At a Glance
Your Admissions Journey Starts Here
Whether you're preparing to apply or just starting your research, this page will guide you through every step of the MBA admissions process. Explore the full admissions journey, from application requirements and deadlines to tips on completing your application form and preparing for the GMAT or GRE.
Admissions Criteria
Application Deadlines
| Application deadline | Interview decision notification | Final decision notification | |
| Round 1 | 16 September 2025 | 17 October 2025 | 21 November 2025 |
| Round 2 | 04 November 2025 | 05 December 2025 | 16 January 2026 |
| Round 3 | 20 January 2026 | 20 February 2026 | 20 March 2026 |
| Round 4 | 10 March 2026 | 10 April 2026 | 08 May 2026 |
| Application deadline | Interview decision notification | Final decision notification | |
| Round 1 | 17 March 2026 | 17 April 2026 | 15 May 2026 |
| Round 2 | 21 April 2026 | 29 May 2026 | 26 June 2026 |
| Round 3 | 30 June 2026 | 31 July 2026 | 28 August 2026 |
| Round 4 | 04 August 2026 | 04 September 2026 | 09 October 2026 |
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.
Application Process
Application Requirements
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Online Application
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Once registered, you will gain access to your application dashboard, where you can update your login credentials and manage alert notifications.
You can download a PDF version of your application at any time by clicking the printer icon at the top of your screen.
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Video Interview
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After submitting your online application, you will receive an email from Kira Talent with a unique link to complete a video and written assessment. You must complete this step within 48 hours of your application deadline.
You will be asked four video questions. For each, you will have 45 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond. The final question is written, with five minutes to submit your answer. The full assessment takes approximately 15–20 minutes.
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Campus Choice
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You will be asked to indicate your preferred home campus: France or Singapore.
If you select “Both campuses”, this indicates no preference and you may be allocated to either campus. Please note that once assigned, campus changes are rarely possible.
If your preferred campus is full, you will be offered a place on the alternative campus.
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Job Description Questions
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These questions help us understand your career path and motivations for pursuing an MBA at INSEAD. They are a key part of your application and a chance to share your story, beyond your CV.
We encourage authentic and thoughtful responses that reflect on your experiences, career choices, and aspirations.
These are not academic essays or business reports. Your answers should reflect your own voice and perspective. You can write directly in the application form or copy/paste your answers into the designated text boxes:
- Provide a summary of your career since graduating from university, explaining the rationale behind your key decisions and career progression. Include a description of your current (or most recent) role, covering the scope of your work, major responsibilities, employees under your supervision, budget size, clients/products, and any notable results achieved. (500 words)
- Describe your short and long-term career aspirations, including your target geography, industry, and function. How do you plan to bridge the gap between your current position and these goals, and how will INSEAD help you achieve them? (300 words)
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Motivation Essays
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The motivation essays are a critical part of our evaluation process. We encourage you to invest time in crafting thoughtful, well-structured responses to the following prompts:
- Give a candid description of yourself as a person and a leader, emphasising the strengths and weaknesses you recognise in yourself. Explain how you are actively working on your development, sharing key experiences that have shaped you, providing specific examples where relevant. (500 words)
- Describe a highly stressful situation you faced and how you managed it. What did this experience teach you about yourself and your interactions with others? (400 words)
- Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words)
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Language Declaration
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Fluency in English is required to study at INSEAD. If you are not a native speaker, you will need to submit a valid TOEFFL, IELTS or PTE Academic score. Alternatively, we also accept a University degree taught in English or an academic exchange year during which the curriculum was fully taught in English.
Please refer to the MBA Language Policy for more information and for our second language requirement.
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GMAT and GRE scores
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You may take the GMAT or GRE anytime up to your chosen application deadline.
Scores must be sent directly to INSEAD. They are valid for five years.
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Letters of Recommendation
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Two recommendations are required and must be submitted by your application deadline.
We strongly recommend choosing individuals who have evaluated your performance in a professional context, such as a current or former manager, client, or colleague. Academic references are accepted but may be less effective in demonstrating your leadership and management potential.
You may also submit an optional third recommendation in the supporting documents section if it adds value to your application.
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CV
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Your CV may be submitted in free format or using the INSEAD official CV Book template.
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Official Transcript
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Please attach scanned copies of your transcripts and diploma. If admitted, you will need to provide official documents.
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Supporting Documents
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You may upload any additional documents you believe strengthen your application, such as awards or scholarships, a third letter of recommendation, etc.
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Application Fee
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A non-refundable application fee of €250 is required. Payment must be made online via credit card.
Your application will only be reviewed once the fee is received.
From the MBA Admissions Office
Important Updates to the Application Essays for MBA January 2026 intake
By Nancy Gabriel, Executive Director of Admissions, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Applications for the January 2026 intake (Class of December 2026) of the INSEAD MBA are now open, and we're excited to share some important updates to the application essays.
Admission Policies
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Deferrals
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In general we do not grant deferrals. You should apply for the intake in which you intend to enroll.
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Feedback
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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.
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Reapplications
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Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for a later intake.
We encourage you to assess whether your profile has significantly changed since your previous application. All re-applicants must submit a new online application, unless instructed otherwise.
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Background Check
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INSEAD is committed to upholding integrity and fairness throughout the admissions process.
The Admissions Department reserves the right to conduct background checks on any application where there is reason to believe that the information provided may be false, misleading, or associated with any legal infraction. Applicants are expected to demonstrate honesty and transparency at every stage of the process.
Attend an Event
Master Programmes, Master Programmes
MBA & MIM Coffee Chats | Jakarta
Master Programmes
MBA & MIM Information Session with Alumni Panel | London
You are warmly invited to attend our upcoming INSEAD MBA & MIM Information Session in London to learn more about our MBA & MIM programmes. Segen Berhe, Assistant Director, Recruitment and Business Development, Degree Programmes, will provide insights into the curriculum and the admissions process. Our Alumni will provide insights into the curriculum and the admissions process. It will be a great opportunity to hear more about the INSEAD application process and student experience.
Agenda:
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Registration
7:00 pm - 7:15 pm: Programmes presentation
7:15 pm - 8:00 pm: MBA & MIM panel discussion
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Networking session
Alumni joining us:
- Massine Bouzerar | MBA'19J | Head of Strategy at Experian
- Sagnik Mukherjee | MBA'20J | Senior Strategy Manager at BP
- Cloe Tchelikidi | MIM'24 | Private Equity Summer Analyst at I Squared Capital
- Rocco Pelà | MIM'22 | Product at Lupa Pets
- Marios Siatounis | MIM'24 | Reinsurance Broker at Aon UK Limited
Master Programmes
MBA & MIM Friday Campus Tour | Asia Campus
Come and discover our INSEAD Asia Campus!
You are warmly invited to visit us, join a campus tour led by a student ambassador, and attend a live Q&A session to learn more about the INSEAD MBA programme and MIM Programme. You can ask any questions you may have about INSEAD to our staff representative or student ambassador(s). Please register to confirm your participation. We look forward to seeing you there.
Date: 14 November 2025, Friday
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Venue: INSEAD Asia Campus (1 Ayer Rajah Ave, Singapore 138676)
Practical information
INSEAD Asia Campus is located at the corner of the Ayer Rajah Avenue and North Buona Vista Road in the Knowledge Hub district of Singapore. The school’s convenient location is 15 minutes from the financial district and 30 minutes from Changi Airport. MRT Station: One North.
Testimonials
Neha Singh Jadoun
A big lesson I have learned at INSEAD is that it's a humbling environment where you will always encounter more knowledgeable and exposed people than you.
Julian Zachmann
Before my MBA I was a scientist and didn't know any career options outside of science. The MBA really broadened my horizons.
Andrea Van Scheltinga
I was impressed by the entrepreneurial focus, which also reflects itself in the career paths of the school’s alumni
Stay Inspired
GMAT vs. GRE - Key Things To Know and How To Prepare
INSEAD's recruitment team took the plunge and attempted both tests themselves, going through the entire actual in-person test-taking experience for both the GMAT and the GRE to experience first-hand what applicants will be going through. In this three-part series we share insights on the two tests and what differences (if any) they have, plus a five-step study plan to help you ace your chosen exam.
MBA Video Interview Tips
Many of you already know that soon after sending in your application for the MBA programme at INSEAD, you will receive a link to submit answers to four questions via a video interview.
"Non-traditional" MBA Backgrounds at INSEAD
Is an MBA only for people with business backgrounds? What if your previous work experience doesn’t seem to fit into any of the more traditional pre-MBA profiles such as consulting, finance and corporate? We share insights as well as admissions advice for applicants with “non-traditional” backgrounds.