INSEAD MBA Admissions Guide

How to Get Into the INSEAD MBA Program

Positioned as “The Business School for the World,” INSEAD MBA Admissions attracts a diverse mix of students from over 80 nationalities annually. Founded in 1957 and pioneering the one-year MBA, INSEAD now offers one of the world’s largest MBA programs, enrolling more than 1,000 students each year across two intakes (January and September) on campuses in Fontainebleau (near Paris) and Singapore. Students can also take electives in Abu Dhabi and join exchange programs with top U.S. business schools.

For applicants interested in INSEAD MBA acceptance rates, deadlines, and statistics, the program is known for its general management focus and expansive selection of electives. Entrepreneurship is a popular path, with 80% of students taking at least one entrepreneurship course and 5% launching new ventures post-graduation. INSEAD’s commitment to sustainable business is also evident in its 14 core sustainability courses, reflecting the school’s mission to drive positive social impact.

With a global recruitment platform, INSEAD’s graduates secure roles in over 50 countries each year, underscoring the school’s international influence and reach.

INSEAD MBA Strengths and Specializations

Key strengths include:

• General Management: A core focus providing well-rounded business training.
• Finance & Strategy: Strong preparation for roles in consulting, finance, and strategy.
• Entrepreneurship: Supported by the Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise, with courses in entrepreneurial leadership, venture capital, and more.
• Sustainability & Impact Investing: A variety of courses focused on sustainable business and social impact align with INSEAD’s commitment to responsible leadership.

INSEAD MBA Class Profile 2023

INSEAD’s MBA Class of 2023 reflects the program’s commitment to diversity and academic excellence, attracting talented professionals from around the globe.

• MBA Class Size: 875
• Avg. Age: 29
• Avg. GMAT: 710
• International Students: 95%
• Female Students: 36%
• Tuition: €103,500

INSEAD MBA Career Outcomes

INSEAD’s graduates work in diverse industries, with top recruiters and impressive career stats:

• Career Sectors:
  • Consulting: 61%
  • Corporate Sectors: 16%
  • Technology, Media & Telecommunications: 9%
  • Finance: 14%
  • Entrepreneurship: 4%
• Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Bain & Co., Amazon, Eli Lilly, Strategy&, Accenture, Kearney, Roland Berger, EY-Parthenon, Oliver Wyman, Samsung, Alix Partners, Alvarez & Marsal, Amphenol, Morgan Stanley, Restaurant Brands International.
• Average Base Salary: €113,400
• Salary Increase: 110% (Source: FT Rankings 2024)
• Employment Within 3 Months: 88%

INSEAD Rankings

Deadlines for INSEAD MBA Admissions

August 2025 intake Deadlines (class of July 2026)

January 2026 intake Deadlines (class of December 2026)

INSEAD MBA Essay Guide

Career Related Essays:

1. Briefly summarise 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 word limit)

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 word limit)

3. Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 word limit)

4. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with or without an MBA from INSEAD. (100 word limit)

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

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. (500 word limit)

2. Consider a situation where you failed to achieve your objective(s). How did you handle failure? What did you learn about yourself and/or your interactions with others from this situation? (400 word limit)

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

Video Essays:

After submitting the INSEAD MBA application, applicants will receive a link to a video interview. This component is mandatory in order for one’s application to be considered complete. You have 48 hours after the relevant application deadline for the completion of the video portion.

Note from the INSEAD admissions committee: “We are keen on getting to know you better and believe that through a video you can come to life, so be spontaneous, be creative and be yourself! We look forward to virtually meeting you!”

Fortuna Tips & Advice 

• INSEAD Essays: Tips & Strategy for Conquering All 7 Prompts
• Advice for 6 Common Profiles Applying to INSEAD
• Everything You Need to Know About the INSEAD MBA Interview (video)