How to apply

Please read these notes before you begin your application. You might
find it helpful to print this document to refer to later.

1 Submitting your application

Applications should be made using the on-line application form, which is currently completed in 2
stages. Supporting Documents (CV, references etc) can be attached to the Part 2 application.

Stage 1
Stage 1 of the application form gathers the information required by Durham University to create an
applicant record and concentrates mainly on personal details and academic qualifications. When you
first log-on to the form, you will be asked to create an account, which will involve choosing a Logon ID
(user name) and a PIN (password). If you wish to do so, you will be able to save the form and return to
complete it later.

Once this stage is submitted, you will be given a unique web ID number which should be quoted on all
future correspondence, including the second stage of the application form. You will then move to stage
2 of the application form via the link provided.

Stage 2
The second stage of the application form has been created specially for the MBA Programme and is
where you will be able to tell us about your managerial experience and professional knowledge. In order
to maintain confidentiality, you will be asked again to choose a PIN (password), which can be the same
as the one used for Stage 1. As with the first stage of the application form, you will have the option to
save the form and return to complete it later.

An important feature of the second stage of the application form is that you will be able to upload
electronic copies of the following documents, which are required as part of your application:

 CV or work resume which must include full details of previous employment (dates, name of
employer, nature of your responsibilities, salary per annum in £ sterling), details of any periods
of unemployment, and/or details of any voluntary work undertaken;

 A scanned copy of your academic and professional qualifications certificates (including

transcripts if available);

 Two references. Admission to the MBA Programme requires two references, preferably one
academic and one professional although two professional references would be acceptable.
Reference forms can be downloaded from our website (www.dur.ac.uk/dbs/degrees/mba) (these
can be faxed or posted directly to us by the referee if they prefer).

 A recent passport photograph of yourself;

 A scanned copy of your English Language Certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, etc), if appropriate;

 GMAT Test Score Report, if the test has been taken.

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If you are not able to upload electronic versions of any of the above, please email them to
pg.bus@durham.ac.uk stating the MBA Programme that you are applying for and your web ID number.

When all documents have been received, we will email you to acknowledge receipt of your application.

2 Offer

Once both parts of your application and the necessary supporting documents have been received, we
will inform you of our decision (normally within 1 – 2 weeks of receipt of the documentation, unless we
need to contact you for further information).

If the decision is to offer you a place on the Durham MBA programme, this will be conditional upon a
successful interview, depending upon your mode of study. We will contact you by email to inform you
of our decision and, if necessary, to arrange your interview.

3 Interview

All applicants who are offered a place on the Full Time or Executive (part time) MBA are required to
undertake an interview and this can take place either face-to-face or via the telephone if you are unable
to come to the Business School for the interview. The interview helps us to find out more about your
career, background and motivation for study. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have
the ability to participate and contribute to the MBA Programme.

If successful in interview, you will be sent a formal offer letter and a copy of this by email.

In order to secure your place on the programme you will need to formally accept your place and pay the
required deposit within 6 weeks of the original offer date.

4 Dean’s Scholarships

We offer a number of Dean’s Scholarships (normally worth between 10% and 40% of tuition fees), open
to self-funding, highly motivated candidates. Further information about the scholarships available to
MBA applicants can be found at www.dur.ac.uk/dbs/degrees/scholarships/.

If you meet all the criteria and wish to be considered for a Dean’s Scholarship, please tick the ‘yes’ box
on the second stage of the MBA application form.

Scholarship applications that meet the necessary criteria will be passed to the scholarship panel that
meets at regular intervals. Scholarship applicants will be contacted during the week after the panel has
convened to be informed of the outcome. Please note that you will have to formally accept the
scholarship by the deadline specified in your letter or else this may be revoked.

6 College Membership and Accommodation

Those applicants who wish to study on the Full Time MBA programme will need to apply for college
membership and arrange accommodation. Most MBA students apply for membership of Ustinov
College, the college to which most postgraduate students belong. If you have a preference for a
different college, you can make this known on the first stage of the MBA application form. Information
on the colleges at Durham University can be found at http://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges/.

After applying for college membership, you will be sent information about the different types of
accommodation available. As demand for accommodation exceeds availability, please ensure you apply
and this, and pay the deposit required as soon as possible.

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7 Joining Instructions

If you have an offer for the Full Time or Executive programme, a Joining Instructions pack, giving details
of the programme, times/dates etc, will be issued several weeks prior to the start of programme. You will
need to sign and return the Document A of these in order to join the programme.

If you have an offer for the Distance Learning Programme, you will be sent an enrolment pack with your
offer letter, containing all the information you need to be able to start your programme.

8 Registration

Details for registration will be contained in the joining instructions and enrolment packs. Timings are as
follows:

Full time September

Executive (part time) January
Distance Learning Any time you choose – NB your first exam opportunity will de
Determined by your enrolment date

9 Contact Details

If you have any queries relating to the admissions process or to the Durham MBA Programme itself,
please contact us; we’ll be happy to help.

MBA Admissions Office

Durham Business School
Durham University
Mill Hill Lane
Durham DH1 3LB
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 191 334 5533

Fax: +44 (0) 191 334 5136
Email: pg.bus@durham.ac.uk