Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I be sure that the Cambridge MBA is a recognised qualification by the business community?

In addition to gaining your MBA from Cambridge University - one of the world's leading providers of education - the programme is also accredited by AMBA and EQUIS, independent auditors who assess the quality of MBA programmes around the world.

Do you offer a part-time MBA or an Executive MBA?

Although the Cambridge MBA is a full-time 12-month programme, we also offer a 20-month Executive MBA programme.

Do you have programmes starting in January/April?

No, we have a single intake each year which starts in September.

What are your term dates?

Term dates for 2012/13:

* All students must be present
** Students are not required to stay in Cambridge for this period

Please note that a few aspects of the programme take place during the vacations. During July and August, you are required to complete a summer activity. There are a range of summer activities to choose from, all with varying end dates. Depending on which summer activity you choose, some can extend until late September 2013. Visit the Programme Overview to find out more »

Programme duration (last five cohorts):

What specialisations and concentrations do you offer?

Our MBA is a general management programme. However, you can tailor the programme to meet your own needs and post-MBA employment aims through electives and projects. In this way you are able to gain all the basic general management skills and specialise in almost any area of management.

Do I have to find the host companies for the consulting projects myself?

Our Projects Office will identify project proposals for the class, but if you are particularly keen on a specific sector or company, you are also welcome to source your own Global Consulting Project and are encouraged to do so; it gives you a reason to talk to potential clients and to expand your network in your chosen area of interest. Once you and your group have decided which company you would like to work with, you will then develop the project brief with that company.

When can I apply for the 2014/15 programme?

Although applications are open for the class starting in September 2014, they will not be read until after the first round deadline of 11 October 2013.

Do you have a "staged" application process?

Yes. All our application deadlines and related interview day schedule can be found on the "Apply" webpage.

What are the minimum requirements for entry onto the programme?

Visit the "Our Requirements" webpage for full details of minimum requirements.

What is your application fee?

The application fee for entry in 2013 is £125.

I have my own company. How do I choose my referees?

You can ask a customer, supplier or professional adviser to act as your referee.

How are references submitted?

Please nominate two referees - a peer and a supervisor - in the "References" section of our online application form. Your chosen referees will be sent an automated email asking them to submit your reference to us directly, via our online system.

Would you consider my application if I have not got a degree?

Our programme is intellectually demanding: in twelve months you will have to cover what most US schools teach over two years. We will consider applicants without a degree, but we will usually ask you to provide evidence that you have the academic ability to cope with the intellectual demands of the programme. Such evidence might include a good, well-balanced GMAT score and strong references from tutors on other academic courses that you have taken.

Do part-time jobs count towards the minimum work experience requirements?

In most cases no, e.g. if you are applying for 2012 entry you must expect to have at least three years' full time, post-graduation work experience by 30 September 2012. However, please tell us if there are extenuating circumstances which mean that you have only been able to work part-time or on temporary contracts - for example you have had to bring up a family or care for an elderly relative.

I don't want to tell my current line manager that I am applying for an MBA. Can I submit an educational reference instead of the professional one?

We understand that sometimes it is not possible to ask your current line manager for a reference, in which case we are happy to accept a reference from a former line manager/supervisor. Failing this, we will accept a reference from a customer, supplier or adviser with whom you work on a professional basis. We do not now require an academic reference, as the undergraduate transcript we ask you to submit will provide us with all of the necessary information and contact details we need.

Do you have an upper age limit?

No.

Is GMAT compulsory?

No, we are also able to accept a valid GRE score. Full details of how to sit the GMAT test can be found at www.mba.com. Full details about the GRE test can be found at www.ets.org/gre/.

Do I have to take the GMAT or GRE before applying?

Yes, you must have taken the GMAT or GRE prior to submitting your MBA application. We ask you to self-report your score on your application form and instruct the test provider to make your official score report available to us online. Please note we will not review your application until we are able to access your official score report. For GMAT the institution code for Cambridge Judge Business School is WF1-T3-68.

Do you require a minimum GMAT score?

No, we do not specify a minimum GMAT score - it is just one of the many criteria we consider in the selection process. However, the majority of our students have a score above 620, and the average for this year's class is 690. We look for good balanced scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the test, which demonstrate to us that you have the variety of skills required to succeed on the Cambridge MBA.

When do I need to submit degree transcripts and other certificates?

Please upload a copy of your degree transcript in the "Academic Information" section of our online application form. If you are invited for an interview, we will require you to bring the original transcript certificates with you. If you are unable to provide the original documents, you must have copies authenticated by a public notary or lawyer who has seen the original documents. Please prepare these documents now, as we sometimes invite candidates to interview at short notice. Transcripts should be written in English, or be certified translations into English.

Do I have to take an English language proficiency test?

Fluency in English is a pre-requisite for the Cambridge MBA. If English is not your first language, you must have taken a recognised English proficiency test in the two years prior to 30 September on the year for which you're applying for entry.

We may, at our discretion, waive this requirement if you can provide clear evidence that your English is fluent (e.g. you have mainly been educated in English and your principal working language is English), but to expedite your application we would strongly recommend that you take an English proficiency test anyway. You do not need to apply in advance for any waiver. There is a section for you to do this on the application form.

Which tests of English proficiency are accepted, and what is the minimum score required?

We accept either IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Princeton TOEFL test scores. Our institution code for TOEFL is 0908.

Visit the "Our Requirements" webpage for details of our minimum score requirements.

What essay questions will I need to answer for my application?

Our Cambridge MBA entry essay questions are available via the "Completing Your Application" webpage.

How do I know that you have received my application and supporting documents such as transcripts and references, and that you have been able to access my GMAT score?

Please check the "Current Application Status" section of our online application form to verify that your application is complete. Please note that your application cannot be reviewed until we have received your application fee.

Useful website resources

• GMAT website »
• IELTS website »
• TOEFL website »

When will I hear if my application has been successful?

Approximately five weeks after each application deadline, we will send you an email notification as to the status of your application.

Do I have to come to Cambridge for an interview?

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in Cambridge. We do carry out a limited number of interviews in countries where it is difficult for candidates to obtain visas at short notice. However, we strongly prefer candidates to meet faculty, speak to current students and tour the School before taking up the offer of a place. Unfortunately, we are not able to reimburse costs occurred in attending interview.

Do I need a visa to visit/study at Cambridge?

If you are a non-EU national, you will have to apply for a student visa in order to study in the UK. You should refer to the UK Border Agency website for the latest information regarding student visas to ascertain if you require a visa and the criteria that you will have to fulfil.

While the school is not in a position to offer immigration advice, the present regulations mean that most non-EU MBA graduates from UK schools can work in the UK on a Tier 2 visa after they graduate if they accept a job offer within the duration of their student visa, subject to them meeting other criteria. Their employer has to apply for a Tier 2 work visa on their behalf. Non-EU students who have graduated with an MBA from a UK school and satisfy the work visa requirements are not counted against an employer's Tier 2 quota and are not subject to labour market testing. Non-EU citizens with an MBA from a non-UK institution (e.g.from the US, France, etc.) who want to work in the UK have to find an employer who is willing to use their quota and be subject to labour market testing.

Visa regulations do change and it is the responsibility of prospective candidates to find the latest information and assess their individual circumstances. Please do not rely solely on the information provided by our website.

What happens after the interview?

We usually notify applicants if they have been successful within a week of the interview.

Which college am I likely to join?

There are 31 Cambridge colleges, but not every college takes MBA students every year. If you are made a conditional offer of a place on the MBA programme, we will put you forward for membership of a college which has places for MBA students. However, it is very difficult to say which college this is likely to be until nearer the time. Applying early may give us more of a chance to place you in a college of your preference, but this can never be guaranteed.

What is the cost of the MBA programme?

The tuition fee for entry in 2012 is £38,000.

Are the fees different for overseas students?

No, fees for British and overseas students are the same.

How much extra money will I need for living expenses?

Depending on your personal situation, we estimate that you should budget an extra £10,000 to £20,000 to cover college fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals, extracurricular activities and travel. A more detailed breakdown can be be found on our Fees and Expenses webpage.

What scholarships do you offer?

Details of scholarships, bursaries and loans can be found in the Fees & Financing section.

Can I work during the MBA programme?

There are working restrictions that apply to all graduate students of the University. It is not possible to 'work through' a full-time degree at the University, except as a Research Assistant whose research employment activity matches that of the research degree.

It is a requirement of the University that all full-time postgraduate students have their funding fully in place before they start their programme. Under no circumstances will the need to earn money be accepted as a valid reason for failing to complete a course or an assignment on time. Students on one-year programmes are not normally allowed to undertake any type of paid work during their period of study, although on a few programme, permission may be given for students to give undergraduate supervisions. These regulations do not apply to part-time students.

The University does not allow students to undertake paid work outside the University or a college while they are studying full-time, and you should not expect to accrue additional income in this way.

Useful website resources

• MBA.com: Financing Your B-School Degree »
• MBAInfo.com: Funding Your MBA »
• British Council: Sources of Funding for International Students »
• TopMBA.com: Finance and Scholarships »
  (for scholarships available to those attending World MBA Tour and World Grad School Tour fairs)

Can I visit the School?

Yes, you can; MBA Recruitment staff will be happy to meet you and answer your questions about the programme and the admissions process at one of our Open Days. Please note that we are unable to meet with visitors without a pre-arranged appointment.

How do I get to Cambridge, and where can I find Cambridge Judge Business School?

The Location webpage in the "About Us" section of the site contains information about how to reach us by road, train or plane, and includes a map of our location within the city of Cambridge.

Do you hold events outside of Cambridge?

Yes, we regularly attend MBA fairs and hold presentations around the world. Please check our MBA Information Events page for forthcoming opportunities to meet us.

How can I contact Cambridge MBA alumni?

We understand that speaking to our alumni is useful for prospective MBA students, and introductions with our alumni will be made as part of the admissions enrolment process. We regret that, due to the busy schedules of our alumni, we can only connect you with them once you have applied and are progressing through our selection process.

How can I contact the MBA Office?

Please visit the "Contact Us" webpage for our contact details ».