Admissions
Everything you need to start your application
ESMT Berlin warmly welcomes applications from students of all nationalities for its Part-time MBA program. We are an international business school that thrives on international exchange and discourse.
Through the application process, we are searching for a diverse range of individuals who share our values, want to be part of our mission to develop responsible leaders, and who will thrive academically, professionally, and personally in the Part-time MBA program.
Is this program for you?
The Part-time MBA is designed for working professionals with a minimum of three years of postgraduate work experience who want to be effective change agents in their organization.
We specifically seek candidates with the following competencies and qualities:
- International outlook, intercultural competence, and a responsible approach to business
- The ambition and motivation to study part-time alongside work and personal commitments
- Willingness to learn from others in a collegial environment
- Proven teamwork skills
- A change and innovation mindset
How do I apply?
Admission requirements
To apply for the program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- At least three years of postgraduate professional experience at the time of program start.
- A bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years duration (minimum 180 ECTS), or equivalent qualification.
- Strong score in an admission test
- A test waiver may be granted if you hold a PhD, or studied a STEM subject at the 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.
- 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 in an English speaking country or an organization whose language of communication was English for 12 months or more the English proficiency test requirement may be waived. A strong command of the English language should also be demonstrated in the admission interview.
- TOEFL - 95 minimum; we accept MyBest™ scores; our institution code is 8707
- PTE - 64 minimum
- IELTS - 7 minimum
Step 1: Apply online
To begin the admissions process, please complete and submit an online application. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Basic personal information, including name, address, date of birth, and citizenship.
- An up-to-date CV showing at least three years of postgraduate professional experience.
- Answers to the following questions:
- You can invite one guest for dinner, living, dead, fictional, or other. Who would you invite and why? [Video essay; max 2 minutes]
- Outline your reasons for applying to the Part-time MBA program and how the program will help you achieve your career objectives? [Text; max 250 words]
- Optional: Is there any other information, not covered in the application, that you would like us to know about you? [Text; max 250 words]
- Two professional recommendations – at least one is needed to submit your application, the second can follow later
- Your English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
- Transcripts of your undergraduate degree detailing courses and grades
- A valid admission test score (if applicable)
- €100 application fee
Applications will only be reviewed once all required documents, including test scores, have been submitted. If you believe you qualify for a test waiver, you may submit your application without a score. The admissions team will review your application and determine if the waiver will be granted.
Step 2: Interview
After we have reviewed your application, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an Admissions interview (in person or via video).
The interview will last 30-40 minutes and helps us learn about each other. We want to get to know you – your career to date, career goals and aspirations, and what you’re looking for – and in turn you get to ask us questions about the program, school, and life at ESMT Berlin.
Step 3: Offer
Successful applicants will receive an offer of admission. To secure your place, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit by the date indicated in your offer letter.
Congratulations and we look forward to welcoming you to ESMT Berlin!
Key 2026 application deadlines
The next application round for the Part-time MBA September intake closes on March 31. Applications received by this deadline will qualify for an early application award of €3,000, in addition to any scholarships awarded.
For all other application deadlines, please refer to the table below.
Application deadlines: 2026 intake
Applications for the September 2026 intake are now open.
The ESMT Part-time MBA Admissions operates a rolling admissions process, with available places in the class filled on a continual basis.
Space in the ESMT Part-time MBA class is limited, and early application is strongly recommended, especially for those interested in automatic early application awards, or in applying for scholarships.
All application deadlines for the 2026 Part-time MBA intake
Round |
Application deadline |
Early application award |
|---|---|---|
Round one application deadline |
February 9 |
This round is now closed |
Round two application deadline (current round) |
March 31 |
€3,000 |
Round three application deadline |
May 17 |
€1,000 |
Round four application deadline |
June 30 |
not applicable |
Round five application deadline* |
July 31 |
not applicable |
Round one application deadline |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
February 9 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
This round is now closed |
||
Round two application deadline (current round) |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
March 31 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
€3,000 |
||
Round three application deadline |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
May 17 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
€1,000 |
||
Round four application deadline |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
June 30 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not applicable |
||
Round five application deadline* |
||
| Application deadline: | ||
July 31 |
||
| Early application award: | ||
not applicable |
Visit us on campus and get €300
Meet us in Berlin – join an Open House or an on-campus chat and we will even pay your expenses: you'll get €300 off if you enroll in an MBA program.
Additional information
GMAT Online Test
The GMAT can be taken online Instead of sitting for the traditional GMAT test, we recommend that you submit results for the GMAT online test.
Testing times are flexible and there is no need to find a local test center.
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.
The Mini GMAT Quiz
Preparing to take the GMAT? Test your knowledge with the Mini GMAT Quiz.
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
