INSEAD, celebrated as one of the world’s premier business schools, offers a truly transformative Full-time MBA program tailored for ambitious global leaders like you.
Renowned for its unparalleled diversity and dynamic, fast-paced learning environment, this program empowers you with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.
The January 2026 intake promises an exciting 10-month immersive journey on INSEAD’s vibrant France and Singapore campuses—opening doors to endless opportunities and a world-class network.
Program Details
- Duration: The Full-time MBA program at INSEAD spans 10 months, providing an intensive and immersive learning experience.
- Intakes: INSEAD offers two intakes for its Full-time MBA program, providing flexibility to prospective students. The program starts in both January and August, allowing individuals to choose the entry point that best aligns with their personal and professional timelines.
- Language: Since the INSEAD MBA program caters to a large international student body, the language of instruction is English.
- Cost: The tuition fee for the INSEAD MBA Jan 2026 intake is €107,600.
- Location: Students have the unique opportunity to choose their home campus for the program, with options in both France and Singapore. This flexibility adds a global dimension to the learning experience, exposing students to diverse cultural and business environments.
Application Rounds and Deadlines
The January 2026 intake follows a structured, multi-round admissions process. Below are the key deadlines:
| Application Round | Application Deadline | Interview Decision Notification | Final Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | March 11, 2025 | April 11, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| Round 2 | April 22, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | July 4, 2025 |
| Round 3 | June 17, 2025 | July 18, 2025 | August 22, 2025 |
| Round 4 | August 5, 2025 | September 5, 2025 | October 10, 2025 |
Applying early is recommended to maximize chances of admission and allow sufficient time for interview preparation.
Learn from Shantanu’s journey to the INSEAD MBA Jan 2025 intake (w/ scholarship) with a 665 GFE
Admissions Process
The INSEAD admissions process involves five stages:
- Application Submission: Complete the online application, including supporting documents and essays. Once submitted, applicants will receive an email from Kira Talent with a link to complete video essays.
- Pre-selection Decision: Within one week of submission, applicants will receive notification on whether they have advanced to the next stage.
- Interviews with Alumni: Shortlisted candidates will undergo two interviews with INSEAD alumni, typically in their country of residence.
- Admissions Committee Evaluation: After receiving feedback from alumni interviews, the Admissions Committee reviews applications and makes final decisions.
- Final Decision Notification: Applicants will be informed of their admission status via email, up to 10 weeks from the application deadline
INSEAD MBA Application Requirements
Dashboard and Photograph
- Register to access the online application dashboard.
- Upload a photograph (200×200 pixels in JPEG or GIF format).
Profile (Sections 2-10)
- Provide factual information similar to a detailed resume.
- Not all fields are mandatory; leave non-applicable ones blank.
Job Description and Motivation Essays (Sections 11-14)
- Job description questions and motivation essays are critical.
- Essays should be personal stories, not academic or business memos.
- Responses can be typed directly or pasted into the application.
Application Fee
- Pay a non-refundable fee of €250 online with a credit card.
Official GMAT/GRE Scores
- Unofficial scores can be submitted for initial evaluation; official scores must follow.
- Test scores are valid for five years.
Academic Transcripts
- Upload scanned copies or send official transcripts via post.
- Transcripts must be in English or French (with certified translations if needed).
English Language Certification (if required)
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.
- Fluency can also be demonstrated with a university degree taught entirely in English.
Letters of Recommendation
Two recommendations required:
- One from a current supervisor or manager.
- The second from a professional reference (client, former supervisor, colleague, etc.).
- Academic recommendations are accepted but less preferred.
- An optional third recommendation can be submitted.
Supporting Documents (Section 14)
- Upload a curriculum vitae (free format or INSEAD’s template).
- Attach scanned copies of transcripts, diplomas, and other supporting documents.
INSEAD MBA Essay Prompts
The INSEAD MBA application essays are designed to provide the Admissions Committee with deeper insights into your personal background, career journey, and future aspirations. Through a series of motivation and career-focused questions, applicants have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, strengths, and goals, demonstrating their fit with the program.
Motivation Essays
- Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), emphasizing your strengths and weaknesses, and key factors influencing your personal development. Provide examples where relevant. (500 words)
- Describe a situation where you failed to achieve your objectives. Explain how you handled the failure and what you learned about yourself or your interactions with others. (400 words)
- Optional : Share any additional information not covered in your application that you feel is important for the Admissions Committee. (300 words)
Career Essays
- Summarize your current or most recent job, including key responsibilities, nature of work, employees under supervision (if applicable), budget size, clients/products, and results achieved. (200 words)
- Describe your next career step within your current company if you were not pursuing an MBA. (200 words)
- Provide a detailed description of your career since university graduation. Explain the rationale behind your career choices. (300 words)
- Discuss your short- and long-term career aspirations and how an MBA from INSEAD will help you achieve them. (100 words)
- Optional : If you are currently unemployed or plan to leave your job more than two months before the program starts, explain your activities and plans during this gap. (No specified word limit)
For expert insights on approaching the INSEAD MBA essays, check out our comprehensive guide here and explore the latest INSEAD essay updates here.
Video Essay Prompts
The video essay component, conducted through Kira Talent, is a critical part of the INSEAD MBA application. Candidates will answer four questions, with 45 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond. The questions aim to assess communication skills, spontaneity, and alignment with INSEAD’s values.
Compilation of INSEAD MBA Video Essay questions (2023)
- What keeps you engaged and motivated at work?
- How will INSEAD help you achieve your professional objectives?
- Describe a time when you saw someone else doing something differently. How did you react?
- Describe a time when you received negative feedback. How did you feel?
- Do you consider yourself to be creative?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge in leading a global team?
- If you look back 10 years into your life, what would success mean to you?
- Who or what inspires you the most?
- What leadership quality do you admire? Why?
- How do you handle frustration at work and give constructive criticism?
- How can INSEAD help you contribute to the community?
- What skills do you want to work on while at INSEAD?
- Tell us about something your family or company borrowed from someone else. What were the advantages and disadvantages?
- Why should we select you?
- What is the most pressing climate concern today, and how would you tackle it?
- How do you handle frustration at work? How do you openly communicate to resolve it?
- Are you aware of your biases? How do they affect your thoughts?
- If given unlimited resources, what product or service would you offer to the community, and why?
- What are your guiding principles or involvement in corporate and social responsibility?
- How is diversity handled at your organization?
- Tell us about a new app that resonated with you.
- What qualities make a good friend?
- How do you generate ideas?
- How would you handle a new boss acting offensively to local culture?
- How would you help a shy teammate speak up?
- What is the most challenging decision you’ve made?
- Has your family or company adopted anything from another culture? What impact did it have?
- If you won $10 billion, what would you do?
- What is the most difficult aspect of working with you?
- What do people often misunderstand about you?
Tips for Success in Video Essays
- Preparation: Practice with sample questions to refine your responses and build confidence.
- Technology Check: Ensure your camera and microphone are functional. INSEAD recommends using Microsoft Edge or Chrome for recording.
- Presentation: Dress in business or business casual attire. Maintain eye contact with the camera to engage with the Admissions Committee.
- Authenticity: Be genuine and articulate your thoughts clearly. The committee values creativity and authenticity.
- Note-taking: Keep a notebook handy to jot down key ideas during the preparation time.
Still deciding between the January and August intakes? Read our detailed article on INSEAD January vs August intakes to explore the differences and choose the one that best aligns with your personal and professional goals!
Final Thoughts
INSEAD’s January 2026 MBA intake offers a rigorous yet rewarding journey for aspiring leaders. With its emphasis on diversity, leadership, and innovation, INSEAD is the perfect place for ambitious professionals seeking to make a significant impact. By understanding the application process and preparing thoroughly for the essays and interviews, candidates can enhance their chances of joining this prestigious program.
If you need guidance with your INSEAD application – whether it’s crafting standout essays, acing the video interviews, or preparing for alumni interviews – reach out to us!
Learn from Adhiraj’s insights on his successful INSEAD admit with scholarships to the Jan 2024 intake.