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Apply for the Full-time MBA
Applications will open for the 2026 intake in September. Submit a copy of your CV to the MBA Recruitment Team for an informal assessment to your suitability for the Manchester MBA.
Don’t miss our Full-time MBA Admissions Webinar on Sep 26, 2025 at 1pm (GMT).
Join Chris Healy (Head of MBA Recruitment) and Helen Dowd (MBA Admissions Director), to learn what makes a competitive application
Starting your application
Before you start your application, you should check the entry requirements. We're here to offer support to help you settle into the vibrant city of Manchester.
We can also connect you with current MBA students and ambassadors. If you have any questions during the application process, we can help.
Key dates and deadlines
We operate a staged admissions process with regular deadlines throughout the admissions cycle.
The Full-time MBA is highly competitive - apply as early as possible. However, you should only apply when you can provide a complete and competitive application for your preferred round and deadline.
Your complete application should have:
- Your application form - including two essays
- CV
- Degree documents
- GMAT® or GRE® admissions test and proof that you meet the English language requirements.
You should submit your application and supporting documents at least a few days before the deadline.
Our application deadlines for the September 2026 intake are below. The application form will be available from 1 September.
All application deadlines are on Sundays at 17:00 UK time.
Round | Application deadline |
---|---|
1 | 28 September 2025 |
2 | 16 November 2025 |
3 | 4 January 2026 |
4 | 15 February 2026 |
5 | 29 March 2026 |
6 | 3 May 2026 |
7 |
7 June 2026 (UK & Ireland passport holders & EU citizens with settled status only) |
How to 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
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Take the next steps
Start your application for the Full-time MBA
Start your application