Top GMAT scholarships at European business schools

If you're applying to a European MBA program that accepts or requires the GMAT exam, a strong score can strengthen both your application and your scholarship prospects.

While MBA programs cost less in Europe than in the US, going to business school is still a significant investment.

Fortunately, many business schools offer MBA scholarships linked to GMAT performance, while others consider GMAT scores alongside academic achievement, professional experience and leadership potential. If you score well on the GMAT, you can qualify for a percentage off your tuition fees—which can be up to 50 percent off your tuition.

These MBA scholarships make an MBA in Europe more affordable and mean you’ll get a quicker return on your investment. So, which European business schools offer GMAT scholarships or consider GMAT scores as part of their scholarship decisions?

Here are 17 top MBA scholarships for European business school students:

1. Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece

Candidates with a GMAT score equal to or above 645 (which equates to 700 and above under the previous GMAT scoring system) will be granted a partial scholarship of 40 percent of the total MBA tuition fees. Candidates with a high GMAT score below 645 are also eligible for smaller scholarships.

2. Amsterdam Business School

The GMAT scholarship for the Amsterdam MBA is available for scores above 595 in the current GMAT exam, or 650 (GMAT 10th Edition), with a discount of up to €12,000 for the highest scores. The GMAT scholarship is available for all Amsterdam MBA candidates.

3. City University, Bayes Business School

The Academic Distinction Scholarship awards reduced tuition fees of up to 50 percent and is open to candidates who have achieved a high, well-balanced GMAT score and can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.

4. EDHEC Business School

EDHEC Business School offers a variety of scholarships based on GMAT score results, academic excellence, and distinction. Applicants with an outstanding GMAT score of 595 (or Executive Assessment equivalent), an excellent GPA, or impressive experience and extracurricular activities can have their tuition fees automatically reduced by up to 40 percent or €21,000.

5. ESMT Berlin

Applicants who submit successful GMAT scores will be considered for scholarships to acknowledge their success. Applicants with a GMAT percentile rank higher than 94 percent, equivalent to a GMAT score of at least 675 (720 in the 10th Edition GMAT), can receive €5,000 in scholarship funds.

Read: GMAT score range for top business schools such as Stanford & Harvard

6. Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

MBA scholarships at Frankfurt cover up to 30 percent of tuition for the respective program. Selection criteria include academic performance, GMAT results, application quality, professional achievements, extracurricular activities, social commitment and international experience.

7. HEC Paris Business School

All HEC Paris MBA admitted candidates can apply for merit-based scholarships. Applicants can receive scholarships worth up to 50 percent of the HEC Paris MBA’s tuition fees. The final decision is based on academic excellence, the overall strength of the application, the results of the selection interviews and the candidate’s GMAT score.

8. Imperial College Business School

A range of scholarships are available at Imperial, including the Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship, which provides £50,000 to engineering or technology graduates with a GMAT score of 650 or higher. Self-funded candidates with strong GMAT scores and demonstrated financial need can apply for the Advisory Board Scholarship, which covers full tuition. 

For insider tips on maximizing your MBA scholarship chances, and ways to fund your business school journey, download our MBA Financing and Scholarship Guide.

9. Cambridge Judge Business School

The Cambridge Judge Dean’s Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement offers a tuition reduction of £15,000 for candidates with exceptional academic records. Applicants are evaluated based on admission exam scores and undergraduate performance.

10. ESSEC Business School

MBA candidates with outstanding academic achievements and strong career progression can land a High Potential scholarship at ESSEC. The scholarship amount awarded differs according to academic performance and test scores in the GMAT or EA.

11. Vlerick Business School

Vlerick’s academic scholarship is for candidates with a strong academic record and a GMAT score of more than 630 (or 680 in the previous GMAT exam).

12. Cranfield School of Management

Cranfield offers a range of MBA scholarships to help make its full-time MBA more affordable. In exceptional circumstances, partial scholarships covering up to 50 percent of tuition fees are available for inspiring candidates who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to transforming the future of management.

13. Esade Business School

Esade offers a range of merit-based MBA scholarships worth up to 50 percent of tuition fees. Awards recognize candidates with outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, professional experience, and financial need.

14. Hult International Business School

Hult offers a range of merit-based scholarships and need-based awards for incoming MBA students. Merit scholarships recognize applicants with outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial experience, professional success, and social impact.

15. IESE Business School

IESE offers a wide range of merit-based scholarships for MBA students, including the IESE Excellence Scholarship, which is awarded to the top 7–10 percent of admitted applicants based on academic and professional achievement. Candidates applying through the Young Talent Path who meet the school's GMAT criteria are automatically considered for a scholarship, although the minimum qualifying score is not publicly specified.

16. IMD Business School

IMD offers several merit-based MBA scholarships, including the MBA5 Scholarship and Hilti STEM Scholars Program (both worth CHF 50,000) and IMD MBA Merit Scholarships worth up to CHF 40,000. Scholarship decisions consider academic and professional excellence, including GMAT scores, alongside leadership potential and admissions performance.

17. Mannheim Business School

Mannheim recommends a GMAT exam score of 565 (600 GMAT for the previous edition) for admission and awards a €200 tuition discount to applicants scoring 615+ (650+ previous GMAT). The school also offers several partial scholarships, with a high GMAT score among the selection criteria for its Scholarship for the Most Outstanding Candidate.

How does a GMAT score help with MBA scholarships?

A GMAT score gives scholarship committees an additional standardized measure of academic readiness. At schools with fixed scholarship bands, reaching a published threshold may make you eligible for a specific discount. At other schools, the score is one part of a holistic review that also considers your academic record, leadership, work experience, interview, and potential contribution to the class.