INSEAD’s January 2027 MBA Intake : Everything You Need to Know

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 INSEAD’s January 2027 MBA 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.

What is the INSEAD January Intake?

The INSEAD January intake represents one of two entry points into INSEAD’s renowned 10-month MBA program. Unlike traditional two-year MBAs with single annual starts, INSEAD’s dual-intake system accommodates different career timelines while maintaining the same rigorous curriculum and global perspective.

The January cohort begins in early January and graduates in December of the same year, following five periods of study across INSEAD’s campuses in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. This accelerated timeline appeals to candidates seeking minimal career disruption while maximizing global business education.

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 2027 intake is €109,860 .
• 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 2027 intake follows a structured, multi-round admissions process. Below are the key deadlines:

Source : INSEAD MBA Application Deadlines

Applying early is recommended to maximize chances of admission and allow sufficient time for interview preparation.

Admissions Process

The INSEAD admissions process involves five stages:

1. 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.
   
2. Pre-selection Decision: Within one week of submission, applicants will receive notification on whether they have advanced to the next stage.
   
3. Interviews with Alumni: Shortlisted candidates will undergo two interviews with INSEAD alumni, typically in their country of residence.
   
4. Admissions Committee Evaluation: After receiving feedback from alumni interviews, the Admissions Committee reviews applications and makes final decisions.
   
5. 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.

Career Essays

1. 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 maximum)
2. 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 maximum)

Activities & Interests: Describe the activities you listed above and explain how they have enriched your life (e.g., skills developed, personal growth, community impact). (300 words maximum)

Motivation Essays

• Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself as a person and a leader, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses you recognize 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 maximum)
• Essay 2: 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 maximum)
• Essay 3: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words maximum)
• Supplemental Info: Can you please share with us if you plan to attend the programme with a partner and/or children? This information is optional but would enable INSEAD to better welcome you and your family. (200 words)

Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning INSEAD MBA Essays.

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 (2024) 

1. In the event of team underperformance, how do you plan to address the situation?
2. Is there a particular manager you admire? If so, what qualities inspire your admiration?
3. Could you recount a scenario where you effectively collaborated with someone holding contrasting views?
4. Describe a recent instance where a clash of cultural norms resulted in conflict.
5. From your perspective, what defines success in a professional career?
6. Can you share your understanding of the Insead MBA program?
7. How do you approach providing constructive criticism to a coworker?
8. What strategies do you employ to earn respect as a manager?
9. What goals do you aspire to achieve during your time at Insead?
10. In your opinion, what constitutes unethical leadership behavior? 
11. What keeps you engaged and motivated at work?
12. How will INSEAD help you achieve your professional objectives?
13. Describe a time when you saw someone else doing something differently. How did you react?
14. Describe a time when you received negative feedback. How did you feel?
15. Do you consider yourself to be creative?
16. What do you think is the biggest challenge in leading a global team?
17. If you look back 10 years into your life, what would success mean to you?
18. Who or what inspires you the most?
19. What is the leadership quality you admire? Why?
20. How do you handle frustration at work and give constructive criticism?
21. How can INSEAD help you to contribute to the community?
22. What skills do you think you are missing that you want to work on while at INSEAD?
23. Tell us about something that your family or company borrowed from someone else, its advantages and its disadvantages
24. Why should we select you?
25. Tell us about the most pressing climate concern today and how you will tackle it?
26. How do you handle frustration at work? How do you openly communicate to resolve the frustration?
27. Are you aware of your biases? How does that affect your thoughts?
28. If you were given unlimited resources, which product or services would you offer to community and why?
29. What are your guiding principles or involvement in Coporate and Social Responsibility
30. How is diversity handled at your organization?
31. Tell us about a new app that was released in the past 3 and has resonated with you.
32. What do you think are the qualities of a good friend.
33. How do you generate ideas
34. What would you do if a new boss was acting in a surprising or offensive way to the local culture
35. A teammate of yours is shy of speaking out. How would you help them?
36. Most challenging decision you have taken?
37. Has your family or company adopted anything from other culture? What impact (positive or negative) it has had on you?
38. If you won 10 billion dollars, what would you do?
39. What is the most difficult aspect of working with you?
40. What do you think people often misunderstand about you?
41. What are the key elements of starting and running a successful business?

Note: Please consider this list indicative and not exhaustive

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.

Struggling with your INSEAD Kira interview? Master the video essay with our step-by-step guide: MBA Video Essays: The Ultimate MBA Applicant’s Guide

Who Should Consider the January MBA Intake at INSEAD?

The January intake is particularly well-suited for specific candidate profiles:

Ideal January Intake Candidates:

• Career Accelerators: Professionals seeking promotion within their current industry or function
• Sponsored Students: Company-sponsored candidates needing minimal time away
• Experienced Professionals: Those with clear post-MBA goals requiring no “test” period
• European Job Market Focus: Candidates targeting European companies aligned with Q1 hiring
• Established Networkers: Self-starters comfortable with proactive, less-structured recruiting

Better Suited for August Intake:

• Complete Career Switchers: Those needing internships to transition industries
• U.S. Job Market Focus: Candidates targeting American companies with summer internship pipelines
• Explorers: Professionals wanting maximum time to sample different career paths
• Entrepreneurs: Those who might benefit from summer to develop business ideas.

Explore More About INSEAD:

• INSEAD MBA Program – A Complete Overview
• INSEAD MBA: January vs August intake
• INSEAD August 2026 MBA Intake
• INSEAD MBA Essay 2025-2026
• INSEAD MBA Interview: Tips to Excel & Commonly Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

INSEAD’s January 2027 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. 

FAQs – INSEAD’s January 2027 MBA Intake