Overview
Comprehensive guide for the ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA. Ranked #18 globally, offering a pan-European perspective with global reach.
About Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School
Based in France/Germany/Singapore, Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School draws applicants who want an EMBA built around their existing career rather than a break from it. Multi-campus and joint programmes run their teaching across several countries, which is what makes them attractive to senior leaders whose roles already span regions.
Why Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School stands out
Every school on a shortlist claims excellence; what matters is the specific edge you would actually use. For Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School, that edge is concrete — Ranked #18 globally in Financial Times EMBA 2025.
- Ranked #18 globally in Financial Times EMBA 2025.
- Format: 18-month modular program (one week of lectures every 8 weeks).
- Tuition: €65,000 (includes accommodation for residencies).
- Double Degree: Awarded by both ESSEC Business School and Mannheim Business School.
The EMBA at Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School
A part-time or modular Executive MBA for senior managers and leaders who keep working full-time while studying on weekends or in intensive blocks.
Essec & Mannheim EMBA — an executive-format MBA taught alongside full-time work, delivered in France/Germany/Singapore.
Who is eligible
What the committee looks for
- Strong academic record.
- International outlook and intercultural competence.
Tests & admission requirements
- GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) required.
- English proficiency test (TOEFL 95 / IELTS 7.0) if applicable.
Test waivers may be granted for candidates with extensive senior leadership experience.
What you'll submit
- Online Application
- CV/Resume
- Two Professional Recommendations
- Essays (Leadership, Motivation, Values)
- Official Transcripts
- Application Fee (€150)
Essays focus on your motivation for the double degree, leadership philosophy, and ability to contribute to a diverse cohort.
How the process works
- Pre-assessment (optional)
- Online Application Submission
- Admissions Interview (with alumni or faculty)
- Final Decision
Application timeline & prep
- Build your profile (12–18 months out)
Map your story to what Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School actually values, and close obvious gaps in leadership evidence, academics or career progression before you apply.
- Take your tests (9–12 months out)
Typical expectation: GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) required. English proficiency test (TOEFL 95 / IELTS 7.0) if applicable. Test waivers may be granted for candidates with extensive senior leadership experience.. Book early enough to allow one retake without missing a round.
- Shortlist and visit (6–9 months out)
Compare Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School against 4–6 peer programs on placement in your target lane, net cost and location. Speak to current students and alumni — admissions teams notice informed applicants.
- Essays and recommendations (3–6 months out)
Draft essays that make one coherent argument for why this program, why now. Brief your recommenders with specific stories rather than adjectives.
- Submit and interview
Apply in the earliest round you can be genuinely ready for — earlier rounds usually mean better admission and scholarship odds. Prepare interviews around your own application, not a script.
- Decision, funding and visa
Leave 3–4 months post-admit for scholarship negotiation, financing and your France/Germany/Singapore student visa.
Fees, scholarships & ROI
Essec Business School/Mannheim Business Schoolsets fees by intake and cohort, so we don't quote a figure here. Ask admissions for the current total, and budget separately for travel, accommodation during residencies, and any modules taught abroad.
Modular international formats carry travel and accommodation costs on top of tuition, and employer sponsorship covers part of the bill for a large share of participants. Merit scholarships, external fellowships and — for executive formats — employer sponsorship can materially change the arithmetic, so build your shortlist around net cost, not sticker price.
When you model ROI, count all three costs: tuition, living expenses, and the salary you give up while studying. Then set that against the realistic post-EMBA salary in your target lane — not the program-wide average, which blends high-paying and low-paying paths. A shorter format or a strong scholarship often beats a marginally higher-ranked school on this arithmetic.
Get a realistic read on your Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School chances
A free 1-on-1 evaluation of your profile against recent Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School EMBA admits — where you stand, what to fix, and which rounds to target.
Careers after the Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School EMBA
Graduates of EMBA programs like Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School's typically move into C-suite readiness, P&L leadership, board roles and career pivots at the senior level.
Treat the careers office as a channel, not a guarantee: the students who convert a EMBA into the outcome they wanted start recruiting from week one, use alumni for referrals rather than information, and arrive with a story that explains why this exact role is the logical next step. The brand opens the door; preparation walks through it.
Rankings & outcomes
Essec & Mannheim EMBA is ranked #18 in the Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2025. The figures below come from that ranking and describe the surveyed cohort — treat them as a directional read on outcomes, not a promise.
- #18
- Overall rank
- $293,872
- Salary today (US$)
- 72%
- Salary increase
- #40
- Career progress rank
- 71%
- Aims achieved
- #33
- Alumni network rank
Insider tips
- Emphasize your interest in the European-Asian business axis.
- Showcase your ability to balance work, study, and travel.
- Highlight cross-cultural leadership experiences.
How we help you get in
Deep understanding of European business markets (France & Germany) with global application.
Commitment to sustainable business practices through the Social Class Project.
Studying in Global: work rights & visas
Multi-country programmes are usually taken while you keep working, so post-study work rights rarely apply. Where a residency component sits in a country you are not authorised to work in, the school arranges short-stay study visas — confirm the specifics for each module location. Work-rights certainty is often the biggest single factor in whether an international degree pays back, so weigh it alongside rankings and cost.
Day to day, you'll be based in France/Germany/Singapore — factor its housing market, commute and cost of living into your budget alongside tuition, because they differ sharply between college towns and major capitals.
- Teaching delivered across several countries and campuses
- Cohorts drawn from multiple regions and industries
- Designed to be taken without leaving your current role
How Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School compares
Rankings compress a dozen dimensions into one number; your decision only needs three — placement strength in your target lane, net cost after scholarships, and the location where you want to build a network. Start your comparison with W. P. Carey, Audencia, Cornell-Smith — each leads in a different lane.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tuition fee?
The tuition fee is €65,000, which includes course materials and accommodation for international residencies.
How long is the program?
The program runs for 18 months on a modular schedule (one week every two months).
Is the GMAT required?
Yes, a GMAT, GRE, or EA score is required, though waivers are possible for senior candidates.
Where does the program take place?
Modules are held in Mannheim (Germany), Paris (France), and Singapore, with additional study trips.
Ready to apply to Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School?
Work 1-on-1 with mentors who've guided admits into Essec Business School/Mannheim Business School and its peers — from shortlist and tests to essays, interviews and scholarships.