Full-time MBA admissions

A minimum of three years’ full-time professional experience, gained after graduation.

We are looking for continuous career progression alongside clear examples of leadership capability, strong team and communication skills through personal and professional experiences. Read more about the skills we are looking for.

A good university degree (equivalent to an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or above) or equivalent professional qualification. Alternatively, at least six years' relevant business experience if you do not have a degree.

We accept valid GMAT scores achieved through either the classic or new Focus edition equally. Scores will be assessed using the percentile tables published by GMAC. Please note the classic GMAT will close on 31 January 2024.

Our minimum GMAT score is 600 or 555 under the Focus edition.  This equates to a performance in the 51st percentile under each format, or a GRE of at least 156 in the verbal, and 158 in the quantitative sections. We accept both the online versions of the GMAT and the GRE.  You will be asked to upload evidence of your score to our online application system.

To send your GMAT score report to us, please use 2C2 - R0 – 50, or GRE score report use code 9646.

Although we are happy to accept the GRE; you should be aware that some employers may ask for a robust GMAT score.  Please bear this in mind when deciding which test to sit.

In each intake we will offer a very limited number of waivers to candidates who can demonstrate outstanding academic performance, strong quantitative skills, and relevant work experience.

To request a waiver, please complete the form below and include:

• A copy of your CV (no longer than 2 pages)
• Your university degree certificate and transcripts outlining courses and grades awarded

Submit your request via our waiver form prior to applying to the Full-time MBA. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team within 7 working days.

Should you not qualify for a waiver, you will need to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score to complete your application to the Full-time MBA. Please do not submit multiple requests for a waiver, The Admissions team decision will consider your request once and the decision will be final.

You will need excellent English language skills in order to succeed on the Bayes MBA and also for your future job search and career if you plan to work in the UK post MBA. If English is not your first language, you will need to provide a score from one of the following tests as part of your application.

If you require a Student visa, your test score needs to be less than two years old at the start of the programme.

These are our minimum requirements, and successful applicants typically demonstrate higher levels of achievement. We will assess your competency in English throughout our selection process.

IELTS Academic

We require a minimum, well balanced score of 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in each individual section. We also accept IELTS Indicator and IELTS online tests with the same minimum scores as well as IELTS One Skill Retake. Please note that we accept IELTS Academic tests taken at test centres that are not included on UKVI's SELT list. We do not accept IELTS General.

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT can be taken in-person or online. We require an overall score of 100 with a minimum of 25 in Writing and no less than 23 in any other section. Scores must be achieved within a single test (not MyBest scores) and made available to us using Institution Code 0870. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials or TOEFL ITP Plus for China.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

We require an overall score of 69 with a minimum of 62 in Writing and no less than 60 in any other section in the in-person test. We do not accept PTE Online or PTE General.

LanguageCert International ESOL - C1 Expert

We require a Pass in all components of the in-person or online test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

We also accept scores from other tests such as Trinity College and Cambridge English. Please contact us for further information if you have taken one of these tests.

If you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, or have previously completed a university degree (or equivalent) in one, you will normally be exempt from taking an English language test. The UK government provides a list of recognised majority English-speaking countries. Please note that the minimum English language test scores for our MBA programmes are higher than the minimum Home Office Student visa requirements. If you have been educated in English, but not in a majority English-speaking country, we regret that we are unable to waive the English language test requirement, as this is outside our control.

Please note we have specific questions which are available in the online application form. Some of the questions are focused on your future career aspirations. Before answering these questions, think about the type of role, company, industry, and location you want to work in after you graduate.  We want you to consider your current experience and skills and then demonstrate how this will help to contribute to your success post-programme.

Your one or two page CV is uploaded as part of the online application form. Please provide reasons for significant gaps in employment history within the application. Please see our recommended CV template.

You can submit an application before you take the test as long as you provide your confirmed test date on your application form.  You will need to send us the test booking confirmation together with your application.

To make your score report available to us please use 2C2 - R0 – 50 for GMAT or code 9646 for GRE.

Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the demand for places, we will not be able to consider your application until we have your confirmed GMAT or GRE score.

You can submit an application before you take an English language test as long as you provide your confirmed test date on your application form.  You will need to send us the test booking confirmation together with your application.

Please note due to the volume of applications that we receive and the demand for places, we will not be able to consider your application until we have your confirmed IELTS, TOEFL, LanguageCert or PTE score.

We require two references on our reference form in support of your application to the programme.

One reference should usually be from your current employer, and the other from a previous employer, using work email addresses.  Referees must be senior to you and able to comment on your work and suitability for MBA study. If you work for a family business or are self-employed, a reference from a client will also be suitable. If you are not supplying the details of your current employer, please explain why in the extenuating circumstances section of the personal statement.

We cannot accept references from colleagues, personal friends or family members, and we do not normally accept references from a personal email address (eg Gmail). If your referee is unable to provide a work email address, they should explain why in the ‘any other information’ section of the reference form.

Although your referees will receive an electronic request, it is our experience that referees respond more quickly if the candidate also sends the link to the online reference form directly to them.

Your degree certificate (diploma) and transcript for each degree you have studied.  A transcript is the document listing the individual subjects that you studied during your degree, and the grade you received for each one.  We require certified translated copies of each document if they are not in in English.

An application processing fee of £100. The fee is waived for City, University of London, The Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) and University of London alumni.

You can pay your application fee online and we accept the following cards: MasterCard, Maestro, Solo, Switch, Visa, Visa Delta and Visa Electron.

Pay the application fee online

You will be given a reference number upon payment; please make a note of this and enter it when prompted on the online application form. Please note that we cannot begin to process your application until we have received your application fee.

Incoming students who are not UK nationals might require a Student visa to study in the UK. Find out whether you fit into this category.

In order to apply for a Student visa, you must obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which will be issued by City, University of London.

Visa advice and contact details for our International Student Advice team

UK government guidance