About MBA Programme

• How many intakes does CEIBS’ MBA have each year?

  The MBA has one intake per year. The next incoming class begins in August 2025. Important dates will be updated here once they have been confirmed.

• How many MBA students are recruited onto the programme each year?

  Approximately 120 students will be admitted to the programme.

• What are the minimum requirements to apply to CEIBS MBA?

  To apply for CEIBS’ MBA programme, all candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
  • A full-time work experience of two years or longer
  • A GMAT/GRE score or CEIBS Admission Test score
  • Proficiency in English

  To read more about the application requirements, please click here.

• When should I apply, and when is the application deadline?

  Each year we offer four rounds to apply in, typically starting in September and ending in May (exact dates vary each year). No preference will be given to applicants based on which round they apply in, but all applicants are advised to apply as early as possible to guarantee a space and to be more competitive for scholarships. To view the most recent application deadlines, please click here.

• What application materials are required?

  All application documents may be submitted online through the dedicated application portal. A completed application will include the following:

  • A completed MBA application form (including at least 2 compulsory application essays and 1 optional essay)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • University degree and certificate
  • University transcript
  • ID or passport
  • Application fee receipt
  • Official GMAT/GRE score report
  • Business card
  • Corporate sponsor statement (if applicable)

  To start your application, please click here.

• What is the CEIBS Admission test? How do I attend?

  The CEIBS Admission Test is an option that CEIBS provides to applicants in lieu of the GMAT. The CEIBS Admission Test is similar in style to the GMAT except that it does not have the AWA Section and IR Section. You need to submit your application before the test dates along with a non-refundable MBA application fee and mark the CEIBS Admission Test in your application to take the test. After receiving your application, CEIBS MBA Admissions Office will inform you of the test details by email one week before the test. You can only take the CEIBS Admission Test ONCE per year and the test score is valid for 2 years. Click the link for more details about the CEIBS Admission Test.

• Do I need to attend an interview? How is the interview structured?

  Yes, we require an interview for all short-listed applicants. The interview panel will be comprised of CEIBS faculty, alumni and senior admissions officers. In most cases, applicants will be interviewed by two interviewers. Each interview is approximately 30-40 minutes long and will be conducted in English. Interviews will be offered at CEIBS campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, or online (for overseas applicants).

• Can I apply for any financial assistance or scholarships? What kind of scholarships and grants are available?

  CEIBS offers a wide range of scholarships and fellowships for both domestic and international students who possess outstanding leadership or demonstrate financial difficulty. For more information about our scholarships, please click here.

  In addition to scholarships, CEIBS Talent Loans (interest free) are available to all students in the form of interest subsidy. Normal student loans are also provided by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for mainland Chinese students and by Prodigy Finance for international students. For more information, please contact admissions@ceibs.edu.

• Are there any additional costs other than the cost of tuition?

  In addition to planning for MBA tuition, students can refer to the table below to understand the approximate cost of living throughout the 12-16 month journey.

  Dorm Fee (single room*): 3,000 RMB/month

  Meals and miscellaneous: 5,000-8,000 RMB/month, including meals, health insurance, transportation and social fees.

  International modules***:

  Int’l exchange: 30,000-60,000 RMB/3-4 months

  Overseas module: 10,000-25,000 RMB/trip lasting 5-10 days

  China modules***: 2000-5000 RMB/module (Note: For those who attend the module in Gobi desert, the cost will be around 20,000 RMB)

  * Based on renting a single room dorm on campus for 16-19 months. Students can choose to live on or off campus in Shanghai. Typically, 80% of MBAs live on campus in single occupancy dorm rooms. Each room is equipped with a single bed, air-conditioning, bathroom and internet connection. 

  ** Tuition is waved at the overseas institution based on the reciprocal nature of the exchange. The expense varies based on location and duration but serves as a rough guide for travel and living expenses.

  *** Expenses are mainly from flights, accommodation, insurance, transportation and meals.

• Does CEIBS provide Mandarin classes?

  During the 16-month MBA study at CEIBS, we offer free Mandarin courses at several levels in spring terms. For more information, please contact admissions@ceibs.edu

• Is there an office at CEIBS that helps students find jobs after graduation? What kind of service is provided?

  Yes, we have a Career Development Centre (CDC) dedicated to help CEIBS’ students to effectively manage their career development post-MBA. The CDC office provides a broad range of services to help with students’ career development from the beginning of the programme, such as career counselling, workshops, and mock interviews, internships and practicum, industry briefing, on-campus company presentations, etc. The CDC office is also responsible for arranging on-campus job fairs to connect students with companies. For More details, please click here or download our career report here.