What are the criteria by which the Admissions Committee evaluates applicants?
ASB is seeking candidates with intellectual capability and a high degree of emotional maturity. When reviewing applications and interviewing applicants, we look for candidates who can articulate their professional and academic success, their ability to lead and influence others, and their collaborative spirit. Ultimately, the Admissions Committee seeks to assemble a class of highly qualified and diverse individuals who will bring the most to the MCB program and who will benefit the most from the program.
How does the admissions process work?
The admissions process involves four steps. In the first step, either a sponsoring central banks sends MCB the names of candidates it is willing to endorse, or an individual candidate expresses interest in the program while providing contact information for a central bank official who would provide the endorsement.
The candidate applies for admission through the Applications Portal.
Based on an assessment of the application, the committee decides whether to invite the candidate to an interview, either in person or over a video call (e.g.,Zoom, Skype).
The committee follows a rolling admissions process. At least once a month during the admissions cycle, the committee meets to select candidates to be offered places in the program and other candidates to be placed on a waitlist. This process is repeated until all the places have been filled.
What is the application fee?
There is no application fee required.
How does ASB evaluate the English proficiency of an applicant?
In accordance with Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) requirements in Malaysia, all applicants whose native language is not English, OR applicants who have not received a university undergraduate degree taught in English, must provide proof of their English language proficiency by submitting one of the following valid test scores (the minimum required score is in brackets):
- IELTS Academic Coventional/Online (Overall band 6.0)*; OR
- TOEFL (Internet-based 60, Essentials (Online) 8.5) *; OR
- Cambridge English Advanced/Proficiency (169)* ; OR
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (59)* ; OR
- Malaysian University English Test (MUET) (Band 4)
*We can only accept English language proficiency test scores taken within two years of the date of the intake you are applying for.
If your undergraduate degree was taught in English and your institution was not from the following countries; USA, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you will be required to provide supporting letter to confirm English language as the medium of instruction for the undergraduate degree.
Who reads the MCB applications and conducts the interviews?
Applications are reviewed by the Admissions team as well as select faculty and members of the MCB leadership team. Interviews are conducted by members of the MCB Admissions Committee.
How important is the interview within the final admissions decision?
An invitation to an interview means that the candidate has been shortlisted for further consideration. We look for emotional maturity and the applicant’s ability to communicate in a clear and professional manner. Furthermore, the interview is used as a platform to get to know you better, beyond what is found in your written application. The interviewer will provide his/her recommendations to the Admissions Committee.
How long does an interview last?
An interview typically lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Does an applicant have to travel to Kuala Lumpur for an interview?
Depending on the availability and location of the interviewer and applicant, we will conduct an in-person interview or Zoom interview.
What does it mean to be on the waitlist?
The waitlist process differs from year to year, and will depend upon the number of applications we receive. Generally, waitlisted applicants will be automatically considered in the following round and will receive an updated decision in that round.
Does the MCB program offer deferrals?
The MCB will consider deferral requests on a case-by-case basis.
Do I need to submit copies of my transcripts?
You will be required to scan and submit your official transcripts from all institutions from which you earned a degree, especially your undergraduate degree. During the application process, we will accept unofficial transcripts, but formal transcripts are required by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education for matriculation and approval of your student visa.
If your transcript is not in English, you will be required to provide an official English translation of your transcript when applying. You may use a professional translator in your locality or an English translation done by your university.
If your educational institution does not use a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) grading scale, you must ensure that your transcripts include a description of the grading scale. If your transcripts do not provide this information, you must submit supplemental official documentation describing the grading scale used. It will also be useful if you can provide supplemental official documentation that indicates the GPA (on a 4.0 scale) based on the grades or points awarded by your academic institution.
Applicants admitted to the program will be required to provide an official transcript signed and sealed from each school attended. All admitted students will receive further instructions after they receive their admission decision. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in withdrawal of our offer of admission.
How relevant are previous academic grades?
All of your previous academic work is important to us, and we will consider it as one component of your past performance alongside everything else in the evaluation process.
If I have a Master’s and/or Ph.D. degree, would I need to submit transcripts and degree certificates of these?
Yes. We require scanned copies of your transcripts and degree certificates for all degrees as part of your application. If these documents are not in English, we require official English translations of these as well.
