Here is everything you need to get into INSEAD.
This guide is designed to help you make a decision about whether INSEAD is a good fit for you. In it, we give an overview of the school and its MBA program, including location, information about the MBA community, and ranking. We then give you a detailed look into the MBA course, including program offerings, extracurricular activities, and post-MBA opportunities.
This guide also includes a wealth of resources that will strengthen your INSEAD application, including essay guidelines, interview advice, and letter of recommendation planning support.
We know this guide will be helpful for you and your MBA journey, and we wish you the best in your decision and application process! If you have any questions after reading, please feel free to contact us.
School and Program Overview
Locations: Fontainebleau, France; Singapore; Abu Dhabi
With three locations around the world, INSEAD has a range of options for students interested in different business hubs and networking opportunities.
Fontainebleau
The home of INSEAD’s original campus, Fontainebleau is a vibrant, international community of academics and professionals surrounded by natural beauty. It is also just a 40-minute train ride to Paris, giving students access to a range of urban opportunities.
Because it is located outside of Paris, it is possible to find affordable housing in Fontainebleau. Off-campus apartments can cost anywhere from around $USD700 to $USD2000 per month.
Singapore
For those interested in studying in Asia, INSEAD’s Singapore campus is a great opportunity to be immersed in one of the most important business hubs in the region.
Singapore is a bustling city-state with some of the most innovative urban designs in the world and plenty of exciting culinary, cultural, and travel opportunities. While basic costs such as food and transportation are affordable, accommodation can be expensive. Apartment costs tend to range anywhere from around $USD2000 to $USD7000 a month, depending on apartment size and location.
Abu Dhabi
Established in 2007, INSEAD’s Middle East campus immerses students in one of the most dynamic but often overlooked business locations in the world.
Living in Abu Dhabi can be intense, especially for those who have a hard time handling hot temperatures, but it is a luxurious, bustling urban setting with plenty to experience. It is also an extremely international city – in fact, almost 90% of its residents come from abroad!
Apartment rental can be surprisingly affordable for a city known for its wealth. Average rent prices range from around $1000 to $3500 per month.
INSEAD’s Community
Every year, INSEAD searches the globe for outstanding, globally minded professionals. More than 75 countries are represented in INSEAD’s MBA class. With a strong emphasis on diversity, collaboration, and a global mindset, INSEAD is a highly values-driven community that values diversity, adaptability, and teamwork — and professionals who are adept at putting these values into practice in their daily lives.
Photo courtesy of @inseadalumni on Instagram
According to INSEAD’s admissions committee: “The MBA Admissions team are looking for people with intellectual curiosity, personal qualities to contribute to the many INSEAD activities and a desire to stretch themselves in a rigorous academic programme. We welcome applications from around the world regardless of race, religion, gender, colour or financial status. Our aim is to build an exciting, dynamic and diverse student body.”
Class Size and Demographics
Out of around 4,000 applicants for the Class of 2024, ~1,000 were admitted and accepted their spots at INSEAD.
38% of INSEAD’s Class of 2024 are women. As one of the most international business schools out there, the majority of MBA students are international, hailing from 75+ different countries. The average age range of incoming students is 23 to 35 years old.
In general, INSEAD tends to admit applicants with three to eight years of work experience. Median GMAT scores are around 710.
Tuition
Currently, tuition at INSEAD is €103,500
Note that this does not include living expenses, which will differ depending on the location.
To help with these costs, INSEAD has a range of both merit- and need-based scholarships.
Costs and Financing
INSEAD offers tuition assistance based on both need and merit. The average scholarship, which 40% of applicants receive, is approximately €22,100 total.
Need-based scholarships require applicants to provide financial information on assets and income. Spot scholarships, which are merit-based, are awarded upon admission and do not require separate applications. There is also a range of other merit-based scholarships that require separate applications. To read more about these scholarship opportunities and external scholarships, download INSEAD’s scholarship handbook.
For information on how to get company MBA sponsorship, see our guide or visit this page.
To search for third-party scholarships available for MBA candidates, click here.
For US nationals seeking federal loans, visit the US government website for financial aid. For private loans, see this list to see what firms are offering the best rates.
For international students interested in loans, we recommend the following institutions: Mpower Financing, Juno, or Discover.
Program Length
INSEAD’s MBA is distinctive in that it is only ten months long. There are also a number of specialized part and full-time options available, such as a global executive MBA.
Ranking
Across multiple ranking sources, INSEAD is consistently placed at the very top. Financial Times has INSEAD at #3 globally for all MBA programs, while it is ranked 5th by QS.
Employment Information
Another important consideration to make when deciding whether any business school is right for you is the MBA’s ROI – where graduates go and how well they succeed. You want to ensure that the investment you make in your MBA, both in terms of time and money, gets you the career boost you’re aiming for!
The first key indicator of the school’s preparation and reputation is how many students receive job offers immediately after graduation (this is usually within three months). Secondly is the median base salary, which shows the value that employers see in candidates as a combination of their previous experience and skills and knowledge gained during the MBA. Employers are willing to pay candidates more when they can trust that the MBA has provided them with solid leadership skills. We provide the median base salary for all MBA graduates, but we also recommend looking at INSEAD’s latest employment report to see detailed post-MBA salary information for your industry.
You will also want to consider each school’s career services and any resources they offer to support your post-MBA success. Part of the investment you make towards your MBA includes ensuring that you are getting the help you need to prepare for interviews, salary negotiations, and network-building. We include information about INSEAD’s career services below.
Key Statistics
88% of the MBA Classes of 2022/23 reported receiving at least one job offer within three months of graduating, according to the MBA employment statistics.
98% of the 875 graduates across the two classes responded to the employment survey, with 80% reporting their career decisions and 82% pproviding salary information. The overall annual mean salary was €113,400 and the overall annual median salary was €109,600. The median sign-on bonus was €25,100.
Top employers were McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.
44% of graduates received jobs in Europe, while 20% accepted jobs in Asia.
Employment Services and Resources
INSEAD also has a Career Development Center that supports students and alumni in their career goals, whether it’s advice on job recruitment strategies to providing networking events and job placement connections. All three campuses have career support staff that include personal career coaches, employer engagement specialists, and operations team members.
The main resources available are advising and personalized coaching sessions, online and in-person engagement events, and recruiting activities. There is also the Global Mentorship Program for more experienced professionals to support younger alumni in their career objectives.
Is INSEAD Right for You?
Now you’ve got the basics of what INSEAD is all about. Before you read on to the details of INSEAD’s MBA program, you may be wondering if the school is really right for you and your situation.
Our team here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is always excited to support our clients in deciding what MBA is right for you. From mapping out your business school brand and objectives to planning your visit to your top-choice schools, we get to know you so we can offer you the best support along each step of the decision-making process.
Learn more about our all-in consulting services here!
Academics at INSEAD
Now you’ve got the basics of what INSEAD is all about. Before you read on to the details of INSEAD’s MBA program, you may be wondering if the school is really right for you and your situation.
Considering the fact that you can only do one MBA, choosing where to apply is the most important decision you will make during your application process.
Though there are many components to a successful business school application, it’s important to know what you want out of your MBA. One of the most important aspects of an MBA program is academics. After all, you’ll spend most of your time in the classroom, preparing for class, or studying for exams!
In this section, we go into depth about just what you can expect during your INSEAD MBA.
Curriculum
INSEAD’s MBA curriculum is focused on empowering students as leaders and educating them on changing trends in the business world. The accelerated curriculum is organized into five eight-week stages.
Before the program starts, students are required to fulfill certain pre-MBA requirements, including networking activities, a business foundations course, and language classes. During the first part of the program, students complete 14 core courses focused on building business fundamentals and management capacities.
Photo courtesy of @insead on Instagram
In the second part, students are able to take electives to focus their degree according to their individual objectives. With over 75 electives to choose from, there is a lot of room for adaptability within topics such as entrepreneurship, political science, and technology.
Joint Programs
For students interested in studying at the intersection of business and other fields, there are two available at INSEAD.
The first is a dual MBA/MAIR degree in collaboration with John Hopkins University’s School of International Studies. The dual degree program can be completed in 2.5 years.
The second is an MBA/MA in Education Leadership at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. This two-year degree is for students interested in pursuing careers in educational business ventures or other related journeys.
Notable Faculty
INSEAD is known for having some of the most influential thought leaders and business minds in the world. Here are just a few of them:
Claudia Zeisberger is a professor of decision sciences and entrepreneurship and director of INSEAD’s Global Private Equity Initiative. She has worked for major financial institutions across the globe and brings her insights on best practices into the classroom.
Horacio Falcao is a professor of decision sciences at INSEAD. He is also a founding partner of Pluris, where he conducts negotiation and mediation facilitation, coaching, and consulting to both the private and the public sectors. He has worked for a number of reputed institutions such as the International Court of Arbitration in Paris and is well-loved by students interested in law and business.
Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, professors of strategy and international management, were ranked third among the world’s top 50 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50. They are co-directors of the INSEAD Blue Ocean Strategy Institute and co-authors of the New York Times Bestseller and a #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Blue Ocean Shift, and the global bestseller, Blue Ocean Strategy.
Pedagogy
Instruction style
In general, there are three primary teaching styles: case studies, experiential learning, and lectures. INSEAD’s MBA combines all three, leveraging the approach most appropriate for the course content and the professor’s skills.
Approaches that professors employ include business simulations, tailored case studies, role-plays, group projects, and study tours.
One of the most popular experiential learning opportunities is the Personal Leadership Development Programme, which includes self-directed development exercises, professional coaching, and a mini communications course in order to develop soft skills in practice.
Labs
INSEAD has 17 centers and research initiatives that allow students to pursue projects in their particular areas of interest during their MBA studies and promote cutting-edge ideas in urgent areas related to business and beyond.
Photo courtesy of @insead on Instagram
These include the Emerging Markets Institute, a think-tank for the creation and dissemination of credible and timely information on issues related to business management, economic development, and social progress in emerging economies, the Center for the Study of Wealth Inequality, and the INSEAD-Sorbonne Université Behavioral Lab.
International Study Programs
In addition to taking advantage of INSEAD’s distinctively international student body and international locations, students can choose to engage in an exchange with one of INSEAD’s university partners.
Additionally, the first six core courses of the MBA curriculum are all globally-minded and allow students to broaden their international perspectives.
Networking and Extracurricular Activities
The quality and extent of any business school’s community and network is key to assessing how the MBA will support your goals and objectives. While the MBA’s academic offerings are certainly one of the most important considerations, the influence and support of others connected to the school are one of the most influential aspects of getting an MBA.
Photo courtesy of @inseadalumni on Instagram
In clubs and extracurricular activities, you will meet others who can expand your perspectives, give you innovative ideas, and potentially become future business partners. When exploring each school’s extracurricular opportunities, see whether there are activities that align with your goals, values, skill gaps, or general interests.
As for the school’s networks and alumni community, some programs have stronger connections than others. You will want to consider whether the school has good connections to the regions and/or industries that you are aiming for, and whether or not alumni networks exist where you are headed post-MBA. Not only will this be a chance for you to stay connected after graduation, but it can also get you lifelong career support and opportunities.
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
With many clubs and extracurricular activities available at INSEAD, there are many ways to refine leadership, networks, and skills during the MBA.
Photo courtesy of @insead on Instagram
Whether you are interested in networking with others from your region or social group (e.g. Latin America Club, Women in Business Club), exploring your industry/background further (e.g. Blockchain & Fintech Club, Retail, Consumer and Luxury Goods Club), or simply finding others with similar personal interests (e.g. Music Club, DANCEAD Club), there are certainly a number of clubs that fit your profile and objectives.
Networking and Alumni Opportunities
In addition to experiencing INSEAD’s diverse community, MBA students and grads have access to the school’s expansive alumni network. INSEAD’s alumni network has around 64,000 members across 180 countries, and there are almost 50 alumni groups that help keep the INSEAD culture alive for students and alumni alike.
What Makes INSEAD Special?
Apart from being a consistently well-ranked school with an excellent reputation among employers, there are a few key aspects that make INSEAD unique:
- Global diversity: With a vast majority of its student body being international and three different locations across the world, INSEAD offers its students the opportunity to create a uniquely global network of professional and personal connections.
- Short program length: INSEAD’s MBA can be completed in just ten months, which is great for those who want to complete their program quickly but with all the opportunities that the school has to offer.
- Cutting-edge knowledge: INSEAD’s world-class faculty, constantly evolving courses and activities, and vast number of research initiatives all demonstrate the school’s commitment to staying on top of the latest trends in business and addressing the most pressing global challenges.
INSEAD Resources To Help You Get Accepted
Now that you know just about everything there is to know about INSEAD and its opportunities, you may be considering applying. Luckily, our expert team at Ellin Lolis Consulting has a wealth of INSEAD-specific resources to make your application stand out and succeed. We’ve compiled them below:
INSEAD Essay Analysis
With an acceptance rate of around 30%, INSEAD is a highly selective MBA program.
This guide, which includes tips from our expert essay editing team, will help you use your INSEAD admissions essays to stand out. You’ll find an analysis of who INSEAD is looking for, the essay questions, and what to (and not to!) do. We’ve also included sample essays. All in all, using this guide will ensure you give your INSEAD application your best shot.
INSEAD Interview Prep
The INSEAD interview is one of the most sought-after – and most difficult – interviews to land in the business school world. Luckily, we’ve created this exclusive guide to help you prepare for an INSEAD interview that stands out among the competition.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up not only our best tips from our interview team, but have also included sample INSEAD interview questions.
Additional INSEAD Resources
Looking for even more resources to ensure you get into INSEAD?
Our MBA Resource Center is the perfect tool to start – or improve! – your INSEAD application. In our MBA Resource Center, you get access to:
- Dozens more successful INSEAD essays
- An exclusive essay brainstorming guide
- Letter of recommendation guides and templates
- Résumé templates
- Additional resources like interview mocks and sample interview essays
Our MBA Resource Center is the tool you need to turn an average application into an outstanding application that earns you a spot at INSEAD!
Our Clients Get Admitted To INSEAD
If your eyes are set on INSEAD, you may be wondering about how you’ll prepare and execute a successful application. As one of the most selective MBA programs out there, getting admitted to INSEAD is no easy task. Luckily, Ellin Lolis Consulting is here to offer our comprehensive expertise to you.
From brainstorming your ideas for your essays to negotiating your scholarships, our all-star team ensures that you get exactly the support and guidance you need along every step of the application process.
Don’t just take our word for it – take a look at the following testimonials from some of our clients who were admitted to INSEAD:
Landing a spot at INSEAD is no easy task. Now is the time to make sure your accomplishments truly shine.
Ellin Lolis Consulting began with one mission: provide the best possible service to our clients and get them the best possible results. We know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but our goal is to take away as much of the stress as possible by acting as your ally in the process.
So if you need much more than just a few comments on your essay, but instead want focused help shaping how you present your life’s greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on us.
That’s why we have a 98.9% success rate. We love digging deep into your story, finding what makes you unique, and sharing your accomplishments and why you belong at INSEAD, all without losing your voice.
If you want our one-of-a-kind, expert support in getting admitted to INSEAD, apply to work with us and let our award-winning team help you make an unforgettable first impression on INSEAD’s admissions committee.
Additional MBA Resources To Help You Secure Your Spot
While preparing your MBA application, the following resources created by Ellin Lolis Consulting will help you ensure you are not just doing everything right, but developing an outstanding and competitive application.
Deciding and Planning
- How to Decide Where to Apply to Business School
- Your Complete Timeline for MBA Application Success
- How to Create Your Business School Brand
- When Should You Start Preparing Your MBA Application?
- MBA Application Rounds: When Should You Apply?
- 3 Key Ways MBA Consultants Help You Build a Better Application Strategy
Writing your Essays and Résumé
- Your Complete Guide to Writing Winning MBA Essays
- How to Choose Your MBA Essay Stories (webinar)
- How to Write an MBA Goals Essay that Lands You an Interview
- 3 Reasons MBA Consultants Are Critical When Identifying and Telling MBA Essay Stories
- How to Use Storytelling to Write Standout MBA Essays
- How to Highlight Uniqueness in Your MBA Essays
- How to Discuss Failures and Weaknesses in Your MBA Essays
- How to Write an MBA CV
Letters of Recommendation
- How to Choose the Best Recommenders for Your Application
- How MBA Consultants Can Help you Obtain Better Letters of Recommendation
- How to Secure MBA Letters of Recommendation
MBA Interview Prep
- How to Be an Interview Rockstar and Leave a Great Impression
- The 5 Toughest MBA Interview Questions and How to Ace Them
- 5 Critical MBA Interview Mistakes Non-native English Speakers Make (And How to Stop Making Them)
- Ask These Questions During Your MBA Interview
- 3 Key Ways MBA Consultants Can Help You Prepare for Your MBA Interviews
- The 3 Most Common MBA Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Making Them) (webinar)
After Getting Accepted
- You’ve Just Been Accepted to Business School! Now What?
- MBA Application Fundamentals: What To Do After You’re Admitted
Get Expert Help
We hope you have enjoyed this guide to the INSEAD MBA.
I know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but arming yourself with information about your top-choice programs, planning ahead, and finding your application ally can take away as much of the stress as possible in the process.
So, whether you need help developing your INSEAD essay or guidance shaping how you present your greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on my amazing team and me.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
