Business Foundations Certificate

The tuition fee for the BFC programme is €16,400. Please check the admissions page or contact the BFC team directly to confirm the most up-to-date fee information.

All selected applicants from Sorbonne Université or any institution within the Sorbonne Université Alliance who have graduated (or are graduating) with a Master 2 or Doctorate within the past three years will receive partial funding support for the BFC programme.

There is no separate scholarship application — funding requests are processed as part of the BFC application. Applicants should simply tick the scholarship box, answer the question on the application form and upload supporting documents (such as a CROUS scholarship certificate and/or a recent tax return). Please note the exact amount awarded may vary depending on individual financial circumstances.

No. There is no application fee to apply to the BFC programme.

The BFC is a collaboration between INSEAD and Sorbonne Université. It draws on INSEAD's globally recognised faculty across disciplines including strategy, finance, marketing, economics, and organisational behaviour. 

Sorbonne Université collaborates as a partner by hosting most sessions on its Pierre et Marie Curie (Jussieu) campus in Paris, integrating the programme into select M2 tracks (Management de l'Innovation), providing funding to Sorbonne students and jointly awarding the certificate with INSEAD.

No. The BFC is a certificate programme. Upon successful completion, participants receive the Business Foundations Certificate awarded jointly by INSEAD and Sorbonne Université. Participants also become full members of the INSEAD global alumni community.

The programme is designed for recent master's or PhD graduates who want to complement their specialist academic background with business skills. It also welcomes aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to build a stronger management foundation to support their venture. The majority of participants typically come from STEM backgrounds, with the remainder from humanities, law and healthcare.

No. The programme is specifically designed for graduates from non-business fields - STEM, medicine, humanities, law, and similar disciplines. No prior business or management education is required.

The average BFC participant is 25 years old, holds a Master's degree or PhD, and has between 0 and 3 years of work experience. Classes typically consist of around 30 participants representing around 15 different nationalities. 

BFC graduates typically move into consulting analyst roles, product and technology roles, business-oriented research positions, and entrepreneurship, applying their specialist expertise in commercial or business settings.

Yes. BFC graduates become full members of the INSEAD global alumni community, giving you access to a network of over 72,000 alumni across more than 180 countries in the world.

The programme is designed as a stepping stone into business. Alongside the curriculum, participants gain exposure to real-world business cases, a diverse international peer group, and INSEAD's global network — all practical assets when making a career transition.

You can reach the BFC team via the contact form on the website.

The Business Foundations Certificate (BFC) is a four-month, part-time programme offered jointly by INSEAD and Sorbonne Université. First launched in 2013, it is designed to help recent graduates from non-business disciplines - including STEM subjects, medicine, humanities and law - build a solid foundation in business and management and make a confident transition into a business or entrepreneurial career.

There is one intake per year, running late August to December (approximately four months).

Modules are individually assessed on a pass/fail basis — all 9 modules must be passed to receive the certificate, with no global end-of-programme exam. Assessments vary by module and include quizzes, group projects and presentations, end-of-module tests, and participation. This format ensures participants demonstrate practical understanding across the curriculum.

In-person attendance is required for the Paris and Fontainebleau sessions.

The majority of sessions are held at Sorbonne in central Paris. Participants also spend three days at INSEAD's Fontainebleau campus. 

Modules are held on Fridays and Saturdays, making it possible to study alongside work or other commitments.

The programme is taught by INSEAD faculty, who bring rigorous academic expertise and strong real-world business relevance. Teaching is conducted entirely in English.

The programme consists of 9 modules delivered across 16 weekends (Fridays and Saturdays), totalling 32 days of learning.

The curriculum gives participants a broad grounding in core business management. Topics covered include financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, probability and statistics, operations management, strategy, marketing, economics, entrepreneurship, and organisational behaviour. Subjects are delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, and group work.

Applicants should hold a Master 2, PhD, or equivalent qualification, demonstrate fluency in English, and show a strong academic record. Aspiring entrepreneurs with relevant qualifications are also welcome to apply.

A complete application includes the completed application form, a current CV, a copy of your diploma, and details of your financial situation (e.g. a tax assessment or a CROUS scholarship award notice). There is no application fee.

Admissions open in December each year. There are two rounds: the first closes at the end of March, and the second at the end of June. We recommend applying early, as places are limited and early applicants have the best access to scholarship consideration. Visit the admissions page or contact the BFC team for current deadlines.

Yes. Most applicants who submit a complete application are invited to interview. The process then moves to an admissions and scholarship committee review before a final decision is made.

Yes, participants from outside Europe can apply to the BFC programme. Please note that attendance is strictly in-person every weekend (Fridays and Saturdays) at Sorbonne Université in Paris and INSEAD's Fontainebleau campus. Our admissions department can provide Letters of Invitation to assist accepted applicants in obtaining the necessary visa.

No, there are no prerequisites like work experience or a specific GPA for the BFC programme. The entry requirements focus on holding a Master 2, PhD, or equivalent qualification, demonstrating English fluency, and showing a strong academic record overall.