Our Requirements
The Cambridge Executive MBA is a rigorous academic programme. We therefore need to ensure that everyone who attends the programme is of a sufficient standard to manage the intensive and demanding workload. Please read the requirements carefully as they contain important information.
If you are unsure of your suitability for the programme please feel free to submit your CV for review.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Professional Experience | 7 years' full-time before commencing the programme in September |
| Academic Achievement | 1st or 2.1 or GPA of at least 3.3 or Top 25% of class |
| GMAT | Though if you feel that the skills covered by the GMAT can be demonstrated elsewhere in your application then you may request a waiver (granted at the discretion of the EMBA Director) - see below |
| Two References | A professional reference A peer reference |
| English Proficiency | English as your native language or IELTS - 7.0 no band below 6.0 or TOEFL - 100 with 25 in the written section |
Detailed Requirements
Professional Experience
Executive MBA applicants must have a minimum of seven years' full-time, post-undergraduate work experience, although most applicants will have more. The admissions committee is especially interested in the professional skills you've developed during your career, and how the Executive MBA will complement and accelerate your career development.
You are expected to continue working full-time whilst undertaking the Executive MBA, providing opportunities both for real-time transfer of learning and for the sharing of professional experiences with fellow students.
Academic Achievement
The Cambridge Executive MBA is an intellectually demanding 20-month programme. You must have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised university. The precise qualification may vary, but as a general guide we require the equivalent of a first-class or good upper-second-class honours in the British system, a GPA of 3.3 in the American system, or 65%+ for universities who provide percentage grades.
Scanned copies of your degree transcripts and certificates (both undergraduate and postgraduate where applicable) must be sent with your application via email when you apply for the programme. If your transcripts are not in English you must have these translated and verified by an official source (e.g an official translator or the British Council).
GMAT
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) demonstrates your preparedness for re-entering an academic environment. By taking the test you are helping the Admissions Committee make an informed decision about your current academic ability to undertake the programme. If you feel that the skills covered by the GMAT can be demonstrated elsewhere in your application (through previous qualifications or work experience) then you may request a waiver; this may be granted at the discretion of the Executive MBA Director.
The GMAT is just one of a range of criteria on which admissions decisions are based, and just as a high GMAT score is no guarantee of being offered a place, a more modest score will not preclude an offer being made.
Two References
You need to ask two referees to complete the reference forms. You should ask for references from your line manager or direct supervisor, and a colleague with whom you work closely. We learn a great deal about your background and potential through letters of reference, so please select your referees carefully and tell them how important it is that they provide as comprehensive a reference as possible. They should know your strengths and weaknesses well, and be in a position to comment on you objectively.
English Proficiency
Fluency in English is a pre-requisite for the Cambridge Executive MBA. If English is not your first language, you must have taken the TOEFL in the two years before September 2010. 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).