One app for all your study abroad needs
Europe is a top destination for students seeking admission to MBA programs. The January intake in Europe for MBA particularly offers a chance to start their studies in the New Year without waiting for the traditional September or fall intake. It is ideal for students who need extra time to prepare applications or secure funding. Many European universities provide globally recognized MBA programs during this intake, featuring smaller class sizes and more personalized attention.
Additionally, the January intake in Europe for MBA often aligns well with hiring cycles, giving students an edge in securing internships and jobs after graduation. There’s more to it. Keep on reading to know all about the January intake in Europe for MBA requirements and fees for international students.
This Blog Includes:
- Why Choose January Intake in Europe for MBA?
- Top Universities Offer January Intake in Europe for MBA
- Best European MBA Programs for January Intake in 2026
- INSEAD, Paris
- HEC Paris
- IMD Business School
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- IE International Business School
- Griffith College Dublin
- IVEY Business School
- Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University
- Birmingham City Business School, Birmingham City University
- Brunel Business School, Brunel University
- Coventry Business School, Coventry University
- Requirements for January Intake in Europe for MBA
- Missed the Application Deadline: Steps to Follow
- Countries Accepting Late Applications
- FAQs
Why Choose January Intake in Europe for MBA?
The January intake in Europe for MBA provides distinct advantages over September starts. Professionals who need extra preparation time or miss fall application cycles benefit greatly from this option. Key benefits include:
- Faster entry into the job market — Many programs last 10-16 months, enabling graduates to re-enter the workforce sooner.
- Smaller cohort sizes — January classes often feature fewer students, fostering closer faculty interaction and personalized mentoring.
- Higher acceptance potential — Smaller applicant pools increase chances of admission at competitive schools.
- Alignment with recruitment cycles — Summer internships become available, especially in January-start programs, boosting career transitions.
- Diverse professional networks — Cohorts attract experienced individuals from various industries, enriching classroom discussions and connections.
This intake suits career switchers and those seeking quick returns on investment through Europe’s renowned one-year or accelerated MBA formats.
Top Universities Offer January Intake in Europe for MBA
European Universities offer multiple intakes throughout the year for international students: Fall, Winter, and Summer. International students have the freedom to decide which intake they wish to go for based on course availability and personal preferences; the most popular intake is the Fall intake, followed by the Winter intake, and then the Summer intake for the month of May. Here is a list of top universities for January intake in Europe for MBA aspirants:
| University | Country | QS World Rankings 2026 |
| IMD Business School | Switzerland | NA |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Netherlands | 158 |
| INSEAD | France | NA |
| HEC Paris | France | NA |
| Anglia Ruskin University | United Kingdom | NA |
| Birmingham City University | United Kingdom | 1001-1200 |
| Brunel University | United Kingdom | 342 |
| Coventry University | United Kingdom | 526 |
| IE International | Spain | 435 |
| Griffith College Dublin | Ireland | 255 |
Best European MBA Programs for January Intake in 2026
Here are the top MBA programs in Europe starting in January 2026. These programs offer exceptional opportunities to advance your career, gain global exposure, and develop leadership skills. Stick till the end to find out the European University application deadline 2025. Let’s get started with all you need to know about this intake for MBA in Europe.
INSEAD, Paris
INSEAD is easily the most prestigious business school in the world & Europe. It is amongst the top schools offering MBA January intakes in Europe to international students from across the world. INSEAD MBA program is targeted at thought leaders and driven entrepreneurs who are determined to empower their futures and that of their organizations. It is one of the toughest MBA programs with the lowest acceptance rate in Europe.
| Particulars | Details |
| GPA | 2.1 |
| GMAT | 670- 750 |
| IELTS | 7.5 |
| Work Experience | 5 years |
| Application Fees | EUR 250 |
| Tuition Fees | EUR 107,600 |
| Program Duration | 10 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
INSEAD Application Deadline for January Intake in Europe for MBA
| January 2026 Intake | Deadline for Complete Application | Interview Decision Notification | Final Decision Notification |
| Round 1 | 11 March 2025 | 11 April 2025 | 16 May 2025 |
| Round 2 | 22 April 2025 | 23 May 2025 | 04 July 2025 |
| Round 3 | 17 June 2025 | 18 July 2025 | 22 August 2025 |
| Round 4 | 05 August 2025 | 05 September 2025 | 10 October 2025 |
HEC Paris
Ranked first place in the 2019 Financial Times’ European Business Schools Rankings, HEC Paris is a leading business school located in France. It is ranked amongst the 10 top B-schools of the world by QS Ranking and is known for its academic excellence, world-renowned facilities, and diverse business network. HEC Paris MBA program is highly competitive, offered in 7 specializations with an 8-month fundamental phase and an 8-month customized phase for students to develop core business skills in their area of choice.
| Particulars | Details |
| GPA | 3.2 |
| GMAT | 600 |
| IELTS | 6,5/9 |
| Duolingo | 135 |
| TOEFL | 850 |
| Work Experience | Minimum 8 years |
| Application Fees | EUR 200 |
| Tuition Fees | EUR 74,000 (approx) |
| Program Duration | 18 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
HEC Paris Application Deadline for January Intake in Europe for MBA
Admissions for the HEC Paris EMBA are on a rolling basis, so seats get filled as applications come in—applying early is a smart move! Weekly pre-selection reviews and monthly admissions decisions mean you’ll usually hear back within 2-4 weeks. If you’re not admitted, you’ll need to wait a year before reapplying. Most students start the program 2-4 months after submitting their application, but keep in mind that registration closes 15 days before the program begins.
| Upcoming Application Deadlines | Final Admissions Decision Date | Targeted Track |
| Jan. 7 – Feb. 2, 2025 | 13 February 2025 | January 2026 |
| Feb. 4 – March 2, 2025 | 13 March 2025 | January 2026 |
| March 4 – April 6, 2025 | 17 April 2025 | January 2026 |
| April 8 – May 4, 2025 | 15 May 2025 | January 2026 |
| May 5 – June 8, 2025 | 19 June 2025 | January 2026 |
| June 9 – July 6, 2025 | 17 July 2025 | January 2026 |
| July 7 – Sept. 7, 2025 | 18 September 2025 | January 2026 |
| Sept. 8 – Oct. 5, 2025 | 16 October 2025 | January 2026 |
| Oct. 6 – Nov. 2, 2025 | 20 November 2025 | January 2026 |
| Nov. 3 – Dec. 1, 2025 | 19 December 2025 | January 2026 |
IMD Business School
A leading independent business school located in the country of Switzerland and established by business executives with graduates around the world enjoying a median salary of $200,000 after 5 years of graduation. The international business school, IMD is renowned for its academically driven full-time MBA and executive programmes, integrated multidisciplinary faculty, experiential learning style as well as placements in some of the most popular companies. It is also amongst the top schools in Switzerland offering MBA January intakes in Europe so let’s look at the entry requirements for its full-time MBA program:
| Particulars | Details |
| GPA | 3 |
| GMAT | 585 – 805 |
| IELTS | 7.5 |
| Work Experience | 3- 8 years |
| Application Fees | CHf 200 |
| Tuition Fees | CHf 95000 |
| Program Duration | 1 year |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
IMD Business School Application Deadline for January Intake in Europe for MBA
| Application Deadlines for MBA Starting January 2026 | Final Decision By |
| 15 January 2025 | 01 March 2025 |
| 15 March 2025 | 01 May 2025 |
| 15 May 2025 | 01 July 2025 |
| 1 July 2025 | 15 August 2025 |
| 15 September 2025 | 01 November 2025 |
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam
One of the most renowned universities in the Netherlands and consistently featured amongst the best MBA universities in the world, Rotterdam School of Management offers accredited international, executive as well as global MBA programs to international students from any sector to excel and grow in the field of business administration & management & develop valuable leadership skills. Here are the requirements and more details of this Europe university application deadline 2025
| Particulars | Details |
| GPA | 3.0 |
| GMAT | 640 |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Work Experience | 3 years |
| Application Fees | EUR 100 or |
| Tuition Fees | EUR 25000 |
| Program Duration | 1 year |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
Rotterdam School of Management Application Deadline for January Intake in Europe for MBA
International students who wish to study in the January intake in Europe for MBA at the Rotterdam School of Management can submit their application any time during the year. For the Full-time MBA courses starting in January 2026, you must submit your application by:
| Particulars | Details |
| Round 1 | February 11 |
| Round 2 | April 8 |
| Round 3 | June 3 |
| Round 4 | August 12 |
| Round 5 | October 1 |
| Round 6 | November 4 |
IE International Business School
IE International houses the leading IE Business School which is located in Spain and offers a full-time MBA program for international students interested in understanding the fundamentals of international business, improving their managerial skills and gaining tremendous leadership qualities that help them grow in a transnational business space. IE Business School offers an immersive as well as customizable international MBA to tailor it according to individual ambitions and career goals. Here are the entry requirements for the January Intakes 2026 for IE Business School:
| GPA | NA |
| GMAT | 670 |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Work Experience | 3 years |
| Application Fees | EUR 150 |
| Tuition Fees | EUR 72,200 |
| Program Duration | 11 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
IE International Business School Application Deadline for January Intake in Europe for MBA
One advantage of studying MBA at IE Business School is that it adopts a rolling admission process for the January 2026 intake. In other words, applicants have the flexibility to apply at any time of the year. With the responses provided within 1-2 weeks of completing the application, it is better to apply early.
Griffith College Dublin
Griffith College is the largest university in Dublin, Ireland that offers a plethora of UG and PG courses to students from across the world. Its MBA program is internationally recognized for providing an intellectually stimulating experience for graduates who wish to learn about international business, explore the latest trends in business & management, and learn from renowned faculty members, business experts, and alumni members. Here is all you need to know about applying to Griffith College MBA for January intakes in Europe:
| GPA | 3.0 |
| GMAT | NA |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Work Experience | 2 years |
| Application Fees | EUR 45 |
| Tuition Fees | EUR 250 |
| Program Duration | 11 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
IVEY Business School
Every year in March, the MBA program gets started. Make sure to remember that applications are processed continuously, and decisions on admissions and scholarships are made during the application period. Decisions are made within 4-6 weeks and there is no requirement that you wait for a deadline to apply.
Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University
Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University is one of the oldest UK universities located in the heart of Cambridge. It offers an excellent one-year MBA program for students and working professionals looking to upgrade their careers. The MBA program offered by the university is equipped to prepare students for an international business environment and deals with real-world challenges and obstacles in the world of management and entrepreneurship. If you are interested in MBA January Intakes in Europe, then this university is definitely for you. Here is the list of entry requirements to consider:
| GPA | 2.2 |
| GMAT | 600 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| Work Experience | 2 years |
| Application Fees | GBP 18 |
| Tuition Fees | GBP 16,700 |
| Program Duration | 16 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes (up to GBP 4000 reduction fees) |
Birmingham City Business School, Birmingham City University
Amongst the most diverse and student-friendly UK universities, Birmingham City Business School offers an AACSB-accredited International MBA programme designed to help students gain marketable skills to navigate the contemporary world of business. At the university, students gain practical exposure through internships and field trips with top companies and can participate in year-long placements offered by the university. Here are the entry requirements for Birmingham City University for January Intakes in Europe for the MBA 2026:
| GPA | 2.2 |
| GMAT | 620 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| Work Experience | 2 years |
| Application Fees | GBP 75 |
| Tuition Fees | GBP 15,900 |
| Program Duration | 15 months |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes (up to GBP 2000 reduction fees) |
Brunel Business School, Brunel University
The Brunel Business School associated with the prestigious Brunel University offers full-time, part-time as well as online MBA programmes for international students to choose from. The largest business school in the UK’s flagship one-year MBA is an intensive course meant for international candidates with work experience and drive to grow as a leader, gain access to Brunel’s diverse business network and gain a stronger understanding of the emerging world of business and technology. Here are the entry requirements for Brunel MBA for students interested in MBA January Intakes in Europe:
| GPA | 2.1 |
| GMAT | NA |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Work Experience | 3 years |
| Application Fees | GBP 20 |
| Tuition Fees | GBP 24,270 |
| Program Duration | 1 year |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes (up to GBP 7000 reduction fees) |
Coventry Business School, Coventry University
Another UK university to consider for the MBA January Intakes for Europe is Coventry Business School. The school offers a wide range of MBA specialisations such as Artificial Intelligence, the Healthcare Sector, Cyber Security, Marketing, Sustainable Tourism, etc. Its flagship MBA programs are meant for freshers and seniors looking to level up in their careers. The university offers top-notch facilities as well as a diverse management staff to learn from. Here are the entry requirements for the course:
| GPA | 2.2 |
| GMAT | NA |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Work Experience | 2 years |
| Application Fees | GBP 20 |
| Tuition Fees | GBP 18,950 |
| Program Duration | 1 year |
| MBA Scholarships | Yes |
Requirements for January Intake in Europe for MBA
International students aiming for the January intake in Europe for MBA in 2026 must satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Although the exact criteria may vary depending on the institution and program, here are general requirements for your understanding:
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- 2-5 years of relevant work experience
- Satisfactory GMAT/GRE scores
- English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL
Documents for MBA January Intake in Europe
Apart from meeting the requirements, you will also have to submit a few documents as a part of your application process. In fact, many European universities do not consider your application until you submit all the documents as specified by the university website.
- Academic Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendations (LORs)
- Scores of standardised tests like GMAT and IELTS
- Professional Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Motivation Letter
- European Student Visa
- Financial documents
Missed the Application Deadline: Steps to Follow
What if you miss the Europe university application deadline 2025? There is still a chance that you can apply and get admitted to a study programme even though the application deadline has passed. What you should do is as follows:
- Look out for the university’s website as well as potentially the nation’s website for the application process. Information on late applications might be available.
- Ask the university that provides the programme by phone or email if late applications are accepted. Don’t spend too much time explaining why you missed the deadline; instead, concentrate on persuading them that you will be a strong candidate.
- Don’t lose time after learning that a late application would be taken into consideration for admission: Prepare all required documents and send them off. You may just be in luck!
Countries Accepting Late Applications
Universities in other nations, such as Sweden or Finland, where first-round application deadlines typically fall in January, require you to submit your applications fairly early. You can typically submit your application after the deadline for a second round of admissions, though. This might be effective if there aren’t enough applicants for the courses you’re applying for.
Other than that, certain nations typically have extremely late application deadlines. You can often apply to universities in the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania until June. Typically, applications are accepted at public universities in Germany through mid-July. You can occasionally submit your application up until just before the start of the semester in Austria and Poland.
FAQs
Ans. There are three major intakes in Europe- Fall, Winter and Summer. The most popular intake is fall intake where a majority of courses are offered by universities. Many students prefer the fall intake for September, followed by winter for January and then summer for the month of May.
Ans. The best countries for MBA in Europe are the UK, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and Germany.
Ans. Yes, the UK offers January intakes for international students in an array of programmes, especially MBA.
Ans. The cost of an MBA in Europe depends upon the country, university and specialisation. A general MBA in Europe can cost anywhere between INR 20 Lakhs to IR 80 Lakhs in tuition fees.
UK, France, Finland, and Sweden are some of the destinations that have Jan intakes.
Germany, France, and the UK are top choices for MBA in Europe. Germany is known for affordable education and strong job opportunities, France offers globally ranked business schools, and the UK provides diverse programs with excellent networking prospects.
Interesting Reads
So, this was all about the “January Intake in Europe for MBA”. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in Europe due to the exposure and career growth it offers. Consider joining a free counseling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!
