Applying for the MBA
Each year we are proud to admit an incredibly talented, driven, diverse and international class of MBA students representing a myriad of different professions and cultures.
Together, they are committed to making the most of their Cambridge MBA experience, and to creating impact in their chosen field and career.
We’re delighted you’re thinking of joining us. Innovators, world-shapers, ground-breakers – this is your place.
Application dates
Round 1
29 Aug
2023
Application deadline
Interviews:
2-13 Oct 2023
On campus interviews:
2 Oct 2023
Round 2
3 Oct
2023
Application deadline
Interviews:
13-24 Nov 2023
On campus interviews:
13 Nov 2023
Round 3
8 Jan
2024
Application deadline
Interviews:
26 Feb-15 Mar 2024
On campus interviews:
26 Feb
4 Mar 2024
Round 4
11 Mar
2024
Application deadline
Interviews:
12-26 Apr 2024
Round 5
7 May
2024
Application deadline
Interviews:
7-21 Jun 2024
Who we’re looking for
The Cambridge MBA is right for you if:
- you have 2+ years of work experience and strong evidence of career progression
- you have a bachelor’s degree (equivalent to a high 2:1 on the UK scale) and have excelled academically
- you have a valid GMAT/GRE score (our average is typically around 690)
- you have excellent English language abilities.
- you have a learning mindset and strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
- you are confident, resilient, ambitious and thrive under pressure.
Intellectual ability and mindset are key to our admissions requirements, but we value diversity and understand the variety of international experiences and opportunity our candidates may have faced. If you only meet some of these criteria but still think you’re a good fit, read our apply page to learn more about exceptions we may make.
Application process
Our application process is simple and friendly.
- Step 1: Preparation
- Step 2: Application submission
- Step 3: Application review
- Step 4: Interview
- Step 5: Conditional offer
- Step 6: Unconditional offer
Preparation
Create an account and start your application.
Fill out your MBA application on our online portal. You can save your application as many times as you like. Take your time and make sure you have all your supporting documentation ready to go before you submit.
Application submission
When you’re sure you’re ready, submit your application.
Make sure your application is complete. For your application to be reviewed, you’ll need to submit with all supporting documents attached and the £165 application fee.
Application review
Your application will be reviewed by the Cambridge Admissions Committee.
Our Admissions Committee will review your entire application in full and decide whether to short-list you for interview.
We’ll notify you within 3 weeks if you’ve been short-listed to interview.
Keep checking your inbox. We’ll notify you whether or not you’ve been invited to interview by the date given in the round you apply.
Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
Fraudulent applications
The University of Cambridge takes robust action against admissions fraud. If we find that fake documents or false information has been submitted, we will withdraw the application and any others made by the same person.
Interview
Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview.
Your interview may be held at Cambridge Judge Business School or virtually. More information will be provided in your interview invite.
Conditional offer
Successful candidates will receive a ‘Conditional Offer’ within 3 weeks.
If you are successful at interview, you will be given a ‘Conditional Offer’. within 3 weeks, however it can sometimes take longer.
You’ll need to inform us of your decision within 3 weeks.
If you accept your offer, you’ll be asked to pay a Commitment Fee of 15% of fees and provide a financial guarantee that you can meet programme costs.
Certain conditions must be met in order for your offer to be converted to an Unconditional Offer.
Unconditional offer
Accept your offer, pay a Commitment Fee of 15% of fees within 3 weeks and receive an Unconditional Offer.
Congratulations! The final stage of the Cambridge MBA application process, once you have met all conditions of your offer, is a letter confirming you have reached this stage.
Visas
If you are a national from outside the UK or Ireland, you will have to apply for a student visa to study on the MBA.
You should refer to the UK Visas and Immigration website for the latest information regarding student visas to see if you require a visa, and the criteria that you will have to fulfil.
For more information, visit the Admissions Process section of our FAQs page.
Our minimum requirements
Make sure you have everything necessary to submit the strongest application possible. Below is a list of requirements for applying to the Cambridge MBA.
Please note, if you are a national from outside the UK or Ireland, you will normally require a student visa in order to study our MBA. Please refer to the information on the University’s international students webpages for detailed guidance.
All applications are made online, and you need to submit all required supporting documentation. An online payment of £165 will be charged for the submission of your completed application.
We require a good 2:1 Honours degree on the UK grading scale or international equivalent. Lower scores may be considered, but you will need a good GMAT or GRE score. Masters degree details can be included but are not required.
You must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience by the start of the programme. Our class average is around 6 years of work experience.
You’ll need either a GMAT or GRE score to apply to the Cambridge MBA. Our current average is around 687 with a 700 median (mid-80% range is 630-740).
We also accept the GMAT Focus Edition and the Shorter GRE exam.
Scores are valid for five years, and your score must be valid at point of application. Our GMAT institution code is WF1-T3-68.
You will need one reference from a supervisor. We do not accept academic references or those from relatives, peers, or colleagues. The reference must come from someone who has worked with you in a supervisory or managerial role.
Choose your referee and get them started early so your application is not held up by late reference submission.
Your referee will receive an automatic reference request once you have entered their contact details on our online application system.
You must complete the careers objectives statement and 3, shorter essays:
- Please provide details of your post-MBA career plans. The statement should not exceed 500 words and must address the following:
- What are your short and long-term career objectives? How will the Cambridge MBA equip you to achieve these?
- Looking at your short-term career goal, describe the research you have done to understand how this industry/role/location recruits MBA talent and what they are looking for in a candidate?
- How confident do you feel about meeting your short-term career goal? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them, and what preparation are you doing now?
- Tell us about a time when you made a professional mistake. How could it have ended differently? (up to 200 words)
- Tell us about the best team you worked with. What made the team successful? (up to 200 words)
- Provide an example of when someone else positively impacted your life. What did you learn from this experience? (up to 200 words)
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 September on the year for which you’re applying for entry.
You need to think carefully now about how you plan to fund your MBA. Do not wait until later. See our fees and funding pages for more information.
Admissions advice
Still have questions? Learn more from the Cambridge MBA admissions team and current students.
Programme news
Four key tips to make the best of your MBA
We spoke to Cambridge MBA alumna Oremeyi Adeola Akah (MBA 2010), Chief Customer Success Officer at Interswitch, based in Nigeria, about her MBA year and how she has made the benefits of the Cambridge MBA experience last over the long-term.
Emily Brierley, MBA Head of MBA Admissions and Recruitment at Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) shares some tips on applying, how to navigate funding, and more.
From career change to new skills and better pay and rewards, as well as doing good for society, – where are your career ambitions as we step into a new year? We meet a few Cambridge MBA graduates and hear how an MBA changed their career pathway.
Admissions events
We’d love to meet you. Join us at one of our upcoming fairs, webinars or open days to learn exactly what makes the Cambridge MBA so special.
Join us for an informal virtual Q&A chat with a member of our Cambridge MBA Recruitment and Admissions team.
Join us for an informal virtual Q&A chat with a member of our Cambridge MBA Recruitment and Admissions team.
Join Sadia Cuthbert, Head of Careers at CJBS and get the inside scoop on the latest career reports, the job market, sectors that are hiring, and how you can transform your MBA into your dream job.
This event is your opportunity to discuss the features of our programmes, how they will contribute to your personal and professional development and hear more about our distinctive learning style, developing innovative and impactful global leaders.
Next steps
Follow the Cambridge MBA on social media:
FAQs
The application fee is currently £165.
Yes. Our application deadlines and related interview day schedules can be found on our MBA apply page.