Programme Overview
Structured for success around courses and research, Europe and Asia
The PhD Programme has been carefully designed to nurture high achievement through a unique international platform. Once you make it through the rigorous selection process, there are exciting challenges ahead. Whether you choose to pursue the degree in France, Singapore or both, after only four to five years at INSEAD, you can look forward to launching an exciting career in academia.
The PhD degree is comprised of four to five years of full-time study. The first two years are dedicated to coursework, while the third to fourth (sometimes fifth) years are dedicated to research and your dissertation.
Your first year at INSEAD consists primarily of courses covering the fundamental disciplines and methodologies of the practice and conduct of research in management.
The second year is concerned with further, in-depth study in your area of specialisation, concluding with a comprehensive field examination.
The third and fourth (and sometimes fifth) years are devoted to research and to dissertation preparation in your chosen field of specialisation, culminating in the submission and defense of the dissertation.
Research is regarded as an integral part of your doctoral training. From an early stage, and throughout your doctoral study, you are encouraged to be actively involved in research activities with faculty members.
INSEAD PhD students are exposed to cutting edge research methodologies and practice through a close working relationship with members of the faculty. The mentorship process enables you to crystallize individual preferences for areas of specialisation and to define dissertation topics.
The Instructed Research Practicum (IRP) consists of you, the student, performing research with an INSEAD faculty member, under the tutoring and supervision of that faculty member, and as part of a specific research project. You get a passing grade for the finalised IRP which must be completed in order for you to qualify for PhD candidacy.
The limited number of students in the programme (we only admit up to 15-20 per year) and the breadth of subjects covered ensure that students receive personal attention and guidance from faculty members throughout their doctoral study. This individualised attention and involved mentorship sets the stage for your success in academia.
