China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)- A Complete Admission Guide

Established in 1994 as a joint venture between the Chinese government and European Union, China Europe International Business School, or CEIBS, today has become one of the best international business schools in the world. The CEIBS growth story ran parallel to the Chinese economic boom. Since its inception, the B-School has focussed on innovation and global economic cooperation. Today, CEIBS has campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Zurich, and Accra.

CEIBS Shanghai, the main campus, is spread over 78,000 square kilometers. It is considered one of the most beautiful and distinctive campuses amongst B-schools globally. Reputed architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (PCF), which designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, has designed this campus.

The CEIBS B-School aims to anticipate upcoming business trends, train its students in the best global business practices, and nurture responsible business leaders who can lead new-age businesses worldwide.

CEIBS MBA Ranking

The CEIBS ranking has shown remarkable consistency for the last two decades. Financial Times has placed its MBA program in the top 25 from 2005 to 2022, that’s 18 consecutive years. It was ranked 16 in the Financial Times’s global ranking data of 2022, whereas it was adjudged the #1 global MBA in Asia.

Moreover, CEIBS China is also ranked 3 in Bloomberg’s best B-Schools in the Asia Pacific for 2022-23.

CEIBS MBA Program Types

CEIBS China offers three types of MBA programs- full-time MBA, Finance MBA, and Executive MBA. The CEIBS executive MBA category has three courses- Global EMBA, Hospitality EMBA, and Executive MBA in Chinese.

The highly acclaimed CEIBS full-time MBA course is 12-16 months. The program emphasizes responsible leadership in the ever-changing dynamics of global business scenarios. Students are allowed to choose from more than 40 elective courses as per their area of focus.

The CEIBS MBA program also provides the students with the option of being part of an international exchange program with some of the top B-schools in the world, such as London Business School, INSEAD, NYC Stern, and Wharton.

These exchange programs can prove invaluable for students to gain international experience and widen their networks. Moreover, you can work on your business ideas at the B-School’s on-campus lab.

Finally, CEIBS is an international business school with a significant percentage of international students from different countries. So, you can get the opportunity to study in a multicultural learning environment that can help you develop a global outlook.

CEIBS Coordinated Degree Programs

The CEIBS coordinated degree programs are a unique CEIDS initiative that enables you to earn two degrees in 2- 2.5 years. After completing the course, you’ll have two specialized advanced degrees from CEIDS and the participating institution. CEIDS has the following two coordinated programs.

CEIBS-Fletcher

• In collaboration with Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston.
• Two degrees in 2.5 years.
• Live in Shanghai and Boston.

CEIBS- Johns Hopkins

• In collaboration with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• Two degrees in 2 years.
• Live in Shanghai and Baltimore.

CEIBS MBA Class Profile

A B-School’s class profile can provide valuable insights into a typical student’s profile of the school. So, you can estimate how your profile can fare against the other applications. This can help you know your strengths and work on the weaker links of your profile.

For example, if you’re applying to CEIBS MBA, compare your GMAT score with the average CEIBS MBA GMAT to know whether your score is good enough or needs improvement. But take this information with a pinch of salt. Just because you don’t have the typical student’s GMAT score doesn’t mean you can’t score an admission. The other aspects of your profile, such as your experience, credentials, and story, may outplay your score.

Following is the CEIBS MBA class profile based on the last three years of data.

CEIBS MBA Acceptance Rate

CEIBS doesn’t provide information regarding its admission acceptance rate. However, QS data has estimated the CEIBS MBA acceptance rate for its programs is to be around 25% over the last decade. The data should be considered encouraging, considering the reputation of CEIBS and the vast number of applicants from 40 countries.

However, consider the CEIBS MBA class profile along with the acceptance rate to gauge your chances of cracking the admission.

CEIBS MBA Application Deadline

Following is the CEIBS MBA application deadline for its full-time MBA program Class of 2025. Applicants should apply early with full preparation as the program is highly competitive.

Disclaimer:- The dates are verified from CEIBS’s official website. However, keep visiting the website for updates regarding dates and interview locations. International candidates need not appear for a physical interview. Further details are in the “interview” section under “Application Components”

CEIBS MBA Cost

The official name of the Chinese currency is the Renminbi, denoted as RMB. The tuition fee for the full-time MBA program 2025 at CEIBS is RMB 468,000. The CEIBS MBA fees include tuition costs, teaching materials, internet usage, and access to the B-School’s database for MBA students.

Additionally, the dormitory fee is RMB 3,000 per month if you want to stay on campus. You can also choose to stay off campus if you find a cheaper deal.

CEIBS MBA Scholarships

An MBA degree from a world’s top-tier business school like CEIBS can set you on a career path of high growth, management responsibilities, and adequate remuneration. But, the high cost of pursuing a CEIBS MBA can deter many from investing in an MBA degree.

However, the CEIBS financial aid programs in the form of various scholarships can help you bring down the cost of the MBA. Most of these scholarships are merit-based and open to domestic and international students. These scholarships are subject to availability. So, applicants should apply early to increase their scholarship chances.

CEIBS automatically considers admitted candidates for scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on various factors, such as a candidate’s academic and professional accomplishments, performance in the admission interview, and how much value the person can add to the MBA program. Some important CEIBS MBA scholarships are as follows-

• Business Leadership Scholarship
• Business Fellowship
• MBA Fellowship
• Entrepreneurship Scholarship
• Merit Scholarship
• Outstanding Achievements Scholarship

CEIBS MBA Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Following is the basic CEIBS MBA application requirement for all applicants.

• A bachelor’s degree in any discipline or above.
• A valid GMAT score.
• Proficiency in the English language
• Full-time work experience of minimum 2-years or higher.

Apart from the above requirements, the applicant should hold a valid passport and a business card during the time of application.

CEIBS MBA Application Components

Online Application Form

The first step is to sign up on the CEIBS online application portal. Once signed in, fill up the CEIBS MBA application form. Applicants must pay the application fee of $180 or RMB 1,000 to complete the application submission.

Letters of Recommendation

CEIBS MBA applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation with their application. CEIBS hasn’t mentioned the type of recommendation they want. Your recommender should be someone who is well aware of your professional achievements and can highlight your leadership or other skills. So, you can ask your immediate superior or former boss to write you a recommendation letter.

Academic Transcripts

Your academic transcripts should contain details of all the university degree programs you attended at the university level. Apart from certificates and degrees, you should also include the marks or grades obtained in each subject.

CEIBS MBA GMAT Score

Submit a valid GMAT score. While there is no minimum GMAT requirement at CEIBS, a strong GMAT score, preferably above 650, can help highlight your application and make a positive first impression on the admission council.

MBA Essays

The online application form will contain essay questions. The essays carry a significant weightage in the entire admission process. They can be a great opportunity to demonstrate your thought process and explain why you can be the right candidate for the MBA program. So, take your time to answer every essay question carefully.

Interview

Once you submit the completed application form with the application fee, the admission committee will carefully assess your application form. You can get the call for the interview only if you’re short-listed. The interviews are usually conducted physically at CEIBS campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. However, overseas applicants can appear for online interviews. The CEIBS alumni, faculty, and senior admission officers typically form the interview panel. You are likely to be interviewed by two interviewers. The interviews are in English, each of which can last for 30-40 minutes.

Career Support

CEIBS has a dedicated Career Development Centre (CDC) that offers individual career counseling to every student. Remarkably, the CDC focuses on helping students find the right career instead of jobs.

The center helps students explore their career interests through leading global self-assessment tools. Moreover, CDC provides valuable student career support by helping students identify their strengths and weaknesses.

As per the latest CEIBS 2022 career report, an impressive 95.6% of CEIBS MBA 2022 grads received a job offer. The report further shows that CEIBS MBA average salary has been RMB 480,000 annually. The industry-wise figure may differ.

In a nutshell, CEIBS can provide a unique blend of world-class infrastructure, updated business education, and suitable job aspects at an affordable price compared to other overseas destinations. Moreover, the B-School’s strong alumni network can also help you explore the right job opportunities. So, if you’re thinking of a quality MBA education from a foreign institution, CEIBS China is one business school you can’t ignore.

FAQs related to CEIBS MBA

1. What’s the Class Size of a CEIBS MBA Program?

The full-time MBA class of 2025 at CEIBS will have about 150 students.

2. Does Early Application for CEIBS MBA Increase Admission Chances?

Your CEIBS MBA admission chances solely depend on the quality of your resume, regardless of the application round. However, earlier rounds can make your application more competitive for scholarships. Moreover, in some sense, it can impact your chances. For instance, schools usually fill most of the seats in Round 1 and 2. Hence, your prospects can reduce in the following rounds.

3. Is a TOEFL/IELTS Score Required During the CEIBS MBA Application?

While CEIBS China asks for proficiency in the English language, it doesn’t specifically ask for a TOEFL/IELTS score. However, if you have a valid IELTS score, you can include that in your academic transcripts.

4. Is It Mandatory to Learn the Chinese Language Before Applying?

While a basic Chinese language competency can be beneficial, it’s not mandatory for applicants. Besides, CEIBS offers free mandarin courses to admitted students during their MBA studies.

5. How Much is CEIBS MBA GMAT Score Required for Securing Course Admission?

First of all, your acceptance to the CEIBS MBA program will depend on various factors, not just the GMAT score. Secondly, CEIBS doesn’t have a GMAT cut-off number. Consider the B-School’s class profile to get an idea about the average GMAT score expected from all applicants.

6. Can I Apply for CEIBS MBA Without a GMAT Score?

Yes, you can. If you don’t have a valid GMAT score, you’ll have to appear for the CEIBS admission test. Mark the CEIBS Admission test in your application form and submit your CEIBS MBA application before the test date. The B-school will inform you of the test details in advance. Remember, you can take this test once a year, and the score is valid for 2 years.