FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
MBA Program
General Information
Is ASB accredited?
Agora Naguib Sawiris School of Business is division of Agora University and is fully accredited in the United States of America through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
For more details, please visit https://agora.edu/about/accreditation/
Is US accreditation accepted internationally?
Yes, our accreditation is internationally recognized.
Is there a part-time track offered?
We currently don’t offer a part-time track only full-time one-year accelerated program
Do you offer certificate-based courses?
No we don’t offer certificate-based courses. Applications are only open for full-time MBA students.
Why is it a 1 and not a 2-year MBA program?
Regular MBA programs use a traditional semester structure and take approximately 21 months to complete. The Agora MBA program is specifically tailored without all the unnecessary courses to serve the needs of entrepreneurs and working professionals. The modular and accelerated structure of our program enables our students to complete the full MBA course load in 12 months by focusing on relevant courses for entrepreneurs.
Is it a mini MBA?
No, it is not a mini MBA. We offer an online accelerated MBA program.
Students who apply to ASB will be at the forefront of receiving quality education while being exposed to world-renowned scholars and entrepreneurs. There are multiple factors to consider for joining our programs:
- Our Core Values
- 100% online accelerated MBA Program
- US Accreditation
- Interactive Short Courses
- Hands-on Experiential Learning
- Investor Lab
- Affordable tuition rate
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Renowned business entrepreneurs
- Access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Global world-class professors
We offer a 33-credit online accelerated program that fits full-time working professionals, and generally speaking, one should expect to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week.
Our program is only available in English, that’s why proof of English proficiency is required.
For more details on admission requirements, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/
Career Development
Our commitment at ASB is to provide a cradle-to-investment model of education, and practical mentorship and providing investments to our aspiring entrepreneurs is a vital part of this model. Our educational model is focused on entrepreneurial success through social impact and shared value creation. Providing our students with business mentors and investors for their projects does not only greatly enhance our unique academic offering to compliment the theoretical with the practical, but also provides us with an opportunity of social impact to engage with innovative, passionate, and intelligent students and become part of their successful entrepreneurial journey.
The Investor Lab utilizes mentoring as a way to prepare our students for pitching their business ideas to a world-class group of international Investors, Venture Capitalists, and Angel Investors. The Investor Lab holds an annual Investor pitch event, at the conclusion of every academic year where it welcomes both aspiring business ideas as well as existing businesses. The event is open for all qualified projects organized by currently enrolled ASB students
For more details on admission requirements, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/investor-lab-2/
Through ASB’s Investor Lab, students will:
- Participate in training events: conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.
- Receive guidance and advice from entrepreneurs, subject-matter experts, alumni and faculty members on starting a business, financial planning, accounting, marketing, legal, record keeping, etc.
- Find small funds to help their ventures get started.
- Have the opportunity to partner with other motivated and talented students.
- Connect to seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and professionals from the greater business community.
Program Structure, Curriculum and Faculty
The accelerated MBA is a 1-year, 33-credit-hour program. It is composed of 9 modular courses. Each modular course is 4-week long. Upon the completion of the 9 sequential modules, the program ends with a Capstone hands-on project which is delivered by an elite group of entrepreneurs and executives. The program runs from September to August of every year.
Each 4-week module is taught by one of our world-class professors. Generally speaking, each week of the module is divided into three topics using synchronous and asynchronous content & activities. In addition, professors will also offer through the course live interactive sessions that students should participate in.
We do not currently offer any specialization, it is considered a general MBA tailored specifically for entrepreneurs.
This module develops the analytical and conceptual skills required to test the feasibility of a concept for a new venture. The module uses an active experiential learning approach where students have the opportunity to learn and apply a number of practical skills and techniques associated with the development of a new venture. Students will undertake a significant amount of field research; develop and think critically about business concepts; answer fundamental questions about strategic, marketing, financial, operational and human resource issues; and then research a decision about going forward to start their proposed venture.
For more information on the MBA program and the modules taught, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/mba-program/
- Charges may be refunded if a student cancels their enrollment or withdraws from a course. Cancellation or withdrawal requests should be made in writing by sending an email to the Registrar at registrar@agora.edu. Refunds will be issued using the same method of payment within 30 days from the date the University receives the student’s withdrawal request. No tuition refunds will be issued if a student has not submitted a cancellation/withdrawal request. Tuition and fees cannot be carried over to the next semester.
- A student requesting cancellation of their enrollment within 7 calendar days after signing an enrollment agreement is entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees paid except the Application Fee.
- A student requesting cancellation more than 7 calendar days after signing an enrollment agreement, but prior to beginning a course, is entitled to a refund of all tuition and fees paid minus: (i) the application fee and (ii) the library fee.
- A student requesting to withdraw from a course after the course has begun is eligible for a refund of tuition and fees paid in accordance to the schedule in Section V.
- Agora School of Business will issue a full refund of the tuition charges for courses that have been canceled by the University.
| Deadline | % of Tuition Refunded | Application Fee | Technology Fee* | Library Fee | Graduation Fee |
| Before Week 1 | 100% | Non-Refundable | 100% | Non-Refundable | Non-Refundable |
| Week 1 | 70% | Non-Refundable | 70% | Non-Refundable | Non-Refundable |
| Week 2 | 40% | Non-Refundable | 40% | Non-Refundable | Non-Refundable |
| Week 3 | 20% | Non-Refundable | 20% | Non-Refundable | Non-Refundable |
| Week 4 | 0% | Non-Refundable | 0% | Non-Refundable | Non-Refundable |
For more information on our policy, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/tuition/
Yes, all our faculty members are world class leaders, business renowned entrepreneurs with hands-on experience. Please visit our faculty page to learn more https://sawiris.agora.edu/our-team/
One should dedicate approximately 20 hours per week.
Each professor will have his/her own course syllabus with their available office hours which will be by appointment only.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to graduate. A student cannot graduate if there are any outstanding obligations to the School, such as Tuition fees. Students are considered graduates when the capstone project has been completed, and a diploma will be sent to the student.
For more information on our policy, please visit https://agora.edu/policies/
Our
Financing Your MBA
We offer a Tuition Assistance Program for qualified students who satisfy the award criteria. For more information, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/scholarship22/
The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) applications are separate from the normal admission process. Once offered the final admission letter in the MBA program, you are then invited to complete the TAP application. Please make sure to fill out the application by the designated deadline.
The Tuition Assistance award is one-time, non-renewable, awarded for the duration of the students’ one-year MBA program at Agora Naguib Sawiris School of Business. Upon receipt of the signed scholarship agreement, the Office of Accounting will apply the funds to cover tuition fees only based on the award amount received. This will be reflected on the student account. Please note that this award can only be applied towards tuition fees and does not cover any other fees.
For more information on our Tuition Assistance Program, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/scholarship22/
Tuition Assistance awards are not guaranteed and are usually decided at the end of the admission cycle. The University does not share or publish the expected nor the minimum or maximum offered rates.
For more information on group discounts, email us at asb.admissions@agora.edu
Admission Criteria
Admissions General Information
The application deadline is on the 31st of July of every year for the new academic year.
For more information, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/
We don’t have rolling admissions available now but applications are open until July 31th of every year for the new academic year.
For more information on application-related dates and deadlines, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/
Eligibility & Qualifications
Please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/ to learn more about our admission criteria and process.
Please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/ to learn more about our admission criteria and process.
Work Experience
Work experience is recommended. The admissions committee uses a holistic approach when reviewing candidates. You can send us your updated CV (asb.admissions@agora.edu), we will review it and get back to you with the requirements regarding both years of work experience & the GMAT examination.
In general it does not count. However it will be considered during the admission process.
We accept students from different backgrounds.
For more details on admission requirements, please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/
Yes, we do.
Extracurricular activities are encouraged but not counted as work experience.
Academic Requirements
No minimum GMAT/GRE score is required, and the Admissions Committee has the flexibility to consider all scores in the context of your overall academic preparation and management potential.
In order to have a GMAT/GRE waiver, we require a minimum of 4 years of work experience or a minimum of 2 years in a managerial position.
Both GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years.
Scores are acceptable until the application deadline.
A TOEFL, IELTS or Pearson Test of English (PTE) is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English. If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
TOEFL iBT score of 78, with nothing lower than 17 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Equivalency Guide: (TOEFL 550/ TOEFL CBT 213/TOEFL iBT 78).
The Admissions Committee reserves itself the right to take into consideration other proofs of English proficiency not stated above. Please visit https://sawiris.agora.edu/admissions/ for full details.
Average GPA of 3.0 in USA and the equivalent of 85% or a “B” worldwide.
You can provide us with the highest bachelor’s degree GPA attained.
Average GPA of 3.0 in USA and the equivalent of 85% or a “B” worldwide.
ASB does not accept exchange or transfer students nor any credit transfers.
Application Process
Application General Information
You can’t edit your application after submission. Any updates must be emailed to the admission team at asb.admissions@agora.edu
However, once admitted to the university, you can login with the provided credentials to update your personal information on the student portal https://agora.populiweb.com/
Transcripts
Applicants must hold a completed undergraduate degree in order to enroll in our MBA program. Each applicant must submit their undergraduate degree transcript and diploma.
An official transcript should be stamped and signed to be considered official.
All documents must be submitted in English. In order for a transcript or a certificate to be accepted, they should be sent for evaluation and validation by World Education Services at www.wes.org
Test Scores
If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.
The Admissions Committee reserves itself the right to take into consideration other proofs of English proficiency not stated above
Essays/Cover Letter
ASB requires a letter of motivation. As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Agora School of Business MBA program? (Minimum of 500 words and maximum 1200 words).
Letters of Recommendation/reference letters
You must submit two professional letters of recommendation online as part of your application.
It could be university professors or current/previous supervisors or managers at your current job.
Interviews
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to interview. The interview is a positive indicator of interest, but is not a guarantee of admission. All interviews are conducted by invitation only, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Interviews are 30 minutes and are conducted by the ASB Admissions Committee who has reviewed your application. Your interview will be tailored to you and is designed for us to learn more about you in the context of a conversation.
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to interview. The interview is a positive indicator of interest, but is not a guarantee of admission. All interviews are conducted by invitation only, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
The whole admission process takes up to 4 weeks from receiving your complete application and all required documents.
Admissions Decisions
All our correspondences are done via email.
The whole admission process takes up to 4 weeks from receiving your complete application and all required documents.
For more information on the admission requirements, process and timeline, please visit https://www.asb.ac/admissions/
We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible, but as mentioned earlier, the whole admission process takes up to 4 weeks from receiving your complete application and all required documents.
It is a case by case basis. Please contact the admission office at asb.admissions@agora.edu for more information.
Fees
Our full-time MBA program cost $6,000. The latter excludes administrative costs: library fee of $250, technology fee of $250 and a graduation fee of $250. Multiple scholarships are available but require a separate application after being admitted in the program using the normal application process.
- Tuition and university fees can be paid electronically online via Credit Card in USD through the Student Information System (Populi Web). Invoices are generated by the Accounting Office and sent 14 days prior to the start of a course and is due for payment 7 days prior to the course start date. Invoices are available on the SIS for the fastest, most secure, and convenient way for students to make payments online. The SIS notifies students of an invoice by sending an automated email.
- For alternative payment methods, please contact accounting@agora.edu
Our tuition fees can be paid in 12 monthly equal installments from September to August.
We only offer installment payments paid over the academic year.
