Have you got a question? We’ve got answers.

Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions we get about the Executive MBA programme.

Overview FAQs

We offer 2 Executive MBA programmes: the Cambridge Executive MBA and the Global Executive MBA. Each programme lasts 20 months.

The Cambridge EMBA takes place over 16 weekends, on Fridays and Saturdays, plus one Orientation Week at the start of the programme.

The Global EMBA takes place over 8 week-long blocks, including an electives week. In addition, there is a 10-day international business trip, a week-long group project.

Find out more.

The Cambridge Executive MBA starts in September each year.

The Global Executive MBA starts in January each year.

Please register your interest to receive a brochure.

The Executive MBA programmes lead to the same University of Cambridge degree qualification as the full-time MBA programme.

They are also accredited by EQUIS, an independent auditor who assesses the quality of MBA programmes around the world.

Details of reaching us by road, train, or plane are on our contact page.

Yes. We hold regular information sessions and networking events around the world and online. We look forward to meeting you!

Still got questions?

View the curriculum page

Curriculum FAQs

We recommend a minimum of 15 hours of study each week. You’ll be fully supported through our online learning platform.

The Executive MBA programmes are general management programmes. You can also tailor the programmes to meet your specific needs and employment aims through 2 electives and 2 practical projects. In addition to our general management expertise, we have recognised strengths in entrepreneurship, innovation and technological development.

Most Executive MBA participants like to find their own team consulting project to work on something they’re particularly passionate about. We will of course help you find a suitable project if necessary.

Consulting projects are global and there are no restrictions on who you can do your project for. Some participants choose their own organisations. For your Individual Project we expect you to work with your own organisation.

International Business is a key module of our Executive MBA programmes. During this trip, you’ll travel with faculty, take your courses abroad and visit a series of organisations and industries. The exact location is carefully selected based on the current global economic situation and the relevance of that location to the current Executive MBA class. Past locations have included San Francisco, Beijing, Sao Paulo and Frankfurt.

You are assessed through a combination of exams and written assignments. In addition, there are four modules in three exam slots. To gain maximum benefit, you’ll focus on your own organisation and apply your newfound knowledge to existing challenges.

Still got questions?

View the programme curriculum

Explore core courses

Careers FAQs

At Cambridge Judge Business School, you’ll develop the skills, experience and confidence to accelerate your career. Find out more about the careers support offered in our careers video

A huge range of business-related events take place every week in Cambridge, and as an EMBA student you are more than welcome to join them. The best way to find out what’s going on is to log into your virtual learning environment (VLE) and check your mail for Business School and College news.

Still got questions?

View the career impact

Applying FAQs

Yes. All our application deadlines can be found on our EMBA apply page.

You can, but these programmes are intended for two very distinct groups of candidates.

Executive MBA participants must be fully employed during the period of their programme. Full-time MBA participants need to devote all their energies to their programme, which is taught over fewer months in a more concentrated format.

The admissions processes are entirely separate, so two different and complete applications would have to be submitted.

See whether the Executive MBA or MBA is right for you

Yes. Successful applicants are typically established senior executives with management responsibilities (teams, resources, budgets and/or projects), strong leadership potential and clear motivations for applying to an executive programme. 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.

No. All work experience must be post-graduation.

A non-refundable application fee of £150 will be charged when you submit your application.

We offer an application fee waiver for candidates from countries receiving overseas development aid. If you would like to request a waiver, please contact the Admissions Team before submitting your application.

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

No. Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree of a First or good 2:1, which is the equivalent of a GPA of at least 3.5. We may sometimes consider a professional qualification instead of an undergraduate degree; this would need to be accompanied by a GMAT or EA. Please speak to one of our Admissions Managers to find out if your professional qualification would be considered.

See our full admissions requirements on our EMBA apply page.

Your application is only considered complete once all items on the application checklist have been received.

If you have forgotten to submit an item as part of your application, documents can be emailed to the Admissions Team.

The GMAT or Executive Assessment (EA) demonstrates that you are ready to re-enter an academic environment.

If you feel that the skills covered by the GMAT or EA can be demonstrated by your academic achievements and work experience, then you may apply for a GMAT waiver on the application. GMAT or EA waivers are only granted by the Programme Director after interview.

If you did not achieve a First or 2:1 (equivalent to a 3.5 GPA) in your undergraduate degree, but hold a senior professional position, you’ll need to take the GMAT or EA and submit your score with your application for it to be considered.

We do not specify a minimum GMAT or EA score. Test scores are just one of the many criteria we consider in our selection process.

We look for balanced scores between the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the test. As a guide, the average GMAT score of last year’s full-time MBA class is 690 and we usually look for a minimum score of 153 for the EA.

I have more than one GMAT or EA score. Which one will you consider?
If you have taken the GMAT or EA more than once, please report your two best scores.

Evidence of participation in your community or extracurricular activities can help demonstrate strong communication and teamworking skills.

No.

When you submit your application online, you’ll receive an email to acknowledge it has been sent to the Admissions Team. It is your responsibility to ensure all supporting documents and references are received on time.

We’ll send you an email notification about the status of your application approximately one week after each deadline.

The Admissions Office cannot give feedback to unsuccessful candidates, nor advise on how to improve your application. However, an admissions appeal can be made if you believe:

  • there has been an administrative error 
  • you have been treated unfairly because of bias or prejudice 
  • circumstances unknown to us might have affected the decision. 

We usually notify successful applicants within one week of the interview.

Every Cambridge student becomes a member of a College for life, including Executive MBA participants. Your College formally welcomes you to the University through a matriculation ceremony.

This entitles you to use of your College’s facilities. The Business School works closely with Colleges to ensure you benefit from membership even when away from Cambridge.

Learn more about the College system

As soon as a conditional offer of an Executive MBA place has been made, candidates will be considered for a College place. Not all Colleges take EMBA students every year, so you won’t find out which College this will be until nearer the time. Allocation can take some weeks. If you have a particular connection with a College, for example as an alumnus, let us know. We’ll make every effort to enable you to re-join your College during your Executive MBA studies, should you wish to.

All nationals from outside the UK and Ireland can be supported in entering the UK to attend the programme’s residential sessions as a visitor. Visit the University’s short period of study visa webpage for more information.

Please note the University does not provide visa sponsorship for the EMBA programme.

Still got questions?

Explore the application process

Submit your CV for us to review

Fees and funding FAQs

Fees for the Cambridge EMBA starting in September 2022 are £78,800.

Fees for the Global EMBA starting in January 2024 are £86,600.

Find out more on our EMBA fees page.

There is a non-refundable application fee of £150.

You will need to pay a deposit of £10,000 to accept a conditional offer and secure your place.

No, fees for all Executive MBA participants are the same.

Details of corporate support, bursaries and loans are on Find out more on our EMBA fees and funding page.

Still got questions?

View the fees and funding page

Explore scholarships and loans

Still got questions?

Download EMBA brochure
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