INSEAD MBA Program: An Exhaustive Overview

Are you looking for an MBA program with a global outlook?

Do you want to minimize your time at school and favor a one-year MBA program?

Or do you consider pursuing a consulting career after graduation? 

Then the INSEAD MBA program is a serious option for you.

The INSEAD MBA Program is a 10-month degree program and is truly ‘The Business School for the World’ with over 80 nationalities represented in its typical MBA class and its campuses located in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Fontainebleau (just outside Paris).

In addition, the INSEAD MBA program is also one of the most prestigious and sought after MBA programs in the world with thousands of applications per year.

And it's no secret: if you want to be accepted into this eminent institution, you need to know the ins and outs of the INSEAD MBA program.

Therefore, in this article, we will explore the different aspects of the INSEAD MBA program including class profile, academic structure, curriculum, admission deadlines for August 2023 and January 2024 admissions , as well as the latest career and employment reports.

Let's start right away!

Overview Of The INSEAD MBA Program

"INSEAD brings together people, cultures, and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society."

To achieve the ambitious mission, the INSEAD MBA program employs a holistic admission process, recruiting participants from 75+ nationalities and various experiences.

A selective admission process with a focus on leadership

Consider the range: the 2023 class profile demonstrates steep competition with an average GMAT at 710, yet the school claims to welcome candidates without undergraduate degrees if they have an excellent career record.

Besides, during the recruitment, the INSEAD MBA program focuses on candidates' potential for transformational leadership, including the ability to improve themselves.

And the challenge doesn't stop there: rigorous academic requirements of the program are matched with constant exposure to business cases and collaborators from different countries, backgrounds, and industries.

Also, all students must pass a basic knowledge test in a third language to graduate.

A global presence and diversity as a core value

In addition, INSEAD MBA program fosters cultural diversity through its global presence with campuses in Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), Europe (Fontainebleau, just outside Paris), and Hub for Business in North America (San Francisco).

The alumni network includes 65,000 members who live and work in across 180 countries with 169 nationalities.

Keep in mind: 50% of MBA graduates get employment offers through an alumni network, career development center, and campus recruiting events, placing additional value on the advantage of global networking opportunities.

An intensive program with two intakes

INSEAD MBA program offers two intakes, starting in August (10 months) and January (12 months).

The core classes and choice of electives are the same; however, students starting in January could take a 2-month internship during the summer term, giving an additional boost to those looking for a significant career change.

INSEAD MBA program offers 14 core courses and 75+ electives, allowing students to shape the MBA program that fits their needs and ambitions.

Finally, all graduates receive the same general MBA diploma and life-long benefits of alumni network.

INSEAD MBA Ranking 2022

The INSEAD MBA program is recognized as one of the best MBA programs in the world and has held the top positions in many rankings for years.

In its European business school rankings 2021, the Financial Times put the INSEAD MBA program in the first position. 

Also, the 2022 FT MBA ranking places the INSEAD MBA program third in its list of the best MBA programs in the world.

 Obviously, these rankings make INSEAD one of the most sought after MBA programs worldwide. 

That's why you can find in this article 7 ways to make your application stand out.

INSEAD MBA Facts & Figures

If you are accepted, you'll have the opportunity to join one of INSEAD campuses in Europe (Fontainebleau, just outside Paris), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi).

Also, the INSEAD MBA program offers an accelerated curriculum: 10 month (September intake, no internship) or 12 month (January intake, 2-month summer internship)

Key facts & figures about the INSEAD MBA program (vs. other top European programs)

INSEAD MBA Class Profile

Information about the class profile gives you important insights about your chances to be accepted and your fit with the MBA program.

Also, these statistics are essential to reflect on your positioning and how to differentiate yourself from the cohort of other applicants. 

So, let’s dive into the 2021 INSEAD MBA graduate statistics.

Important: keep in mind the goal of the INSEAD MBA admission officers is to "build" an intake with the above statistics.

INSEAD MBA Academic Programs

INSEAD MBA program is a 10-month (or 12-month for the January intake) intensive program that includes six periods (the Period 0 covers pre-MBA classes such as business foundations).

After the Period 0, the academic program comprises 5 periods, each lasting 8 weeks.

First, period 1 & 2 is built around 12 core courses such as Financial Accounting, Organizational Behavior, and Strategy. This helps establish a solid foundation of key management disciplines.

Next, period 3 onward students are free to choose from 90 different electives in a variety of subjects, and therefore customized their MBA.

Finally, the program culminates with a capstone project in period 5, where you’ll also be juggling 3 elective courses, networking as well as recruiting activities.

INSEAD MBA Employment Report & Careers

The INSEAD MBA program is ideal for professionals who wish to change careers and preferably work in Europe: 42% of graduates have landed a job in Europe and 83% of graduates have changed at least one career dimension (industry, role, geography).

Additionally, with more than half of MBA students pursuing careers in consulting, INSEAD shows its strong ties to the consulting industry.

Note: (*) TMT stands for Telecom / Media / Technology. Source: INSEAD.

Given the previous statistics, it's normal to find McKinsey, Bain & Company, and BCG (Boston Consulting Group) in the list of top employers.

Source: INSEAD employment statistics

Insights About The INSEAD MBA Program

Get insights from the Director of Global Admissions at INSEAD

Watch four INSEAD MBA students talk about what a typical day looks like

INSEAD MBA Application

For admissions to the MBA program, there are two intakes: January and September.

The September intake is popular among students including sponsored consultants and finance professionals, and family-business candidates, who want to rapidly complete the MBA and return to their previous jobs. 

On the other hand, the January intake offers career switchers the chance to do a summer internship, enhancing their chances of making a successful career pivot.

The admission process is a standard 6-step process:

MBA Application Deadlines

Deadlines for the August 2023 intake (class of July 2024)

Deadlines for the January 2024 intake (class of December 2024)

MBA Essays

Job Description Questions

1. Briefly summarize your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words maximum)
2. What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words maximum)
3. Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words maximum)
4. Discuss your short and long-term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words maximum)

Optional: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the program starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the program.

Motivation Essays

1. Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (maximum 500 words).
2. Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned (maximum 400 words).
3. Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (maximum 300 words)

Optional: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words).

MBA Letters of Recommendations

1. How long have you known the candidate? Define your relationship with the candidate and the circumstances whereby you met.
2. Comment on the candidate’s career progress to date and his/her career focus.
3. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major strengths? Comment on the factors that distinguish the candidate from other individuals at his/her level.
4. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major areas for development/improvement?
5. Comment on the candidate’s potential for senior management. Do you see him/her as a future leader?
6. Describe the candidate as a person. Comment on his/her ability to establish and maintain relationships, sensitivity to others, self-confidence, attitude, etc. Specifically comment on the candidate’s behavior or skills in a group setting/team environment.

Video Interview

After submitting the application, applicants must submit a video interview. INSEAD video interviews are set of 4 questions where each applicants is given 45 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to answer. There is no retake. You will need an internet connection, a camera and a microphone. You can test your devices before starting the exercise. 

Here are some examples of the INSEAD video interview questions:

• What do you know about the INSEAD MBA?
• What do you want to accomplish while at INSEAD?
• What is success for you in a career?
• Describe a situation where you worked well with a person with a different opinion
• What do you consider to be unethical leadership?

Conclusion

INSEAD is one of the best MBA programs in the world.

And the program offers many advantages to its participants:

• The opportunity to change one - or more - of their career dimensions (role, industry, geography).
• A global mentality and the leadership capabilities to work in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment.
• A one-year program that maximizes the return on investment of an MBA investment.

Now, it's your turn!

Leave a comment below with your questions and I'll get back to you.