MRM. Requirements
Requirements
The program is designed to train students interested in pursuing an academic career. The Admissions Committee’s aim is to choose a select group of students who are committed to learning in a demanding, rigorous environment and will continue to advance the knowledge of management.
Please note: All applicants to the PhD program must first complete the Master in Research in Management delivered by IESE Business School.
Applications for the September 2026 intake will be accepted from September 2025 on through this link. The application deadline will be January 20, 2026.
To ensure the admission process of the MRM candidates should:
Your application needs to be completed online.
Applications for the September 2026 intake will be accepted from September 2025 on through this link. The application deadline will be January 20, 2026.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be payable online.
To be eligible for admission, an applicant should hold at least the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. You must submit your diplomas and transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended for at least 6 months. Scanned copies can be uploaded on the on-line application.
Important note: If you are admitted to the MRM Program and you accept the offer, an original copy of your transcripts must be sent to MRM & PhD Office within one month of your admission date. Failure to provide evidence would preclude the enrollment in the program. Therefore, we recommend that you request this document as soon as possible.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) are compulsory for all the applicants. Tests taken more than five years prior to date of entry will not be accepted.
Results should be sent directly from the test agency, using IESE’s code: S21-BK-53 for GMAT and 3607 for GRE.
For further information please check the official website of either GMAT or GRE.
Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. If English is not your native language, and you have not obtained a degree in the English language, you must take a recognized English test:
TOEFL minimum score 95
Results should be sent directly from the test agency, using IESE’s code:
0755.7099
IELTS minimum score 7
Please note that both tests expire two years after the test date.
These should be written by professors familiar with the applicant’s academic record.
Recommendation letters must reach IESE before deadline, and can either be uploaded online, sent by the proposers to the PhD Department by e-mail: doctoral@iese.edu or sent by ordinary mail in sealed envelopes.
Tell us why you want to do the IESE PhD. What journey did you take that led you to believe that you wanted to pursue a doctorate? What is it about academic life that inspires you?
Write a short essay describing your research interests and goals. Tell us about what interests you and why; literature in your field; and what research you have done previously.
You can upload your picture directly onto the application form in the required field.
Please note that your photo should have a white background and will also be used for your student card.
Copy of your passport
In accordance with the laws of your country of origin, all military or civil service obligations must be fulfilled.
You do not need to have formal research experience or a business background to apply, nor do you need a graduate degree or work experience to be admitted.
You can download the fellowship application form here.
No incomplete application will be considered.
Student Profile
Typical candidates hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and finished in the top 10% of their graduating class. Most incoming students also hold a master’s degree. Students must submit a valid Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score. Students with a GMAT score below 600 are unlikely to gain admission. GRE quantitative and analytical scores should be above the 80th percentile.
As the entire program is conducted in English, students are required to certify proficiency of the English language in case they are not native speakers. This requirement may be waived if part of the candidate’s academic background was taught in English.
We reach out to highly intellectual students who we can train in quantitative and qualitative methods in a stimulating environment with a broad geographical reach in direct contact with businesses to guarantee a forum for research. Our students are passionate about research, seek to have a profound impact on management thinking, and are eager to pursue a career in academia.