International applicants are urged to review the list of acceptable academic degrees that the Vanderbilt MBA program considers equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This list is provided below.
Note that the Vanderbilt MBA program does not admit applicants seeking a second MBA degree or a similar graduate management degree, regardless of where the first was obtained. Exempt from this policy are graduate management degrees earned at a college or university outside the U.S. in order to satisfy the four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree requirement. Also exempt are master’s degrees that focus on a specific functional area of business (such as accounting, finance, or management information systems) and do not offer a broad general management curriculum typical of the MBA degree.
Please contact the MBA Admissions Office before applying if you are unsure of your eligibility—we will not return application materials or fees once they have been submitted. Notarized English translations by a qualified professional are required for all official documents and transcripts in any language other than English.
The TOEFL will be waived for candidates who have earned a university degree in an English-speaking country (not just an English-speaking institution) or for those who have lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least the past two years. Applicants who score at least 90% on the GMAT verbal can request consideration for a TOEFL waiver. Any international student may be required to complete the Vanderbilt MBA program’s two-week on-campus U.S. Business Communication and Culture Program, which begins in late-July.
International candidates must apply by March 1st to ensure adequate time for application review, visa processing, and relocation. Applications submitted after March 1st will still be accepted and reviewed, but offers of admission and financial aid will be made on a space-available and funds-available basis only. All international students are expected to obtain a student visa, enter the United States by the required date, and arrive at Vanderbilt in time to enroll in any required pre-MBA programs. New U.S. government requirements make obtaining a student visa a time-consuming process, so be sure to request an appointment with the local U.S. Embassy at least three months before you need to arrive at Owen.
Documentation of the sources and amounts of funding is accepted at the time of application, but it is not required. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit the International Supplement/Preliminary Financial Declaration with other application materials—an offer of admission will not be extended without it. Vanderbilt’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services will send you a formal financial declaration and issue your student visa application only after all required information and documents are received. Review the International Supplement/Preliminary Financial Declaration contained in the online application for more details.
Although Vanderbilt offers several full-tuition scholarships to incoming MBA students each year, competition for these awards is intense. International applicants should not count on any financial assistance unless it is awarded at the time of admission. Even with a full-tuition award, candidates still will have to cover the cost of living, which approaches $39,000 for a single student for two years.
International Degrees
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree requiring a minimum of four years of university study preferred. A four-year or five-year bachelor’s degree, or both years of a two-year master’s degree following a three-year bachelor’s degree are preferred. The BComm, BA, and BSc alone qualify a candidate for admission but are not preferred. The Chartered Accountancy certification can be substituted for the master’s degree requirement and will be admissible.
Canada
Three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec; four-year bachelor’s degree from all other provinces.
France or French-patterned educational systems
A Maîtrise or a diploma requiring four years of post-baccalaureate study from a university or a Grande Ecole.
Germany
A university Diplom, Magister Artium, or Staatsexamen. The Vordiplom by itself is not sufficient.
Indonesia
Sarjana or Sarjana Legkap, awarded after five years of university study.
Italy
Diploma di laurea di dottore requiring from four to six years of study.
Mexico, Spain, Central and South America
Completion of all courses and thesis or professional exams required for the titulo or degree of Licenciado or Bacharel.
The Netherlands
Doctorandus, Ingenieur, or Meester.
People’s Republic of China
A bachelor’s degree representing four years of university study. Official academic records, including graduation certificate in Chinese, must be submitted with a complete English translation listing all courses and grades. All records must be certified by the issuing institution or appropriate government official.
Scandinavia
A university diploma awarded after four or more years of study.
Switzerland
License, Diplôme, or Diplom, representing four to five years of university study.
United Kingdom or British-patterned educational systems
Honours bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree (ordinary), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Ordinary National Diploma (OND) are not eligible for admission. Includes Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Russia, Ukraine, Newly Independent States
Four-year bachelor’s degree.
