USA · Master's
Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
Harvard MBA
Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
Course Overview
The Harvard MBA is a two-year, full-time, case-method program built around 900+ classroom case discussions. The required curriculum in Year 1 covers strategy, finance, leadership, marketing and operations; Year 2 is fully elective with a FIELD Global Immersion and an optional independent project. Median admitted candidate has 4–5 years of work experience.
For Sri Lankan applicants, HBS combines need-based aid (around 50% of students receive an average award of ~USD 46,000/year) with one of the deepest alumni networks in the world. Graduates are eligible for 12 months of F-1 OPT — Harvard MBAs typically use this window to recruit into US consulting and tech, then move to L-1 or H-1B sponsorship.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record (GPA 3.6+ equivalent — average admit is around 3.7).
- check_circle GMAT (median ~740) or GRE — no formal minimum, but competitive applicants score above the 90th percentile.
- check_circle 2+ years of full-time professional work experience (mean is ~4.6 years).
- check_circle Two professional recommendations plus the HBS essay and a 30-minute admissions interview by invitation.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.5+ recommended (HBS discourages applications below this).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 109+ recommended.
- check_circle Waived if your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (USD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fee | USD 84,760 | Rs. 27,123,000 |
| Health, Fees & Course Materials | USD 7,800 | Rs. 2,496,000 |
| Living Expenses (Boston, 9 months) | USD 28,000 | Rs. 8,960,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | USD 120,560 | Rs. 38,579,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
HBS MBAs are eligible for 12 months of F-1 OPT. ~90% of the class accepts a job offer within 3 months of graduation. Strongest placement is into consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain take ~25% of the class), private equity / VC, and tech (Google, Amazon, Microsoft). Median base salary is around USD 175,000 plus signing bonus.
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