ININSEAD Business School is one the top global business schools with campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is ranked 4th in the Global Top MBA Rankings 2025 in Financial Times.
In Europe and worldwide INSEAD is the most well-known business school and provides the most prestigious MBA program. In the space of five decades, INSEAD has developed from an entrepreneurial venture to an internationally regarded institution.
Around the world and over the decades, INSEAD continues to conduct cutting edge research and to innovate across all our programmes to provide business leaders with the knowledge and sensitivity to operate anywhere.
INSEAD has a rolling admission cycle and has four rounds of MBA application deadlines. Every year a number of candidates apply to INSEAD and out of them only 875 (both intake) get admission into the INSEAD one year MBA program. As you can easily guess, getting into INSEAD is certainly going to be a challenging process. We provide you with INSEAD interview tips that will help you get better equipped to face the challenge. Our experienced INSEAD admission experts will provide you with practical INSEAD interview tips that will take you one-step closer to your success with your INSEAD application. For preparing the below set of INSEAD MBA essays questions.
Key points for INSEAD:
Global Immersion: With campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, INSEAD offers a truly global perspective, fostering cultural understanding and cross-border collaboration.
Accelerated Curriculum: The 10-month program is designed for fast-paced learning and rapid career advancement.
Diverse Cohort: INSEAD attracts a diverse student body from over 80 nationalities, creating a rich learning environment and a strong global network.
Sustainability Focus: INSEAD integrates sustainability into its curriculum, preparing students to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Career Development: The dedicated Career Development Center provides comprehensive support, helping students achieve their career goals.
INSEAD MBA Requirements:
As per the INSEAD official website, the following are a few essential qualities that the admissions committee look for MBA applicants:
- Excellent academic accomplishment and ability to contribute to the INSEAD community.
- A profile that reflects outstanding professional experience and career progression.
- Leadership potential and international motivation.
- GMAT or GRE test scores
- Interpersonal skills and personality
- A clear vision regarding their career goals and how INSEAD MBA can help them achieve them.
INSEAD MBA ESSAYS FOR 2025-26
Essay 1
Briefly summarize your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words, maximum)
Essay 2
What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words, maximum)
Essay 3
Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words, maximum)
Essay 4
Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words, maximum)
Optional Essay
If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme. (optional)
Personal Essay 1
Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (500 words).
Personal Essay 2
Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned (400 words).
Personal Essay 3
Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (300 words)
Optional Essay
Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words)
Recent Successful Admits
How much does it cost you to pursue an MBA at INSEAD?
We have put together all the details you would need to estimate the cost of an MBA education at INSEAD.
| Tuition | EUR 107,600 (for January 2026 intake) |
| Housing | EUR 11,000 |
| Meals | EUR 6,000 |
| Books | EUR 1,000 |
| Transportation | EUR 730 |
| Miscellaneous | EUR 9,400 |
| Total | EUR 131,630 |
Class profile INSEAD MBA Class of 2024
| Class size | 1000 |
| International students | 95% |
| Average work experience | 5.5 years |
| Average GMAT | 710 |
| Average Age | 29 |
| Gender | 38% women |
Admitted to INSEAD and Judge Business School
- Snigdha, MBA Class of 2024
| Name | Snigdha |
| GMAT Score | 730 |
| Work EXP | 48 months |
| Admitted To | INSEAD and Judge Business School |
“I’m delighted to share my MBA admissions success story! With a GMAT score of 730 and 4 years of work experience, I secured admits to both INSEAD and Cambridge Judge Business School, thanks to GenEdMBA’s exceptional consulting services.
Working with Anirvan was truly transformative. His personalized guidance throughout the application process helped me craft compelling essays and prepare thoroughly for the interviews. The detailed feedback and strategic insights he provided were invaluable in highlighting my unique strengths to the admissions committees.
What sets GenEdMBA apart is their deep understanding of what top business schools look for in candidates. Their structured approach helped me present my story authentically while meeting the high standards of elite MBA programs.
I wholeheartedly recommend GenEdMBA’s admission consulting services to anyone aspiring for world-class business education. They played a crucial role in turning my MBA dreams into reality.”
INSEAD MBA – FAQ’s
Q. Does INSEAD accept GRE scores?
A. Yes, INSEAD considers both GRE and GMAT scores for MBA admissions. Applicants are encouraged to aim for GRE scores in the 80th percentile or higher for quantitative and verbal sections. The average GRE score among recent admits is approximately 323.
Q. What GMAT score should I target for INSEAD?
A. A strong GMAT score for INSEAD is typically 710 or above. For the 2024 intake, the average GMAT score was 710, with most successful applicants scoring between 670 and 750. INSEAD suggests aiming for at least the 60th percentile in the Verbal section and the 66th percentile in both Quantitative and Data Insights sections.Q. Are scholarships available at INSEAD?
A. INSEAD offers a variety of scholarships to admitted MBA students, including merit-based, need-based, and diversity scholarships. You can apply for these scholarships after receiving an admission offer or being shortlisted for an interview. Scholarship awards can cover up to 50% of tuition fees, and there are more than 50 options available, each with its own criteria and deadlines.
Q. What kind of work experience does INSEAD require?
A. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of full-time, postgraduate work experience to be eligible for the MBA program. The average work experience for the current class is about six years, though most students have between two and ten years of experience. Please note that internships and training positions do not count toward the full-time work requirement.
Q. What is the typical profile of an INSEAD MBA student?
A. A typical INSEAD MBA candidate has:
- An average GMAT score around 710
- Approximately 5.8 to 6 years of professional experience
- Demonstrated international exposure, leadership skills, and a collaborative mindset
Q. How long does the INSEAD MBA program last?
A. The INSEAD MBA is an intensive, full-time program that lasts for 10 months.
Q. What are the career prospects and salary outcomes after graduating from INSEAD?
A. INSEAD graduates enjoy strong employment outcomes, with 88% of the 2022–2023 class receiving at least one job offer within three months of graduation. The average annual salary reported was €113,400, and the median sign-on bonus was €28,500.
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