CEIBS FAQ

Answers to common questions about CEIBS MBA admissions, test scores, deadlines, costs and career outcomes.

Admissions

What GMAT score do I need for CEIBS?

CEIBS publishes no minimum score. It states that 80% of CEIBS MBA students have a GMAT Focus total score between 585 and 695. CEIBS also accepts the GRE and the CEIBS Admission Test.

How much work experience do I need for CEIBS?

CEIBS requires full-time work experience of two years or longer. The MBA 2028 cohort averages 6.0 years.

What are the application deadlines for CEIBS?

For the MBA Class of 2029 (2027 intake): Early Action October 14, 2026 (decision by November 4, 2026); Round 1 December 2, 2026 (decision by December 23, 2026); Round 2 March 17, 2027 (decision by April 14, 2027); Round 3 May 19, 2027 (decision by June 19, 2027).

What is the CEIBS interview like?

Short-listed applicants are interviewed by a panel of CEIBS faculty, alumni and senior admissions officers, in most cases two interviewers, for approximately 30 to 40 minutes in English. Interviews take place in Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen, or online for overseas applicants.

Does CEIBS allow deferral?

An admitted applicant who must defer for circumstances beyond their control can submit a formal request; a deposit is required and CEIBS grants no more than one deferral. CEIBS also runs a separate Deferred Admission Programme for final-year students with minimal work experience.

Program

How long is the CEIBS MBA program?

The CEIBS Full-Time MBA is a 16-month program on the Shanghai campus, with an accelerated 12-month option. It is taught in English.

What is the class size at CEIBS?

CEIBS states that approximately 120 students are admitted each year.

How international is the CEIBS MBA?

The MBA 2028 cohort comes from 29 countries and regions, and 50.5% of students come from outside the Chinese mainland.

Career

What is the median salary for CEIBS graduates?

For the MBA Class of 2026, the median annual base salary was RMB 408,000 and median annual guaranteed cash compensation was RMB 480,000.

What is the job placement rate at CEIBS?

For the MBA Class of 2026, 91.9% of corporate-job-seeking graduates received at least one job offer and 88.7% accepted one within three months of graduation. The overall employment rate was 90.3%.

What are the top industries for CEIBS graduates?

For the MBA Class of 2026: Healthcare (23.6%), Technology (16.4%), Manufacturing (12.7%), Financial Services (12.7%) and Consulting (10.9%).

Which companies hire CEIBS MBAs?

CEIBS lists recent full-time and summer internship employers including Amazon, Apple, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, ByteDance, Google, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Michelin, Nike and Tencent.

Financial

How much is tuition at CEIBS?

Tuition for the 16-month MBA 2029 is RMB 488,000 (CEIBS gives approx. USD 72,500).

What other costs should I budget for?

An on-campus single room costs around RMB 3,300 per month. CEIBS estimates meals and miscellaneous costs at RMB 5,000 to 8,000 per month. More than 40% of MBA 2028 students received financial aid.

Application

What essays are required for the CEIBS application?

The online application form includes at least 2 compulsory essays and 1 optional essay. CEIBS does not publish the prompts on its website.

How many recommendation letters does CEIBS require?

Two.

Does CEIBS require the TOEFL or IELTS?

CEIBS requires proficiency in English. Its MBA admissions requirements page does not name a required English test.

What tests does CEIBS accept?

The GMAT, the GRE or the CEIBS Admission Test, a GMAT-style test offered in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or online. The CEIBS Admission Test can be taken once per year and its score is valid for 2 years.