Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reputation/ ranking of the programme?

The INSEAD Global Executive MBA is a top-ranked programme. Please see for Europe, Mid-East and Asia programmes.

What degree will I get upon completing the programme?

You will receive a fully accredited and highly recognised Masters in Business Administration degree.

What is the language of instruction?

The programme is taught exclusively in English.

What does a typical class look like?

The GEMBA classes are composed of seasoned executives. Please see for Europe, Mid-East and Asia programmes.

What does the curriculum look like?

The curriculum is rigorous. It consists of core courses, electives, and key management challenges.

When does the programme start?

The programme starts at different times of the year at the different campuses. Please see for Europe, Mid-East and Asia programmes.

When will I have my classes?

The class schedules are different for the different campuses. Please see sample schedules for the Europe, Middle East and Asia programmes respectively to help you understand the modular programme structure. You will receive actual schedules for your cohort upon admission.

Will I have to take time off work?

Yes. How much time you'll need differs for the different campuses. Please see for Europe, Mid-East and Asia programmes.

After years out of school, is it hard to adjust to an intensive programme such as the INSEAD GEMBA?

Returning to an intense learning environment after many years in business requires adjustment and a major time commitment. But it can also be a source of renewed inspiration and energy, a real life-changing experience. To make it work, you need to be prepared to invest time and energy in the people and the programme.

Make sure you have the support of your supervisor, colleagues, family and friends - they will have to share you with the programme.

What is the total fee?

Fees are different for the different campuses. Please see for Europe, Mid-East and Asia programmes.

How do candidates pay for the Executive MBA?

Nearly half of the GEMBA participants receive some financial support from their sponsoring companies. The remainder is roughly balanced between self-funding and partial corporate funding, although these proportions fluctuate by year.

Does INSEAD offer any scholarships?

INSEAD does offer a few scholarships, worth up to 20% fee waivers.

• Abu Dhabi Executive Fellowships: For Middle East section. 1 award of US$ 40,000, 1 award of US$ 30,000 and 2 awards of US$ 25,000. Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Scholarship for Women: For female candidates (self-funded or partially sponsored to a maximum of 50%). Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Alumni Scholarship for Women: For Europe section female candidates (self-funded). Download Application Form
• INSEAD Professional Women's Network Fellowship: For self-funded or partially sponsored to a maximum of 50% candidates. Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Scholarship for National Diversity: For self-funded or partially sponsored to a maximum of 50% candidates. Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Scholarship for Entrepreneurship: For self-funded candidates. Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Scholarship for Non-traditional Backgrounds: For self-funded or partially sponsored to a maximum of 50% candidates. Download Application Form
• INSEAD Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) LGBT Fellowship: For self-funded or partially sponsored to a maximum of 50% candidates. 1 award of US$ 15,000. Download Application Form
• INSEAD GEMBA Financial Fellowship: For candidates who demonstrate significant difficulty in raising sufficient finances for the INSEAD GEMBA and may be limited in accessing loans (self-funded). Download Application Form

External scholarships may also be available to you. Please check your employer, your government, external NGOs and charity organizations.

What does INSEAD look for in applicants?

INSEAD is looking for evidence of leadership, academic capacity, international outlook, and ability to contribute to the programme.

A competitive applicant demonstrates a clear desire for intellectual growth, both in the classroom and through working on group projects. (S)he shows that (s)he will contribute proactively and share the insights they have gained throughout their professional and personal experience. Finally, admitted candidates demonstrate their academic capacity to address the intensive, rigorous and challenging Executive MBA curriculum.

What are the application components and requirements?

The online application comprises:

• Profile Information: Hard facts about you and your history, similar to what you will have in a detailed resume.
• CV: 2 pages maximum.
• Photograph: Headshot in business professional attire, in JPEG format (99x128 pixels).
• Admission Test: INSEAD Assessment or GMAT. No waivers are granted.
• Essays: This section is a critical part of INSEAD's evaluation process. INSEAD advises you to spend a significant amount of time on your application essays. The essays are not meant to be academic articles or business memos, but rather your personal stories.
• Letters of recommendation: Two professional recommendation letters are required; a third may optionally be submitted. At least one recommendation should come from your workplace; your current supervisor is usually the best option. The other recommendation may be from someone who has had the opportunity to evaluate you in a professional setting (ie. a client, a former supervisor, or a colleague from a non-work activity).

  Your recommenders can submit their letters of recommendation directly in the online application system. They can submit the letters before or after you submit your application.

• Academic transcripts: Diplomas awarded and transcripts of grades from each college or university that you have attended. Both documents must be in English or French - if the original documents are in another language, then official translations should be attached with the originals. Notarised copies are also be acceptable.
• Proof of English proficiency: Non-native English speakers who have not worked, trained or schooled in English for an extended period of time need to take the TOEFL/ TOEIC/ IELTS/ PTE.
• Application fee: €250

Application advice and assistance are available.

What are the “essay” topics?

INSEAD GEMBA asks applicants to complete essays using the following prompts:

1. Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (approximately 300 words)
2. Please explain your career evolution and career choices since you started your professional life. (approximately 300 words)
3. Please give your objectives for attending the INSEAD Executive MBA Programme. What would you like to achieve over the next 5 years, and how could the INSEAD Executive MBA contribute to achieving these plans? What are your alternatives to INSEAD? (approximately 300 words)
4. Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses. (approximately 300 words)
5. Please choose one of the following two essay topics (approximately 300 words):
   1. Have you ever experienced culture shock? What insights did you gain?
   2. Describe the ways in which a foreigner in your country might experience culture shock.
6. Is there anything else that you would like to share or to clarify further (for example: family situation and number of children, interests outside of work, gaps in professional experience…) (approximately 300 words)

Application advice and assistance are available.

What should the letters of recommendation look like?

The letters of recommendations must not be generic recommendations that you obtained years ago.

The INSEAD GEMBA online application system will ask you to provide contact details of your recommenders. Thereafter, INSEAD will contract the recommenders, providing them links to online forms where the letters can be completed.

Each recommender will be asked to rate you as Outstanding (top 5%), Very Good (top 10%), Above Average (top 25%), Average (top 50%), or Below Average (bottom 50%) on multiple criteria:

• Organizational Skills
• Inquisitiveness/Intellectual Curiosity
• Problem Solving Skills
• Creativity & Resourcefulness
• Initiative
• Motivation & Enthusiasm
• Achievement Drive & Results Orientation
• Teamwork
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Maturity
• Personal Integrity
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Charisma
• Leadership
• Overall recommendation (How do you rate the candidate’s potential for becoming a responsible and successful manager in international business compared with other students or employees whom you have known in a similar capacity?)

Additionally, your recommenders will need to respond to the following questions:

1. Comment on the candidate’s career progress to date and his/her career focus orientation.
2. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major strengths? Comment on the factors that distinguish the candidate from other individuals at his/her level.
3. What do you consider to be the candidate’s major weaknesses?
4. Comment on the candidate’s potential for senior management. Do you see him/her as a future leader?
5. Describe the personality of the candidate, including reference to the characteristics listed in the table above.

Application advice and assistance are available.

Do I need to take a test?

All applicants must take either the INSEAD Assessment or the GMAT. No waivers are allowed.

Chinese nationals applying to the TIEMBA must also take an additional entrance exam prescribed by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

How can I apply?

Applications can be made online only for both, the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) and the Tsinghua INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA).

What is the application deadline?

Please see application deadlines here.

What is a corporate endorsement?

Each GEMBA candidate must have corporate endorsement before starting the programme.

Corporate endorsement means that your company acknowledges the necessary time commitment you need to complete the programme.

Can I get help with the application?

Absolutely! INSEAD's Executive MBA programmes are top-ranked, and admission to these is highly competitive. A strong application is essential and many candidates choose to enlist our application consulting services. Please see details here.

Will you write the essays for me?

We offer application consulting, i.e. advice on how to turn in your strongest application, covering all components.

With respect to the essays, after conducting a deep-dive into your background and motivations, we will advise you on the essay content and style. Once you have developed your essay drafts, we will provide feedback on them as well.

However, we will not write the essays for you. For one, that's unethical. Moreover, it is ineffective - the essay has to be in your "voice".

How many hours of coaching is included in Application Consulting?

Application Consulting service is not limited by hours. We work with you to deliver high-quality deliverables. Whatver. It. Takes.

What is the fee?

Please see service and fee details.

Where are you located? Will I have to come to your office?

We are dispersed around the world: in the US, Europe, Middle-East and Asia.

You do not need to visit us to sign up for our services. You can do so directly by clicking "Get {Service}" button here.

You do not need to visit us for coaching sessions either. The coaching for application and test is conducted online, using modern tools. Thus, you don't need to add any commute time to your finely balanced schedule.

I am busy. Can you do weekends?

No problem. We can arrange weekend coaching sessions for you. We can arrange coaching sessions for any day of the week at any time in any time zone.

Should I take the INSEAD Assessment or the GMAT?

The GMAT has been designed for young candidates targeting full-time MBA programmes. At early stages of their careers, these candidates generally spend 4 to 6 months preparing for the GMAT. In extreme cases, some candidates spend more than 2 years preparing for the GMAT. Further, since the GMAT tests memory, among other skills, through topics such as geometry, arcane grammar rules, etc., therefore these young candidates who have often graduated relatively recently, have an advantage.

The INSEAD Assessment has been designed for busy executives with many years of experience under their belts. It focuses on business-relevant skills that executives need in their day-to-day professional lives. Hence, the INSEAD Assessment requires less preparation time - most experienced executives are able to do well on the INSEAD Assessment with just 1 to 3 months of preparation with us.

Please see a more detailed comparison of the tests here.

What does the INSEAD Assessment test?

INSEAD Assessment has been designed to test business-relevant skills, which will also be required in the INSEAD classroom. Please see details here.

When can I take the INSEAD Assessment?

After you have submitted a completed application, the school will perform an initial review. If you are shortlisted based on your application components, e.g. essays, letters of recommendation, etc., the school will invite you to take the INSEAD Assessment and participate in an interview on its campus.

You can find the test dates here.

Can I just turn up for the INSEAD Assessment?

INSEAD Assessment can be taken by invitation only. After you have submitted a completed application, the school will perform an initial review. If you are shortlisted based on your application components, e.g. essays, letters of recommendation, etc., the school will invite you to take the INSEAD Assessment and participate in an interview on its campus.

Do I need to prepare for the INSEAD Assessment?

Most candidates, who have been away from school for many years, need some preparation for the INSEAD Assessment. Most experienced executives are able to do well on the INSEAD Assessment with just 1 to 3 months of preparation with us.

How can I prepare for the INSEAD Assessment?

Many candidates choose to enlist our coaching services. Please see details here.

Whether self-preparing or working with our coaches, candidates find the "The INSEAD Assessment" book to be useful.

When will I receive the INSEAD Assessment score?

Unlike "portable" standardized tests like the GMAT and GRE, the INSEAD Assessment score is not released. The score is for INSEAD's internal use only, and will not be communicated to the candidate. You will receive only an admission decision from INSEAD, based on your complete application, including the INSEAD Assessment.

Can I take the INSEAD Assessment in a language other than English?

No.

“Test Preparation Packages” specifies number of hours for each section. What if my needs are different?

Test Preparation Packages indicates the number of hours we suggest you devote to each section in the coaching sessions. These numbers are recommended, but not fixed. If you need more help with Data Interpretation, for example, you can use some of your Data Analysis hours for Data Interpretation.

The total number of coaching hours for each package is fixed; but within each package, there is complete flexibility to move hours across sections.

In fact, we start by giving you a diagnostic test, and based on your performance on that your coach and you will collaboratively develop a study plan for you.

What is the fee?

Please see service and fee details.

Where are you located? Will I have to come to your office?

We are dispersed around the world: in the US, Europe, Middle-East and Asia.

You do not need to visit us to sign up for our services. You can do so directly by clicking "Get {Service}" button here.

You do not need to visit us for coaching sessions either. The coaching for application and test is conducted online, using modern tools. Thus, you don't need to add any commute time to your finely balanced schedule.

I am busy. Can you do weekends?

No problem. We can arrange weekend coaching sessions for you. We can arrange coaching sessions for any day of the week at any time in any time zone.

How can I book/ cancel sessions?

Sessions must be booked at least 7 days in advance by emailing scheduling@2beco.me We recommend booking all your sessions immediately after you sign up for a service.

You can cancel any session with 24 hours notice by emailing scheduling@2beco.me