The part-time format was non-negotiable...I could test what I was learning in real situations from day one, rather than stepping away from the work that was making the MBA worth doing in the first place.
I'd reached a point in my career where I wanted to push beyond what my day-to-day role naturally exposes me to: broader strategic frameworks, sharper financial thinking, and a wider lens on how businesses are run beyond pharma. ESMT was the obvious fit. As Germany's leading business school, it offered the academic rigor and international cohort I was looking for.
The part-time format was non-negotiable for me because staying in my full-time role at Shionogi meant I could test what I was learning in real situations from day one, rather than stepping away from the work that was making the MBA worth doing in the first place.
The flexibility of online learning
Your online studies are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to fit your MBA around your busy work agenda or family moments.
Online learning highlights:
- State-of-the-art online learning platforms that become your interactive classroom
- Flexible scheduling that allows you to build your day around your commitments
- Learn while working: our format lets you apply new knowledge in real time
Meets the focus of in-person residencies
Your in-person residencies give you dedicated time to focus on yourself, your studies, and your network.
In-person highlights:
- Short residency blocks every two months (from Thursday lunchtime to Saturday evening)
- Learn at our historical campus in vibrant Berlin
- Focused time to connect with your cohort and the wider ESMT comm
What to expect from the ESMT Part-time MBA
Learn more about how our blended format works, what kind of profile we look for, and how we encourage ongoing success.
Online program details
Our online classroom is a flexible set up that allows you to keep working while you study. This means you don't have to take a career break to build up your management skill set. Instead, you can apply your new knowledge at work the very next day.
Online quick facts:
- Online learning takes place via our state-of-the-art online learning platform that allows you to access course content, talk with your cohort, and submit assignments with ease
- On average you will be expected to spend around 15 hours per week on online learning, including classes, assignments, and course preparations
- Lectures and class content are designed to have interactive and group-study components, building ongoing cohort togetherness
- Lectures are recorded, giving you more flexibility to plan learning sessions at your own pace and around your personal schedule
Learn more: access an interactive demo of our learning platform.
In-person program details
Our face-to-face component consists of 14 in-person residencies. These days are a moment for you to step away from the routine and hustle of daily life, and dedicate your time to growing your knowledge and network.
Residency quick facts:
- In total you will spend 42 days at in-person residencies – but only 28 of these are during the working week
- 13 residencies take place on our campus in the heart of Berlin. You'll get to meet your cohort in person and even take part in activities with the wider ESMT community
- Your final residency is an International Field Seminar. The exact location changes each year, but you can expect to meet your classmates in a global business hub
- Both your first ESMT campus residency and the International Field Seminar are week-long events, giving you time to build and cement cohort bonds
- The rest of your campus residencies run Thurs-Sat (2.5 days total), minimizing the time you spend away from the office and other commitments
- Our membership in the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM), gives you an additional option for in-person content. You can apply to spend a week on exchange with another leading global business school
You can find residency dates and other course planning details on our Part-time MBA Timeline page
Part-time MBA admissions: who we look for
Our Part-time MBA brings together a diverse cohort of professionals whose experiences ranges across markets, roles, and industries.
On average, around two-thirds of the cohort comes from outside Germany. This creates a class profile shaped by different cultures and career paths, resulting in a rich peer-learning experience.
While there is no one exact profile that we look for, successful candidates tend to recognize themselves in these common themes:
- You have at least three years of postgraduate professional work experience
- You embrace an international outlook and have intercultural competence
- You can demonstrate a change and innovation mindset
- You have the ambition and motivation to study part time alongside your full-time work
Above all, though, we look at whole individuals, not just their CVs.
For specific details on the admissions process and requirements, you can refer to our Part-time MBA admissions page
The benefits: how you will grow at ESMT
Our Part-time MBA delivers a world-class business education. The program is designed to train you in the skills and insights that can support both your personal leadership development, and the growth and transformation of your company.
Quick facts:
- Learn essential MBA topics such as data, decision making, and leadership topics specifically designed to address today’s business challenges, such as AI and finance.
- Access personal development courses on a range of topics such as building high performance teams, presentation effectiveness, intercultural communications, consulting skills, project management and more
- Get career support from our dedicated Career Development Center, including advice on career transitions, promotions, and next chapters
- Improve your profile and gain networking opportunities through company visits and career fairs
- Tap into our international alumni network, which crosses industries, functions, and roles
- Deliver knowledge back to your organization in real time, resulting in lasting growth for you and for your company
Learn more about how the Part-time MBA can help your career impact.
The ESMT Berlin Part-time MBA program is specifically designed for individuals like me who want to maintain work-life balance while investing in self-development.
The ESMT Berlin Part-time MBA program is specifically designed for individuals like me who want to maintain work-life balance while investing in self-development. I want to enhance my career and gain knowledge in management and entrepreneurship. As a mother, founder of a coffee startup – FreshBean – and software developer, my days are full! Time management, discipline, solving problems one at a time and a good cup of coffee are my keys to success.
Meet your cohort: Part-time MBA class profile
During your Part-time MBA you'll spend 42 days in person with your cohort: learning, challenging each other, and socializing. The camaraderie built by returning to campus together creates the kind of strong peer network that extends far beyond graduation.
You'll benefit from your cohort's varied experience, too. With an average age of 37, and an average work experience of eight years, our Part-time MBA's diverse backgrounds add breadth to every classroom discussion.
The Part-time MBA network: student stories
It allows me to continue my career while studying and, at the same time, meet people from around the world and exchange experiences, perspectives, and ideas.
The Part-time MBA at ESMT felt like the perfect fit. It allows me to continue my career while studying and, at the same time, meet people from around the world and exchange experiences, perspectives, and ideas. The blended format especially appealed to me: combining online learning with several in-person residencies in Berlin gives me both flexibility and the chance to immerse myself in a new environment.
Part-time MBA FAQs
Can't find the answer you are looking for? Head over to our dedicated FAQ page for the Part-time MBA.
What is the difference between the Part-time and Global Online MBA programs?
While both the Part-time MBA and Global Online MBA lead to the same triple-accredited, globally recognized, ESMT Berlin MBA degree, there are some key differences.
Study mode:
While the Part-time MBA combines 25% in-person, and 75% online learning, the Global Online MBA is 100% online
Days on campus:
For the Part-time MBA you will spend 42 days with your cohort at in-person residencies. This includes 28 days away from work over the two-year program. The Global Online MBA has no compulsory days on campus.
International study options:
- Part-time MBA: one-week international study tour to a destination agreed by the class; optional one-week exchange at one of the 30+ schools that make up the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM); take up to two courses offered online by GNAM member schools
- Global Online MBA: optional one-week elective taught at ESMT Berlin (Berlin Experience Week); take up to two courses offered online by 30+ GNAM member schools
Will my degree certificate show how I studied for my MBA?
No, your degree certificate shows only that you earned an MBA from ESMT Berlin
What are the admissions requirements for the Part-time MBA?
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 the ESMT admission test, GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or GMAC Executive Assessment. In certain situations a test waiver may be granted.
- English proficiency test score (if applicable)
For more details on the Part-time MBA admission requirements visit our admissions page.
Do you offer any scholarships for the Part-time MBA?
Yes, there are a range of scholarships available including scholarships of up to 50% for applicants holding refugee status. We also offer early application discounts. You can find details on the Part-time MBA scholarships page.
Join an MBA event: in person or online!
ESMT Bites: Bite-sized lecture with Nora Grasselli
Welcome to ESMT Bites: Bite-sized Lectures, an exclusive, online taste of our degree programs. In May: the lecture "If the corporate ladder is a thing of the past, what are leadership transitions today?" by Nora Grasselli, an ESMT lecturer in leadership.
Global events for prospective students
16:30 - 20:30 | Zurich, Switzerland
17:00 - 21:00 | Frankfurt, Germany
10:00 - 18:00 | ESMT Berlin
09:00 - 19:00 | Frankfurt, Germany
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.
Want to learn more?
Find out more about our Part-time MBA program by visiting us on campus for a Coffee Chat or Open House, by or attending one of our recruiting events near you.
- Find out more about our campus Open House
- Book a one-on-one Coffee Chat
- See our events around the world
Alternatively, you can reach out to Luke Kucinski, the recruitment manager at ESMT Berlin to discuss the program and your profile in more detail.