How to apply

Applications for The Leeds MBA must be submitted online through the University of Leeds Applicant Portal. We do not assess applications or eligibility for the MBA programme via email.  

Before you submit your application, please check that you meet our entry requirements. 

Start your MBA application 

When to apply

Application deadlines for The Leeds MBA programme starting in September 2023 are shown in the table below. 

Due to high demand, we operate a staged admissions process for our MBA programme.  For each application stage, there is a Progress Decision date by which you can expect to receive a decision on whether your application is successful in progressing to the next step of the process. There is no advantage to applying within a certain stage – equal weighting is given to all application stages. Your application will be assessed on its strength relative to others in its stage. 

If you apply before the Application deadline for a particular stage, you will normally be notified if you are successful in progressing to attend an interview by the corresponding Progress Decision date. If you have not been notified by the Progress Decision date, your application will be carried forward to be considered in the next stage.  

We aim for applications to only be carried forward to the next stage once. However, if we receive a high volume of applications, we may need more time to assess your application. If this is the case, we will carry your application to the next stage and notify you of this. 

Attending an interview is a mandatory requirement of the MBA admissions process. Due to increased demand and limited availability, applicants are expected to make every effort to attend their interview.   Interviewed applicants will learn the outcome of their interview on or before the Decision by deadline date. 

If you do not receive an offer following your interview, you will either be notified by the Decision by deadline that your application has been unsuccessful, or that it has been carried forward to be considered in the next stage. Given the high level of competition for available places, many good quality applicants may be unsuccessful. 

• All deadlines are 23:59 UK time
• Applications for each stage open immediately after the deadline for the previous stage

Application checklist

As part of your application you will need to submit:

• A completed application form 
• An up-to-date CV, showing evidence of the required amount of work experience  (More than three years of postgraduate work experience is required before you apply. Five years of postgraduate work experience is desirable. All work experience must include at least three years appropriate management responsibility and show significant career progression)
• Original academic qualification transcripts, certificates and certified translations (if your documents are not in English)
• Two references, one academic and one professional. It may be appropriate to select referees from your professional area of work if you have been out of education for more than 5 years or are applying with evidence of work experience. (see below guidance for references)
• If you have a GMAT result, please upload a copy of your official score report as part of your online application
• A copy of your passport showing passport number and expiry date
• Evidence of your English language qualifications, if English is not your first language. You can apply for the MBA before you take an approved English language test 
• If you have previously studied in the UK on a student visa then you need to provide official evidence of this including CAS, visas and BRP

Your application will not be considered until all documents are received.

• The deadline for meeting any outstanding conditions of your offer is Friday 11 August 2023, 23:59 UK time
• The deadline for paying your deposit is Wednesday 23 August 2023, 23:59 UK time

References

You need to submit two references, one academic and one employer. Please download the MBA reference form. 

Your academic referee:

1. Should not be related to you by blood or marriage
2. Should be qualified to comment on your academic ability, if possible at the highest academic level at which you have studied
3. Should include the following information:

• How long and in what capacity the referee has known you
• A summary of what the referee considers to be your main strengths
• Detailed information on your academic results
• An assessment of your suitability for the Leeds MBA programme
• A comment on your English language proficiency if your native language is not English, including your ability to speak, write and comprehend English.

Your employer referee:

1. Should not be related to you by blood or marriage
2. Should be qualified to comment on your work performance and behaviours and should ideally come from your present or most recent employer 
3. Should include the following information:

• How long and in what capacity the referee has known you
• A summary of what the referee considers to be your main strengths in the areas of a) initiative, b) diligence, c) flexibility, d) group working, e) critical/analytical abilities
• An assessment of your suitability for an intensive management education programme

Admissions policy

Please see our Taught Admissions Policy. 

If you have any questions, please contact our MBA admissions team on mba@lubs.leeds.ac.uk.