Master in Business Administration

The online application comprises of the following elements:

Dashboard and Photograph

Once you have successfully registered, you will access the Dashboard of the online application system. You can edit your login details and set your alert notifications. You are also required to upload a photograph of yourself (200x200 pixels in JPEG or GIF format).

Section 2-10: Profile

Your profile information is factual, similar to a detailed resume. You can save a PDF copy of these pages at any time by clicking on the printer icon on the top of your screen. Note that not all fields are mandatory, so if one does not apply to you, leave it blank.

Section 11-12: Job Description Questions / Section 13-14: Motivation Essays

This 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 provide the best opportunity to be creative and tell us about yourself. We would like to get to know you and to find out what motivates you.

The essay questions are not meant to be academic articles or business memos, but rather your personal stories. You can fill in the essay questions online or copy/paste your answers in the text boxes directly within your application.

Application fee

A fee of €250 must be paid online with a credit card once you have submitted your application form. Please note that this application fee is non-refundable and that your application will not be evaluated until the correct fee has been received. 

Official GMAT and GRE scores

Please arrange to have your GMAT or GRE test scores directly to INSEAD.

GMAT code: DL3-S8-89

GRE code: 0970

You can take the tests up until the day of the application deadline, in this case a copy of your unofficial score report (to be uploaded under “supporting documents” before you submit your application form) is sufficient for us to begin evaluating your file.

Test scores are valid for five years.

English language certification (only required if English is not your native language)

We accept TOEFL, IELTS and Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic. For INSEAD purposes, scores are valid for two years.

TOEFL code: 0970

PTE Academic code: 22W-R2-00

IELTS: Please look up INSEAD’s full name “Institut Europeen d’Administration des Affaires” when searching for INSEAD on their platform.

You can take the tests up until the day of the application deadline. In this case, a copy of your score report is sufficient for us to begin evaluating your file. Your official test score report will only be required later on during the evaluation process.

Alternatively:

You can also demonstrate fluency in English with a university degree (a minimum of one full-time academic year with a diploma received from that host university) where all courses were taught exclusively in English. (An exchange programme does not qualify and an English major at university does not qualify.)

If your university degree was exclusively taught in English but in a non-English speaking country, please make sure that your transcripts clearly mention the language of instruction is English to complete your application. 

While we do not have a minimum score required for admission, we advise candidates to aim for a score at or above:

TOEFL IBT: 105; TOEFL CBT: 260; TOEFL PBT: 620; IELTS Academic: 7.5 and PTE Academic: 72.

Section  11: Two Letters of Recommendation

At least one recommendation should come from your workplace; your current supervisor or manager is usually a good choice. The other recommendation should be from someone who has had a chance to evaluate you in a professional setting, for example, a client, a former supervisor or a colleague from your community service or extracurricular activities.

Academic recommendations are acceptable but they are less likely to address our main interest, which is to assess your ability to work with and manage others as well as your potential for senior management. If you feel it would add value to your application, you may also upload an optional third letter of recommendation as part of the supporting documents.

It is important to note that your recommenders can submit their online letters to us at their earliest convenience and up to the deadline to which you are applying.

Section 14: Supporting documents

Your curriculum vitae can either be free format or follow the format of the INSEAD official CV e-book - click here to view the template.

Please also attach scanned copies of your transcripts, diploma and any other documents you wish to share with the Admissions Team.

Your transcripts should indicate both diploma and grades achieved from each college or university that you have attended. We accept transcripts in English or French. All others must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Each transcript must bear the official seal and signature of the institution. 

The transcripts need to reach the Admissions Office by the deadline. For us to start processing your application, the transcripts may be either uploaded with the application form (scanned copies) or sent to INSEAD via post by the applicant or by the academic institution directly. 

Should you be admitted to the MBA Programme, you will be asked to send your original transcripts and degree to the Admissions Office. Photocopies are only accepted if officially certified by a public or professional body (solicitor, embassy, town hall, etc.). 

If English is your native language: If English is your native language, you have to demonstrate at least a practical knowledge of a second language as soon as possible by passing one of our accepted language tests for your chosen second language.

If you are a non-native English speaker: If you are a non-native English speaker, your native language will fulfil the second language requirement (no test required). However, you will need to submit proof of your English proficiency.

In addition to English and your second or native language, all students will need to demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of a third language in order to graduate. If you already possess basic knowledge of a third language, we recommend you certify this language as soon as possible or during Launch Week on campus. If you need to learn a third language, you can do so during the programme and pass the language test before graduation. Language instruction is available on both campuses.

MBA Language Policy

• GMAT and GRE scores are valid for 5 years prior to application deadline.
• English language certifications are valid for 2 years prior to application deadline.
• No Admissions decision will be released without receipt of the official scores sent by GMAT or GRE.

In general we do not grant deferrals. You should apply for the intake in which you intend to enroll.

Due to the large number of applications we receive for each intake and the confidentiality of the deliberations of the Admissions Committee, we are unable to provide individual detailed feedback on rejected applications.

When completing the online application form, you will be asked to select your home campus preference: France or Singapore. 

Choosing the value “Both campuses” means that you are completely indifferent about starting your INSEAD MBA on either of our campuses.

Please note that home campus choice does not influence final admissions decisions, as it is not taken into account when your file is presented to the Admissions Committee. Therefore, you do not have a higher chance of being accepted by selecting "both campuses" in your application form.

However, once we have allocated you a campus upon admission, it is very difficult to change. INSEAD will endeavour to accommodate your choice of home campus but if you have a preference for one campus over the other, you should select that choice before submitting your application form.

Whilst we will strive to accommodate your campus choice, if your preferred campus is full, you will be offered the choice of either a place on the alternative campus or a place on the wait list for your preferred campus.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for a later intake.

Please exercise your own judgement in deciding if you have any significant changes in your new profile since your first application that will make a difference with the Admissions Committee. All re-applicants are requested to submit a new online application, unless otherwise indicated.