The Admissions Committee acts as a separate academic body; all admissions decisions are made objectively, regardless of company support.
If you are self-funding your EMBA, ESMT Admissions will inform you of any scholarship awards at the same time as the admissions decision.
Step 5: Accept your offer
To secure your place in the Executive MBA, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of €4,000 by the date indicated in your offer letter.
Congratulations and we look forward to welcoming you to ESMT Berlin!
When do I apply?
Early application awards available
All accepted participants who apply to the EMBA by Oct 31, 2026 will receive a €12,000 Early Application Award to reduce the full cost of tuition.
We also have a select number of awards and scholarships available for candidates who display academic excellence, leadership, and socially relevant achievements.
If you are interested in a scholarship, we suggest applying early as these are awarded on a rolling basis.
EMBA applications: September 2027 intake
Applications for the Executive September 2027 intake are now open.
The intake will start on September 27, 2027.
- We recommend contacting the Admissions team for a pre-application chat about how the Executive MBA can meet your goals
- If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to interview. Interviews happen on a rolling basis
- The Admissions Committee will inform you of the results within approximately three weeks of your interview
- You can apply for a scholarship at the same time as you submit your application
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, we recommend applying early.
Earlier applications will also receive an automatic Early Application Award.
Apply now to kickstart your senior leadership enhancement.
All application deadlines for the 2027 Executive MBA intake
Application round |
Application deadline |
Early application award |
|---|---|---|
Round one |
Oct 31, 2026 |
€12,000 |
Round two |
Dec 15, 2026 |
€9,000 |
Round three |
Jan 31, 2027 |
€6,000 |
Round four |
March 31, 2027 |
€3,000 |
Round five |
May 18, 2027 |
not available |
Round six |
Jun 30, 2027 |
not available |
Round seven |
July 31, 2027 |
not available |
Round eight* * Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis. |
Aug 31, 2027 |
not available |
| Application round: | ||
Round one |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Oct 31, 2026 |
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| Early application award: | ||
€12,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round two |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Dec 15, 2026 |
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| Early application award: | ||
€9,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round three |
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| Application deadline: | ||
Jan 31, 2027 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
€6,000 |
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| Application round: | ||
Round four |
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| Application deadline: | ||
March 31, 2027 |
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| Early application award: | ||
€3,000 |
||
| Application round: | ||
Round five |
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| Application deadline: | ||
May 18, 2027 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not available |
||
| Application round: | ||
Round six |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
Jun 30, 2027 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not available |
||
| Application round: | ||
Round seven |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
July 31, 2027 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not available |
||
| Application round: | ||
Round eight* * Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis. |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
Aug 31, 2027 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not available |
Apply now for the EMBA September 2027 intake
Ready to step into senior leadership? Apply to the Executive MBA by Oct 31, 2026, and receive a €12,000 Early Application Award off your total tuition.
Additional information
Find out more about the Executive MBA assessments: read our guide to business school admissions tests.
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
GMAT Online Test and the Mini GMAT Quiz
The GMAT can be taken online or in person. However, online testing times are more flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
For these reasons, instead of sitting for the traditional in-person GMAT test, we recommend that you take the GMAT online test.
Click here for more info about the GMAT online
If you are preparing to take the GMAT, you can test your knowledge first with the Mini GMAT Quiz.
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.
Request a profile evaluation
Curious to know which ESMT MBA program is the best fit for you?
Contact us to arrange a personalized assessment of your profile and see how you can become part of the ESMT Berlin family.