If you want to pursue a top business degree without taking the GMAT, you’re in luck. There are many great schools that do not require it. For example, Harvard Business School doesn’t require it. There you have it — one of the best business schools in the world doesn’t even ask for the GMAT. How awesome is that?
Business school is increasingly competitive, but with the business school rankings below, students searching for top-tier programs with no GMAT requirement have a head start. These business schools are ranked at the ‘very good’ level or higher with just one exception. Their noteworthy ranking combined with their no-GMAT policy makes them promising candidates for your business education. It’s no secret that b-schools are getting more competitive. To help you get into the best business schools possible, we put together this list of top ranked colleges without the GMAT requirement, top mba without gmat, mba in usa without gmat for international students, executive mba without gmat & mba in canada without gmat for international students.
Do you want to learn about the latest findings what business schools don’t require the GMAT? Get ready! Find out all the information you need right here on Collegelearners so you don’t have to go looking again.
Find all the specifics you need, such as best business schools without GMAT Europe, best business schools in UK without GMAT to best business schools that don’t require GMAT, what business schools don’t require GMAT, top MBA colleges in USA without GMAT and so on.
Best Business Schools without GMAT
Top Universities for MBA in USA without GMAT
Now that you are familiarized with the major alternatives for MBA in USA without GMAT, we have enlisted the major universities offering MBA in USA without GMAT:
online mba without gmat
top Online mBA without gMAT
We’ve compiled a list of the top schools for prospective Online MBA students which do not require the GMAT (or GRE).
Online MBA programs have exploded in popularity, particularly among those who do not have the time to decamp to campus for up to two years to get a full-time degree.
Unfortunately, many Online MBAs still require GMAT scores, which help admission committees determine academic readiness for the rigorous course. For Online MBA applicants, many of whom are under pressure because they work full-time, this can be a problem.
But if prepping for dozens of hours to complete the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), is not an option for you, there remain plenty of business schools that will accept you without a score — provided you meet the other admission requirements.
And many of the schools that do require the GMAT, or rival exam the GRE are oftentimes prepared to waive it for outstanding candidates.
What’s more, many of them are actually highly-regarded programs, ranked highly by prestigious publications such as US News and World Report.
So you can be assured that the quality of the cohort is not affected by the lack of GMAT scores. After all, the mantra of the MBA is that students learn as much from their fellow participants as they do from the faculty.
You’ll want to know the usual application and admission standards for the programs you’re interested in before you start looking for a Master of Business Administration in the United States. Students seeking to MBA programs are typically aware that most business schools will require them to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as part of their admission process.
However, more and more schools have removed this test from their admissions requirements. Instead, these programmes have decided to rely on other methods of evaluating students that can replace the GMAT such as proof of experience in the field of management, their own testing system, or relevant scholarly research.
MBAs without the GMAT may be more tempting to prospective students. You can save hundreds of dollars for each application if you can save money on studying for the exam, taking the exam, and sending the exam results (which already cost money). Furthermore, if you’re frightened of taking a high-pressure test, it’s advisable to minimize the stress and apply to institutions that enable you to skip the exam.
MBA in USA without gMAT for international students
Below is a list of seven MBA programs that don’t require GMAT in the US. Many of these schools will require additional materials or experience to replace the GMAT exam.
1. Executive MBA at Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University
The Executive MBA program at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School does not require the GMAT or GRE exam. However, to be admitted to the program, applicants must have seven or more years of professional experience.
2. One-Year MBA at Hult International Business School
Applicants for an MBA at can study in the campuses of Hult International Business School in Boston, San Francisco and New York City. They can take the Hult Business Assessment Test instead of the GMAT to prove they have the necessary experience to succeed in the program.
3. Executive MBA and MBA in Financial Management at Lubin School of Business at Pace University
For the Executive MBA program at Pace University, they do not require GMAT scores. Applicants can still send them if they would like, but they will not be the primary basis for deciding their admission. The MBA program in Financial Management is designed for graduates who have a high Grade Point Average from an AACSB-accredited U.S. business school. If students demonstrate a 3.50 GPA or higher for their Bachelor’s degree, they do not need to send GMAT or GRE scores.
4. MBA at Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at University of Delaware
For applicants applying to the Alfred Lerner College of Business MBA programme, applicants can be exempt from taking the GMAT exam. If they have four or more years of full-time professional work experience (in a relevant field), while also having completed a Bachelor’s degree with a 2.8 GPA (and a high score in an upper-level math course in statistics or calculus). Students can request these waivers on their application when they fill in the ‘test’ section of the application.
5. Professional MBA at College of Business at Florida International University
Students who pursue a Healthcare Management MBA at Florida International University are not required to take the GMAT or GRE. However, the admission committee may recommend taking it in order to strengthen your application package. For the Professional MBA program, applicants who can show that they have more than four years of professional experience may get a waiver exempting them from taking the exam.
6. Executive MBA at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
For this program, the Kellogg school does not require GMAT scores for most of their applicants. However, if the admission committee sees problem areas in your application, they may request that you send them GMAT scores.
7. Executive MBA at Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California
For students applying to the Executive MBA programme at University of Southern California, standardized tests are optional for all candidates. You are not required to submit a GMAT score or a GRE score; however, if you do, there is a possibility that it will strengthen your application, and that you will stand out among other candidates.
MSc schools which don’t require a GMAT
Let’s begin with understanding why GMAT is deemed as a globally recognized standardized test.
Why GMAT?
The GMAT score is an essential component for the full-time Master’s programs in several universities. In the entire Master’s application, in comparison to the other elements such as the essays, recommendations, interview preparation, candidates spend 60-70% of their effort and time in trying to get a high GMAT/GRE score to improve their chances of being accepted by the top business schools.
Typically, the GPA requirements of b-schools vary from country to country. Thus, the GMAT exam, as a globally standardized and trusted medium enables b-schools to assess applicants’ academic rigor while urging them to put their best foot forward. GMAT, being the most reliable aptitude test, helps b-schools assess your skillset as per the skills required by the school.
Although a good GMAT score does help strengthen a b-school application and slightly tilt the decision in the candidates’ favor as it gives a good idea about their aptitude, not all schools mandatorily urge candidates to provide their GMAT scores. Such schools not necessarily requiring a GMAT score, intend to evaluate applications in an all-embracing manner.
Therefore, the GMAT score does not inevitably form the crux of your master’s application. Instead, the final verdict on your target school(s) application is subject to several factors like your- GPA, Essays, LOR, SOP, interview performance, etc.
However, many business schools don’t require GMAT in the USA, UK / Europe, and many other locations. Also, some of these B-Schools are ranked among the top 100 schools for the Master program by Financial Times. So, such schools are marked as the best business schools that don’t necessarily require taking a GMAT exam.
Is GMAT really required?
While several schools encourage applicants to take the GMAT exam, it’s not mandatory for all schools. There are many schools out there that you can target from the pack which doesn’t necessitate taking the GMAT.
For someone who isn’t able to secure a good GMAT or GRE score, does not want to retake the exam or does not have the time to spend a few months to prepare and take the GMAT/GRE again, such students can try their luck in business schools that don’t require GMAT where more emphasis will be on an overall assessment of the candidates.
Key components of B school application system
Although the application requirements of schools may slightly differ, yet there are some key requirements commonly necessitated by nearly all major schools entailing the following-
- GPA
- Test scores (GMAT, GRE, IELTS, etc.)
- Work experience
- Essays
- CV
- Letter of Recommendation
- Interview
Are B-schools without the GMAT requirement any good?
Well, you can find a lot of schools that do not require you to supply a GMAT score. In the concrete, many well-reputed Tier 1 schools don’t require applicants to present their GMAT scores.
Here’s a list of such schools:
- Imperial College London
- ANU (Australian National University)
- NUS-National University of Singapore
- Ivey Business School
- IE Business School
- Rotman School of Management, etc.
Thus, depending on the program, school, and the country, the GMAT score might either not be required or waived off in certain cases.
Should I take the GMAT or not?
The major decisive factor following the question of whether to take the GMAT or not is how much time you have.
If you feel you’ve ample time to prepare for the exam, then great!
But if not, you need not sweat out.
In such a case or even if you have a low GMAT score, you can target schools that don’t require a GMAT. Such schools usually emphasize a candidate’s holistic application, i.e., stressing upon factors such as:
- Sound academic record
- Work experience and skills
- Extracurricular and volunteer activities
- International exposure
Schools that don’t require GMAT
MIM | ||
College Name | Country | Program Name |
Australian National University | Australia | Master of Management (MOM) |
University of Sydney | Australia | Master in Management |
Monash University | Australia | Master of Management |
University of Business ILLINOIS | USA | MS in Management |
Warwick Business School | UK | MSc in Management |
City University: Cass | UK | MSc in Management |
University of Edinburgh Business School | UK | MSc in Management |
Durham University Business School | UK | MSc in Management |
Montpellier Business School | France | Master in Management |
Trinity College Dublin | Ireland | MSc in Management |
Dublin City University | Ireland | MSc in Management |
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School | Ireland | MSc in Management |
NUS Business School | Singapore | MSc in Management |
Singapore Management University | Singapore | MSc in Management |
Nova School of Business & Economics | Portugal | Master in Management |
Schulich School of Business | Canada | Master of Management |
MBA | ||
Columbia Business School | USA | MBA |
NYU Stern | USA | MBA |
Hult International Business School | USA | MBA |
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University | USA | MBA |
Thompson Rivers University-School of Business & Economics | Canada | MBA |
New York Institute of Technology | Canada | Management, MBA |
New York Institute of Technology | Canada | Finance, MBA |
Monash University | Australia | MBA |
International Business | ||
Hult International Business School | USA | Masters in International Management |
Portland State University | USA | Master of International Management |
Leeds University Business School | UK | International Business MSc |
Alliance Manchester Business School | UK | MSc in International Business & Management |
University of Exeter Business School | UK | MSc in International Management |
Aston Business School | UK | MSc International Business |
IESEG School of Management | France | Master in International Business |
Grenoble Ecole de Management | France | Master in International Business |
Business Management | ||
Swinburne University of Technology | Australia | Master of Business Management |
University of the Sunshine Coast | Australia | Master of Business Management(general management program) |
University of Miami | USA | Master of Management Studies |
Thunderbird School of Global Management | USA | Master of Global Management |
University of Northern Business California | Canada | MSc in Business Administration |
University De Montreal | Canada | MSc in Business Administration |
University of Strathclyde Business School | UK | MSc in Business & Management |
Marketing | ||
Schulich School of Business | Canada | Master of Marketing |
Melbourne Business School | Australia | Master of Marketing |
Monash University | Australia | Master of Marketing |
University of Birmingham | UK | MSc in Marketing |
University of Birmingham | UK | MSc in International Marketing |
University of Edinburgh | UK | MSc Marketing |
University of Bath | UK | MSc in Marketing |
Warwick Business School | UK | MSc Marketing & Strategy |
Lancaster University | UK | MSc Marketing |
Imperial College | UK | MSc Strategic Marketing |
Grenoble Ecole de Management | France | MSc Marketing Management |
Trinity College Dublin | Ireland | MSc in Marketing |
TBS Business School | Spain | MSc Marketing Management |
Entrepreneurship | ||
University of San Francisco | USA | Master in Global Entrepreneurship & Management |
Melbourne Business School | Australia | Master of Entrepreneurship |
IQS/FJU/USF | Spain, Taiwan, US | Master in Global Entrepreneurship Management |
Corvinus University of Budapest | Hungary | MSc in Management & Leadership |
Grenoble Ecole de Management | France | MSc Entrepreneurship & Global Marketing |
EDHEC Business School | France | MSc in Entrepreneurship & Innovation |
Cass Business School | UK | MSc Entrepreneurship |
UCL School of Management | UK | MSc Entrepreneurship |
Trinity College Dublin | Ireland | MSc Entrepreneurship |
Engineering | ||
Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Antai | China | Master of Management Science & Engineering |
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management | Belgium | Master in Business Engineering |
University of York | UK | MSc Engineering Management |
University of Birmingham | UK | MSc Advanced Engineering Management |
Notthingham Trent University | UK | MSc Engineering Management |
Aston University | UK | Engineering Management MSc |
University of Bath | UK | Engineering Business Management MSc |
University of Warwick | UK | MSc Engineering Business Management |
Finance | ||
Sobey School of Business | Canada | Master in Finance |
UCL School of Management | UK | MSc Finance |
Imperial College Business School | UK | MSc Finance |
Warwick Business School | UK | MSc Finance |
University of Edinburgh | UK | MSc Finance |
University of Birmingham | UK | MSc Financial Management |
Queen Mary University of London | UK | MSc Finance |
University of Liverpool | UK | MSc Finance |
Kingston University London | UK | MSc Finance |
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School | Ireland | MSc Finance |
MBA without GMAT in Canada
Studying MBA in Canada without GMAT is not as difficult as it may seem. There are various business schools in Canada that offer GMAT waivers for MBA in Canada or do not require the scores at all. Some of these are listed below:
University/Business School | Conditions for GMAT waivers |
---|---|
Schulich School of Business | GPA more than 3.3 (87-89%) |
DeGroote Business School | GMAT not required |
Thompson Rivers University | GMAT only required if admission committee mentions |
Wilfrid University | Complete UG degree in Canada in relevant field, like BBA in Canada, etc |
NYIT Vancouver | GPA more than 3.0/4.0 (83-86%) |
Executive MBA without GMAT in Canada
Top Business schools in Canada considering EMBA applications with GMAT waivers are listed below:
- Ivey Business School: GMAT is waived off based on your prior work experience and academic scores.
- Rotman School of Business: The GMAT is optional may be based on the decision made by the admissions committee.
- McMaster University: Executive MBA program at McMaster does not require you to have a GMAT. However, if felt necessary the admissions committee may ask for GMAT scores.
- University of Ottawa: GMAT scores are optional for the uOttawa EMBA course.
MBA without GMAT in UK
There are certain top-tier business schools in UK that offer waivers or an option to study MBA without GMAT requirements. Some of these are given below:
- University of Central Lancashire: For the 12-month MBA program at University of Lancashire, GMAT is optional.
- Birmingham City Business School: GMAT scores are optional for MBA at Birmingham City University.
- Lancaster University: Offers MBA without GMAT. It is optional for a student to send their scores.
- University of Reading: Having work experience of more than three years can gain you GMAT waiver for MBA with Henley Business School.
- Durham University: GMAT is not required for admission to Durham’s MBA program.
- Warwick School of Business: GMAT is an optional admission requirement at Warwick Business School.
- Cranfield School of Management: You can take the Schools two admission tests that help in the evaluation of your problem solving and numeracy skills.
MBA without GMAT in Australia
To get admissions in an MBA in Australia, you are often asked for GMAT test scores. However, there are certain top colleges that offer admissions without these scores. Top business schools in Australia that offer MBA without GMAT are listed below:
Business School/University | Conditions for GMAT waivers |
---|---|
Monash Business School | 3 or more years of managerial experience |
Macquarie Graduate School of Management | Required |
LaTrobe Business School | 3 years of experience and 60% or more in your relevant UG program |
Deakin Business School | UG degree and 3years of experience, or Graduate certificate courses and 5 years of work experience |
MBA without GMAT Abroad
Top business schools from around the world, apart from US. UK, Canada, Australia that offer GMAT waiver for MBA are:
University | Country | Conditions to Fulfill for GMAT Waivers |
---|---|---|
TU Munich | Germany | With 4-5 years of work experience apply for their E.MBA |
Cologne Business School | Germany | GMAT not required |
Berlin School of Economics & Law | Germany | GMAT not required |
Auckland University of Technology | New Zealand | GMAT not required, Must clear the interview |
Massey University | New Zealand | GMAT not required |
University of Canterbury | New Zealand | GMAT not required |
Maastricht School of Management | Netherlands | GMAT not required |
Saxion University of Applied Science | Netherlands | GMAT not required |
Webster University | Netherlands | GMAT not required |
James Cook University | Singapore | GMAT Optional |
PSB Academy | Singapore | GMAT Optional |
NUI Galway | Ireland | GMAT not required |
Griffith College | Ireland | GMAT not required |
Online-MBA without GMAT
Aside from the above-mentioned MBA programs abroad, you can also choose for pursuing online-MBA courses. Though there are a number of online-MBA programs that do not require GMAT scores.
- Norwich University: You can apply for MBA at Norwich with UG scores and IELTS/TOEFL scores.
- Florida International University: For applicants with 4 or more years of experience, GMAT is not required.
- University of Maryland: GMAT is waived for online-MBA applicants with 2 years of experience.
- University of Liverpool: You will be required to have 3 years of experience and IELTS/TOEFL scores to apply for an online MBA at University of Liverpool.
- Ohio University: Apply for Online MBA at Ohio University with 3-5 years of experience and 3 LORs for MBA, and GMAT scores will not be required in this case.
- Rochester Institute of Technology: Having a prior graduate degree or extensive experience can help you get into their online-MBA program without GMAT test results.
It’s important to note that while some schools don’t require a GMAT score, others give a GMAT waiver given an applicant’s holistic profile or other exam scores like CFA. For some courses, the school may not require a GMAT/GRE score but might require the applicant to take an exam conducted by the school itself. Also, in some cases, the school may ask for a GMAT score from applicants to assess their academic skills.
In case you are keen to undertake your master’s program this year and have not been able to get admission into your dream B-schools, these above-listed graduate schools that don’t require GMAT or GRE can be a good back up option for you.
MBA without gMAT in germany
Germany is one of the most popular destinations among international students because of world class education offered at low cost. Unlike popular study abroad destinations like USA, studying MBA without GMAT in Germany is easier. Many top business schools of this country evaluate applications on the basis of their academic profile, work experiences, extracurricular achievements etc.
MBA in Germany is comparatively very cheap since most universities are public and they are charge no tuition fees. If the cost of appearing for GMAT score is also removed, then the program becomes very affordable for international students. Also, it saves the time and effort required to prepare for this exam.
Let us dive into the details of finding out the universities offering MBA without GMAT in Germany and their admission processes.
Best Universities for MBA without GMAT in Germany
Here is a list of 10 German universities that do not ask for a GMAT score from their MBA applicants. What’s more you ask? Some of them do not even charge a tuition fee.
University | MBA Fees (EUR/ year) |
---|---|
TU Munich | 39,000 |
Ludwig Maximilian University Munich | Free Tuition |
University of Kiel | Free Tuition |
University of Tubingen | 3,000 |
University of Stuttgart | 3,000 |
Accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg | 16,800 |
Akademie Wurth Business School | 18,950 |
Berlin School of Economics and Law | 19,800 |
Cologne Business School | 600 |
Dresden International University | 11,980 |
Other MBA degrees in Germany without GMAT
If your career does not allow you to commit to a full-time MBA degree you can also explore distance learning or part-time MBA programs offered by business schools of Germany. Some universities offering distance learning and part-time MBA without GMAT in Germany include:
- Distance MBA in General Management- AKAD Bildungsgesellschaft
- Distance MBA in Engineering Management- Allensbach University
- Part-Time MBA in Entrepreneurship- Berlin School of Law and Economics
- Part-Time MBA in Renewables- Beuth University of Applied Sciences
How To Get into MBA without GMAT in Germany
The basic requirement to be eligible for admission into German universities offering MBA program is to have a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a valid GMAT score or scored poorly in your exam here are some alternate qualifications that can qualify you for admission:
Academic Grades: Exceptional academic grades at the undergraduate level give you a chance to impress the admissions office even without a GMAT score.
Relevant Work Experience: MBA is a professional degree and as such work experience is a prerequisite for admission to most full-time MBA programs.
Letters of Recommendation: A fail-proof method of standing out from the crowd with your admission application is securing good recommendation letters from your ex-employers vouching for your skills and abilities.
Admissions to MBA without GMAT in Germany
Different business schools in Germany have different application deadlines and admission requirements. Mentioned below is the details about MBA admission to a few top German institutes.
MBA at TU Munich
TU Munich is a top-ranked educational institute in Europe with 3 campuses in Garching, Munich and Freising-Weihenstephan. It offers 3 variants of the part-time executive MBA program suited for applicants from a purely business background as well as applicants from non-business backgrounds.
- Application Deadlines: Rolling Admissions year-round
- Duration: 2 years
- Admission Requirements: At least 5 years of Work Experience, proof of English language proficiency, successfully passing admission interviews.
- GMAT Requirement: The university recommends a GMAT score of 600. But submission of the GMAT certificate is completely optional.
MBA at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich
The MBA program offered by LMU is highly research-based and project-oriented. Students pursuing the MBA degree are required to choose a specialization among Accounting, Finance, Marketing & Strategy, Innovation & Leadership and Human Resources.
- Application Deadlines: May 15
- Duration: 2 years
- Admission Requirements: bachelors in business administration or a related field, work experience, English language Proficiency etc
- GMAT Requirement: A GMAT score of 600 is required for admission. However, students may appear for a written test at the Faculty of Management for obtaining GMAT waivers.
MSBA at University of Kiel
University of Kiel not only offers masters in management degrees in Finance, Economics etc, but also offers special MSBA (masters in science and business administration program). The MSBA program at University of Kiel aims at improving the critical thinking abilities of students by emphasising on soft skills development.
Application Deadlines: August 15(winter semester); January 31 (summer semester)- Duration: 2 years
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, 3 years work experience, English language Proficiency etc
- GMAT Requirement: Submission of GMAT scores is not required at Kiel.
MBA at University of Tuebingen
The MBA program at the University of Tuebingen offers great opportunities in terms of career advancement and Leadership opportunities. Not only does the university not charge a single penny in terms of tuition fee it also offers great opportunities for cultural learning.
- Application Deadlines: May 15 (winter semester)
- Duration: 2 years
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, work experience, Letter of motivation, letters of recommendation, English language proficiency etc
- GMAT Requirement: Neither GRE nor GMAT are a mandatory requirement for getting into the MBA program. However, LORs play an important role in the application process for University of Tuebingen.
MBA at University of Stuttgart
The MBA program at the University of Stuttgart prepares students for leadership roles in their careers or even start-up ventures. The Master’s program at this university is often called a bachelor consecutive program since it picks up on the level of skills and learnings at which an undergraduate leaves off in college.
- Application deadlines: January 15
- Duration: 2 years
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree certificate, letters of recommendation, relevant work experience etc.
- GMAT Requirements: GMAT score submission is not required for admission to this program.
MBA at Berlin School of Economics & Law
A 15-months program, MBA at Berlin School of Economics & Law starts in September. The program offers dedicated career services to its students.
- Application: Starts from December 1
- Duration: 15 months
- Admission Requirements: UG degree and three years of relevant work experience and proficiency in English language.
- GMAT Requirements: GMAT scores are not required to study MBA in Berlin School of Economics and Law.
MBA without GMAT in Germany for Free
The main advantage of pursuing an MBA in Germany is that a number of public universities do not charge any tuition fee at all. However, international students may be required to pay in nominal amounts per semester as semester fee, student union fee, travel ticket etc.
Some of the universities offering MBA without GMAT in Germany tuition free are:
- Ludwig Maximilian University Munich
- University of Kiel
- University of Tubingen
- University of Stuttgart
Although students do not have to pay tuition fees they should budget for other expenses such as house rent, cost of food Health Insurance etc. Mentioned below is a list of expenses you should budget for while studying in Germany.
Type Of Expense | Cost (EUR) |
---|---|
House Rent | 331- 930 |
Food | 135- 397 |
Books & Stationery | 20 |
Travel Expenses | 93 |
Health Insurance | 76 |
Entertainment | 30 |
Total Expense | 1116 |
As per the official German visa website, students spend an average of 850 EUR on living expenses. Therefore, international students applying for an MBA without GMAT in Germany are required to provide proof of a minimum bank balance of 10,236 EUR in order to be eligible for a German Student Visa.
The article discusses most of the business schools offering MBA without GMAT in Germany, but you must note that admission requirements vary slightly with each passing year. Applicants are hence, suggested to visit the official website of the choice of their university to find out details on GMAT waivers and related requirements