INSEAD Europe and Asia Campuses
Discover whether the INSEAD PhD is right for you. Explore our programme at our upcoming recruiting events for the mid-August 2027 intake.
Visit https://inse.ad/phd/events for more details.
INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and most diverse business schools, with campuses in Fontainebleau (France), Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. The PhD in Management is offered across our campuses in Europe (France) and Asia (Singapore), bringing together world-class faculty, a vibrant research culture, and a uniquely international community of scholars.
We are now recruiting 16–18 doctoral candidates for our mid-August 2027 intake. The INSEAD PhD in Management is designed for intellectually curious individuals committed to producing original, high-impact research and pursuing a career in business academia.
Areas of Specialisation
Applicants may apply to one of the following specialisations:
- Accounting and Control
- Decision Sciences
- Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise
- Finance
- Marketing
- Organisational Behaviour
- Strategy
- Technology and Operations Management
A background in business or management is not required. We welcome applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines, including economics, psychology, sociology, engineering, and the general sciences.
More information about the specialisations at https://inse.ad/phd-academic-areas
Programme Structure (5 Years)
Years 1–2: Coursework and Research Training
- Core and advanced courses in your specialisation
- Research paper requirements and practicum
- Mandatory campus exchange between Singapore and France
- Field comprehensive examination
Years 3–5: PhD Candidacy and Dissertation
- Research proposal development and defence
- Advisor selection and ongoing supervision
- Job market preparation and global academic job search
- Dissertation defence and graduation
Throughout the Programme
- Teaching practicum, seminars, workshops, and international conferences
- Annual performance reviews and professional development
More information about the Programme Structure at https://inse.ad/phd-programme-structure
Scholarship and Funding
All admitted candidates, regardless of nationality or background, receive a competitive, five-year funding that includes:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Annual stipend covering accommodation and living expenses
- Research and conference travel budget
- Comprehensive international health insurance
Funding is renewed annually based on satisfactory academic progress.
Full details on financing: https://inse.ad/phd-financing
Research Environment and Benefits
- Mentorship from a world-class, research-active faculty
- Dual-campus structure: study in Singapore or France, with a mandatory cross-campus exchange
- Strategic research alliance with The Wharton School (PhD Exchange Programme), University of Pennsylvania
- Access to the state-of-the-art behavioural research lab at Sorbonne Université, Paris, through a formal partnership
- INSEAD’s global alumni and industry network
- Strong placement record: graduates consistently secure faculty positions at leading business schools worldwide
Who Should Apply
We are looking for candidates who are:
- Passionate about research and driven to make a scholarly contribution to their chosen field
- Motivated to pursue an academic career as a management professor
- Intellectually curious and able to work both independently and collaboratively
- Strong communicators, with solid analytical and critical-thinking skills
- Holders of at least an undergraduate degree (a 3-year bachelor’s degree from any discipline is accepted)
A master’s qualification is advantageous but not required. Prior research experience is beneficial but not a prerequisite. Several candidates have gained research skills and knowledge through their industry roles, including as consultants and CRM/data analytics professionals.
Application Requirements
- Online application form; Online application opens in September 2026.
- CV (1–2 pages), covering academic and professional background
- Statement of Purpose (1,500 words): outline your research interests, academic goals, and reasons for choosing INSEAD. You may reference potential faculty collaborators, but a formal research proposal is not required at this stage.
- Official academic transcripts (translated into English if not in English or French)
- Three letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic referee; industry references are accepted)
- Valid GMAT or GRE score (classic or new format; must be less than five years old)
- TOEFL score, if your undergraduate or graduate degree was not taught exclusively in English;
- Application fee: € 80 per area of specialisation
An asynchronous one-way recorded interview is required after submitting the online application. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a live interview between late January and the end of March 2027.
Apply here: https://inse.ad/phd-apply-2027
Admissions information: https://inse.ad/phd/admissions
Key Dates
- Applications open: first week of September 2026
- Preferred deadline: 15 December 2026
- Final deadline: Monday, 04 January 2027, 11:59 pm CET
- One-way recorded interview deadline: Wednesday, 06 January 2027, 11:59 pm CET
- Live interviews: late January – end of March 2027
Pre-Doctoral and Research Opportunities at INSEAD
Not yet ready to apply for the PhD? INSEAD also offers pre-doctoral and research assistant positions, providing hands-on exposure to faculty-led research. The Research Talent Team accepts spontaneous applications throughout the year and invites candidates to visit https://www.insead.edu/working-at-insead/faqs to learn more about these opportunities and contact them.
Learn More and Get in Touch
• PhD Programme overview
• Why the INSEAD PhD?
• PhD Recruitment events and schedule
• Contact us
