“Be yourself. Your personality, insights and experiences – they bring different flavors to the classroom, and we embrace that. Our full-time MBA is not just about what you learn from the professors, but what you learn from each other. So having that diversity is so important, and we want to gain an understanding of your personality and who you are.” – Ann-Marie Stephenson

Ann-Marie Stephenson and Colleen McLister, Senior Recruitment Manager and Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discuss the Frankfurt School MBA’s admissions criteria, admissions process, scholarships and more. After listening to this episode, you will have a thorough and nuanced understanding of how to submit your strongest application to the Frankfurt School.

Topics

• Introducing Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister (0:00)
• What about the Frankfurt School MBA Surprises International Students? (4:00)
• How much German do Frankfurt MBA Students Need to Thrive? (8:45)
• Frankfurt School MBA’s Admissions Criteria & Process (11:30)
• Scholarships – How to Improve Your Chances? (24:30)
• Advice on Recommendations, Case-Study Essays, Career Goals (35:00)
• Final Tips for Applicants (46:15)

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Full-time MBA Highlights

(last updated January 2025)

• Length, Intake, Size: 12-months, September intake, 30-40 students/year
  • The MBA is taught entirely in English. However, German classes are provided for all non-German speaking students throughout the duration of the programme.
• Typical Class: 
  • 5.5 years average work experience
  • 90% international (20 countries)
  • GPA average: not available
  • GMAT average: 657
• Curriculum:
  • Academic Core:
    • MBA Leadership Camp Orientation + 10 required core corses (including module abroad at SDA Bocconi in Italy) + choose 6 electives (from 20) + research thesis / consulting project / business plan
  • Tracks (2): Advanced Management, Finance & Technology
  • Study Abroad: 1 week core course “Innovation” taken abroad at SDA Bocconi in Italy
  • MBA Degrees (5): Full-time MBA (12 months), Part-time MBA (21 months), Executive MBA (18 months, part-time), MBA International Healthcare Management (20 months, part-time), MBA for Executives in Kinshasa (18 months, part-time)
  • Faculty: 70+ full-time professors and 20+ adjunct professors
  • Student Clubs: 40+ “student initiatives” in various fields, including sports, arts & culture, social engagement, and personal and professional development initiatives
• Admissions: 
  • Application requirements:
    • First academic degree (Bachelor or equivalent)
    • 3 years of post-graduate work experience
    • GMAT or GRE (Frankfurt School Business Test Methods also available)
    • TOEFL(90) / IELTS(7)
    • Transcripts
    • CV in English
    • Copy of Passport
    • Case Study Essay (Download an article about a current business/management issue. Please read the text and write a brief (i.e. 500 words) response to the questions provided)
    • 2 recommendations
    • Interview with Frankfurt School faculty member or alumni over Zoom
  • Application rounds: 4 application rounds between November and July
    • Apply in earlier rounds for reduced tuition (i.e. by 30th November for 6,000€ discount, by 29th February for 4,000€ discount, by 31st May for 2,500€ discount)
• Scholarships: 4 types of scholarships available each year up to 30% of tuition; two out of three students are awarded scholarships of varying magnitudes
  • High Performance
  • Diversity & International Scholarships
  • Women in Business Scholarships
  • Entrepreneur & Leadership Scholarships
  • Specialised Background Scholarship (e.g. Engineering, Finance, Technology, Innovation)
• Careers:
  • Placement, Class of 2021: 84% employed w/in 3 months of graduation, 65,500€ avg starting salary (9,000€ avg bonus), graduates experienced 61% increase in salary after 3 years; average alumni salary is $102,090 USD after 3 years
  • Top Destinations, Class of 2021: 90% Germany, 4% Americas, 3% Africa, 3% Asia
  • 65+ companies have hired Frankfurt School MBA graduates since the start of the program
• Rankings: Ranked #98 internationally by Financial Times (2023)
• Alumni:  60,000+ Frankfurt School Alumni, 1,400+ MBA alumni
• Tuition: 42,000€; no application fee; estimated living costs 1,500€/month
• Accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, Wissenschaftsrat from German Council of Science & Humanities

About Our Guests

Ann-Marie Stephenson is Senior Recruitment Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. She has worked as a marketing manager and consultant in many industries including education, health care, and fashion. Ann-Marie got her Bachelors in Marketing & Business and Masters of Science in Marketing from the University of Hull.

Colleen McLister is Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Prior to joining the Frankfurt School, Colleen worked as a Travel Advisor & Sales Specialist. Colleen graduated from Radford University with a Bachelors in Music Studies and Vocal Performance.

Show Notes

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Full-time MBA Programme
• Contact the MBA Team at the Frankfurt School
• #215 Frankfurt School of Finance & Management MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Prof. Adrian Buss

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