Application requirements

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Applications for the Oxford MBA class of 2024-25 are now open.

Find out everything you'll need to prepare to submit a complete and competitive application.

Work experience

Relevant experience

You should have at least two years of full-time work experience, detailed on a one page CV. We look for evidence of career progression and international exposure, as well as being able to show leadership potential. We do not look for experience in a specific sector. 

Career plan

You will be asked to detail your post-MBA career plans and demonstrate how the programme will equip you with the skills to reach these goals. By indicating a clear view of your professional development, you will show us that you understand the strengths of your professional experience, have researched your future professional goals, and how an MBA will bridge the gap between the two.

Undergraduate degree

You will be asked to upload all your university degree academic transcripts/mark-sheets to the online application form.

All applicants are required to have completed a recognised undergraduate degree. As evidence, you will be asked to upload all your university degree academic transcripts/mark-sheets to the online application form. These must outline the subjects studied or grades obtained from each academic year.

If your original transcripts are not in English you must also supply an official translation. 

GMAT or GRE score

We look for a high level of quantitative and analytical skills evidenced by your GMAT or GRE results.

GMAT

We accept valid scores for both the original GMAT and GMAT Focus Edition. We don't ask for a minimum score, but GMAT scores of 650 or above are considered competitive. Our current class has a median GMAT score of 690.

  • All sections of the GMAT must be taken in order to be considered valid
  • Official online scores must be accessible by our admissions department for your application to be considered complete. For GMAC to release your official scores to Saïd Business School, please give your test centre the following code: Q0G-4B-59
  • GMAT scores are not valid if they are older than five years on the application deadline date
  • Contact GMAC directly to arrange to take the test

GRE

A GRE verbal score of 160 and a quantitative score of 160 is considered competitive, however we do accept all scores. Our current class has a median of 160 (verbal) and 160 (quantitative).

  • All sections of the GRE must be taken in order to be considered valid
  • Official online scores must be accessible by our admissions department for your application to be considered complete. For ETS to release your official scores to Saïd Business School, please give your test centre the following institution code: 0807
  • GRE scores are not valid if they are older than five years on the application deadline date
  • Contact ETS directly to arrange to take the test

Please note you must submit either a GMAT or GRE score result with your application, regardless of your previous work experience, studies, or qualifications. Further detail can be found on our FAQs page.

Written work

As part of your application, you will need to submit a supporting statement

  • Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)

If you are applying under the Oxford 1+1 MBA scheme you also need to submit the following essay:

  •  Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims. (Maximum 250 words)

Re-applicants will need to submit an additional essay as below:

  • What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)

When reviewing your essays, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence of the following: good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, fit with the Oxford MBA community, among other characteristics.

Online assessment

You will need to complete four questions via our online assessment platform.

To virtually meet you, get a sense of your personality and see how you think on your feet, you will need to complete an online assessment as part of your application:

  • Two motivation-based questions - all candidates will answer the same questions
  • One competency-based questions - this will be randomised
  • Written response - this will be randomised and light-hearted to show us how you can think on your feet!

The motivation-based questions give you the opportunity to demonstrate your motivations for undertaking an MBA and why the Oxford MBA is the right programme for you.

The competency-based question lets you demonstrate the skills and qualities we look for, such as decision-making, problem-solving, influence, leadership and strong communication skills. 

Once you have submitted your application for either the Oxford MBA or Oxford 1+1 MBA you will see a link in your application status portal. This will enable you to register with Kira Talent, our online assessment platform, and complete your assessment. This link will appear up to 24 hours after submitting your application, therefore we strongly encourage you to leave yourself enough time to practice and complete the online assessment by the deadline in which you are applying.

You will be provided with preparation time and practice sessions before going live with your real responses. The whole online assessment should only take up to 30 minutes for you to complete. All you need is a desktop or laptop computer with a functioning webcam, microphone and internet connection.

References

We require two professional or academic references.

Using the online application form you will need to submit two references, preferably from professional referees. Once your referee details are input into the form, your referee will receive an automatic email from the School with details on how to complete the online reference form. Please note we can only accept references from a valid work/professional/institutional email address and not from Gmail/Hotmail accounts.

English language capability

You will need to prove your English language capability through one of the below means if you are a national of a non-majority English speaking country (listed below) as defined by the UK Visas & Immigration Office*.

A TOEFL score

Test of English as a Foreign Language® is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The institution code for ordering your official TOEFL score sheet from ETS is 0807. There is no department code, this can be left blank. TOEFL scores are only valid if they have been taken less than two years prior to the start date of the course for which you are applying.

  • Minimum Score: 110
  • Minimum required on each component: Listening - 22; Reading - 24; Writing - 24; Speaking - 25

 

An IELTS score

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS™, is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. If you choose to take the IELTS you need to sit the academic test. IELTS scores are only valid if they have been taken less than two years prior the start date of the course for which you are applying.

  • Minimum Score: 7.5
  • Minimum required on each component: 7.0

Cambridge Certificate (C1 Advanced)

The C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced or CAE) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.  We will only accept scores that have been taken less than two years prior to the start date of the course for which you are applying.   If admitted you will be asked to supply an official copy of the certificate.

  • Minimum score: 191
  • Minimum required on each component: 185

Cambridge Certificate (C2 Proficiency)

The C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency or CPE) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. We will only accept scores that have been taken less than two years prior to the start date of the course for which you are applying. If admitted you will be asked to supply an official copy of the certificate.

  • Minimum Score: 191
  • Minimum required on each component: 185

*UK Visas & Immigration office English speaking country list

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, UK. 

English language wavier

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, the requirement to provide English language test scores may be waived. You can apply for a waiver if you have completed, or are currently completing one of the following:

A degree-level course that is:

  • full-time
  • at least nine months in duration
  • undertaken at a recognised institution where teaching and assessment throughout the course is undertaken entirely in English; and
  • has been completed within 2 years of the start date of the course to which you are applying.

You can also apply for a waiver based on substantial professional experience if:

  • you have worked for a minimum of two years in a majority English speaking country where the main language for the role was English
  • your role involved daily professional use of each of the four language components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking)
  • you worked in an appropriately technical context to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in an academic environment; and
  • your role has ended no more than two years before the start date of the course to which you are applying.

If you meet either criteria based on your previous education or your professional experience, you will need to indicate this by answering yes or no to the English Language waiver questions on the 'English Ability' tab on your application form. If you choose the professional experience option, you will need to summarise your role and use of English to enable the assessors to judge whether it meets the criteria.

Application form and fee

Please ensure you have all the above requirements before submitting your application form.

Please ensure your application is complete and that your £150 application fee has been paid upon submission.

The admissions committee can only consider a candidate once all supporting documentation has been received. We conduct spot checks on a regular basis to ensure the authenticity of applicants' references, work experience and academic background. We also reserve the right to ask for supporting evidence if necessary.

Ready to apply?

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Start your application today, or browse our frequently asked questions (FAQs) to answer any further queries you may have.