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Degree program

Executive MBA

Admission criteria and application process

Degree program

Executive MBA

Admission criteria and application process

Admission to the Executive MBA

Get ready to join the highest caliber of participants.

A diverse class is an advantage in your EMBA learning experience, so there is no one ‘ideal’ candidate profile. The admission process is designed for us to get to know you and the unique contribution that you can make to the learning environment for the benefit of the whole class.

This is an executive-level program for ambitious individuals aged 35 years or more with at least 10 years of relevant professional work experience, strong management experience, consistent career progression, and outstanding leadership potential.

If you are earlier in your career (age 28-35 with 5-10 years of work experience) and are aiming to earn your EMBA in the future, then you may apply to IMD’s Future Leaders (FL) program, and progress to the EMBA later when all admissions criteria are met. (Please discuss with your program advisor.)

Academic background

You should already hold a recognized undergraduate degree in any field of study (e.g. Bachelor) from an accredited institution (or qualification deemed equivalent).

Work experience

You demonstrate clear career progression, with increasing levels of responsibility for a minimum of 10 years. We look at the breadth and depth of the knowledge you have acquired, and the impact you have made on your organization.

Leadership potential

Are you an effective leader? Do you have what it takes to become one? We look for vision, courage, initiative, maturity, curiosity and self-confidence.

International outlook

In order to maintain the highly international outlook of the IMD Executive MBA program, we look for candidates with cultural sensitivity, time spent living or working outside your own country, international scope of career, and/or knowledge of foreign languages.

English proficiency

English is the language of instruction. You must have a strong command of both written and spoken English. A test it not required, however your level will be assessed throughout the admission process.

Company engagement

Although financial support is a matter to be decided between you and your employer, the EMBA program calls for a serious commitment from both you and your organization, which must be willing to serve as a “laboratory” for your learning. IMD can give you tips and advice on how to pitch a win-win scenario to your company.

Executive assesment

The GMAC® Executive Assessment is used to measure your higher-order reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which helps us evaluate your readiness for our rigorous EMBA program. (GMAT® is also accepted if you have already taken it.)

Application process

Create your account

Get started by filling in a short form to create your personal account and login.

Complete the online application form

This includes uploading your CV and previous academic records/diplomas. From the application platform you’ll also be required to send out your sponsorship (1) and reference (2) requests and pay the application fee (CHF 200.-) before submitting your application.

Executive Assessment

If you have not already done so, plan to complete the GMAT® or GMAC® Executive Assessment. You may request the results be automatically sent to IMD when you register.

Assessment and interview

The Admissions team will complete a preliminary evaluation of your application, and then invite you to an interview (virtual or in person), in order to get to know you better and clarify any points in your application.

Admissions Committee and final decision

The Admissions Committee will complete a holistic review of your application. Candidates that meet the requirements and make a strong impression will receive an offer of admission. Final decisions are usually made within four weeks of receiving a complete application.

“You build relationships for life”

IMD Executive MBA attracts highly engaged, action-driven participants who are looking to have a positive impact on their organization and society, says Program Dean

2:05

Company sponsorship

The Executive MBA program requires a serious commitment both from you and from your employing organization. Sponsorship implies your organization will provide:

Commitment of key stakeholders within the organization including top management to provide time and support for the company-related assignments carried out by the EMBA candidate
Access to information relevant for the company-related assignments
6 to 9 weeks’ time away from the office during the on-campus modules and global immersion weeks (depends on your choice of format)
12 to 15 hours a week for the EMBA candidate to work on distance learning assignments (can be managed between professional and personal time)
Full or partial financial support for tuition fees, travel expenses and compensation during time away from the office (optional)

Why is company sponsorship important?

The Executive MBA is practice-oriented. The learning comes from the discussions and experiences you have while at IMD, combined with your application of the tools and strategies we discuss in the program in your own organization between modules. You’ll have several distance-learning assignments, each one assessing or evaluating some aspect of your company or your industry and determining how best to go forward. The interaction between the classroom and the real world will yield big benefits.

Your company will be the laboratory where you investigate further the possibilities we uncover while you’re at IMD. It is, therefore, essential that you are working and that your company supports your Executive MBA participation. It’s clear you’ll be working while you complete the program, and company support will be vital as you balance the academic and career demands. You’ll need to be free of job responsibilities during the “out of the office” portions of the program, and you’ll need the support of your company for the assignments you’re undertaking on its behalf.

Frequently asked questions

There are multiple starting dates each year, depending on your choice of format, so you should plan to apply as far in advance as possible as soon as you know your desired start date. Classes can fill up even several months in advance of the date it actually starts. Therefore, we recommend that you apply early. Typically, we respond to all applicants within four weeks.

We ask for three letters of recommendation, written in English. One should come from your sponsor, while the other two should come from individuals qualified to comment on your professional achievements and your career potential. The sponsor’s letter should be completed by an executive who personally knows you and is familiar with the company’s future plans for you.

One of our key criteria in deciding whether to accept someone to the Executive MBA program is whether they will be able to contribute to the learning of everyone else in the class. The letters of recommendation provide an indication of your personality, your business achievements, and your leadership capabilities, and as such are a critical part of the application. All information provided in the recommendation letter will be kept strictly confidential.

To make it more convenient for your referees, simply send them the reference request form that you will find in the online application portal.

Candidates may be asked to come to IMD for an interview or to take part in a telephone or virtual interview. If an interview is required, you will be notified after we review your completed application. The Admissions Committee will conduct your interview and will make a final decision afterward.

Absolutely! We encourage you to visit to learn more about the school and the Executive MBA program. We endeavor to provide campus tours, and classroom visits whenever feasible, and can certainly arrange a meeting with either the program director or the program manager. You are welcome to visit at any time in the process.

In fact, we highly recommend that you come and see us before you submit your application. This can help you decide if the school and the program are right for you, and it can help us determine together if you are likely to be right for the program. Check the website for the dates of our class visit opportunities.

A deposit of CHF 10,000 is required upon signing your offer of admission to confirm you place in the program. The remainder of the fees are payable in instalments over the duration of your selected program format, and due within 30 days of the invoice date. Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.

Up to six weeks before the program start date, a Program Coordinator will contact you with information about pre-program preparation and hotel accommodation. Please note that IMD reserves enough rooms for each participant on the program. If accepted, you understand that you must be completely free of professional duties while attending this program and that you must attend all scheduled sessions and activities.

If you are admitted to the Executive MBA program but find that you are unable to attend, you must notify IMD in writing to either cancel or transfer to the next available session. In the case of cancellation, the CHF 10,000 deposit, plus any fees paid for program modules that have already started, is non-refundable. Additional cancellation and transfer fees may apply, as described below.

Whether you transfer or cancel before Foundations for Business Leadership (FBL), before Advanced Management Concepts (AMC) or before the mastery stage, the conditions are the same:

Up to 6 weeks before starting

Cancellation: No cancellation fee.
Transfer: No transfer fee.

From 6 weeks up to 11 days before starting

Cancellation fee: 50% of the FBL, AMC or mastery stage fee.
Transfer fee: 20% of the FBL, AMC or mastery stage fee.

Within 10 days before starting

Cancellation fee: 100% of the FBL, AMC or mastery stage fee.
Transfer fee: 100% of the FBL, AMC or mastery stage fee.

IMD Open program cancellation & transfer policy

Up to 6 weeks before start	From 6 weeks up to 11 days before start	Within 10 days before start	Program start
Cancellation Full refund	Cancellation 50% fee	Cancellation 100% fee	Cancellation 100% fee
Transfer No fee	Transfer 20% fee	Transfer 100% fee	Transfer 100% fee
Substitution No fee	Substitution No fee	Substitution No fee

Let’s talk

Schedule a call with a Program Advisor to discuss your career goals and see if this is the right program for you.

Join an EMBA event

Meet the team during a Masterclass or an online information session. The IMD EMBA team looks forward to talking with you.