INSEAD for IB?
Hi! Will apply to INSEAD this December for the January 2027 intake (12 months inc. Internship)
Was wondering whether anyone had thoughts or comments re INSEAD placement on IB (BB/EB) for London, Middle East, Singapore, etc. I’m aware LBS has a better placement but I honestly don’t love the school and believe INSEAD is a better pick!
My background is Latam national, with 5 YoE in m&a/strategy and an analyst stint in a BB covering FIG for the region
Any comments would be highly appreciated! Thanks
Based on the most helpful WSO content, INSEAD is a strong MBA program, but its placement strength in Investment Banking (IB) varies depending on the region. Here's a breakdown:
London: While INSEAD does place candidates into IB roles in London, it is generally considered less competitive than LBS for this market. LBS has a stronger presence in London due to its proximity and network within the financial hub. However, INSEAD's alumni network and on-campus recruiting (OCR) can still provide opportunities, especially if you leverage your prior BB experience and network effectively.
Middle East: INSEAD has a solid reputation in the Middle East, and its alumni network is well-established in the region. If you're targeting IB roles here, INSEAD could be a strong choice, especially given its global brand and connections in this market.
Singapore and Southeast Asia: INSEAD has a significant presence in Singapore, with one of its campuses located there. This makes it a strong contender for IB roles in Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia region. The school's network and reputation in this area are robust, and it could provide a competitive edge for placements.
General Placement: INSEAD is traditionally known as a consulting powerhouse, but it has been improving its IB placements over the years. While it may not match LBS in terms of IB-specific electives or London-focused networking, it still offers a global alumni network and strong career services that can help you secure roles in BB/EB firms.
Given your background in M&A/strategy and your BB analyst experience, you already have a strong foundation for transitioning into IB post-MBA. If you prefer INSEAD over LBS, focus on leveraging its global network, career services, and internship opportunities during the program to maximize your chances in your target regions.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/insead-mba-worth-it-for-ib?customgpt=1, INSEAD vs LBS for career switcher into IB, Working Abroad in Investment Banking, Q&A: I am an incoming MBA at INSEAD., Q&A: Investment Banking in Singapore
Been there done that.
What are you doing on this forum? You should be aggressively getting in touch with alumni now
Depends in the region. For London, Insead / LBS (and US M7) are considered super targets and MBA recruiting is exclusively at this level for MBA. Insead generally has a more prestigious name overall, but LBS has more alumni in finance due to self selection - especially in IBD.
For Asia / Middle East, IBD recruiting at the MBA level is much more unstructured (really just a few a year and highly dependent on prior background).
The simple truth is post MBA IBD is much more robust in the U.S. (but of course visa issue exist).
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