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CEIBS

Image for CEIBS
Class Size 121
Women 46.3%
Mean GMAT 688
Mean GPA n/a

The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) is located in Shanghai, China, approximately 20 minutes from the city center on the Pudong side, in the quiet neighborhood of Jinqiao. As the clear economic and business hub of China, the booming city of Shanghai is the ideal location for MBA students interested in a globally-focused education and a plethora of post-MBA career opportunities. The CEIBS MBA is well known for its China Focus, called “China Depth, Global Breadth;” as well as its excellence in preparing international leaders to enter the global business economy.

In addition to the 16-month Full-Time MBA, CEIBS also offers a Finance MBA, a Global EMBA, a Hospitality EMBA, and a Chinese Language EMBA. Full-Time MBA students may also apply to complete the program in a one-year time frame.

FAQ

What is the tuition for CEIBS’ MBA program?

The tuition fee for the 16-month MBA 2026 program is RMB 478,000, or approximately $65,430. Living expenses for on-campus dormitories are RMB 3,000 per month.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to CEIBS’ MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the last three years of incoming classes at CEIBS is 688.

Does the CEIBS MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The CEIBS MBA program accepts the GRE. They also offer the CEIBS Admission Test, which is similar to the GMAT, but does not include the AWA or IR section.

What is the average GRE score for admission to CEIBS’ MBA program?

The average GRE score for the incoming class from the last three years is 325. 

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to CEIBS’ MBA program?

CEIBS’ minimum number of years of work experience is 2 years.

What is the median starting salary for graduates of the CEIBS MBA program?

The median starting salary for CEIBS MBA graduates is RMB 441,000. The salary will vary by industry, with healthcare and manufacturing jobs seeing the higher salaries.

How long is CEIBS’ full-time MBA program?

CEIBS’ full-time MBA spans 16 months and there is also a 12-month option. The program begins in August.

What are the application deadlines for CEIBS’ MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 16, 2024. The Round 2 application deadline is January 8, 2025. The Round 3 deadline is March 12, 2025. The Round 4 deadline is May 21, 2025.

What percent of CEIBS MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at CEIBS that are women is 46.3%.

What type of interview does CEIBS use for MBA admissions?

Interviews are by invitation only and required for admission. Chinese residents must travel to campus for a face-to-face interview, and applicants outside of China may be able to interview via telephone or video conferencing. Interviews are conducted by CEIBS faculty, department directors, alumni, and admissions managers. In most cases, applicants will be interviewed by two interviewers. Each interview is approximately 30 minutes in English.

Admissions

Class Profile

CEIBS’s full-time MBA Class of 2025 is comprised of 121 students, representing 16 countries. The new class matriculated with an average of 5.4 years of work experience.

The average GMAT of the incoming students is 688 and the average GRE score is 329. Forty-six percent of the class is made up of women, and 24% of the class originates outside of China.

Application Procedures

CEIBS offer four rounds of admissions each year, typically in October, December, March and May. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

A completed application consists of an online application form, a bachelor’s degree or above, two years of full-time work experience, GMAT/GRE score, university transcripts, copy of passport, English language proficiency, mandatory essays, two letters of recommendations, and an application fee. Application requirements and admissions criteria are identical for Chinese and international students, though international applicants must hold a valid VISA to enter China, as well as a Student Resident Permit for the duration of their time at CEIBS.

Interviews are by invitation only and required for admission. After reviewing applications, the admissions office will create a short-list of applicants to interview. Chinese residents must travel to campus for a face-to-face interview. Applicants outside of mainland China may be able to interview via telephone or video conferencing.

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CEIBS Q&A's

CEIBS LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

March 21, 2024 7:32am ET
Waitlisted at CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via portal on March 06, 2024
GPA: 3.5
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
March 6, 2022 10:23pm ET
Accepted to CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 26, 2022
GPA: 3.2
GMAT: 740
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: Shanghai
Note:

7 Jan sumbitted, 9 Jan interview invitation, 19 Jan interview, 27 Jan offer received but without scholarship (disappointing) but still gave the first deposit. now waiting for results from Cornell Johnson and IESE.

January 4, 2022 9:47pm ET
Applied to CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via n/a
GPA: 3.4
GMAT: 740
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: General Management
Application Location: US
January 4, 2022 6:54am ET
Accepted to CEIBS
Round: Round 1
Received via email
GMAT: 710
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: General Management
January 29, 2021 4:09am ET
Waitlisted at CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via email January 29, 2021
GPA: 3.75
GMAT: 700
Post MBA Career Name: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: India
January 29, 2021 2:29am ET
Accepted to CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via email January 29, 2021
GPA: 3.67
GMAT: 650
Post MBA Career Name: Other
Application Location: Thqiland
January 29, 2021 1:08am ET
Waitlisted at CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via email January 29, 2021
GMAT: 740
Post MBA Career Name: General Management
Application Location: South America
January 15, 2021 12:14am ET
Interview Invite to CEIBS
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 10, 2021
GPA: 3.7
GMAT: 700
Post MBA Career Name: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: India

MBA DecisionWire

Cor
August 20, 2024 9:28am ET
Enrolled: Cornell / Johnson
Admitted: Cornell / Johnson $
$40000
,
Washington U. / Olin $
$100000
Applied: Cornell / Johnson, Michigan / Ross, UVA / Darden, Vanderbilt / Owen, Washington U. / Olin
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Undecided
GPA: 3.85
Location: Miami, FL
Notes:

This is for applicants who are applying directly from undergrad to an MBA program without "post-bachelor" work experience. It is tough but possible with perseverance.

Sta
July 31, 2024 12:10pm ET
Enrolled: Stanford GSB
Admitted: U. Chicago Booth , Columbia $
$180000
,
Harvard Business School $
$130000
,
Michigan / Ross , Stanford GSB $
$130000
Applied: U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, Michigan / Ross, Harvard Business School, Columbia
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Undecided
GMAT: 750
Notes:

Selecting Stanford GSB for smaller class size and focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

IES
July 23, 2024 3:58pm ET
Enrolled: IESE
Admitted: Cornell / Johnson , Duke / Fuqua , IESE , UPenn / Wharton , Yale SOM
Applied: Cornell / Johnson, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, IESE, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Entrepreneurship
GMAT: 710
GPA: 3.6
HBS
July 23, 2024 9:21am ET
Enrolled: Harvard Business School
Admitted: Harvard Business School , Stanford GSB
Applied: Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School
Entering Year: 2024
GMAT: 760
Notes:

Opt'ed for HBS given stronger alumni network, larger class/network size, and better placement outside of Tech industry

Academics

Faculty

CEIBS employs 77 faculty members across five academic departments: Economics/Decision Sciences, Finance/Accounting, Strategy/Entrepreneurship, Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management, and Marketing. Faculty, comprised of approximately 60% international and 40% Chinese experts, use a combination of lectures and case studies in the classroom.

The school also houses four research centers as well as hosts numerous seminars, symposiums and forums.

Curriculum

The full-time MBA spans 16 months and is broken into five terms of approximately three months each.

Term begins with a Foundation kick-off in August, then is followed immediately by Term 1, which lasts from October to December. Term 2 takes students through to the winter holidays, and the next three terms last from January to December. During Term 4, which runs June to August, students may pursue an internship or take more elective courses.

A total of 60 credits are required to graduate, comprised of 32 core credits in five main foundation areas: Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Economics and Decision Sciences, Finance and Accounting, Marketing, and Organisational Behavior and Human Resources Management. Core courses are mandatory and cannot be waived. The remaining 28 credits are made up of a wide variety of electives, including six overseas electives aimed to expand a student’s global understanding. Students can choose to study these electives in Israel, Germany and Switzerland, Malaysia, Japan, Ghana, or the U.S. A majority of students opt to specialize their degree by either pursuing a general management focus, or up to two of four concentrations: Finance, Marketing, Digital Business, or Entrepreneurship. To successfully complete a concentration, a student must take at least 10 credits in that area.

An international experience is also required, and students can choose between an exchange program, one of six overseas electives, or one of two U.S.-based coordinated degree programs: The Fletcher School at Tufts, or Johns Hopkins University. Another hallmark of the program is the second-year Integrated China Strategy Project, in which students work together in groups to act as consultants for CEIBS-sponsored firms.

Other MBA Degree Options

In addition to the full-time MBA, CEIBS offers a one-year MBA option, Finance MBA, a Global EMBA, a Hospitality EMBA, and a Chinese Language EMBA.

The one-year MBA option is designed for company-sponsored students, entrepreneurs, family business members, students with secured post-MBA job opportunities, or international students.  One-year program members take core courses with the full-time MBA class members, then complete electives at an accelerated rate.  The Part-Time Finance MBA is designed to train rising stars in the industry to prepare them to enter the Shanghai finance hub. The FEMBA lasts nearly two years, meeting two weekends a month, and is taught exclusively in Chinese. The Global EMBA focuses on high-level executives who aim to expand their global business perspective. The program lasts 20 months and starts in November of each year, and students are required to have at least 10 years of work experience, 7 of them in a high-level managerial position. The 18-month Hospitality EMBA combines business education with service management and is offered in various locations throughout Asia and Europe. Lastly, the two-year Chinese Language EMBA meets four days a month and classes are conducted exclusively in Mandarin.

Degree Offerings at CEIBS

Full-Time MBA: http://www.ceibs.edu/mba

One-Year MBA Option: https://www.ceibs.edu/mba/one-year-option

Global EMBA: http://www.ceibs.edu/gemba

Hospitality EMBA: http://www.ceibs.edu/hemba

Chinese Language EMBA: http://www.ceibs.edu/emba-introduction

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences and Competitions

The full-time MBA term begins with an Intensive Leadership Journey right at Orientation, helping students hone their managerial and leadership qualities from the beginning of term.

Additionally, CEIBS is currently home to 13 clubs that vary between social, academic, and professional interests. For example, the CEIBS MBA Social Impact & Responsibility Club organizes activities, competitions, and workshops aimed to help students learn about social impact directly from professionals in the industry. Paired with program-wise sustainability challenges and English language tutoring for underprivileged children of migrant working parents, the club’s three-pronged approach allows for maximum value-adding.

CEIBS hosts a number of conferences throughout the year, including a Department of Strategy & Entrepreneurship Academic Symposium. The Department of Economics and Decision Science holds an annual academic symposium as well, with an alternating focus on economics and decision science each year. Marketing, financing and accounting also partake in running symposiums, respectively.

In addition to annual conferences, students also take part in a number of business competitions each year, including the annual INNOVATEChina. Focusing on different industry issues each year, teams of students from all over compete to develop solutions into business proposals to tackle some of China’s the most dynamic challenges, both locally and globally.

Campus Spaces

Though situated in a quiet residential neighborhood outside of Shanghai’s city centre, the CEIBS campus is a thriving academic and social gathering space. The central academic hub is called Academic Centre IV and houses eight lecture theatres, five discussion rooms, and the administrative offices of the Executive Education Program. Additionally, the Commons Building provides a large gathering space for students to relax and dine between classes. Featuring three dining halls, two spacious lounges, and a waterside terrace, the building acts as a tranquil home base for all students. Along with a 8,000 sq. meter Conference Centre, a Central Pavilion, a faculty building, and student dormitories; the Academic Centre and Commons Building make up Phase III of the Shanghai Campus expansion, officially opened in 2013.

Students choose to either live in one of three on campus dormitories, or off campus in the surrounding residential neighborhoods. While rent in the Jinqiao neighborhood is reasonable at approximately $500/month for a one-bedroom, some students opt to live closer to the city centre and commute daily, at a higher cost.

MBA Careers

Career Services

CEIBS’ Career Development Center (CDC) is focused on finding students the right career for their interests and talents, as opposed to simply securing a job. The CDC provides a self-assessment test, career counseling, workshops, mock interviews, and role-playing practice.

The CDC hosts recruitment fairs outside of Shanghai, on-campus corporate presentations, and hands-on practicum projects to allow students to gain real experience in their fields of interest and ideally improve their chances at desirable opportunities.

Career Statistics

97 of the 123 graduates of the CEIBS MBA Class of 2023 sought employment, and nearly 94% accepted a job offer within 3 months of graduating. The most popular industry for CEIBS MBA grads was manufacturing at nearly 18%. Financial services was the second choice, as 16.5% of 2023 graduates selected the field. Healthcare and tech hired 15.4% of the graduates each. Around eight percent chose CPG for their post-MBA industry. Nearly seven percent chose consulting or energy.

In regards to region, roughly 78% of the Class of 2023 settled in Mainland China. Thirteen percent moved to the Asia Pacific region. Roughly 9% headed to Europe or America.

Financing

Financing

The tuition fee for the 16-month MBA 2026 class is RMB478,000, or approximately $65,430. Living expenses for on-campus dormitories are RMB 3,000 per month, includes water, electricity, AC, and WiFi.

CEIBS offers a variety of funding options for students looking to finance their MBA, including merit-based scholarships, diversity-based fellowships, loans, needs-based education funds, and company sponsored scholarships. Most popular are the variety of scholarships offered: in the class of 2022, over one-third of students received a CEIBS scholarships. No separate application is necessary, though applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability. Merit scholarships are awarded for both professional and academic achievements, interview results, and an applicant’s potential for contributions to the MBA program. For international students, CEIBS partners with Prodigy Finance to offer loans. Other loan opportunities differ depending on the student’s country of origin.

Cost of Attendance

In-state tuition and fees: RMB 478,000 for all students, approximately$65,430
On-Campus Room and Board: RMB 3,000 per month for a single room
Off-Campus Room and Board: Varies, approximately 5,000 RMB per month for a single room

Contact

Address
MBA Admissions Office CEIBS
699 Hongfeng Road Pudong Shanghai 201206, PRC
Phone: +86-21-2890 5890
Fax:  +86-21-2890 5678
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ceibs.edu/mba
Twitter Handle: @ceibs