Before applying to the online MBA programme please consider the minimum eligibility criteria including academic qualifications, managerial work experience, and English language requirements.

This master’s degree provides an innovative curriculum that unites leadership, strategy, and global business insights to develop agile and responsible business leaders.

Professional experience criteria

At least three years of work experience in a managerial role. This can be from any industry, including the public sector, charitable organisations, or the arts.

Note: Managerial experience for this online MBA programme qualification is defined by a background involving any project, initiative, remit, or task (either permanent or ad hoc) where you were responsible for guiding the resources, teams, or individuals towards a final goal.

Some roles are specifically designed for management, while others involve managerial responsibilities on a case-by-case basis. Whatever your role, be sure to highlight these managerial duties clearly in your CV.

Minimum academic requirement

You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification.

Exemptions

If you do not fulfill the minimum academic criteria, you may still be considered if you have either of the following:

  • Professional qualifications with substantial work experience
  • In the absence of degree or professional qualifications, a very strong employment record demonstrating a high degree of responsibility.

Note: If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, we may require you to complete the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). This is an internationally-recognised assessment of analytical, numerical, and verbal reasoning.

For our online MBA programme qualification, the minimum GMAT score needed is 555 in the current ‘Focus Edition’ format, or a minimum score of 600 in the previous ‘10th Edition’ format. We accept GMAT scores from exams delivered both online and at test centres.

This is not a compulsory part of the application process. However, if you have a score for this test you wish to submit to us, we would be happy to receive it as part of your online MBA programme application.

More about GMAT

Required documents for applying to the online MBA programme

Before submitting your application for our online MBA programme, please ensure you attach all the required supporting documents, including a CV and official transcripts.

View full list of required documents

Overseas students

The minimum academic requirement is a UK 2:1 honours degree in a related subject or an equivalent international qualification.

Some examples of equivalent qualifications:

  • Canada: mid B+; 3.3+ (4 point scale); 7.3/8+ (9 point scale)
  • China: Band D; 80-85%+
  • Germany: 2.2+ (reverse 5 point scale); Sehr Gut/Gut
  • India: 1st Class degree (60%+)
  • Nigeria: 2:1
  • South Africa: 2:1/1st
  • USA: GPA 3.25+ (4 point scale)

If your home country is not listed above, consult the minimum grade point average (GPA) required by following the link below.

Entry requirements by country

Important Points

  • The ranking of the university at which you studied is considered when we determine whether or not your degree is equivalent to a first or upper second-class honours degree in the UK.
  • If your degree is not of the required standard and you do not have highly relevant work or other experience, we will normally reject your application.
  • Meeting the degree requirement doesn’t ensure acceptance. A higher standard may be needed for your application to be competitive for admission or funding.
  • Other equivalent qualifications can be requested from the Admissions team.
  • A conditional offer can be made if you are waiting for a final degree result or a language test result.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (formerly CAE )/ C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital): 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS Academic, TOEF iBT , Trinity ISE , or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the start of the month in which your programme of study begins.

More on English language requirements

University English language requirements

Other important points to note

  • If you already have an English language certificate then you can include this with your application. However, if you have not yet taken a test, we will still process your application and you will be able to upload your results when you receive them.
  • A conditional offer may be given to you if you do not yet meet our minimum English requirement. But you must provide evidence that you have reached the minimum English requirement before we can provide you with an unconditional offer.
  • We advise you to start working towards your English language qualification as early as possible to ensure that you have achieved the required standard in time to start the programme.

Optional pre-sessional English courses

The English Language Education offers summer pre-sessional English language programmes intended for students who plan to study at the University of Edinburgh.

English for Business Masters

This programme focuses on improving English language skills for effective participation in the University of Edinburgh Business School MBA and MSc programmes. If you have been accepted by the School and have already met your English requirement, you may want to attend this course to brush up on your English skills.

General English for Academic Purposes

This programme is intended for international students who need to improve their English language level prior to commencing a programme of study at the University of Edinburgh. At the end of the course, students will undertake an assessment which can be used to meet the English requirements of their Masters programme beginning in September.

English for academic purposes summer courses