21 Reasons Why CEIBS MBA is Ranked No.1 in Asia

CEIBS has been ranked No.1 in Asia and No.5 in the Financial Times in 2020 and 2019, and in the top 25 of the Financial Times’ annual global business school ranking for 16 consecutive years (from 2005 – 2020). Here are 21 Reasons Why.

1. China focus

CEIBS MBA is encapsulated in the positioning statement: “China Depth, Global Breadth”. CEIBS teaches the most advanced international business theories while attaching great importance to the practical application of these skills in China.

In addition, the school dedicates significant resources to staging the ‘China Discovery Series’ each year – an intensive elective series that aims to deepen students’ understanding of China’s business environment.

2. Global reach

Although teaching methods vary by subject, lectures and case studies come alive thanks to the professors’ extensive experience in the business world. Many cases are selected from top schools such as Harvard, IMD, etc. and taught by a faculty base with approximately 1/3 originating from Europe, 1/3 from the USA and 1/3 from China.

A series of five overseas electives, each with a unique industry focus, is also arranged in order to broaden students’ global perspectives through lectures, company visits and cultural exploration.

3. Flexibility and choice

CEIBS’ current MBA curriculum gives you the flexibility to personally tailor the second year of your studies. In the autumn of Year Two, you can choose to go on an international exchange or stay at CEIBS to study with a large number of inbound students from the world’s top business schools.

4. MBA ranking

The CEIBS MBA Program has ranked in the top 25 of the Financial Times’  annual global business school ranking for 16 consecutive years (2005-2020).

  • #1 in Asia and #5 globally amongst full-time MBA programs in the Financial Times (2020)
  • #1 in Asia in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Best Business Schools (2019)
  • #1 in Asia among 2-year programs outside the US in Forbes Magazine’s The Best Business Schools (2019)
5. Experienced faculty

CEIBS MBA faculty is composed of internationally renowned scholars and leading experts in the business industry. They have rich international teaching and corporate experience which enables them to integrate state-of-the-art management theories with Chinese business practices.

CEIBS’ professors also have extensive experience in consulting services. Their clients include the world’s top 500 companies and government authorities.

CEIBS Faculty Dominate List of World’s Most Cited Chinese Researchers – Hold 8 out of 27 spots in field of Business Management & Accounting, says Elsevier.
6. Interactive classes

While the MBA program has a strong theoretical base, classes are interactive with CEIBS own bank of case studies drawn from Harvard, IMD, and many top business schools. This encourages student participation inside the classroom. Students go on regular excursions in top Chinese companies.

CEIBS Hosts Networking Session with Executive Search Firms.
7. Internships in top companies

CEIBS MBA students have the option of whether to have their internship in China or internationally. CEIBS has signed partnerships with numerous Chinese enterprises where students can intern and learn the ropes of the business industry.

In addition, students can join an international exchange program with CEIBS’ wide network of partner business schools around the world.

8. Standardized application requirements

CEIBS maintains standard application requirements to ensure competitive graduates. The application requirements at CEIBS include:

  • a bachelor’s or a higher degree
  • work experience of two years or more
  • GMAT/GRE score
  • proficiency in English

Applicants are also asked to answer essay questions to assess their knowledge and skills. For students who apply online, two letters of recommendation, a degree certificate, transcript, ID/passport, and business card are also required.

9. Rigorous admissions process

Acceptance into the CEIBS MBA doesn’t stop with their application requirements. CEIBS also ensures high standards in the admissions process by putting rigorous methods in place to assess the potential of every applicant.

A panel of interviewers composed of faculty and staff will interview applicants one-on-one. The interview is in English and will last for 30 minutes. For applicants who are not based in China, they will be interviewed via video-conference and telephone calls.

10. The people

CEIBS MBA has a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Students will meet interesting people who come from different parts of the world, cultures, professions and academic backgrounds.

CEIBS is international student-friendly and the business school fosters cultural tolerance and respect. This is evidenced by its high international student population. China Admission’s CEO, Richard Coward, experienced this first hand when he joined the CEIBS Pre-MBA Bootcamp Programme. Read about his experience here.

11. Modern campus

CEIBS MBA is offered in the business school’s 8-hectare, main Shanghai campus. The campus is designed by world-renowned architects Pei Cobb Freed and Partners. CEIBS’ architectural style combines Western architecture with the subtlety of Chinese beauty and grace.

Shanghai campus

One of the most interesting spots inside the campus is the glass pyramid which is modelled after the Louvre Museum in Paris. Besides being scenic, the CEIBS campus offers a conducive learning environment for students where they can grow, learn and rejuvenate.

12. State-of-the-art facilities

CEIBS’ world-class facilities are impressive, comfortable, and technologically advanced. Wi-Fi is available in virtually all the rooms from the cafeteria to the 720-seat conference hall, providing students with an easily accessible high-speed connection to the school’s information network and databases.

13. Urban location

CEIBS is located in the bustling urban city of Shanghai which is home to 24 million people. Shanghai is considered one of the most progressive business hubs in the world. It lies in the Yangtze River Delta, which is known as a centre of trade and business.

In Shanghai, students experience the best in terms of transportation, cultural, culinary and shopping experience.

14. Elite alumni network

CEIBS boasts a large, robust and engaged alumni network with over 22,000 graduates around the globe. CEIBS’ alumni are closely connected with each other and with the school through their classes and regional alumni chapters, as well as various industry associations and clubs.

Inspired by shared values and the school’s motto of “Conscientiousness, Innovation and Excellence”, they play an important role in creating value and promoting China’s economic and social development.

Former CEIBS Dean John Quelch and three of the school’s MBA alumni – Mark Secchia, Laurie Underwood and Devon Nixon
15. Assistance in career development

The Career Development Centre (CDC) at CEIBS is dedicated to bridging companies with MBA graduates. CDC helps students identify career interest and develop a career plan. They also facilitate various activities to enhance communication between companies and students.

As an adviser to MBA participants, one of the CDC’s main responsibilities is to help students find their career instead of landing a job. CDC achieves this goal by conducting activities such as:

  • Self-assessment tests
  • Career counselling
  • Workshops
  • Mock interviews and role plays
  • On-campus presentations
  • Recruitment fairs
  • Internet job postings
  • Practicum projects
16. High-job acceptance rate for graduates

Despite a challenging job market in China in 2019, 94.9% of CEIBS MBA 2019 graduates received at least one job offer within three months following graduation. The job offer acceptance rate hit 94.3%, the highest percentage in the past 10 years.

Highlights from 2019’s report include the fact that 70.5% of graduates landed their job by leveraging various CEIBS resources. In addition, 80.1% of those graduates successfully achieved a career switch – changing their function, industry, or both.

17. Increase in salary post CEIBS MBA

According to the CEIBS MBA 2019 Career Report, the median annual salary was RMB 500,000, and over 70% of CEIBS graduates obtained a salary between RMB 300,000 and RMB 700,000. Lastly, the overall average salary was 94.4% higher than the average pre-MBA salary.

18. Numerous scholarships and financial aid

CEIBS MBA programme offers a rich and diversified scheme of financial aid to qualified candidates, both domestic and international.

Financial aid includes merit-based scholarships, diversity-based fellowships, needs-based education fund, company-sponsored scholarships and social finance loans.

Backed by a large amount of financial aid offered in 2019, more than 30% of MBA 2020 students received scholarships or fellowships covering 20-100% of their tuition fees. In addition to this, 30% of MBA 2021 students received loans covering 25-100% of tuition fees.

19. Affordable tuition fee

Compared to business schools in the United States and the United Kingdom, CEIBS MBA has a relatively affordable tuition fee. The tuition fee is RMB 438,000 and covers:

  • Tuition
  • Teaching materials (excluding textbooks)
  • Use of Internet resources through the campus network
  • Access to the school’s databases which are open to MBA students
20. Comfortable accommodation buildings

CEIBS ensures a comfortable stay in China. The Shanghai Campus Phase III features two 4,700-square-metre student residences known as the CEIBS Residence. The ground floor of each building has 12 guest rooms, while floors 2-to-7 have 16 guest rooms each.

The Commons Building’s first floor includes the check-in area for student residences, two spacious lounges, as well as smaller areas for relaxation. A waterside terrace provides a tranquil backdrop to the architecturally stimulating design.

All rooms are single occupancy with private bathrooms and were designed based on the concepts of simplicity and convenience.

In CEIBS Shanghai Campus Phase II, the business school’s five student residences provide comfortable housing for almost 300 students living on campus. Each room is equipped with a telephone, computer network connections, a satellite TV hook-up, and a private bathroom.

Dormitory fee is RMB 3,000 per month (single room, including charges for water, electricity, air conditioning and wifi).
21. Student Ambassador assistance

The Student Ambassadors are a select group of students who are dedicated to the positive promotion of the CEIBS. These students serve as ambassadors from the current CEIBS student body to alumni and prospective students, as well as to the public via speaking engagements and media.

Student Ambassadors also have the opportunity to meet VIPs at various events. The Student Ambassadors main goal is to help prospective applicants gain insight into the CEIBS experience – from the students’ perspective.


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Content crafter at China Admissions with nine years of professional writing experience. Fil-Chinese who honors my heritage every day. On a fascinating journey exploring China and tracing my ancestry. See China through my lens.
Christine Chiu

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