June 25, 2024

The joyful culmination of your journey to business school will come when you finally get your acceptance. That day, you’ll anxiously open your application portal, rapidly dart your eyes across your screen, and beam a great big smile when you see the good news. But if you hope to enroll in a top-ranked European MBA program in August/September 2025, this exciting day is still a ways away. And if you want to ensure it comes, it’s time to start preparing, leaving no stone unturned on your path to crafting the ultimate applicant profile. Whether you already have a concrete list of the universities you’re eyeing or are still mulling your options, you must first know what materials you need for your applications and when to submit them. With that in mind, A1 MBA Consulting is excited to continue our series covering application essentials for QS’s Top 25 MBA Programs in Europe. This post will take a deep dive into the five universities occupying the sixth to 10th places in the ranking:  6. INSEAD 7. University of Oxford 8. ESADE 9. Imperial College London 10. Bocconi University INSEAD Application Deadlines:  Round 1: 10 September 2024 Round 2: 5 November 2024 Round 3: 14 January 2025 Round 4: 4 March 2025 Application Materials:  Application Profile (Essentially a Detailed, Digital CV) Four Mandatory Career Essays – Yet to be Announced 100-300 Words per Question Three Motivational Essays – Yet to be Announced 300-500 Words per Question GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition/GRE Score English Language Certification Two Letters of Recommendation – Must Come from a Manager/Superior in a Professional Role Current Professional CV in English Official Copy of University Transcript(s) in English or French  Application Fee: €250 University of Oxford Application Deadlines:  The University of Oxford is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it. Application Materials: Completed Application Form Full Academic Transcripts One-Page CV Containing Relevant Professional Experience GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition/GRE Score Report English Language Test (Only if Required) Two Professional/Academic References Supporting Statement: 1. Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 Words) Online Assessment: 1. Two Motivation-Based Questions – All Applicants Will Answer the Same Questions 2. One Randomized, Competency-Based Question 3. Written Response – “… randomised and light-hearted to show [Oxford] how you can think on your feet! £150 Application Fee ESADE Application Deadlines: ESADE is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it. Application Materials: Completed Application Form CV with Relevant Work Experience Passport-Sized Photograph Scan of Identity Card (for Spanish Applicants) or Passport for All Other Applicants Bachelor Transcripts and Diploma GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition/GRE Score (Official OR Unofficial Accepted) Students May Also Take the Online ESADE Admissions Test English Test Scores A Mix of 5 Mandatory and Optional Essay Questions: 1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (3,000 characters) 2. How will your background, values and non-work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (3,000 characters) 3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about Esade you think will help you reach your goals? (3,000 characters)4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements (3,000 characters maximum)  a) I am most proud of…b) People may be surprised to learn that I…c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why? 5. Please, provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. (3,000 characters)   Official Interview for Select Students – Conducted by an Associate Director of Admissions Application Fee: €135 Imperial College London Application Deadlines: Imperial College London is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it. Application Materials: Completed Application Form   Current CV Complete Degree Transcripts in English GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition/GRE Score Contact Details of Two Professional References (The University Asks That One Reference Come from Your Current Line Manager/Supervisor)  Career Objectives Statement and Personal Statement – Questions Yet to Be Announced Recognized English Language Proficiency Test Scores Interview – Only for Shortlisted Candidates Application Fee: £150 Bocconi University Application Deadlines: Bocconi is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it here. Application Materials: Completed Application Form Official Copy of Your Previous University Grades (in English or Italian) and a Certified Copy of Your Graduate Certificate(s) Pre-Interview: Precedes the Admissions Interview Self-Recorded Detailed CV On Average, Accepted Students Have 5 Years of Prior Work Experience English Language Test Result GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition/GRE Score Contact Details of Two Professional or Academic Referees *Additional Document for Applicants Whose Current Employer Intends to Financially Sponsor Their MBA Program Several Short-Answer Essays – Questions Yet to Be Announced Final Interview: May be Conducted at Bocconi University, Remotely, or In/Near Your Current City of Residence (If Possible) Apply with Confidence: A1 MBA Consultant A1 MBA Consultant proudly offers superior admission consulting services at half the price of the market leaders. We dedicate ourselves to your applications as if they were our own. That’s why there are hundreds of A1 alumni who currently study/have graduated from top European B-Schools like the ones featured in today’s blog.  At A1, we are far more than glorified essay