FAQs

Esade MSc Admissions FAQs

The following are the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we receive from prospective students interested in the Esade Masters in Management Programs.

Tips from our Admissions Team

Do you want to know how to stand out from the crowd to be admitted to one of our programs? What does Esade Admissions Committee look for in a candidate? Take a look at this video!

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Admission process

Consult the Admission Requirements section for more detailed information.

1. When should I begin the admissions process?

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You should begin the admissions process as soon as possible given that there are very few places on these programs; the committee starts assigning places around October and finishes in June. If you wait until the final months, all the positions may be filled. You do not need to wait until you have all the supporting documents to submit your online application. Remember that the admissions process is lengthy and there are several steps that do not depend entirely on your availability:

  • Gather all the documentation required: academic record, university certificate, etc.
  • Take the GMAT/GRE: if you wait too long to take the GMAT, you may find that tests are not available in your city before the deadline. Also bear in mind that if you are not satisfied with your score, you must wait a period of time before you can re-sit the exam.
  • Take a level test of English: some are available twice or three times in a year. If you choose the TOEFL, you may find the same availability problem as with the GMAT/GRE. **TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test and IELTS Indicator online test are accepted.
  • Apply for a visa: if you need a vista to come to Barcelona please apply as soon as you are accepted into the program. The visa process is usually lengthy and must be done entirely in your home country.
  • Find accommodation in Barcelona.

2. When is the deadline for applications?

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As we run a rolling admissions process, please check the staged application deadlines to discover when you should complete your application and when you will receive a decision. The sooner you apply the better. You do not need to wait until you have all the supporting documents to submit your online application.
 

3. How do I begin the admissions process?

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The process begins when you submit your application and pay the process fee. The steps you must follow are:

  1. Submit your admissions application (online).
  2. Send the required documentation (during the admissions process we will accept scanned copies of your documents. Once you are admitted we will request originals).
  3. Take the GMAT (we accept GMAT Test and GMAT Focus Edition) or GRE admissions test. You can also take the Esade Admission Test.
  4. Carry out a personal interview (if selected for interview).

4. When and how will I know if I have been accepted?

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After completing your online application form, submitting all the required documentation, and having your official interview, the Admissions Committee will assess your application and we will let you know their final decision. This process takes approximately one month. 
 

5. What must I do if I am admitted?

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Your letter of acceptance includes instructions on how to make the deposit payment to reserve your place.

6. Can I apply for two programs at the same time?

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Yes, but do not send the two applications. Simply submit your application to your preferred program and indicate your second choice.

7. Do I have to go to Barcelona for the admissions interview?

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It is not mandatory, as we can conduct online interviews. But, when possible, we recommend candidates take their interview in person.

Consult the Admission Requirements section for more detailed information.

Online application & Checking status

8. What should I do if I have a doubt about completing the online application form?

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The instructions are in the same online application. Please read them carefully. For more information you can always contact the Admissions Office.

9. What can I do if I submitted my online application and forgot to include something?

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Contact the Admissions Office.

10. What should I do if the program does not let me pay online?

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Contact the Admissions Office.

11. What should I do if I cannot send some documentation until September and it is required for admission?

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Don't worry. If you are in your final year at university, you will not be able to send an official copy of your degree until shortly before the program start date. This does not interrupt the admissions process, but you must submit your degree certificate once you have it.
 

Academic and professional profile

12. What studies do I need to access the MSc Programs in Management?

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Before beginning an Esade MSc Program in Management, you must have been awarded an undergraduate degree entitling you to undertake postgraduate studies in the degree-granting country. If the student is not in possession of the qualification required, the admission/registration will be academically void, and any qualifications obtained will be cancelled.
 
Find out more about this admission requirement here.

13. What should I do if I am unsure whether my university studies will let me access the MSc Programs in Management?

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If your university studies enable you to access postgraduate programs in the country they were awarded then you can access the MSc Programs at Esade.

14. Do I need to have professional experience to be accepted?

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No. Professional experience is not an admission requirement of the MSc Programs in Management.

15. What is the difference between the MSc Programs in Management and an MBA?

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MSc Programs in Management are designed for young graduates without professional experience (internships are not counted as professional experience) or with minimal professional experience (under two years). The MSc programs capitalize on previous knowledge by approaching it from a practical perspective and specializing in an area of interest. You also develop a range of personal and professional skills which will boost your career opportunities.
 
MBA programs from world-leading business schools, such as Esade, are aimed at professionals with at least two years of full-time professional experience. In fact, the average of our students is five years. MBAs are for graduates from any discipline who want to receive in-depth training in management. There are some MBA programs that do not require a minimum of two years of professional experience: however, these tend not to appear in rankings or on recruiters' shortlists.
 

Languages

16. What are the teaching language on the MSc Programs in Management?

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They are taught entirely in English.
 

17. Do I need to speak Spanish?

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No. Spanish is not required to be admitted nor to take part in the MSc Programs.

18. Can I study Spanish during the program? Are there any subjects in Spanish?

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Yes. You can attend Spanish classes during the year to learn a basic or more advanced level. These classes are voluntary and can last from one trimester to the whole academic year.
 

19. Do I have to prove my level of English?

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You must submit prove of your English level. If you are a native English speaker or you have completed your bachelor's degree in English, you may be exempt from the requirement to take a language test. If your Bachelor Degree was taught entirely in English (+ 120ECTS), please send us a certificate from your university (e.g. diploma supplement) stating the language of instruction.

20. How?

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Only the following English-language level tests are accepted with minimum scores as follows (valid only for two years):

  • TOEFL: 100+ (ESADE's code is 0507)
  • IELTS: 7.0+
  • Certificate in Advanced English: B+
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English: C+
  • PTE Academic: 72+

Check here for the requirements of each.

21. What about other foreign languages?

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Unless you are opting for the CEMS MIM, no accreditation for other languages is necessary. However, please present other accreditations you may have because knowledge of foreign languages is highly valued in the admission process.
 

GMAT / GRE

22. What are the GMAT and GRE?

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The GMAT and GRE are admissions tests. We accept both the GMAT Test and the GMAT Focus Edition Test. You may prepare for them at any certified GMAT or GRE centre near you by taking one of their preparatory courses. Some students choose to download material from the internet and take the exam without further guidance. Use our GMAT simulator to practice for your test.

23. Do I have to take an admissions test to access the MSc Programs in Management?

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You must take the GMAT (GMAT Test o GMAT Focus Edition) or GRE. You can also take the Esade Admission Test.
 
 

24. What admissions test score do I need?

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  • The average GMAT is 660 (total score) for all ESADE Masters except for the Master in Finance and CEMS MIM.
  • The average GMAT is 670 (total score) for the Master in Finance and CEMS MIM.
  • The average GRE is 160/162 for the verbal and quantitative sections for all program.

Financing and Grants

25. Is there any study assistance for the MSc Programs in Management?

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Yes. You can apply for academic merit and need-based grants. We also organize an annual business plan competition with grants for these programs as awards. For more detailed information, please visit the scholarship section of this webpage.

26. I would like to apply for a grant. When should I do so?

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You should submit your grant applications together with your application documents and these will be considered only after you have been admitted to the program. A grant application does not exempt you from reserving your place in the period indicated in your letter of acceptance.
 

Registration and starting the program

27. When do classes start in the Official Master Programs in Management?

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Courses start in September. Check the academic calendar that you will receive once enrolled. Please note that some candidates will be required to enroll in the Business Integration Path or in a Pre-Program before the start of their MSc Program depending on their academic background. The assistance will be mandatory for these candidates, who will be informed about it in their admission Letter. Please check dates with Program Management before booking any flight. 
 

28. How and when should I register?

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The first phase of the program is made up of five compulsory subjects, so registration is automatic. Once at Esade, you will register for the remaining subjects after a tutorial with the Program Director.

29. Who should I contact regarding my foreign student visa?

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The Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your country.

CEMS MIM

30. Can you study the CEMS MIM by itself?

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No. It must be studied in conjunction with any of our MSc Programs in Management.

31. What are the language requirements for CEMS MIM?

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For non-native English speakers, proficiency in English language at an advanced level is required.

Native English speakers must also be proficient in one of the following foreign languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch/Afrikaans, Farsi/Tajik, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Hungarian, Indonesian/Malay, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croat (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin), Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, or Vietnamese.
 

32. How do I begin the admission process for the CEMS MIM?

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You must submit the application for the MSc Programs in Management: all programs have the same application and there is a special section for CEMS MIM candidates.
 

33. Is there a compulsory interview? Do I have to go to Barcelona for the interview?

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An interview is compulsory for all candidates as it helps us clarify your suitability. Most of these interviews are held online, although if you are visiting the campus, you can also have the interview then.

34. How do I choose the institution where I will do the CEMS Exchange Program?

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During the second trimester of the program, you will be asked to indicate your preferences and as places on the exchange program are limited, these will be assigned according to academic merit from the first semester.