Last updated: March 2021
One of the most common questions our recruitment team helps to answer every day is whether applicants should consider the Master in Management (MIM) or MBA programme.
Both programmes offer a general approach to business topics, covering all areas of business. Both the MIM and the MBA feature an accelerated curriculum with exposure to INSEAD’s campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Taught in English by INSEAD’s world-class faculty and firmly anchored in INSEAD’s core values of business as a force for good, the MIM and MBA programmes prepare graduates for making a positive impact on business and society.
However, there are important differences to consider when comparing the two programmes. Here is a comparison chart to help applicants find their way:
MIM
|
MBA |
|
| Who Should Apply? | Students in their last year of graduate studies or recent graduates with up to two years of postgraduate work experience | Professionals who already have two to 10 years of work experience after graduation |
| Career Objectives | Looking to start a career in business-related sectors or functions | Seeking change or upwards movement in industry, role, work country |
| Duration | 10 months with an additional 4-6 months professional exposure | 10 months |
| Intake | One per year: September | Two per year: January and September |
| Curriculum |
Wide range of fundamental business topics that equip you with the knowledge needed to launch a global career Practicals (experiential learning blocks), allowing students to apply their newly acquired skills, and gain practical experience on typical tasks for post-MIM jobs Skills workshops to refine abilities that are in high demand in the job market: data visualisation, data analysis, programming, soft skills Capstone bootcamp to integrate business learning in the context of real sustainability challenges > More on the MIM curriclum |
Robust foundation of key management disciplines preparing you for a role as a business leader Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP) to achieve excellence in personal and interpersonal awareness, as well as communication effectiveness Capstone project to integrate the most important core learnings and master a realistic general management challenge > More on the MBA curriculum |
| Campuses |
Everyone starts together in Fontainebleau and changes over to Singapore for the final two modules, with field trips available to Abu Dhabi, China or the US |
You can start in either Singapore or Fontainebleau, and most students switch campuses during the programme to experience both, or opt to participate in a field trip to Abu Dhabi |
| Tuition |
€49,000 (September 2021 intake) > check MIM tuition fee |
€89,000 (September 2021 intake) > check MBA tuition fee |
| Expected ROI |
Students have access to a dedicated career coach and the Career Development Centre (CDC) will also accompany MIMs throughout their job search journey. As a guideline, the average starting salary for a MIM graduate is around €68,000. The INSEAD MIM's 10-month curriculum gets graduates to the job market quickly as opposed to some programmes that require two or three years, pushing the ROI down because of heavier living costs and postponed entry into the job market. |
91% of graduates received job offers within three months of graduation (2019). The median annual base salary and median sign-on bonus were at US$ 109,800 and US$ 27,000 respectively; with 78% of the class changing sector, career or function, and 51% changing work country (2019). |
Both the INSEAD MBA and INSEAD MIM will equip students with the necessary time management and prioritising skills, as well as the precious experience of working and learning in an extremely diverse group of people. This makes INSEAD graduates recognised by recruiters for their adaptability and open-mindedness. All of these are invaluable skills in today’s globalised work environment.
With currently more than 61,000 INSEAD Alumni distributed across 176 countries with 163 nationalities, graduates join a prestigious and powerful alumni community of business leaders.
