Awards & scholarships - Executive MBA

Completed online applications submitted in rounds 1-3 will receive an award corresponding to the round in which the application is submitted.  

• Round 1: €12,800
• Round 2: €6,400
• Round 3: €3,200 

Applicants who submit exceptional GMAT or GRE (equivalent), or ESMT Business Admission Test (BAT) scores will be considered for scholarships to acknowledge their success.

Value: €2,500

Requirements

• GMAT: a total score of 690 or higher
• GMAT Focus: total score of 645 or higher
• GRE: a total verbal score of at least 160, quantitative score of at least 165
• ESMT Business Admission Test: a score of 16 or higher
• EA: a score of 157 or higher

Eligibility: Applicants will be considered after submitting a completed application to the EMBA program including official test results from either the GMAT or GRE. GRE scores will be converted to a GMAT equivalent using this online converter.

NOTE: Applicants must submit official test results no older than five years from the date of application, from either the GMAT or GRE. For the ESMT Business Admission Test (BAT), only the results from the first exam will be considered for the scholarship. Subsequent test results are not eligible.

The Women in Business 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.  

Value: €12,960 off tuition 

Question: What do you believe are the biggest systemic barriers preventing more women from reaching senior leadership roles? How might businesses innovate to overcome them, beyond traditional diversity initiatives? 

The Rainbow Scholarship recognizes MBA applicants who are actively advancing inclusion and equity for LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ individuals.  

Value: €9,720 off tuition 

Question: How have you helped create greater inclusion or equity for LGBTQ+ people in your workplace, community, or industry? What impact have your efforts made, and how do you hope to continue this work in the future? 

The 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.  

Value: €16,200 off tuition  

Question: How are you using business principles or leadership to create positive social or environmental impact? What results have you seen so far, and what greater change do you hope to achieve?

Entrepreneurship is part of ESMT’s DNA. The Founders and Entrepreneurs’ Scholarship supports applicants who have demonstrated initiative, resilience, and innovation by founding or co-founding their own business. Eligible candidates must have at least three years of experience running a start-up and hold an equity stake in the company.  

Value: €12,960 off tuition 

Question: What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a founder, and how has it transformed the way you lead and create impact today?  

The European Leaders’ Scholarship recognizes EMBA candidates based in Europe who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement, leadership capability, and the potential to make a positive impact in their organizations and communities. This scholarship celebrates responsible leadership and a commitment to shaping the future of European business.  

Value: €6,480 off tuition 

Question: What does responsible leadership mean to you, and how has it shaped your leadership transformation and impact within your organization? 

The International Leaders' Scholarship recognizes exceptional EMBA candidates residing outside the European Union who demonstrate strong leadership experience, global perspective, and the ambition to drive positive change across borders. The scholarship supports individuals who exemplify ESMT’s values of responsible and innovative leadership in an international context.  

Value: up to €25,920 off tuition 

Question: How do you define responsible leadership in a global context, and how have your international experiences transformed your approach to leading and creating impact across cultures? 

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. 

Value: €16,200 off tuition 

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? 

ESMT Berlin is proud to offer a scholarship to officers transitioning from military to civilian leadership roles. The Bundeswehr and Former Military Scholarship is available to officers who have completed their service within the past year and have been admitted to the EMBA program.

This scholarship recognizes the valuable skills, discipline, and leadership experience developed through military service and their relevance to business leadership.  

Value: €16,200 off tuition 

Question: What leadership or strategic skill developed during your military service will most accelerate your leadership transformation and impact during the EMBA, and why?