At a Glance
France
Singapore
Abu Dhabi
Blended: Flex
Are You Ready for the Challenge?
The GEMBA is not simply an intensive business programme. It is an intense all-round experience: a major commitment that must be sustained over many months. Before starting the EMBA Admissions process, please consider that you must attend – and prepare for – all modules without exception, as well as completing a substantial volume of work between modules.
Explore the programme's requirements and admissions eligibility criteria below.
Admissions Criteria
Proven Leadership
INSEAD is looking for candidates who can demonstrate their potential as leaders. We will consider your professional experience and past performance when assessing your application.
Academic Capacity
The INSEAD GEMBA is intensive and challenging. Candidates have a recognised undergraduate degree or equivalent (exceptions may apply), and a valid Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT/GRE or INSEAD Executive Test.
International Outlook
We seek candidates with cross-cultural sensitivity and an international outlook, demonstrated through international work, study, or collaboration. Participants must also demonstrate basic knowledge of a second language in addition to English.
Ability to Contribute
We value candidates who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and actively contribute in the classroom and group projects, sharing insights from their professional and personal experience.
Work Experience Requirement
The programme is designed to best serve professionals who have already built a strong foundation in their careers. Participants in a typical Executive MBA class have an average of 14 years work experience, and at least three years in a management role in charge of teams and/or projects.
Application Deadlines
While we operate a staged admissions process, with four rounds for each of the three sections, applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions process within each round. The Scholarship Committee will prioritise early applicants when allocating scholarship awards.
Class of 2028
| GEMBA Sections | Asia (2026 Intake) | Middle East (2026 Intake) | Europe (2026 Intake) | Flex (2026 Intake) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROUND 1 | 16 December 2025 | 10 February 2026 | 10 March 2026 | 29 April 2025 |
| ROUND 2 | 17 February 2026 | 28 April 2026 | 05 May 2026 | 15 July 2025 |
| ROUND 3 | 21 April 2026 | 16 June 2026 | 07 July 2026 | 21 October 2025 |
| ROUND 4 / FINAL ROUND | 09 June 2026 | 04 August 2026 | 08 September 2026 | 13 January 2026 |
| FINAL ROUND | 03 March 2026 |
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Programme Start Dates
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Intake 2025 (Class of GEMBA'27)
GEMBA Asia section: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
GEMBA Middle East section: Friday, 09 October 2025
GEMBA Europe section: Thursday, 29 October 2025Intake 2026 (Class of GEMBA'28)
GEMBA Flex section: May 2026*
GEMBA Asia section: August 2026*
GEMBA Middle East section: October 2026*
GEMBA Europe section: October 2026**Exact date to be announced
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INSEAD Executive Test Dates
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The INSEAD Executive Test is conducted online. Once you have been pre-selected, you will receive an invitation to schedule your test at a time convenient for you. We encourage you to complete the written assessment as early as possible, as your interview can only be scheduled after the assessment has been completed.
Application Process: Your Journey Starts Here
All elements of your application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions Team. The selection process will take up to ten weeks from the date of completed application submission.
1
Online Application2
Admission Review3
Pre-Selection4
Admissions committee Review5
Final DecisionExecutive MBA Admission Requirements
Completion of the following prerequisite is required for program consideration, ensuring applicants are eligible for the rigorous EMBA curriculum.
Online Application Form
To apply to the INSEAD GEMBA programme, you must submit an online application form and the necessary supporting documentation. After submission, you will be emailed a confirmation of receipt and notification of any missing elements. Once your application is completed, we aim to notify you of the next steps within 5 business days.
INSEAD has one Admissions team responsible for processing all EMBA applications. Please recognise delays may happen due to time zone differences and public holidays.
The online application comprises of:
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Select INSEAD Executive Test, EA, GMAT or GRE
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To help ensure we have the right people in the classroom, EMBA applicants must fulfil a mandatory testing requirement. Applicants can choose between participating in the INSEAD Executive Test, taking the GMAC® Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT® or the GRE. Please note, requests for a testing wavier cannot be granted.
If you choose to participate in the INSEAD EMBA Executive Test, please indicate your intention to do so on the application form. Once your application has been submitted and confirmed complete, the Pre-selection Committee will review it and if successful, you will be invited to join the assessment.
Alternatively, you can take GMAC® Executive Assessment (EA) or the GMAT®, or GRE. Please upload the EA, GMAT or GRE unofficial report upon completion of the test as a supporting document with your application. Scores are valid for five years. Please request that your official score be sent directly to INSEAD.
For EA, use the INSEAD EMBA Programme upon registration, or for GMAT the following code: INSEAD, DL3-S8-14 Business Programmes, Executive MBA Programmes at the time of testing. You will receive your official result at the test center and our admissions team will be able to access the same within 24 hours.
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Profile Information
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The profile information is hard facts about you and your history, similar to what you will have in a detailed resume. While not all fields are mandatory, the more information we have, the better understanding we will have of your history and potential.
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Job Description and Motivational Essays
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This section is a critical part of our evaluation process. As such, we advise you to spend a significant amount of time on your application essays. Your responses to the essay questions provide us the best opportunity to understand your career path, your accomplishments and your rationale for pursuing an EMBA. This is a chance to get to know you and to find out what motivates you. The essays are not meant to be academic articles or business memos, but rather your personal stories.
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Letters of Recommendation
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Two professional recommendation letters are required, providing insights about your demonstrated leadership and management potential. As such, at least one recommendation should come from your workplace; your current supervisor or manager is usually a good choice. The other recommendation may be from someone who has had the opportunity to evaluate you in a professional setting (ie. a client, a former supervisor, or a colleague from a non-work activity). Should you wish, you will also be able to upload an optional third letter of recommendation as part of the supporting documents.
Your recommenders can submit their letters prior to submission of the application, but please note that your application will not be evaluated until all letters of recommendation are submitted.
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Official Academic Transcripts
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Please submit both diplomas awarded and transcripts of grades from each college or university that you have attended. We will accept documents in English or French. All others must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Each document must bear the official seal and signature of the institution. Notarised copies will also be acceptable.
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English Language Certification
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Non-native English speakers who have not worked, trained or schooled in English for an extended period of time may be asked to provide an English language certification. We accept the PTE/TOEFL/IELTS exams.
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CV
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Please provide your latest curriculum vitae, limited to two pages maximum.
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Photograph
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Please upload a headshot of yourself in business professional attire. The photo should be in JPEG or GIF format and measure 99 pixels wide by 128 pixels high.
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Application Fees
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A fee of €250 must be paid online by credit card once you have submitted your application form. Please note that this application fee is non-refundable and your application will not be evaluated until the fee has been received.
Admissions Video Interview
Shortly after completing your INSEAD EMBA online application, you will receive an e-mail notification from Kira Talent with a unique link to complete 2 video interviews.
The video interviews are a unique opportunity for you to share your personal reflections and cultural experiences. The EMBA Admissions Committee is interested in obtaining an authentic view of you as a person, to see how you think on your feet and how you convey your ideas.
The video interviews do not replace the face-to-face interviews/INSEAD Assessment with Alumni.
Your application will be considered as complete and ready to be reviewed only once we have received your answers to the video interviews. Please complete your video interviews at your earliest convenience.
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General instructions on video interviews
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- You will need an internet connection, a desktop or laptop, a camera and a microphone. To avoid having to refresh your browser, consider using a cable for internet connectivity.
- For optimal user experience, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari or Chrome to record your Kira videos (Internet Explorer is not supported). Please note that mobile devices, smartphones and tablets are not supported at this time.
- You may want to prepare a notebook next to you to write down your key ideas; you will have 5 minutes to prepare each answer and 2 minutes to record your response.
- Test your camera, your microphone, then forget the technology and look at the camera as if you were talking to the Admissions Committee
- On the Kira platform, you will have access to practice questions to help you get familiar with the interface. Note that the practice questions are different from the actual interview questions. In the practice session, you will have 45 seconds to prepare and 1 minute to respond. This section is solely to help you get comfortable with the platform. Please note that practice responses are not recorded and shared with the Admissions Committee.
- Although we ask you to wear business or business casual attire, the Admissions Committee will not judge your look or your background.
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Useful tips for video interviews
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Prepare, but don’t over prepare
- While practising helps to minimise nervousness, avoid over-scripting your responses. Original answers with real-life examples drawn from your own experience will allow us to understand your motivation and interests.
- Given that this is an opportunity for you to present your authentic self, relying on canned responses or AI-generated text is highly discouraged. We have found that such responses diminish a candidate’s ability to impress us with their energy and passion.
- Structure your responses to help you better manage the interview questions (e.g. consider leading into your answers with a main point/statement, before contextualising or providing examples).
Connect and Be Yourself
- Maintain eye contact with the camera (as you would in an actual interview) and avoid referring to your prepared notes too frequently.
- The INSEAD community is global and embraces diverse perspectives. Do not be afraid to inject some personality into your responses.
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FAQ on video interviews
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How many times can I try the practice questions?
You can practise an unlimited number of times. The practice session has several questions available and you can do as many practice sessions as you need to feel comfortable with the video interviewing. You do not need to complete everything in one go. You can create an account and come back later.
Are the practice questions recorded?
No, the practice questions are available for you to prepare, learn and improve. You can replay them and see how you performed and/or check if the sound and image are satisfactory.
What is the address for the technical support?
If you experience technological issues with the video (practice questions, device set up, etc.), please check the following technical support webpage https://www.kiratalent.com/support/. You can either e-mail, phone or chat with the Kira technicians.
GEMBA Assessment Requirements
To help ensure we have the right people in the classroom, EMBA applicants must fulfil a mandatory testing requirement. Applicants can choose between taking the INSEAD Executive Test, GMAC® Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT® Exam or GRE. You can read more here for guidance on the assessment options.
Taking the INSEAD Executive Test
Applicable for INSEAD's Executive MBA programmes, the INSEAD Executive Test serves as an alternative admission test to the EA, GMAT or GRE. You can opt to take the test after submitting a complete application.
Preparing for the GMAT or GRE?
Get ready with our free practice tests, and unlock the official INSEAD GMAT/GRE guide e-book, video tips and a customisable study planner.
Attend an Event
Master Programmes
Faculty Masterclass with Prof. Lite Nartey | Dubai
Join us in Dubai this month for an exclusive INSEAD Masterclass led by renowned faculty member Dr. Lite Nartey, Affiliate Professor of Strategy and Academic Director of the INSEAD Africa Initiative, where you'll gain fresh insights into leadership and business strategy.
You will also have the opportunity to have all of your questions answered and to interact with like-minded individuals.
*In celebration of the Holy Month, we will end the evening with a Networking Iftar in the Astor Ballroom I. Seats are limited, and RSVP is required.
From Vision to Execution: Leading through Complexity and Connection
The United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s most dynamic and internationally diverse business environments. As a global hub for talent, capital, and innovation, the UAE brings together leaders from across geographies, cultures, and industries, operating at the intersection of local ambition and global complexity.
In this exclusive masterclass, Dr. Lite Nartey, introduces the Strategy Execution Trilogy (SET), an integrated framework designed to help leaders execute effectively in complex, globally interconnected environments.
As the UAE continues to advance its national agendas in digital transformation, sustainability, healthcare, finance, and advanced industries, expat leaders play a critical role in bridging global expertise with local execution. This session offers a reflective and practical platform for executives seeking to strengthen their ability to lead transformation in environments where alignment, trust, and collaboration are essential.
Blending INSEAD’s academic rigour with practitioner insight, the masterclass reframes execution as a strategic discipline, one that goes beyond hierarchy and control. Participants are invited to explore how sustainable impact is created through coherence, clarity, and connection, enabling leaders to turn vision into collective action in one of the world’s most globally integrated markets.
Agenda:
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Welcoming & Registration
5:00 pm – 5:10 pm | Welcoming and Quick Intro
5:10 pm – 5:20 pm | Introduction to INSEAD Programmes
5:20 pm – 6:30 pm | Faculty Masterclass
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm | Prayer
6:45 pm – 8:00 pm | Networking Iftar
Venue: Astor Ballroom I | The St Regis Dubai, The Palm
Master Programmes
Open Day with Faculty Masterclass | Asia Campus
You are warmly invited to experience the learning environment at INSEAD! Take this opportunity to join a masterclass by a renowned INSEAD faculty member and to learn more about the INSEAD Programmes. Our team and students will be there to share advice and their personal journey through a panel discussion followed by a networking reception.
Date: 3 March 2026, Tuesday
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: INSEAD Asia Campus, 1 Ayer Rajah Avenue, 138676
Masterclass Topic by Professor Pushan Dutt: A Brave New World: Trade Wars, Macroeconomics & Geopolitics in the Age of Trump
Synopsis: This session examines how renewed protectionism, geopolitical fragmentation, and the global AI race are reshaping the world economy. Drawing on current macroeconomic data and historical parallels, Professor Pushan Dutt explores the implications of trade wars, weakened multilateralism, and rising strategic competition—particularly between the US, China, and Europe. The session highlights why uncertainty is now a permanent feature of the global system, how firms and countries must shift from efficiency to resilience, and why innovation, talent, and scale have become decisive competitive advantages. The discussion concludes with strategic insights on navigating tariffs, geopolitical risk, and technological disruption in an era where long-term plans give way to adaptive, dynamic strategy.
Agenda
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Optional Campus Tours
7:00 pm – 8:15 pm: Masterclass by Professor Pushan Dutt , Professor of Economics & Political Science
8:15 pm – 8:30 pm: Sharing by Career Development Centre by Larry Medina
8:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Breakouts by Programmes
9:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Networking reception + End of Event
Breakout rooms:
MBA | Amphi 102 Level 1
MIM | Flatroom 1015 Level 1
EMBA | Amphi 103 Level 1
EMFin | Flatroom 1017A Level 1
Joining us at this event
EMBA Alumni:
Darmawan Shi | TIEMBA‘23 | Co-Founder, Revenue Scaler
Olivier Menos | GEMBA‘18
Shigeto Miyamoto | GEMBA’24 | VP of Digital Solutions, APAC, Syneos Health
MBA Alumni:
Rhea Mann | MBA'22D | Associate Director, Global Marketing, Klook
MIM Alumni:
Vibhu Walia | MIM’23 | Senior Associate, SGX Group
Nino Gkotsis | MIM'23 | Research Analyst, Womar Logistics Pte Ltd
EMFin Alumni & Admits:
Justin Yang | EMFin'23 | Director, Global Corporate Banking, OCBC
Benjamin Lazarus | EMFin'25 | Head of Private Capital, APAC, NatWest Markets
Euganthra Baskaran | EMFin'27 | Programme Director, Risk & CFCC, Standard Chartered
You may view our Recruitment team here. You may also speak to our respective recruitment team member if you are keen in the Executive Master in Change (EMC) programme as well.
Master Programmes, Master Programmes
EMBA Wednesdays In-Person Consultation | Singapore
Testimonials
Dimitris Floros
INSEAD provides a golden opportunity for a “time-out” where one can really achieve higher levels of awareness
Eunsoo Johanna Jeong
I’m a true third-culture child, trying to stay open-minded for all cultural and individual challenges in the international working environment.
Ewelina Gwozdz-Sage
I encourage all women in the world to not give up on personal dreams.
Stay Inspired
EMBA Admissions: What Are Your Assessment Options?
The INSEAD Executive MBA is an intensive programme with a rigorous academic curriculum. To ensure that we bring the best talent to the class, applicants must either take the INSEAD Assessment, the GMAC Executive Assessment (EA) or the GMAT – all of which provide a uniform and standardised way of evaluating candidates’ aptitude to cope with the intensity and breadth of the programme.
Which Professionals Benefit the Most from an EMBA?
An Executive MBA (EMBA) can open doors to new and exciting opportunities, especially for these three groups of professionals; Executives looking to move up the ladder, Professionals transitioning into the world of business, and business owners.
Exploring Entrepreneurship During Your Executive MBA
Did you know that approximately half of INSEAD graduates run their own companies at some point in their careers? Others join high growth ventures, lead entrepreneurial projects within corporations or focus on social ventures. So if you’re interested in these topics, INSEAD is a great place to be!
Any Questions?
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