Admissions

Applying for the Imperial MBA

Are you ready to ignite your extraordinary potential within a forward-thinking Business School? At Imperial we take a holistic approach to admissions, attracting a diverse range of individuals with varied backgrounds to foster an enriching learning experience. Looking beyond your professional qualifications, we also consider who you are, what motivates you and how you collaborate with others.

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Full-Time MBA 2019-20 Class picture

What we look for in an MBA candidate

Our ideal candidates are ambitious and proactive individuals with a particular interest in the power of technology and innovation. We look for students who can leverage their networks and resources, demonstrating promising leadership potential and a track-record of driving innovation and collaboration. Join the next generation of impactful business leaders to make a real difference in the world.

Entry requirements

Imperial Full-Time MBA students have on average five years of work experience when joining the class. You will need a minimum of three years of continuous relevant full-time work experience after graduation to apply for the programme. In exceptional circumstances, we will consider candidates with less than three years’ experience who can demonstrate strong academic performance, excellent career progression and international work experience. A competitive GMAT/GRE would also be required.

When assessing your application, we will look at your career progression through roles and responsibilities, and managing projects and people to ensure that you can contribute and engage in the classroom and share your experiences with your peers.

You will need at least a UK Second Class Honours or the international equivalent, or an acceptable professional qualification:  

  • Full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the UK or Ireland (ICAEW, ICAS or Chartered Accountants Ireland)  

  • Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA)  

  • Associateship or Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)  

  • Full membership of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)  

You are required to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of your application for the Full-Time MBA.

For the GMAT Exam, you will need a score of at least 600 (our current average is 666). We accept the GMAT Focus Edition (available from 7 November 2023), and you will need a minimum overall percentile ranking of 55%. Scores are valid for five years from your appointment date.

Alternatively, you will need a GRE of at least 156 in the verbal, and 158 in the quantitative sections.

You should upload a copy of your results within your application and request your score to be released to Imperial College Business School. This will enable us to verify your results online, so you should not send a hard copy unless we request it.

Our GMAT code is S22-7S-53 and our GRE code is 0121. We accept the online versions of both the GMAT and the GRE.

Waiver

Each cycle we are able to offer a small number of waivers to candidates. To be considered for a waiver, you need to demonstrate exceptional academic performance and evidence of strong quantitative skills.

To request a waiver, you will need to provide both:

  • A copy of your transcripts detailing modules taken and grades achieved
  • An up-to-date CV

Submit your request via our GMAT waiver form before you submit your MBA application and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis within seven working days.

If you do not qualify for a waiver, you are required to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of your application. Your application will not be complete until this is received, and therefore will not be processed by our Admissions team and may be withdrawn.

All home, EU, and overseas applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Students who were not awarded their degree in a qualifying English-speaking country must demonstrate their proficiency by completing an approved English language qualification at the required level. Minimum test requirements for the most popular tests are: 

  • IELTS (academic): A minimum score of 7.0 with minimum scores of 6.5 in all elements 

  • TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 100 overall with minimum scores of 22 in all elements 

  • Duolingo English Test: 125 Overall with no less than 115 in any band score 

More detailed information can be found on our English language requirements page.

How to apply

Start your application online

  • Visit the application portal
  • Create an account and input your personal details
  • Pay the £150 application processing fee

Submit your supporting documents

Complete your application

Once you have submitted your supporting documents you can complete your application. Please note: referees may respond after submission. 

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. This is the best opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion and drive, and why you want to study an MBA at Imperial.

Your interview will be held online and last approximately 30 minutes. Check our key dates and deadlines below to view scheduled interview weeks.

Admissions decision

Admissions will review your application and interview, and you will be notified of the decision within three weeks.

Submit outstanding documents and pay your deposit

Once you receive your offer, you may be required to submit documents to satisfy your offer conditions. The application portal is where you respond to your offer and view full details of your conditions. You will then be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the tuition fees to secure your place.

Key dates and deadlines 

Applications for 2024 entry are now open. We operate a staged admissions process with several deadlines throughout the year. This programme is highly competitive, so early application is advised; this will put you in a stronger position to be considered for a scholarship, and provide access to exclusive admitted students events.

Candidates should submit their application by 23.59 UK time on the day of the application deadline. Successful candidates will be notified by 17.00 UK time on the decision date.

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Deadlines for 2024 entry

Round

Application deadline

Interview weeks (w/c)

Decision notification

Round 1 

25 September 2023

16 & 23 October 2023

24 November 2023

Round 2 

15 January 2024

12 & 19 February 2024

22 March 2024

Round 3 

18 March 2024

8 & 15 April 2024

10 May 2024

Round 4 

7 May 2024

20 & 27 May 2024

14 June 2024

Full-Time MBA 2024 fees

Tuition Fee

£67,500

Deposit

£6,750 1

Paying your fees

Full information on how to pay your fees will be communicated after you have accepted your offer. To secure your place, a deposit of 10% of the tuition fee is required. This is part of the full tuition fee and not an additional cost.

Making your payment

You can pay your MBA tuition fees in one instalment per year when the programme starts or, if you are self-funding, in two instalments as set in regulated credit agreements.

Receiving your invoice

You will receive an email invoice from the Tuition Fees team within five days of accepting your offer and will need to pay the deposit within 30 days of receiving this invoice. Failure to pay this in time may result in your offer being withdrawn.

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Invest in yourself

We know that choosing to pursue an MBA is one of the most important decisions you will make and is a substantial investment in yourself.

Tuition fees cover the length of the programme, flights and accommodation for your Global Experience Week, and core reading and study materials.

Fees do not cover accommodation and expenses, costs incurred as part of optional internships or exchanges, supplementary texts and study materials, Careers Club membership (£10 per club for the year).

The fees for both UK and international students are the same. 

1 Deposit: The non-refundable confirmation deposit counts towards the cost of the programme.

 

Join an upcoming event

Attending an event is a great way to find out more about our programmes and what it’s like to study at Imperial College Business School.

Frequently asked questions

To be eligible to apply for the programme, you would normally require: 

  • Three years’ relevant postgraduate work experience; in exceptional circumstances, we will consider candidates with less than three years’ experience who can demonstrate strong academic performance, excellent career progression and international work experience.
  • You will need at least a UK Second Class Honours or international equivalent or an acceptable professional qualification
  • English language test results (if applicable). 

More information about entry requirements can be found here

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for postgraduate study at Imperial.

We've provided general guidance in the country and region index on how qualifications awarded by public institutions overseas may satisfy our minimum academic admission requirements.

We review our requirements annually. Updates usually happen in September each year before the next academic year of entry.

If your country or region is not listed, please contact the relevant Admissions team for further information.

View accepted qualifications

All applications to our postgraduate programmes are made online – we do not accept paper applications.

Please refer to the how to apply section of our Admissions page to see which documents you are required to submit with your application.

We have a series of admissions rounds throughout the year, with decisions typically released four weeks after each application deadline. Full details of application and decision deadlines are available here.

Please email the Imperial MBA Admissions team if you would like to request feedback on your application. Please note that whilst limited feedback can be provided, the decision of the academic selectors is final and it will not be possible for your application to be reconsidered.

You may request to defer your place for one academic year by writing to the Admissions Team. All requests to defer are considered on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. Where possible, requests to defer should be submitted no later than three months prior to the programme start date.

Your tuition fees and deposit amount are subject to change and may differ from the year you applied in. Any scholarships granted cannot be carried over if you decide to defer your admission.

If you are being sponsored by an organisation that will be responsible for paying your tuition fees, you must provide acceptable proof of the award.

Satisfactory evidence of sponsorship is usually regarded as an original, dated, and duly authorised letter from your sponsor on headed paper that includes the following:

  • Your name and College Identifier Number
  • The programme for which you have been offered a place
  • The amount of fees that will be paid by your sponsor
  • The address to which the invoice should be sent
  • Any Purchase Order Number required
  • Confirmation that the fees will be sent directly to Imperial College

Sponsorship letters should be posted to: MBA Admissions team, Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ

IELTS and TOEFL certificates should be scanned and emailed to the Executive MBA Admissions team. If you have not yet received your certificates, you can email your IELTS Test Report Number or TOEFL 16 digit registration number to the Executive MBA Admissions team. 

If you have completed the Pearson Test of Academic English, please ensure you have sent your scores to Imperial via your Pearson PTE account. 

If you have completed another one of Imperial’s accepted English language qualification, please contact the Executive MBA Admissions Team and they will provide further information on how to verify this award. You may be required to post the original, physical document to the Executive MBA Admissions Team.