One of the world’s top graduate business schools, INSEAD, has campuses in France, Singapore, San Francisco, and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi). Founded in 1957, INSEAD stands for Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires.
Today, INSEAD is recognized globally as one of the top business schools on the planet. The school boasts 165 faculty members from 42 countries, with over 1,500 students in various degree programs annually. Additionally, more than 11,000 executives participate in its executive education programs each year.
Key Highlights
- INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, operating across five campuses and centers globally.
- The school offers a variety of graduate programs, including MBAs, a doctorate in management, and a certificate program.
- With 165 faculty members and over 1,500 students enrolled in its graduate degree-granting programs each year, INSEAD is a hub for future business leaders.
The Exciting Journey of INSEAD
INSEAD was established in 1955 following a decision by the Paris Chamber of Commerce to start a European business school. Four years later, it welcomed its first MBA students. In 1960, 52 students from 14 different countries graduated from the MBA program. INSEAD introduced its executive program in 1968 and its Ph.D. program in 1989.
In 2000, the school expanded to Asia with a campus in Singapore and further internationalized with a Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi in 2010. In 2020, a new hub was opened in San Francisco to cater to North American students.
A Glance at INSEAD’s Global Campuses
- France: The main campus in Fontainebleau, near Paris.
- Singapore: Located in the Buona Vista district, just 15 minutes from the financial district.
- Abu Dhabi: Established in 2010, it represents INSEAD’s presence in the Middle East.
Diverse and Enriching Programs at INSEAD
MBA
INSEAD offers a 10-month, fully-accelerated MBA program with intake in January and August. Courses include finance, economics, accounting, business ethics, and marketing, along with 75 elective options. Impressively, 94% of graduates secure employment in their field within three months of graduation.
Global Executive MBA (GEMBA)
Offered at campuses in France, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore for experienced executives, this intensive 14- to 17-month modular program includes group coaching, team activities, and comprehensive assessments. A typical GEMBA class consists of 222 students with an average of 14 years of work experience.
Executive Master in Change
Spanning 18 months with eight modules of 3-4 days each, this program focuses on human behavior and organizational dynamics. Participants aim to increase self-awareness, drive organizational change, and understand organizational behavior deeply. Typically, 30 participants are enrolled per class across France and Singapore campuses.
Executive Master in Finance
Designed for professionals, this 18-month program with six bi-weekly modules is offered on the Asia campus. It allows for about 35 participants with an average of 9.5 years of work experience per cohort.
Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA)
A collaborative effort between INSEAD and Tsinghua University in Beijing, students can pursue this degree at INSEAD’s France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi campuses or at Tsinghua in Beijing.
Ph.D. in Management
The most rigorous degree offered spans five years, preparing students for academic careers in business. The program includes two years of coursework followed by three years dedicated to research and dissertations, with exchange opportunities through The Wharton School in the U.S.
Intake capacity is 18 students per year, encouraging collaboration across academic areas with generous financial support, scholarships, and living allowances.
INSEAD also offers a business foundations certificate through the INSEAD-Sorbonne Université Certificate Programme aimed at recent master’s and doctoral graduates.
Comparing INSEAD to Other Top Business Schools
Based on various publications, including the Financial Times, INSEAD can be ranked as a superior MBA degree compared to some Ivy League schools, including Harvard. In 2023, the Financial Times ranked INSEAD as number two and Harvard as number four for best MBA programs.
Cost of Attending INSEAD
The cost for INSEAD’s August 2023 intake is €97,000, and for January 2024 intake, it is €98,500, excluding living expenses, which add about €25,000 in France.
Is INSEAD an Ivy League School?
No, INSEAD is not part of the Ivy League, as this category is reserved for select U.S. schools. However, INSEAD is recognized as one of the world’s premier business schools.
Conclusion
INSEAD stands out as a top business graduate school with its primary campus in France and additional locations in Singapore, North America, and the Middle East. Offering a broad array of business graduate degrees, INSEAD is a global beacon for aspiring business leaders and executives.
Related Terms: MBA, executive MBA, business education, graduate school, business management.
References
- INSEAD. “About INSEAD. Our Mission, Values, and History”.
- Financial Times. “Business School Rankings”.
- INSEAD. “About INSEAD. From Institute to Institution: 1980s”.
- INSEAD. “About INSEAD. Pioneering Spirit: 1960s”.
- INSEAD. “About INSEAD. A New Vision: 1950s”.
- INSEAD. “The Hub.”
- INSEAD. “The Business School for the World”.
- INSEAD. “About INSEAD. Asia Campus”.
- INSEAD. “Custom Programmes”.
- INSEAD. “Master in Business Administration”.
- INSEAD. “MBA Core Courses”.
- INSEAD. “Elective Courses”.
- INSEAD. “A World of Talent Employment Statistics 2022”.
- INSEAD. “Global Executive MBA”.
- INSEAD. “Executive Master in Change”.
- INSEAD. “Executive Master in Finance”.
- INSEAD. “Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA”.
- INSEAD. “PhD in Management”.
- INSEAD. “Business Foundations Certificate”.
- INSEAD. “Master in Business Administration. Financing”.
