Apply for the Full-time MBA

Preparation is key when submitting a competitive MBA application.

The application process requires you to prepare a number of elements before you can submit. It's important to submit a complete application.

Key parts of the application that require time and attention include:

• Preparing and registering to take the GMAT® or GRE® test
• Preparing for and taking an official English language test if required - you'll need evidence to prove you have the required level of English
• Choosing your referees - let them know they'll receive a reference request directly from AMBS when you submit your application
• Starting to write your essays - check how to write your Full-time MBA application essays (PDF).

You'll need to register for an account and select to apply for the Full-time MBA. You don't need to complete the application form right away - you can save your answers as you go.

The application form includes the essay questions. You can prepare these in advance and copy and paste into the application - check how to write your Full-time MBA application essays (PDF).

When you're filling out the form, you should only add your current employer. We'll be able to see your full career history when you upload your CV as part of the application.

You should only submit the form when you have a complete application, including the required test scores and supporting documents.

Apply through The University of Manchester Application Portal.

To support your application, you'll need to provide:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Degree documents
• Admissions Test: GMAT® or GRE®
• Proof of meeting the English Language Requirement - if required
• One professional reference.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You must upload a complete and up-to-date CV as part of your application. This should be no more than two pages.

If you've had any significant gaps in employment history, you can provide reasons for these on a separate document.

What to include in your CV

In your CV, you should include every job you've had since graduating from your undergraduate degree, if you have one. List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your current position.

For each position, you should include:

• The company name and job title - if you've worked in more than one position for the same company, list each position separately
• The month/year the position started, and the end date
• Bullet points of your key responsibilities and achievements - include details about management experience or reporting levels if it's relevant.

You should include a one or two-line description of the context in which each company you've worked at operates. For example, you might write 'Global investment advisory firm with operations in 8 countries and $36B USD AUM'.

Degree documents - including English translation if required

You'll need to upload electronic copies of your official transcripts and certificates for any degrees you have completed, or relevant professional qualifications. This includes official English translations if necessary.

Transcripts should include:

• The type of degree awarded
• The date of enrolment and the date your degree was conferred - this is the date of your graduation
• Details of all of the modules studied and the marks you achieved
• Your overall mark, percentage, grade point average (GPA) or classification.

We reserve the right to contact your degree-awarding institutions or professional associations for further information in connection with your application.

Proof of meeting the English Language Requirement

Strong English language skills are critical to your success on the MBA.

If you're an international student

You need to provide official evidence that you meet the English language requirements for the Full-time MBA programme. You may need to take an official English language test to be accepted.

You might also need to get a visa to study in the UK.

You'll be asked in the application form to tell us how you meet the English language requirements, and should provide the appropriate evidence. For details of the English language tests we accept, the minimum scores required and any exemptions, read the Full-time MBA entry requirements.

One professional reference

You should ask two people to act as your referees. We only need one work-related reference from either of the two people you choose. You should choose a referee who:

• Knows you well and can talk about your skills - a reference from a big boss who hardly knows you won't benefit your application
• Is a manager - they should have closely supervised your work, meaning they can provide a better, more in-depth reference.

If you don't want to ask your current manager, choose someone else who knows you well enough in a work setting. This might be a former manager in your current or previous company, or a long-standing client.

If you work in a family business, don't choose a family member as your referee.

How to submit your reference

You'll need to add the contact details for your referees in the application form - you should use their work email, not their personal email.

After you've submitted the application, your chosen referees will receive an automated email with login details for our online reference system. Your referee will need to complete and submit the short reference online. This will then upload directly into the university application portal with your other application documents.

You must have a valid admissions test score to apply for the Full-time MBA. Typically, this is either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT®) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) test. Check the Full-time MBA entry requirements.

Register to take the GMAT®

Our GMAT® code number for the Full-time MBA is N1C-XL-39 (University of Manchester).

Register to take the GRE®

Our GRE® institution code is 1433 (Manchester U Bus Sch MBA) and department code is 5199.

You should include the details of your score in the application form and upload a copy of your score report with your application. You should also request to share your score with the University of Manchester - Alliance Manchester Business School. This will enable us to verify your results online.

If your application is complete by the admissions round deadline, we'll review all the application elements in our initial review assessment. This means we'll review your:

• Application form
• Essays
• CV
• Academic qualifications
• Admissions and English test scores
• Video assessment.

If you're selected in the initial review, you'll be invited for an interview - this is the next stage of the admissions process.

Due to the competitive nature of admissions for the Full-time MBA programme, interviews are by invitation only. The formal interview is a key component of our admissions process.