Executive MBA

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis so there is no application deadline. However classes can fill up in advance, so early application is advised. You should plan to apply as far in advance as possible as soon as you know your desired start date. Typically, we respond to all applicants within four weeks.

We ask for a total of two letters, written in English. One should come from your company sponsor, while the other should come from an individual 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. In the absence of a company sponsor, an additional reference letter may be substituted.

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.

IMD uses the GMAC® Executive Assessment to help evaluate your readiness for our rigorous EMBA program. (GMAT and GRE are also accepted.) The Admissions Committee may grant Executive Assessment waivers to exceptional candidates who exhibit their general management aptitude and skills through their professional experience and academic background. Please email [email protected] to inquire about this waiver.

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

Yes. IMD is a Swiss-accredited university institute and is triple-accredited by AACSB, EFMD EQUIS, and AMBA. The Executive MBA is a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) degree and consists of 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).

The Executive MBA is a practice-oriented, professionally-focused MAS degree designed for experienced executives aiming to enhance their leadership and strategic capabilities. The degree can serve as a steppingstone for doctoral study, particularly for Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees. In other cases, a traditional academic Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) degree is required for continued doctoral study. For instance, PhD entrance in Switzerland requires a second cycle academic master’s degree.