Esade

Barcelona, Spain · Private · Full-Time MBA (12, 15 or 18 months; September intake; Barcelona)

Average GMAT Focus: 615
Class size: 178
Program tuition: €93,778 (full program)

Deadlines

Round 1 (September 2027 intake): Sept. 30, 2026
Round 2 (September 2027 intake): Nov. 18, 2026
Round 3 (September 2027 intake): Jan. 13, 2027
Round 4 (September 2027 intake): Feb. 17, 2027
Round 5 (September 2027 intake): March 17, 2027
Round 6 (September 2027 intake): April 21, 2027
Round 7 (September 2027 intake): May 12, 2027
Round 8 (September 2027 intake): June 2, 2027
Round 9 (September 2027 intake): June 30, 2027

Essays

Essay 1 (3,000 characters)

Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this?

Essay 2 (3,000 characters)

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? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished)

Essay 3 (3,000 characters)

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?

Essay 4 (Two answers, 1,500 characters each (3,000 total))

Complete two of the following four questions or statements: 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?

Essay 5 (optional) (3,000 characters)

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.

Editor's notes

Nine deadlines can make it feel like there's no rush. There is. Esade says scholarship funds normally run out before the final deadline, the interview only comes after a complete file, and non-EU admits need a visa application in at least 60 days before September. Aim for the November or January deadline if you want real award money.
Pick your test with care. The Esade Admission Test is free with your fee, but you can take it only once and the score is final. If you already have a GMAT near the published averages (about 615 Focus or 660 on the older edition), send that instead.
Your recommenders are being read for two things, global mindset and personal motivation. Choose people who've seen you work across cultures or markets, and tell them so. With a class that's 95% international and drawn from 45+ nationalities, that's the lens the whole file gets read through.
Apply for the one Excellence Award that fits you best, early. You can apply for only one, Esade awards don't stack, and Esade urges you to apply when you submit the MBA application.