INSEAD Business School – Fontainebleau, France Overview

Ranked #2 among the world's leading business schools by QS, the Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) boasts a truly global footprint with campuses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. This prestigious institution hosts over 1,300 students from more than 90 diverse countries and currently offers seven master’s, PhD, and executive programs in business and management.

Admissions at INSEAD are handled internally, requiring applicants to apply directly to the university. The selection process evaluates candidates based on their academic excellence, international motivation, and leadership abilities. Additionally, to gain admission to the INSEAD MBA program, applicants must submit their GMAT or GRE scores, strong references, and a personal statement.

INSEAD Paris is renowned for its outstanding placement records. In 2020, over 89% of INSEAD graduates received job offers within three months of graduation. Prestigious recruiting companies such as McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting Group, Amazon, Accenture, Roland Berger, Deloitte, Google, and Apple have recruited INSEAD graduates, offering attractive starting salaries averaging €115,646.

INSEAD Rankings

INSEAD consistently ranks among the top business schools globally, often surpassing Harvard Business School in various surveys, particularly for its one-year MBA program and international exposure. Some of the most prestigious rankings achieved by INSEAD for the 2020-21 academic year include:

• #2 in QS WUR ranking for Business and Management Studies
• #5 in EMBA rankings in Europe and #7 globally by QS Top Universities
• #29 among Best Global Universities in France according to US News and World Report
• #126-150 in World Reputation Rankings by Times Higher Education
• #6 according to ShanghaiRanking
• Recognized as “the best international one-year MBA program” by Forbes
• #116 in CWUR World University Rankings

In subject-wise rankings, INSEAD was placed #36 in Economics and Business by US News and World Report. Business Because ranked INSEAD #1 among the top ten one-year MBA programs in Europe and #6 in the 15 Best Business Schools for International Students.

INSEAD Highlights

• Type of University: Private
• Establishment Year: 1957
• Faculty Members in MBA Program: 145
• Intake Season: Multiple intakes
• English Proficiency Score: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE
• Financial Aid: Scholarships
• GRE Requirement: 80%
• GMAT Range: 70-75 percentile
• Nationalities Represented: 90+
• Employment Rate: 92%
• Website: INSEAD

INSEAD Programs

INSEAD offers a wide range of programs primarily focused on business and management for prospective students. The institute features seven master's programs, a PhD, and several executive programs.

It is globally recognized for its one-year MBA program, which equips students for an accelerated graduation and covers all essential topics. The Executive MBA and Master in Finance programs are also highly regarded, with approximately 90% of students in these programs coming from diverse backgrounds.

Here’s a list of popular programs offered at INSEAD along with their annual tuition fees for the entire duration:

INSEAD Admission Process

INSEAD Paris requires international students to submit all necessary academic transcripts, English language proficiency test scores, and other relevant documentation. When applying, international students should keep the following in mind:

• Application Portals: MBA application portal, MIM application portal, and other program-specific portals available on the official website.
• Application Fee: €250.

INSEAD MBA Admission Requirements

Most students enroll in the one-year MBA program, and the following documents are required for admission:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Official transcripts from secondary and higher secondary education institutions, translated into English or French.
• Financial documentation in the form of bank statements or an affidavit of support from a sponsor.
• GRE/GMAT scores.
• Two professional recommendation letters.
• CV/Resume.
• A video interview.
• A 200x200 size photograph to be uploaded online.
• Three motivation essays, with one additional optional essay.
• A statement of purpose (optional).
• English proficiency test scores. While there are no minimum required scores, the following recommended scores are advised:

INSEAD Cost of Attendance

The living costs for students largely depend on their course, lifestyle choices, and any scholarships or sponsorships they may receive. However, since most students enroll in the MBA program and budget accordingly before arriving at the institute, the estimated expenses for studying in France are outlined below:

INSEAD Campus and Accommodation

INSEAD has a global presence across multiple continents, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The European campus is situated on the outskirts of the Fontainebleau forest.

This vibrant campus features 29 lecture theaters, two restaurants, a bar, a bookstore, extensive library services, and a fully equipped gym. The original buildings on campus are recognized as some of Europe’s most advanced educational facilities. The Georges and Edna Doriot Research & Learning Hub provides students with access to books, journals, and eBooks related to business and other relevant subjects, enhancing the research capabilities of the institute.

INSEAD boasts 42 student clubs, with over 53% of the student body actively managing these clubs and demonstrating commendable leadership skills.

Accommodation at INSEAD Paris

The INSEAD France campus offers housing options for both short and long-term stays.

For short-term accommodations, there are three hotels located on or near the campus, catering to participants of short-duration programs, seminars, conferences, or competitions. For long-term stays, students can find housing both on and off-campus, including studios, flats, houses, and chateaus, which can be rented individually or shared.

Local housing agencies such as ACM Meuble Company and Bonapart provide affordable accommodation options, and insurance typically covers maintenance costs, repairs, cleaning, taxes, etc.

The MBA Housing portal manages over 300 properties, with 130 reserved specifically for INSEAD students. Additionally, the Chateau de Fleury, located just 12 minutes from campus, offers 14 renovated apartments, each equipped with a private bathroom and kitchen.

The monthly housing costs at INSEAD partner accommodation portals are summarized as follows:

On average, the annual accommodation expenses amount to €10,000, while meals cost around €6,500, bringing the total yearly living expenses to approximately €16,500.

INSEAD Paris Scholarships

INSEAD offers two types of financial aid for incoming students: merit-based and need-based.

The Diversity and Achievement scholarships are among the most popular forms of financial assistance and do not require a separate application. Students are automatically considered for these scholarships upon applying for the program. INSEAD provides over 100 scholarships for MBA applicants, distributing more than 5.7 million EUR in financial aid annually. Approximately 30% of students receive scholarships, with the average amount being 18,700 euros.

Some of the scholarships available for MBA students include:

INSEAD Paris Alumni

INSEAD boasts a global network of over 50,000 alumni across more than 150 countries.

Graduates benefit from ongoing connections with the alumni network, gaining insights and knowledge while also accessing potential employment opportunities within businesses owned by alumni. They have access to the Business Source Alumni library, which features over 1,450 business-related magazines and journals.

Notable alumni from INSEAD include:

• Tidjane Thiam - Former CEO of Swiss Bank
• Henry Engelhardt - Former Chief Executive of Admiral Group
• Johan Schneider Ammann - Former Member of the Swiss Federal Council
• Meera Sanyal - Former CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland in India
• Antonio Horta Osorio - CEO of Lloyds Banking Group

INSEAD Paris Placements

A 2023 employment statistics report for the INSEAD MBA program has been published, detailing the outcomes for students who graduated in December 2022 and June 2023. The placement rate for INSEAD MBA graduates in France stands at 88% within three months of graduation. Most graduates have secured positions across various sectors, including consulting, corporate roles, and financial services. The average median annual salary for these graduates is EUR 109,600 (approximately INR 1 crore), while the overall average annual salary is EUR 113,400. Following graduation, INSEAD alumni have found employment in 57 countries worldwide. Leading employers of INSEAD MBA graduates include McKinsey & Company, BCG, Strategy&, Bain & Company, EY, and Accenture.

Considering the tuition fees for the INSEAD France MBA program for ten months, which amount to INR 96.9 lakh, and the average annual salary of around INR 1 crore, pursuing an MBA at INSEAD France is a worthwhile investment.

INSEAD France Placement Highlights 2023

INSEAD MBA graduates secured their positions through various channels, including the INSEAD Career Development Center (CDC), alumni networks, previous employers, personal contacts, and summer internships. Some graduates even launched their own businesses. According to the statistics, 25% of graduates changed all aspects of their careers, including sector, country, and job function, while 78% transitioned to new career paths. Below are some key placement highlights for INSEAD France:

INSEAD France Placements: Top Employers 2023

The leading employers of INSEAD MBA graduates include Bain & Company, Kearney, EY, Accenture, and McKinsey & Company, with the highest number of graduates finding positions at McKinsey & Company. Below are the details of the top-hiring organizations for this university's MBA graduates:

FAQ

Q: What are the prospects for Indian students after graduating from INSEAD?

A: INSEAD is an excellent choice for those looking to work abroad, as it is a prestigious, internationally recognized institution. Graduates from reputable European schools often secure good job opportunities in regions like Dubai, APAC, and South America, especially if they are willing to learn the local language.

Q: How does an MBA from INSEAD compare to a degree from top US schools like Wharton or Stanford GSB?

A: INSEAD competes effectively with Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Stanford in terms of job placement in both consulting and finance. It is particularly known for successfully placing graduates in leading finance firms.

Q: What is the GMAT score requirement for INSEAD?

A: INSEAD's one-year MBA program is highly regarded and likely ranks among the best globally for executive MBAs. Consequently, the GMAT range for applicants is typically between 670 and 750. A score above 700, ideally closer to 750, is recommended. However, since it is an executive program, relevant work experience carries significant weight in the admissions process.

Q: How many years of work experience are required for admission to INSEAD's MBA program?

A: While INSEAD does not impose a strict requirement for work experience, it strongly encourages applicants to have at least two years. The current cohort has an average of 5.5 years of work experience, with a range of two to ten years.

Q: What is the admission acceptance rate at INSEAD?

A: INSEAD is distinctive due to its three-language requirement and one-year program. The acceptance rate is approximately 30-31% of all applications received.