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Our Requirements

Overview
Professional experience	3 years' full-time before commencing the course in September
English proficiency	English as your native language
	or IELTS - 7.5 with no element below 7.0
	or TOEFL Internet-based - 110 with a minimum of 25 in each section Paper-based - 637 with 5.5 in the Test of Written English
Undergraduate academic achievement	1st or 2.1
	or GPA of at least 3.3
	or Top 25% of class
GMAT	Current class average - 690
	Mid 80% - (640-740)
	A balanced score is required
	Valid GRE scores also accepted
Two references	A supervisor referee
	A peer referee

Detailed requirements

Professional experience

The Cambridge MBA is a highly practical programme, and it is important that our students have good, relevant work experience if they are to contribute to and benefit fully from it. For this reason, we require all MBA students to have at least three years of full-time, post-graduation work experience by the time they begin the programme; the average for the current class is seven years.

We also look for clear evidence of consistent achievement and career progression, however, we recognise that many people, especially women, take career breaks or part-time positions to raise a family, care for relatives, or spend time using their skills in the voluntary sector. We positively encourage applications from candidates with this kind of work background, so long as you can explain the reason for the break, what you learned from it and how you think it will benefit you as your career develops. International work experience is highly advantageous and should be highlighted, as well as any experience you have of working with people from countries other than your own.

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English proficiency

The MBA programme is taught entirely in English, and it is important that you can read, write, speak and understand English fluently. If you are a non-native English speaker you must provide us with evidence of your fluency in English.

Your results must be from a test taken in the four years prior to the start of the programme.

Our minimum entry requirements for these tests for entry are:

• IELTS - average of 7.5 with no element below 7.0
• TOEFL (Internet-based) - 110 with a minimum of 25 in each section
• TOEFL (paper-based) - 637 with 5.5. in the Test of Written English

If you scored 7.0 on IELTS or between 100 and 109 (inclusive) on TOEFL, and you feel that you are a strong candidate, you are also welcome to apply. However, we reserve the right to ask you to either retake and improve your test scores, or attend an additional assessment conducted by the University, if we were to invite you for an interview.

We ask you to self-report your scores on the application form. If you are invited for an interview, we will ask you to bring the original English language test certificates with you.

Waivers

The English proficiency requirement will be waived, at the discretion of the School, if you have studied at a degree level at an institution where English is the medium of instruction, or if you have worked or lived in an English-speaking country.

However, even if you have been granted a waiver, you might still need to sit for TOEFL or IELTS as part of your visa requirements. If you are a non-EU student, the UK Border Agency requires you to provide proof of your English competency through IELTS or TOEFL unless you are a national of, or have studied at an undergraduate level or above in one of the following countries:

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Language competence

Fluency / working knowledge of other languages is advantageous, and should be highlighted.

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Academic achievement

The Cambridge MBA is a fast moving, intellectually demanding, one-year programme and we need to be sure that you can perform at the level required. We expect you to have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised university. The precise qualification varies according to country and university, but as a general guide we are looking for the equivalent of a first class or good upper-second class honours in the British system, or a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0) from a major American university. You must submit a copy of your undergraduate academic transcript (or degree certificate if a transcript is not available). We are also interested in any postgraduate qualifications you have.

We will consider your application if you have lower grades, or even if you do not have an undergraduate degree, but only if you can demonstrate that you have been exceptionally successful in other ways and if there is evidence of necessary academic ability, for example a strong GMAT score.

Skills and competencies

We want to see evidence of good inter-personal and communication skills, numeracy, reasoning and problem-solving skills, teamwork, leadership ability, flexibility and creativity. Familiarity with MS Word, Excel and Power Point is essential.

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GMAT

We require all applicants to have taken GMAT (the Graduate Management Admission Test). As a consistent international assessment, GMAT helps us compare applications from around the world reasonably objectively. A total score above 630 is usually competitive, and the average of the current class is 690. A high total score is less important to us than strong, balanced scores on all three parts of the GMAT: quantitative, verbal and the analytical writing assessment. We do not specify a minimum score; your GMAT score is just one of the criteria that we consider as we evaluate your application. Please do not be dissuaded from applying to Cambridge if you have a low GMAT score but other parts of your application are strong.

You must instruct Pearson VUE to make your GMAT score available to us online. Our institution code is WF1-T3-68. Please self-report your score on the application form; we will verify it online from Pearson VUE.

Please note that GMAT scores are only valid for five years. We will only accept GMAT tests that have been taken in the five years prior to 30 September on the year for which you're applying for entry to the MBA programme.

We will also accept valid GRE scores. Please note that GRE scores are only valid for five years. We will only accept GRE tests that have been taken in the five years prior to 30 September on the year for which you're applying for entry to the MBA programme.

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