Most MBA scholarships ask you for a second round of paperwork: another essay, another statement of need, another deadline. The AUEB Full-Time MBA International Corporate Scholarships work differently. There is no separate scholarship form at all. If you are admitted to the Full-Time MBA International at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), you are automatically considered, and the strongest admitted candidates receive partial tuition awards funded by Greek companies.
That design has a clear consequence for Pakistani applicants. Your scholarship chances rise or fall with your MBA application itself. This guide explains how the awards work, what they do and do not pay for, and where applicants usually lose ground. For the summary version, see the full scholarship details.
A small, sponsor-funded award attached to a 16-month MBA
AUEB runs a 16-month, English-taught Full-Time MBA International aimed at early- to mid-career professionals from around the world. Each admission cycle, the school partners with Greek corporations that fund a small number of partial scholarships for admitted students. The awards are based on admission profile and academic merit.
The number of awards is small. For the 2026-2027 admissions cycle, the confirmed sponsors are Athens International Airport, which funds one partial scholarship, and ION S.A., a Greek cocoa and chocolate manufacturer, which funds two. In the 2025-2026 cycle, Gastrade S.A., an LNG infrastructure company, also sponsored an additional partial scholarship. Sponsors are renewed or rotated from year to year, so the list for your intake may look different. Check the AUEB MBA International scholarships page for the current sponsors.
Who does this suit? A working professional with a solid academic record, good references and a few years of experience, who wants an MBA in an EU country at a lower price than Western Europe or North America. Who should think twice? Anyone who needs a fully funded place to study abroad at all. These awards are partial, and you should plan your finances as if you might not get one.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding type | Partial tuition scholarship (amount varies by sponsor and admission profile) |
| Programme tuition | EUR 9,700 total for the Full-Time MBA International |
| Level | Master's (MBA) |
| Country | Greece (Athens) |
| Deadline | Rolling admission rounds each cycle. The final round for the 2025-2026 intake was 08 June 2026. Dates for the 2026-2027 rounds are published on the programme's Dates & Deadlines page. |
| Separate scholarship application | None. Admitted students are considered automatically. |
| Official site | imba.aueb.gr |
What a partial award means against EUR 9,700 in tuition
The total tuition for the Full-Time MBA International is EUR 9,700. That is markedly lower than comparable MBAs in Western Europe or North America, which is why even a partial award makes a real dent in the cost of the degree.
The exact scholarship amount is not fixed. It varies by sponsor and by the applicant's admission profile, and the award is applied against the EUR 9,700 tuition. Do not build your budget around a specific figure until AUEB gives you one in writing.
Here is what the award does not cover: living costs. The scholarship reduces tuition only. Rent, food, transport and everything else in Athens are on you, and for a Pakistani student that also means showing you can pay for them when you apply for a visa. Our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how to prepare that side.
If you are admitted and the remaining tuition is still a stretch, ask AUEB about installment payment options for the non-scholarship portion.
Beyond the money, there is a softer benefit. The sponsors also recruit from AUEB, and Greek firms are strong in shipping, tourism, energy and logistics. Sponsors in recent cycles have come from aviation, food manufacturing and energy/LNG infrastructure. If your career sits anywhere near those sectors, the network is a genuine reason to look at Athens.
Eligibility comes down to getting admitted, and admitted well
There are no scholarship-specific criteria beyond being an admitted, enrolling student in the Full-Time MBA International. The programme and its scholarships are open to international applicants who meet the admission requirements, not just Greek or EU nationals, so Pakistani applicants can be considered on the same basis as everyone else.
What you do need:
- Admission to the Full-Time MBA International, which means a recognised undergraduate degree and the admission credentials set out in the programme's entry requirements.
- A strong overall profile. Academic record, professional experience and recommendation letters are what the scholarships are awarded on.
- No other funding for the same MBA. The scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarship or third-party funding for these studies.
That last condition catches people out. If your employer is sponsoring part of your MBA, or you hold another award, you will likely have to choose. Think about which is worth more before you sign anything.
Check the current entry requirements on imba.aueb.gr for English proficiency and any standardised test requirements, since these apply where relevant and no fixed scores are listed here.
The paperwork AUEB asks for
Because the scholarship rides on the MBA application, the document list is the admission list:
- The completed AUEB MBA International application form, filled in online
- Undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts
- CV or resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of English proficiency (for non-native speakers, per programme requirements)
- Passport copy
For Pakistani graduates, sort out attested copies of your degree and transcripts early. If you are unsure what your university or HEC process involves, our documents checklist for international scholarships is a useful starting point. Confirm with AUEB exactly which copies they want and in what form.
From online form to admission and award
- Read the programme page and entry requirements at imba.aueb.gr.
- Complete the online application form, then print, sign and submit it with your supporting documents as instructed.
- Submit your transcripts, CV, recommendation letters, English proficiency proof and passport copy by the deadline of the admission round you are aiming for.
- Attend an admissions interview if you are invited.
- Receive the admission decision. If you have been selected for a corporate-sponsored scholarship, you are told at the same time.
- Confirm enrolment and, where applicable, sign the scholarship terms, including the condition that bars combining it with other funding.
Step two trips up applicants who assume an online submission is the end of it. The form is filled in online, but it also has to be printed and signed. Read the instructions on the portal carefully.
Why applying in an early round helps
Admission runs in rolling rounds. Applications typically open from autumn of the year before the intake, with several rounds running through spring. For the 2025-2026 intake, the final round was 08 June 2026. The programme starts each September.
With only a handful of sponsored awards in a cycle, and funds awarded to the strongest early applicants, waiting for the last round is a poor strategy. By then some awards may already be gone. Aim for one of the first rounds of the 2026-2027 cycle and confirm the exact dates on the programme's Dates & Deadlines page at imba.aueb.gr or by writing to imba@aueb.gr.
Applying early also matters for visa timing. A September start leaves limited room if your admission letter arrives late and you still need to collect funds and book appointments. If you want to know where student files usually go wrong, read our piece on student visa rejection reasons.
The programme itself runs in five plus one academic periods, each with seven weeks of classes followed by an exam week. It starts in September, and coursework generally concludes by the end of October the following year.
Where applicants lose the scholarship before anyone reads an essay
Since there is no scholarship essay, the usual instinct to save your best writing for the funding application does not apply here. Every bit of effort goes into the admission file. A few points to keep in mind:
- Your transcript, CV and recommendation letters drive selection. Weak or generic references are the easiest way to lose an award you might otherwise have won. Pick referees who can describe specific work you did.
- Write a clear career narrative. AUEB wants to see where you have been and where the MBA takes you.
- If you have experience in aviation, food or beverage manufacturing or energy, make it visible. These are the sectors the sponsors work in.
- Do not assume last year's sponsors are this year's. Email imba@aueb.gr to confirm the sponsor list and deadlines for your cycle.
- Do not stack funding without checking. Taking another scholarship or third-party support for the same studies can rule you out.
One honest caution. A partial award for an MBA that already costs EUR 9,700 is good value, but the scholarship decision is not something you can apply for separately or appeal into. Treat it as a possible bonus on top of an admission you would accept and fund anyway.
If you are comparing this with other options in the country, see all Greece scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AUEB MBA International scholarship fully funded?
No. It is a partial scholarship that reduces the EUR 9,700 total tuition. The exact amount depends on the sponsor and your admission profile, and it does not cover living expenses.
Do I need to write a separate scholarship application or essay?
No. All admitted Full-Time MBA International students are automatically considered, and the decision comes with your admission decision.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. The programme and its scholarships are open to international applicants who meet the admission requirements, as well as Greek and EU nationals.
Which companies sponsor the awards?
For the 2026-2027 cycle, the confirmed sponsors are Athens International Airport (one scholarship) and ION S.A. (two scholarships). Gastrade S.A. has sponsored in a prior cycle. Sponsors can change every year, so check the scholarships page before you apply.
Can I combine this award with employer funding or another scholarship?
No. The scholarships cannot be combined with any other scholarship or third-party funding for the same MBA studies.
When should I apply for the 2026-2027 intake?
As early as you can. Rounds are rolling, the awards are limited, and they go to the strongest early applicants. Confirm the round dates on the official Dates & Deadlines page.
Before you apply, check the current sponsors and round dates on the official AUEB MBA International website, and keep the full scholarship page handy for a quick summary.