Admissions

An undergraduate degree that entitles you to undertake postgraduate studies in the degree-granting country is a necessary requirement for admission. 

You may apply while still completing your Bachelor’s degree providing a partial transcript. If admitted, you must present your official diploma and final transcript before the program begins.

If you don’t hold the required qualification by the start of your Esade MSc Program, your admission and registration will be academically void, and any qualifications obtained will be canceled. To find out more about this admission requirement, download this pdf.

Esade Masters in Management Programs are aimed principally at graduates in Business Management or Economics. However, graduates from other academic backgrounds can also apply to specific MSc programs. Discover the requirements for:

Master in Business Analytics
This program is for students who have an undergraduate degree in business administration or other subjects with a strong scientific or technical foundation, such as engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, bioinformatics, computer programming, computer science, or information systems.

There are Pre-Programs that depend on your academic background: You will do the Business Integration Path (BIP) if you have a non-business academic background, and the Pre-Program in Data Science if you have an academic background in business. Please visit the Pre-Program section for more information.

Master in Finance
This program is for students with undergraduate degrees in business administration, economics, or other purely technical degrees. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider students with other degrees if the admissions committee considers their curricula adequate. If you don’t have an academic background in business management or economics, you will be required to enroll in the Pre-Program in Finance (PPF). Please visit the Pre-Program in Finance section for more information.

Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship / Master in Marketing Management / Master in International Management / Master in Sustainability Management
Graduates of any subject are welcome to apply. If you do not have a business management or economics academic background, you might be required to enroll in the Business Integration Path (BIP). This Pre-Program, which includes an online module, gives you a solid grounding in management basics. Please check the Business Integration Path section of the following pages for more information:

Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship 
Master in Marketing Management 
Master in International Management 
Master in Sustainability Management

Global Master in Finance
This program is for students with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Economics, or Engineering degrees. If you don’t have sufficient academic background in Finance, you will be required to enroll in the Pre-program in Finance (PPF). Please visit the Pre-Program section for more information.

Global Master in International Management
This program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration or Economics. If you don’t have sufficient academic background in Finance, you will be required to enroll in the Pre-program in Finance (PPF). Please visit the Pre-Program section for more information.

If you have any questions regarding your academic background or any of our MSc admission requirements, please contact the international admissions team and request a profile evaluation by sending your CV and your university transcripts (if available).

Proficiency in English is a must. The following English-language level tests are accepted with the applicable minimum scores (valid only for two years):

• TOEFL IBT: 100 (Esade’s code is 0884)
• IELTS: 7.0 Academic test
• Certificate in Advanced English: B+
• Certificate of Proficiency in English: C+
• Academic Pearson: +68
• Duolingo English Test: +130

1. If you are a native English speaker, or if your Bachelor’s Degree was taught in English (min. three academic years/at least 120 ECTS), you do not need to prove your level as long as you send us a certificate from your university (e.g. diploma supplement) stating the language of instruction.
2. No knowledge of Spanish is required.
3. CEMS MIM candidates: Secondary education as proof of English is not accepted for this program. A Bachelor's Degree can be accepted if issued in an English-speaking country, by a CEMS institution, or by an AACSB/EQUIS-accredited institution.

Please check the CEMS webpage for more information.

All applicants must take the Esade Admission Test (TAE), GMAT, or GRE. Please note the Esade Admission Test is included in the application fee.

We accept valid GMAT scores achieved through the current or previous edition of the exam. Scores will be assessed using the percentile tables published by GMAC.

In recent years, our average GMAT score tends to be around 615 (current edition) or 660 (previous edition of the exam). This equates to a performance in the 75th percentile in each format. Our average GRE score has been around 160/162.

The first step in your application process is to complete the Online Application Form. You will be asked to register, and you can then save your application form to submit it later.

Helpful Tip for Applicants: You can complete your application form without a final GMAT/GRE/English exam result -just include the date you plan to take the test. Similarly, you don’t need to have your official graduation degree at the time of application. You can upload your partial transcript and submit your final degree once it is awarded.

Two recommendation letters must be submitted as part of the application process. These can be from professional and/or academic referees. Your recommendation letters will be used to evaluate your global mindset and personal motivation.

You will need to introduce your referees' information in your online application form. Once you have completed and saved this section of the form, the referees will receive an automatic request to submit your recommendation letter.

At the end of the form, you will need to upload your:

• CV
• Identity card (Spanish citizens) or passport (EU and non-EU nationals)

The application is not complete until you pay the non-refundable application fee (€150) and complete the electronic signature with your name. Once you have done this, your application will be considered as properly submitted and you will be able to upload the remaining documents to complete your application.

After submitting your application, you will need to upload the following documents to the student portal:

A) Bachelor Transcripts: During the application process, scanned copies of your Bachelor Transcripts will be accepted. This document must be issued in the original language. Any documents that are not in Catalan, Spanish, or English must be submitted with an official translation into one of these languages.

B) Bachelor’s Degree: One of the basic prerequisites for applying for the MSc programs is an undergraduate degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. You must submit a copy of your diploma (if the degree granted is not shown on the transcripts). This document must be issued in the original language. Any documents that are not in Catalan, Spanish, or English must be submitted with an official translation into one of these languages.

C) Esade Admissions Test: we offer the option of taking the online Esade Admissions Test, which is included in the application fee. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. For GRE/GMAT Unofficial Scores: upload the unofficial scores into the student portal and ask the GMAT/GRE organization to send your official scores to Esade, using the following codes:

Esade’s GRE code is 5761
Esade’s GMAT codes are:
Esade’s GMAT code for the Master in Business Analytics is: 93M-3K-26
Esade’s GMAT code for the Master in Finance is: 93M-3K-22
Esade’s GMAT code for the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is: 93M-3K-14
Esade’s GMAT code for the Master in International Management is: 93M-3K-62
Esade’s GMAT code for the Master in Marketing Management is: 93M-3K-80
Esade's GMAT code for the Master in Sustainability Management is: 93M-3K-69

Esade accepts GMAT™ Test as well as GRE test scores taken within the last five years. We also accept the GRE® General Test at Home. In recent years, our average GMAT score tends to be around 615 (current edition) or 660 (previous edition of the exam). This equates to a performance in the 75th percentile in each format. Our average GRE score has been around 160/162.

D) English Test Scores

All participants who are not native English speakers, or who have not completed their Bachelor’s degree in English, must have one of the following certificates:

• TOEFL IBT: 100
• IELTS: 7.0 Academic test
• Certificate in Advanced English: B+
• Certificate in Proficiency in English: C+
• Academic Pearson: +68
• Duolingo English Test: +130

Esade accepts English Certificates taken within the last two years. We only accept official TOEFL scores sent directly to Esade from ETS. Our institution code is 0507. Cambridge and IELTS certificates are also accepted and must be originals or certified true copies. ** TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test and IELTS Indicator online test are accepted.

If you are a native English speaker, or if you have completed your Bachelor’s degree in English, you may be exempt from the English requirement. If your Bachelor’s degree was taught entirely in English (+ 120 ECTS), please send us a certificate from your university (i.e., diploma supplement) stating the language of instruction.

CEMS MIM candidates: Secondary education as proof of English is not accepted for this program. A Bachelor's degree can be accepted if issued in an English-speaking country, by a CEMS institution, or by an AACSB/EQUIS-accredited institution. Please check the CEMS webpage for more information.

Our admissions team will consider your file once all the required documentation is submitted. Please check your application regularly through the student portal to ensure that your file is complete. Your documents will be shown as “received” after being validated by the Admissions Team.

After submitting all your documents, you may be shortlisted for an interview, which is a mandatory requirement for your admission. An Associate Director of Admissions will interview all selected applicants. 

Official interviews for the Esade MSc programs can be conducted in person in Barcelona, at one of our international off-campus admissions events, or online. 

After the official interview, your application will be considered by the Admissions Committee, which comprises faculty members and the entire Admissions Team. The decisions of the Admissions Committee are final. You will find the final decision from the Admissions Committee in your Student Portal.

Due to the confidential nature of Committee decision-making, we regret that feedback on rejected applications is not given.

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 several steps do not depend entirely on your availability.

The process begins when you submit your application and pay the process fee. You must:

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 the GMAT Test and GMAT Focus Edition) or GRE. You can also take the Esade Admission Test.
4. Carry out a personal interview (if selected for interview).

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. 

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

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

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

Yes, if you are not a citizen of the European Union, you must apply for a long-term student visa to study in Spain. We recommend starting the process as soon as possible, as it can take several months and getting an appointment at the consulate may be difficult.
Contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence to obtain the exact list of required documents.

• Passport renewal (if applicable)
• Criminal background check
• Legalization of documents
• Health insurance
• Proof of financial means
• Admission letter (included in your Welcome Pack)
• Housing letter (included in your Welcome Pack)

After payment, you will receive access to MyEsade, where you can download the Official Admission Certificate for your visa application.
Book your appointment at the consulate as soon as you have the certificate. Availability is limited and the process can take time.