Why Choose the CEIBS MBA?

The CEIBS MBA is a strong choice for candidates who want a globally recognised MBA with direct exposure to China, one of the world's most important business markets. CEIBS has ranked #1 in Asia for ten consecutive years and #8 globally in the Financial Times 2026external link, opens in a new tab Global MBA Ranking. It is the only Asia-based programme in the FT's Tier 1 of full-time MBAs worldwide.

CEIBS is also accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB and was the first school on the Chinese mainland to hold EQUIS accreditation.

Students learn from resident faculty based in Shanghai, supported by visiting faculty and CEIBS' own research and case development focused on business in China. This gives the programme a strong local knowledge base while keeping teaching connected to international management research and practice.

CEIBS' case resources include more than 3,500 China-focused business cases, with faculty developing 100+ new China-focused cases annually.

For candidates who want to understand China in a global business context, CEIBS' "China Depth, Global Breadth" positioning is a significant advantage. China-focused learning runs through the curriculum, while international exchange and global immersion opportunities add exposure to other markets and business environments. The result is an MBA that combines a global management education with detailed knowledge of how companies compete, grow, and make decisions in China.
 

CEIBS MBA Curriculum

The CEIBS MBA combines a core management curriculum with electives and applied learning. 
Core courses cover:

• Strategy
• Economics and Decision Sciences
• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing
• Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management

As the programme progresses, students can tailor their studies through electives in areas such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, strategy, leadership, and technology. Applied components, including the Integrated China Strategy Project (ICSP), give students the opportunity to work on real business problems alongside their classroom learning.

Throughout the accelerated 12-month option students complete the same core courses and take electives earlier to meet the graduation requirements within one year.

 

Experiential Learning at CEIBS MBA

Global and China Business Experience

The CEIBS MBA puts its focus on China and international business into practice through consulting projects, immersion modules, exchange opportunities, and innovation programmes.

The Integrated China Strategy Project gives students the opportunity to address a real strategic challenge for a partner company under the guidance of company representatives, CEIBS faculty, and a professional consulting mentor. The project runs across multiple stages, from project selection and planning through proposal development and final presentation.

The Global Immersion Track gives students exposure to businesses and markets beyond the Shanghai classroom. Faculty-led China modules combine academic learning with company visits and executive discussions, while students can choose overseas electives during the first academic year. Recent overseas modules have included Malaysia, Ghana, and Singapore, with lectures, company visits, and workshops forming part of each experience.

Students can also apply to spend part of the MBA at one of 35+ international exchange partner schools, including London Business School, INSEAD, Wharton, and IESE. Exchange normally takes place from September to December in the second year. Places at individual schools are competitive, with selection traditionally considering factors including academic performance, career management skills, leadership, professionalism, and the student's broader CEIBS experience.

CEIBS also offers two co-ordinated degree options with U.S. universities: a Master of Public Health (MPH) with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) with The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Corporate Path

For MBA candidates planning to advance within established companies, switch industries or functions, or move into international roles, CEIBS provides structured career support throughout the programme. The Career Development Centre (CDC) offers one-to-one coaching, sector-specific guidance, CV and interview preparation, employer events, and targeted job opportunities.

International students receive dedicated career support through the CDC, alongside access to personalised coaching, recruiter events, company visits, career fairs, and industry-focused guidance. Among international graduates in the Class of 2026, the employment rate was 90.9%, with 20% working in mainland China, 70% elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, and 10% in Europe and America.

The CEIBS alumni network continues to support graduates through recruitment, mentoring, professional introductions, and career connections after the MBA.

Download Our Career Report

Among the MBA Class of 2026, the career switch rate was 85.5%. Within three months of graduation, 91.9% of job-seeking graduates had received at least one job offer and 88.7% had accepted one.

For the Class of 2026, the median annual base salary was RMB 408,000, while median annual guaranteed cash compensation was RMB 480,000. In total, 67.4% of graduates reported annual guaranteed cash compensation between RMB 300,001 and RMB 600,000.

Career destinations span several major sectors. Healthcare was the largest hiring industry in 2026 at 23.6%, followed by technology at 16.4%. Manufacturing and financial services each accounted for 12.7%, while consulting represented 10.9%. General management was the most common function, representing 32.7% of graduate roles, followed by marketing and sales at 25.5%, consulting at 12.7%, finance and accounting at 9.1%, and product management at 5.5%.

Recent full-time and summer internship employers include Amazon, Apple, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, ByteDance, Google, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Michelin, Nike, and Tencent, alongside companies across a wide range of industries.
 

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Entrepreneurial Path

The CEIBS MBA supports students who want to build new ventures, join start-ups, or move into innovation-focused roles within established companies. Entrepreneurship is developed through applied projects, mentorship, industry connections, and access to the wider CEIBS entrepreneurial ecosystem.

InnoLab, the MBA programme's innovation and entrepreneurship centre, operates across CEIBS' Shanghai and Shenzhen campuses and is open to all MBA students. Its activities include workshops, corporate innovation projects, and INNOVATEChina, the school's annual global business competition. The 2026 INNOVATEChina ESG Challenge attracted 66 teams from more than 40 business schools worldwide to address a live mobility and sustainability challenge set by Michelin China.

 

Learn more about InnoLab

2025–26, by the Numbers

Among the Class of 2026, 17 graduates started their own ventures. In 2025–26, students and alumni launched more than 30 start-up projects, while 20+ new mentors joined InnoLab, 20+ students were hired into innovation units, and 30+ external partners were signed.

CEIBS MBA Class Profile

The MBA 2028 cohort brings together students from 29 countries and regions, with varied cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds. Students have an average of 6.0 years of work experience, 44.2% of the class are women, and 50.5% come from outside the Chinese mainland.

Academically, 56.8% of the class holds a degree in science and engineering, 25.3% in business and management, 13.7% in languages and arts, and 4.2% in other disciplines.

The class also brings experience from a broad mix of industries. Financial services accounts for 23.2% of students, followed by manufacturing at 16.8%, consulting services at 15.8%, and technology at 10.5%. Other backgrounds include retail and trading, real estate, healthcare, government and NGOs, logistics, media and entertainment, consumer products, and energy.

Before joining CEIBS, students worked across functions including finance and accounting (22.1%), marketing and sales (20.0%), consulting (17.9%), and general management (14.7%), alongside entrepreneurship, operations and logistics, technology and R&D, and human resources. This mix gives students the opportunity to learn alongside peers with experience in different industries and business functions.

See the full class profile breakdown

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To apply for the CEIBS Full-Time MBA, candidates are expected to have:

• A bachelor's degree or above
• Two or more years of full-time work experience
• A GMAT, GRE, or CEIBS Admission Test score
• Proficiency in English

The CEIBS Admission Test is a GMAT-style alternative to the GMAT or GRE and is offered in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, or online. For the MBA Class of 2029, the test is scheduled for December 12, 2026, and March 20, 2027.

The non-refundable application fee is RMB 1,000 or USD 180. For admitted Early Action candidates, the application fee is rebated upon enrolment.

Applications for the MBA Class of 2029, entering in 2027, are considered across four rounds:

CEIBS also offers a Deferred Admission Programme for students in the final year of a bachelor's or combined bachelor's/graduate programme, as well as eligible students nearing completion of a master's, PhD, JD, or MD programme who entered directly after undergraduate study and have minimal full-time work experience. Successful applicants gain admission before building two to four years of full-time professional experience and then joining the MBA.

International candidates should also review the visa requirements when planning their application.

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition for the 16-month MBA 2028 is RMB 488,000. This covers tuition, teaching materials other than textbooks, campus internet access, and the school databases available to MBA students.
Students should budget separately for accommodation and living expenses in Shanghai. On-campus single-room accommodation is available for around RMB 3,300 per month.

Approximately 40% of students receive financial aid. Funding options include merit-based scholarships, diversity and industry fellowships, needs-based education funds, company-sponsored awards, and social finance loans, with awards made competitively based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and alignment with CEIBS values.

See full tuition, scholarship, and financial aid details