Last updated: January 2024
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.
Comparison of Master in Management (MIM) vs INSEAD MBA
There are important differences to consider when comparing the two programmes. Here is a comparison chart to help applicants decide, comparing factors such as participant profile, career objectives, programme duration, curriculum, tuition fee, and expected return of investment.
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: August | Two per year: January and August |
| 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 curriculum | 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 in the context of sustainability > 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 | €52,500 (August 2024 intake) > check MIM financing options | €99,500 (August 2024 intake) > check MBA financing options |
| Expected ROI | 97% of graduates received job offers within three months of graduation (2022). The median annual base salary was EUR 66,100 with over half (57%) securing roles in management consulting, followed by Financial Services (18%), Corporate Sectors (13%) and Telecom, Media and Technology (12%). > check MIM Employment Report | 88% of graduates received job offers within three months of graduation (2023). The median annual base salary and median sign-on bonus were at EUR 109,600 and EUR 28,500 respectively; with 70% of the class changing sector, career or function, and 50% changing work country (2023). > check MBA Employment Report |
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 70,000 INSEAD Alumni distributed across nearly 200 countries with more than 160 nationalities, graduates join a prestigious and powerful alumni community of business leaders.
