FAQs

Stern at NYUAD seeks students who are experienced professionals with at least 6 years of post-bachelor’s work experience. Strong candidates for our program possess high intellectual ability, superior interpersonal skills, current or high potential for future leadership, and a desire to create value for business and society in the UAE, the MENA region, and beyond. Many questions regarding specific eligibility requirements, including standardized tests and academic transcript components of the application, can be answered by visiting our Admissions page. We also encourage you to review our Admissions Policies.

Students entering Stern at NYUAD’s Executive MBA program are required to hold a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Please note there are no minimum standardized score requirements to apply, Please view the Standardized Tests section of our admissions website for further details.

Applicants to the Stern at NYUAD EMBA program should consider the Executive Assessment (EA) standardized test. However Stern at NYUAD does accept the GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT and DAT tests as well. Please view the Standardized Tests section of our admissions website for further details.

The standardized test is a required application component of the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program application and one way we assess your academic readiness. 

If you are able to demonstrate academic readiness (particularly in quantitative areas) without a standardized test score, you may request a standardized test waiver. Please review the Standardized Tests section of our admissions website for further details.

You will find the request form on the Test Scores page of your application. Please keep in mind that even if you feel you could qualify for a test waiver, submitting a strong test score could potentially enhance your merit-based scholarship award amount.

Applicants must have at least six years of full-time, post-graduate work experience to apply to the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA, and should currently be employed. If you are currently unemployed, you may consult with a member of the admissions team to assess your eligibility.

Our admissions team is available for appointments, and we would be delighted to connect with you. We recommend completing the pre-assessment form so that the team can tailor their feedback to your profile. Additionally, to stay informed about our upcoming events and admissions updates, we encourage you to sign up for our mailing list here.

Applicants are permitted to submit admissions applications to two (or more) programs at the same time if they are within different schools at NYU. For example, you may apply to the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program and to a different program at the Steinhardt School in New York. However, you may not apply concurrently to the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA and the Stern Executive MBA in New York. You also may not apply at the same time to the Stern at NYUAD EMBA and the NYU Abu Dhabi Master of Fine Arts.

You can find our application deadlines on our Application Deadlines page.

Yes, Stern at NYUAD Admissions only requires unofficial transcript(s) for the application review process. Admitted students will be required to provide official transcripts with proof of degree conferral prior to enrollment.

Fluency in English is required for the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program.

If your native language is not English, your level of proficiency in English must be demonstrated in at least one of the following ways:

• Your undergraduate or graduate degree was taught in English
• Your test results from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test

Scores are valid for two years from the date that you took the test and must be valid at the time that you submit your application. You are responsible for including your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score on the online application and ensuring that your official score report can be released and sent to Stern at NYUAD. While an official test score is required for a final decision, the Admissions Committee can begin the review of your application with an unofficial test score.

We do not provide application fee waivers for the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program. 

Two recommendations are required to be submitted as a part of your application to the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program. One recommendation must come from your current line manager. You must provide an explanation in the online application if you are not able to provide a recommendation from your current line manager. The second recommendation may come from someone who knows you professionally and/or personally. Recommendations should come from individuals who can objectively assess your potential for success in the Stern at NYUAD EMBA and in your future career.

You can find instructions on how to apply on our Application Checklist page. We also encourage you to review our Policies. 

Time sponsorship is the agreement between you and your employer that will allow you to attend the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program orientation, residencies, and class weekends. 

Financial sponsorship is when your employer contributes partially or fully to the tuition of the program.

The Organizational Sponsorship Form, a required component of your application for admission, helps summarize the time commitment required for the program and can be a useful tool for discussing both time and financial sponsorship with your employer. 

If you need guidance on how to approach your employer, a member of the admissions team can consult with you on how best to prepare for that conversation. You can contact the admissions team at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu.

Information regarding the cost of tuition and non-tuition living expenses may be found on our Tuition & Scholarships webpage.

Merit-based scholarships do not require a separate application to be considered — you only need to submit an application for admission. We utilize the same criteria for admission to evaluate applicants for scholarships — academic profile, professional achievements and aspirations, and personal characteristics.

We are happy to share more about how sponsorship works, the benefits for your organization, and how it can support your employee’s Executive MBA journey. Simply email us at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu, and a member of our team will provide you with all the information you need.

English is the language of instruction at NYU Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Both! Your diploma will show that you earned the MBA from NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.

No. There will be no opportunities for transfer credits or advanced standing in the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program.

Yes. The Stern at NYUAD Part-time Executive MBA program falls under the ADEK (the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi), and CAA accreditation for the full-time MBA. As a joint program with NYU Stern, we also fall under NYU Stern’s AACSB accreditation.

Students in the Stern at NYUAD Part-time Executive MBA take classes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, once per month. Students are also required to attend four one-week residences (two domestic, two international) This format allows students to pursue their studies without career disruption.

 As an Executive MBA student at Stern at NYUAD, you’ll have access to a comprehensive suite of career development tools and support, including:

• Self-assessment tools to help you clarify your strengths, values, and career goals.

• One-on-one career coaching focused on self-awareness, career advancement, strategic planning, and personal branding.

• Career Connect, our dedicated platform for exclusive career resources and opportunities.

• In-house workshops to refine your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.

• Executive presence and professional development workshops to enhance your leadership skills. 

• Industry-focused career panels featuring insights from regional business leaders and experts.

These resources are designed to help you grow as a leader, advance in your career, and maximize the value of your Executive MBA experience.