Full-time MBA FAQs
General
What is the best way to learn about the ESMT MBA?The most current information about our MBA program is available online. The Admissions Office MBA Programs is available assist you with all aspects of the application process. Should you have any questions or require assistance concerning your application, please contact us by e-mail at mba@esmt.org or call the MBA hotline +49 (0)30 21231 1400.
ESMT will be represented at various fairs and events in many major cities worldwide to answer your questions personally. Please check our website or contact us to find out when we are in your area.
You might also be interested in visiting us in Berlin. We have a very open policy towards campus visits, which are an informal opportunity to meet with one of our Admissions Officers and to get a feel for the campus. You will be able to sit in on an MBA class session, meet faculty, MBA participants, and have a short tour of the ESMT campus. You are welcome any day, but if you would like to attend a more formal presentation of the school and our programs, sessions are held on a monthly basis in Berlin.
We recommend that you contact ESMT’s Admissions Office at mba@esmt.org in advance if you would like to schedule a visit and/or attend a class. Due to the program structure, class participation is not always possible.
Program Information
How long does it take to complete the MBA program?
The ESMT MBA is a full-time one-year program starting in January and ending in December each year.
While the program is taught entirely in English, candidates also have the option of beginning their program in mid-October with a two-month intensive German language program at the Goethe Institut in Berlin. This program is free of charge to those who complete their application before July 31st.
A limited number of participants can extend their MBA by 4-5 months by participating in a post-program exchange in Beijing. Please contact our admissions office for further details.
What is the structure of the MBA Program?
The program consists of two core phases: Mastering Management and Taking the Lead. During the first phase, participants are given a solid foundation in the fundamentals of management.
With this platform firmly in place, the subsequent four-and-a-half months of the program are devoted to governance, innovation management, entrepreneurship and integrative leadership, and to building bridges between cultures that future leaders must be able to cross easily. The most important bridges are between East and West, between technology and management and between public and private sectors.
The program opens with a 6-week module on the context of general management, in which you are immersed in the general principles of responsible leadership, business ethics and the role of business in society. This module focuses on the behavior within organizations, and takes a first look at how the external economic environment influences decision-making.
During the second module, commonly known as “The Manager’s Toolbox” you will study the theories underlying the various facets of business administration. In this module, you develop your functional expertise and core managerial skills. Different management functions are studied rigorously, followed by cross-functional, integrative and strategic courses.
During the second phase, the program is devoted to governance, innovation management, entrepreneurship and integrative leadership, and to building bridges between cultures that future leaders must be able to cross easily. The most important bridges are between East and West, between technology and management and between public and private sectors. There is a strong, coherent focus on the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit. Included in the course fee is participation in an International Field Seminar. In 2012, students had the option to choose between Russia, Turkey, and Silicon Valley in the USA. This is followed by an elective period, where you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of more specialist courses.
Before finishing the program with a module on creating business plans for the future, all participants participate in a seven week in-company strategy consulting project, tackling real issues of client companies, many of whom come from ESMT’s founder network.
The curriculum of the program is enriched with a unique set of integrative assignments (Integrative Leadership Exercises) taking place at the end of each module. The Practice Project, the Master's Thesis and the Field Project, in which students learn about selected companies in a foreign country, round up the program.
What are the objectives of the ESMT MBA program?
The ESMT MBA program is a general management focused MBA, which aims at educating responsible leaders for the 21st century. Participants learn, who anticipate change before others do so, and to develop strategies to realign the organizations, internal functional activities and business system activities in order to take advantage of new opportunities.What kind of elective tracks does the program offer?
The first elective track, Management of Innovation and Technology (MIT), concentrates on how to successfully innovate through technology, how to capture value from this innovation, and how to bring new technologies to the market. The second, Global Sustainable Business (GSB), focuses on issues of sustainability, environmental management, as well as doing business in emerging economies.
Can I use transfer credit from other colleges or get exempted for certain classes?ESMT does not accept transfer credits from other institutions.
What makes the ESMT MBA different from other programs?
We are a young, entrepreneurial, innovative, creative and dynamic school with:
- An ambitious agenda for growth
- A faculty built from top global PhD programs such as Harvard, London Business School, INSEAD, Chicago, etc.
- A highly integrated approach to the MBA curriculum – all faculty work across disciplines
- Strong links with an influential corporate network, particularly among the 25 founding companies
- A focus on the role of technology in delivering a more sustainable future for business
- A commitment to innovation and creativity in the classroom and in our research
- A strong research orientation, with more A+ journal publications per faculty than any other school in Germany
- A commitment to individual mentorship from corporates and faculty
- Significant scholarship funding for exceptional candidates
- An inspiring setting in the heart of Berlin with exceptional facilities. Books and meals on campus are included in the fees.
As of January 2012, ESMT’s permanent faculty consisted of 33 members from 19 different countries. The faculty is complemented by more than 40 members of the visiting faculty; a group of professors and senior executives who support the faculty with their professional expertise. Our permanent faculty comprises full, associate, assistant and affiliate professors as well as faculty professionals. This division reflects the growing convergence between the management education profession and the consulting profession and the importance of practice-based learning.
What teaching methods are used in the ESMT MBA Program?
ESMT uses a variety of teaching methods, but fundamentally, the ESMT MBA program relies on the use of interactive discussion-based learning, including the case method and action learning. As an indication of the importance of the case method at ESMT, you might want to take a closer look at the list of case studies published by ESMT faculty.
Are there industry mentor programs for tutors or students, and what can participants expect of them?
Each student will be assigned two mentors - one ESMT faculty member and one industry professional (corporate mentor). Mentoring by faculty and corporate executives at regular intervals throughout the program provides you with a highly individualized and supportive learning experience.
How many MBA participants are in a class?
The full-time MBA Class of 2013 has 53 participants.
What percentage of ESMT MBA students is international?
The Class of 2013, made up of 21 women and 32 men, is internationally diverse. Participants come from 27 different countries.
Do students have to buy and pay for the books needed in MBA class?
No, students will be provided with the necessary standard reference literature selected by faculty and the MBA director.
Admissions
What is the cost of the MBA Program? Is financial aid available?
The total tuition fee for the ESMT Full-time MBA program is currently 29,000 EUR, with an additional compulsory contribution of EUR 9,000 to include all learning materials, office supplies, food and drinks on campus on weekdays while the program is running, and the field trip. For 2013, the compulsory contribution of EUR 9,000 is covered for all participants by the ESMT scholarship fund. Not included are meals during vacation periods, accommodations in Berlin, private insurance or personal expenses during the MBA time.
ESMT’s corporate founders are offering several scholarships to fulfill ESMT’s mission to develop future executives with Integrative Leadership skills. Please visit the scholarship section of our website or contact the Admissions Office for the latest information on merit-based scholarships. ESMT offers scholarships exclusively in conjunction with a successful application to its MBA program.
ESMT’s Admissions Committee does not review students' ability to pay for the program as part of the admission process. Each applicant is reviewed individually for who he or she is, not whether he or she can afford the program. If you are interested in competing for an ESMT scholarship, we ask you, as an element of our standard application process, to explain why you feel that you would qualify for a scholarship.
The tuition and fees for the MBA program in 2013 for company-sponsored students are EUR 50,000.
Accommodation and living costs in Berlin may vary between 8,000 EUR and 15,000 EUR for the year, depending upon the type of housing a student chooses. In general, rents range from EUR 300 – EUR 600 per month.
What are the admission criteria?
ESMT will select up to 60 women and men who best fit the ESMT MBA profile. For a successful admission to the ESMT MBA program, you should:
- have an outstanding background as a professional with at least 3 years of significant professional experience and a strong first university degree (at least Bachelor’s level)
- preferably have led a team as part of your experience and have demonstrated the capacity to achieve excellent results; if you have not had the opportunity to manage people, you will have had responsibility for processes and/or budgets (or, for example in the case of a medical doctor, your patients). ESMT is open to applicants from any field, not only business or engineering.
- have demonstrated flair for independent initiative – either as an entrepreneur or in a corporate setting
- show a deep sense of responsibility for building people and enterprise, for others, and for society at large and have a well-developed sense of personal values and ethics
- have a strong showing on the GMAT and TOEFL or equivalent English proficiency test, should English not be your native language. If you have had your university education in English or have spent several years resident in a country where English is the majority language, you can request an exemption from the TOEFL/IELTS. Please contact our admissions office for more information. All applicants must provide a GMAT score.
What do we look for in a candidate?
The most important thing we look for are a successful career to date and evidence of a determination to succeed as a senior manager. We look at what the candidate has achieved, his/her views on how he/she has dealt with challenges and what the applicant hopes to achieve in the future. During the interview we will ask the applicant to give examples from their past experience that indicate not only their management and leadership abilities, but also commitment, ambition, international exposure and teamwork skills.What are the application requirements?
- completed online application
- a CV demonstrating professional experience of at least 3 years after graduating from university
- two letters of recommendation: ESMT requires two letters of recommendation so that we can better understand how others perceive you and get a more concise impression of who you are.
- four essays: by requiring essay writing, ESMT gives you the chance to provide us with insight into your ideas about leadership and business management.
- strong showing on the GMAT: while not being the sole criteria used for admission, the GMAT score helps us to evaluate candidates in a uniform and standardized way. Please see the GMAT website for more information. ESMT’s GMAT code is 7121. Alternatively ESMT will accept the GRE. ESMT has the Designated Institution (DI) Code 7768.
- official transcript or certified copy of grades from each previously attended university, translated into English when applicable: as the ESMT MBA program is an intellectually demanding post-graduate program, you should have received prior academic training and have an undergraduate degree in the form of a bachelor’s or equivalent from a recognized college or university before applying.
- TOEFL or equivalent for non-native English speakers: all courses during the ESMT MBA are held in English. Therefore a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent is required of candidates who received undergraduate degrees at institutions where the primary language of instruction was not English. The TOEFL or equivalent must be taken before submitting your application because you are required to submit your score on the application
- interview: all candidates who pass the initial selection reading will be invited to interview. Interviews take place either on campus or by Skype videoconference. ESMT does not conduct telephone interviews. It is not possible to gain admission to ESMT without an interview. See below for more details.
Which application deadlines do you have?
Please review our deadlines here.
How I can I find out if my application is complete?
You will be able to see your completed application steps in the online application portal. The Admissions Office MBA Programs will also support you closely throughout the application process and will inform you about missing application elements.
What are the next steps after I gain admission to the program?
You will receive comprehensive introductory information with your admission offer. In close follow-up, we will also provide you with the login details to our pre-program platform “MBA ConnecTo” through which you will be able to interact and network with other admitted students prior to program starts. You will be able to access vital information regarding your arrival in Berlin, accommodation search, public life and entertainment.What else do I need to consider?
- Immigration documents: international students from countries from which the Federal Republic of Germany requires a visa should contact their local German consulate to apply for the relevant immigration documents or visit the following the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.
- Please make sure you have valid health insurance.
Admission decisions are sent out per confidential letter from the MBA Admissions Committee. Admissions may be conditional upon the supply of additional information.
May I speak to an admissions counselor? How do I find out if I am qualified?
The ESMT Admissions Team is more than happy to assist you with the application process. You are always welcome to submit your CV for review before starting your application, and we encourage you to do this.
Should you have any questions or require assistance concerning your application, please contact us by e-mail mba@esmt.org or call the MBA hotline +49 700 ESMTinfo (3768 4636).
How does the interview process work?
We conduct interviews on an invitation-only basis. The interviews are designed to provide useful information about a candidate that may not be easily captured on paper. They are also a good way for you to learn more about our MBA Program. This does not mean that the application essays and letters of recommendation are of less importance; they remain a critical part of the evaluation process with interviews as a supplementary information source.
If you are invited to an interview, the interview will take place during the application round in which you applied. You will be contacted by the MBA Admissions Office to schedule an interview, and you and your interviewer will set up a mutually convenient date and location to conduct the interview. A typical interview is conducted by one member of faculty and one of the MBA admissions team and lasts about an hour.
Do I need to have an interview on-campus in Berlin?
While interviews can be conducted by telephone or videoconference, applicants who are invited to interview are strongly recommended to attend a personal interview at ESMT in Berlin.
In the event of successful admission and enrollment in the program and payment of program deposit, ESMT will refund the cost of one return economy class flight ticket to travel to the interview (please note that you will need to request approval from the admissions office for this offer prior to making your ticket booking).
Career
Do you offer counselling and job-finding services?Yes. From the start of the program, professional coaching will help you target careers which closely match your individual abilities and strengths. In addition, there are recruitment fairs on campus where students have the chance to meet with our corporate founders as well as other internationally known companies we are closely linked to. That means that as soon as you start your MBA, you will be part of the ESMT network, having the opportunity to explore every opportunity you like, be it with or without the corporate founders.
How do you promote your MBA participants?
ESMT shares the CV Book with recruiting companies worldwide. ESMT recognizes that your job search is one of the most important elements of your development during your MBA, and we work with each person on an individual level to assist them with their job search. We will provide you with access to our wide networks, and recommend you to contacts for suitable positions.
Which companies recruit at ESMT?
Learn more by downloading the Class of 2011 Placement Report here.
Miscellaneous
Is ESMT accredited?
ESMT has been accredited by AACSB (US) since 2012, the Association of MBAs (AMBA) since 2009, and FIBAA, the accreditation agency for schools located in Germany, since 2006.
The school will be eligible to apply for accreditation from EQUIS (the Europe-wide accrediting body) after 10 years of operations in 2012, our 10th birthday.
What is the school’s policy on MBA rankings?
The school’s MBA program was launched in 2006. We expect to appear in all major rankings in the coming years, as we appreciate the visibility that international rankings will provide.
The school is currently ranked as the #1 German business school in the Financial times European business school ranking 2012 and in the top 10 in Europe for our open Executive programs by the Financial Times. The EMBA program is ranked as #1 globally for career progress, as the #1 stand-alone EMBA program in Germany and top 40 globally in the Financial Times 2012 EMBA rankings. For MBA, in general schools must have graduated at least three classes before being considered. Our sixth class graduated in December 2011. However, the Financial Times rankings require that more than 30 graduates per year for three consecutive years, and our MBA class of 2009 fell below this figure. We expect to be eligible for the Financial Times full-time MBA ranking due for publication in January 2014.
Is there a library and is it accessible online?
Yes, the ESMT Information Center (IC) consists of a reference library and the online Information Center, which is accessible to all ESMT patrons over the ESMT intranet. The IC provides access to a number of research databases, such as the Global Market Information Database, Business Source Premier and Lexis-Nexis Business, as well as to major business and management electronic journals, magazines and newspapers.
Are there any support services available for spouses and family of MBA students?
The ESMT’s MBA team supports you in finding relocation agencies and provides information on child care and schools in order to make the one-year experience in Berlin for you and your family a truly unforgettable one. Partners and families are welcome at many on-campus events.
Should I apply for the ESMT Full-time MBA or the Executive MBA?
It depends where you are in your career. The Full-time MBA is designed for participants in their late-20s to mid-30s, who are ready to move from specialized management responsibility to broader business-wide leadership responsibility. The Executive MBA targets participants who want to continue thriving in their job and their private life while earning a top degree and preparing to boost their career.
Does ESMT have a PhD program?
ESMT takes part in the Berlin Doctoral Program in Economics & Management Science, which uses researchers and professors from all major educational and research institutions in Berlin. More information here.
ESMT European School of
