Advancing Women's Leadership: Scholarships and Support at INSEAD

At INSEAD, we are committed to promoting diversity and supporting women in their educational and professional journeys. We provide a variety of scholarships aimed specifically at women, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of their academic and career ambitions. 

Here’s an overview of the women’s scholarships available at INSEAD and the comprehensive support system in place to help female students thrive.

Number and types of scholarships

We offer numerous scholarship opportunities across all our programmes. For the INSEAD MBA programme specifically, we have 16 scholarships dedicated to women. Additionally, INSEAD is part of the Forté Foundation, which supports women in business education.

Our diverse range of scholarships cater to different backgrounds and career aspirations, including:

•    Groupe Galeries Lafayette Endowed Scholarship for Women: for women in retail
•    Christina Law MBA‘91D Endowed Scholarship for Asian Women: supporting female students from Asian countries
•    Piet and Wina Van Waeyenberge Family Endowed Scholarship: for women Engineers, encouraging women with engineering backgrounds to pursue an MBA
•    Merit scholarships for women leaders

These scholarships are designed to ensure that women from various fields have access to financial support for their educational journey.

Eligibility criteria, competitiveness and selection process

Eligibility for women’s scholarships at INSEAD generally falls into two categories:

•    Need-based scholarships: awarded based on the financial need of the applicant
•    Merit-based scholarships: awarded based on the applicant's academic and professional achievements

Some scholarships are also awarded on the spot, broadening the opportunities for prospective students.

The selection process for women’s scholarships at INSEAD is competitive. For merit-based scholarships, financial need is also considered, ensuring a comprehensive review of each applicant's circumstances and achievements.

Additional resources and support

Beyond financial aid, INSEAD offers extensive support for female students:

•    Women in Business Club: provides a platform for networking and mentorship
•    Career Services: offers dedicated support to help women navigate their career paths
•    INSEAD Gender Initiative: aims to empower women and promote gender equality in business

Advice for prospective female students

Prospective students can stay informed about the latest women’s scholarships through our website. We also provide access to global loans and have negotiated loan programmes with national banks in Singapore and France, offering several resources to fund education.

We are continually expanding our scholarship programmes. With the support of alumni donations, we introduce approximately a dozen new scholarships each year, targeting various backgrounds and needs.

Prospective female students are encouraged to thoroughly explore INSEAD's scholarship options. Sharing their experiences, achievements, and contributions to other women’s success in their applications can significantly bolster their chances of receiving a scholarship. Highlighting leadership skills and efforts to break the glass ceiling is also beneficial.

Strategic application

Applicants are advised to apply for a maximum of five scholarships and consider loans as part of their financial planning. It is essential to come in with a well-thought-out budget and plan for financing their education. 

Prospective students should adjust their budgets before starting the programme and ensure they do not overborrow, leveraging loans solely based on their post-graduation plans.