IMD

Lausanne, Switzerland · Private · 1-year full-time MBA (January-December, Lausanne)

Average GMAT Focus: 615
Class size: 90 (Class of 2026)
Program tuition: CHF 96,648 (full program, before CHF 17,500 mandatory fees)

Deadlines

Deadline 1 (January 2027 intake): Feb. 3, 2026
Deadline 2 (January 2027 intake; assessment days 27-28 Mar on campus / 31 Mar online): March 17, 2026
Deadline 3 (January 2027 intake; assessment days 18 May online / 22-23 May on campus): May 5, 2026
Deadline 4 (January 2027 intake; assessment days 24 Jul online / 7-8 Aug on campus): July 14, 2026
Deadline 5 (January 2027 intake; assessment days 25 Sep online / 2-3 Oct on campus): Sept. 15, 2026
Deadline 6 (January 2027 intake; assessment days 23 Oct online / 30-31 Oct on campus): Oct. 13, 2026

Essays

MBA5 Scholarship essay (CHF 50,000) (750 words)

As an IMD MBA5 scholarship recipient, how can you contribute to the learning experience of your class and make an impact beyond graduation?

Nestlé Scholarship for Women essay (CHF 40,000) (750 words)

Building a diverse and inclusive workplace requires the participation and accountability of each member of the organization. What would you recommend as ways for Nestlé to better foster allyship amongst employees?

BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women essay (full funding) (500 words, plus a 90-120 second video)

What pressing challenge, whether in your community or more broadly, are you most passionate about addressing? How do you think a BackPack-supported MBA at IMD will enable you to contribute to addressing that challenge?

Editor's notes

If you're aiming at January 2027, Oct. 13, 2026, is your only deadline left, with an assessment day on Oct. 23 (online) or Oct. 30-31 (campus). Scholarships are awarded until the money runs out, so the later you apply, the less may be left. If your file isn't ready, the next intake is the smarter play.
The assessment day carries more weight here than an interview does at most schools. You'll do individual and group tasks alongside the interview, IMD judges your English there, and scholarship criteria list assessment-day performance by name. Prepare for how you work with strangers under time pressure, not only for your answers.
You get one recommender, so choose carefully. IMD wants someone business-related who has worked directly with you and can speak to teamwork and leadership. They need a professional email address, and IMD asks for their details at least two weeks before your deadline.
Small class, older class. Ninety students, six years' average experience, 34 nationalities. The resume has to be one page on IMD's own template, and it does much of the work essays do elsewhere, so every line should show progression and international exposure.

IMD