FAQs

Guanghua offers 3 different MBA programs, along with an additional 8 double degree programs available to all MBA students.

※Double MBA Degree Programs: MBA students may apply for one or more Double Degree programs ONLY AFTER being enrolled at GSM (For detailed information please refers to our website.
(http://www.gsm.pku.edu.cn/mbas/en/P11801924791387504350388.html).

Generally, there are 40-70 students in each class. However, the class size for some courses, such as electives, will be different depending on the course requirements and classroom availability.

If you choose the Double MBA Degree program, for IMBA or FMBA program, you will spend one year studying at GSM and the second year overseas at one of our partner schools. For the PMBA program, you will spend two years studying at GSM and one year overseas. Alternatively, if you do not wish to participate in any Double Degree programs, you may stay at GSM to complete your MBA studies.

We welcome exchange students from the universities with which we have signed an MOU for student exchange. Currently, we have exchange students from 90 business schools. For a detailed listing of our exchange partners worldwide please see:
http://www.gsm.pku.edu.cn/index/en/P10600197491380157328831.html

The GSM Career Development Center (CDC) (Room 113, Guanghua Building 1, Guanghua School of Management, PKU) assists both students and firms in filling job openings, as well as developing individual career development plans for GSM students. For details see http://cdc.gsm.pku.edu.cn/

More than 450 students enrolled in all MBA programs each year. The IMBA program is normally made up of half Mainland Chinese and half overseas students.

There are three ways to pay the application fee:

1) Pay cash in person at the Finance Department of the International Students Division (Room 109, Shaoyuan Building 3, PKU, Beijing China, 100871).

2) Enclose the fee payment in your application package and submit by mail.

3) Wire Transfer (Please contact MBAintl@gsm.pku.edu.cn for bank account information)

First, complete the Online Application Form, print it and sign your name. Next, submit the application form along with all required documents before the deadline. The application period runs from Oct 25 until March 28 every year. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview in December, March or April.

GSM uses a rolling admission procedure. You can submit your application any time before March 28th in order to be considered for that year’s beginning class. (The three rounds of selection will take place from October 10th to March 28th of each year).

It is to your advantage to apply as early as possible. Normally, early application ensures that you will receive an earlier decision from the admissions committee. However, it is important not to rush your application. We encourage you to take the time necessary to submit a thoughtful, well-prepared and complete application which best highlights your individual strengths and achievements in order to be as competitive as possible. Regardless of the round in which your application has been submitted, the admissions committee will give full and fair consideration to your candidacy.

We will notify you via email if anything is missing from your application. This includes any relevant test scores (GMAT or HSK), letters of recommendation, original or notarized University degree certificates and or transcripts, or application fees. Any applications that are incomplete as of the application deadline will roll over to a subsequent round, to be considered for admission only when they are complete.

Those interested in applying are encouraged to do so in Round 1 for two reasons. First, applicants who are placed on the waiting list in Round 1 will have two additional opportunities for review in the second and third rounds. Also, applicants admitted in Round 1 will be considered for scholarships in both Round 1 and Round 2.

We will update you regularly via email with important information on a variety of subjects and you will receive printed materials in the mail in late June.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials in a single package before the application deadline.

You can find an online application form on the website: http://www.studyatpku.com 

Please print it out and submit a signed version along with your other required documents.

Please visit the official GMAT website http://www.mba.com/ where you can easily locate a listing of the test centers in your country.

1) You should add Guanghua School of Management, Peking University to your list of schools granted access to your GMAT scores through Pearson VUE and ACT, Inc. Our program codes are as follows:

2) The Admissions Committee evaluates each application in a holistic manner, as we value the diverse experiences and accomplishments each student brings to the Peking University community. Therefore, we do not have minimum requirements for an applicant’s GMAT score. However, we do recommend that you try to make all areas of your application as strong as possible, as the application process for GSM’s MBA programs is highly competitive.

3) If you feel that your GMAT score is too low to be competitive, taking the test again can be a way to strengthen your application. The Admissions Board looks favorably on taking the GMAT more than once, as it demonstrates conviction and determination. The highest of your valid scores will be considered official by the committee.

4) We recommend preparing for the GMAT well before your application so that you are not struggling to take the test before the deadline. A preparation period of at least three months is recommended.

5) All GMAT scores received within five years of your application date will be considered valid.

The GMAT is required of all applicants except applicants who have no access to an official

test center in their home country. We are unable to waive or accept substitutions for this

requirement under any circumstances.

We will take your highest score into consideration and we accept all scores taken within the past 5 years.

The HSK is a Regular Chinese Test; please visit the official website http://www.chinesetest.cn/index.do for details.

No, although our students often have very competitive undergraduate GPAs, there are many other equally important components of each student’s application. GPA is just one factor the Admissions Board uses to evaluate a candidate. 

Any transcript that is not in an official, sealed and signed envelope from your University is considered unofficial. Additionally, any transcript or degree certificate that is scanned, copied, faxed, or emailed by the applicant is considered unofficial.

We require original or notarized copies of degree certificates for all the applicants.

Each applicant is required to write an Essay, to demonstrate your potential as a qualified MBA student. The essays should be written on the three topics below (within 2 pages):

A. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from PKU Guanghua specifically help you achieve these goals?

B. What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most significant weakness you have perceived in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it and how will business school contribute to this process?

C. How do you perceive the importance of corporate social responsibility?

D. What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to the PKU Guanghua?

We understand having concerns about using a current employer. Previous employers, college professors, clients, and other supervisors can be used as references if you are uncomfortable with requesting one from your current employer. Your reference should be familiar enough with you and your work to give us a clear and accurate understanding of your abilities and experience.

Recommendations should be from persons who have been directly responsible for assessing your professional performance. At least one, and preferably both of the recommendations should come from an employer or supervisor.

. Recommendations from former professors are not as helpful to the Admissions Committee since they cannot evaluate your performance in a professional setting. Of course there are exceptions, but a recommendation from a current or former employer usually provides more helpful information.

.  There are situations in which applicants do not wish to inform current supervisors that they are applying to business school. In this case, a former manager, client, or supervisor from an extracurricular organization may provide a recommendation.

.  It is important that recommendations provide details and/or examples to support opinions about an applicant. For example, addressing that "Lily is a great team player" does not provide as much insight as providing concrete examples of how well Julie performed in a team when faced with certain responsibilities and challenges. Recommendations that state strong feelings, either positive or negative, without examples are not helpful.

Please include two of your recent photos (2 inches, with no hat worn in hard copy) in your application materials. You should also send digital photo (passport size with 480*640 pixels) via email: MBAintl@gsm.pku.edu.cn

A nonrefundable application fee of RMB 800 is required for all applications. Applicants may pay it in the same manner as listed above.

There are three ways to pay the application fee:

1) Pay cash in person at the Finance Department of the International Students Division (Room 109, Shaoyuan Building 3, PKU, Beijing China, 100871).

2) Enclose the fee payment in your application package and submit by mail.

3) Wire Transfer (Please contact MBAintl@gsm.pku.edu.cn for bank account information)

Here is a break-down of a student’s average expected living costs:

Accommodation: approximately RMB 20, 000-40,000/year 

(On-campus housing: approximately RMB25, 000/year)

Food: approximately RMB12, 000/year

Transportation and miscellaneous costs: approximately RMB 5000/year

Merit-Based Entrance Scholarships

Two merit-based entrance scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic and professional achievements, personal accomplishments, and potential contributions to the MBA program. Heavy emphasis placed on GMAT scores and interview performance. No application necessary.

Guanghua Excellence Scholarship: 100% Tuition Waiver

Academic Excellence Scholarship: 50% Tuition Waiver

Note: Most of the scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis and therefore candidates who apply early in the admissions rounds may have an increased likelihood of receiving scholarships.

Need-Based Scholarships

The Guanghua MBA is dedicated to promoting humanitarian values. As such, applicants are welcome to apply for need-based entrance scholarships if they are:

In financial need
Female
A member of a minority group
A citizen of a developing or underdeveloped country

Note: There is no standardized application form for need-based entrance scholarships. Applicants should send supporting documents as part of their application package. Award notifications released alongside enrollment results. Please contact MBAintl@gsm.pku.edu.cn

For more information, please visit
http://www.gsm.pku.edu.cn/appmanager/portalen/mbas?_nfpb=true&_st=&_pageLabel=P11803524791387505151859

No, but they still may be considered valuable life experiences.

The Admissions Committee does not have a minimum requirement in terms of work experience. We evaluate work experience not in terms of quantity, but rather in terms of quality. Above all, we seek candidates who can demonstrate a strong record of success and possess a clear vision for the future. When referencing work experience, applicants should highlight skills developed, contributions they have made to organizations, and leadership responsibilities.

We seek diversity in the professional backgrounds of our admitted students, just as we do in other parts of our applicants’ profiles. No one industry or field is favored over another. We are more interested in the applicants’ contribution to the group or organization than which specific industry the applicant was employed in.  

Usually, shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview in December, March or April each year. Interviews play a critical role in our assessment of candidates and are required prior to acceptance into the program. An invitation to interview is a positive indicator no matter when you receive it.

No. Interviews will be conducted by invitation only. If the Admissions Committee invites you to interview, you will receive the invitation and scheduling information via email.

The interview will last approximately 15 to 20 minutes and will be conducted by GSM faculty, a member of the MBA Admissions Board, and usually one or more of our professors.

Usually, we will issue an unofficial offer letter via email within 1 or 2 weeks of the interview. A hardcopy admission letter will be mailed to all accepted applicants in late June each year.