Executive Master of Business Administration [EMBA]
Field of Study:
₹1.3 Cr/Yr
IMD Executive MBA is a part-time modular MAS degree of 20 months or more, delivered through Lausanne, online and international modules. Applicants need a recognised bachelor degree, at least 10 years of work experience, strong English and leadership progression. Total tuition for the April 2027 intake is CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore).
The programme trains senior managers to convert strategy, leadership and digital change into applied company projects while they keep working. It best fits Indian executives who already manage teams or budgets and can secure employer support for module travel, assignment access and six weeks away from work.
- The April and September entry points let sponsored Indian executives match admission timing with company approval cycles.
- Up to five electives allow participants to shape the degree around AI, finance, sustainability, board governance or family business.
- The cohort profile is senior, with IMD reporting 17 plus average years of experience and 41 plus average age.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the April 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: No fixed deadline published; IMD recommends starting by 25 October 2026.
IMD assesses EMBA files on a rolling basis, so the practical risk is class capacity rather than a single cutoff. Indian applicants should begin six months before 25 April 2027 because company sponsorship, references and Swiss visa processing can overlap.
Also Check: IMD admissions guide for Indian students
IMD Executive MBA Fees and Living Costs 2027
IMD publishes a single EMBA tuition figure for the April 2027 and September 2027 applicant window. The fee is not an annual rate, so Indian applicants should read it against staged cash calls and travel exposure.
Target-cycle context: IMD lists the EMBA tuition as CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore) for the current admissions page. Travel and living expenses in Lausanne or international modules are not included in that tuition.
| Fee component | Amount in CHF | INR equivalent | Applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | CHF 150 | INR 17,336 | Paid before submission. |
| Non-refundable deposit | CHF 10,000 | INR 11.56 Lakhs | Due within two weeks of confirmation. |
| Foundation stage instalment | CHF 40,000 | INR 46.23 Lakhs | Due by 27 February 2027. |
| Advanced stage instalment | CHF 35,000 | INR 40.45 Lakhs | Due by 31 August 2028. |
| Elective stage instalment | CHF 40,000 | INR 46.23 Lakhs | Due by 31 May 2028. |
| Total tuition | CHF 125,000 | INR 1.44 Crore | Covers tuition, teaching materials, coffee breaks and weekday lunch on the Lausanne campus. |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of CHF 1 = INR 115.57 as of 26 September 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: IMD EMBA admissions page.
- The CHF 10,000 deposit (INR 11.56 Lakhs) becomes the first liquidity test because it is due soon after admission.
- The foundation instalment falls before the April 2027 start, so employer reimbursement timing matters as much as admission timing.
- IMD includes weekday lunch on the Lausanne campus, but travel, accommodation and international module living costs remain separate.
Cost of Living in Lausanne for EMBA Students
IMD does not publish a complete EMBA living budget, so the city benchmark below uses EPFL official foreign-student costs for Lausanne. This benchmark is useful for Indian applicants who will stay locally for modules, but it is not an IMD billed fee.
Lausanne benchmark: EPFL lists total foreign-student living expenses at CHF 2,107 (INR 2.44 Lakhs) monthly and CHF 25,219 (INR 29.15 Lakhs) yearly, excluding tuition.
| Expense | Monthly CHF | Monthly INR | Yearly CHF | Yearly INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplies | CHF 100 | INR 11,557 | CHF 1,200 | INR 1.39 Lakhs |
| Housing | CHF 900 | INR 1.04 Lakhs | CHF 10,800 | INR 12.48 Lakhs |
| Residence tax | CHF 37 | INR 4,276 | CHF 444 | INR 51,313 |
| Food | CHF 600 | INR 69,342 | CHF 7,200 | INR 8.32 Lakhs |
| Health insurance | CHF 113 to CHF 120 | INR 13,059 to INR 13,868 | CHF 1,400 | INR 1.62 Lakhs |
| Personal liability insurance | CHF 10 | INR 1,156 | CHF 120 | INR 13,868 |
| Transport | CHF 60 | INR 6,934 | CHF 720 | INR 83,210 |
| Radio and television fee | CHF 30 | INR 3,467 | CHF 335 | INR 38,716 |
| Other expenses | CHF 250 | INR 28,893 | CHF 3,000 | INR 3.47 Lakhs |
| Total living benchmark | CHF 2,107 | INR 2.44 Lakhs | CHF 25,219 | INR 29.15 Lakhs |
A planning illustration that combines IMD tuition with one year of Lausanne living costs gives CHF 150,219 (INR 1.74 Crore). Indian applicants should not treat this as the final EMBA budget because flights, hotels outside Lausanne and global immersion travel are variable.
Read More: cost of living in Switzerland for Indian students
Budget note
The EMBA is designed for working executives, so the largest risk is not full-time living in Lausanne. The higher risk is having enough liquid funding for early tuition instalments, module travel and employer reimbursement delays.
ROI reality: The confirmed tuition is CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore), before travel and living costs. Indian applicants should secure employer time support and funding approval before using the rolling application route.
IMD Executive MBA Admission 2027
Admission is built around senior leadership readiness, not a published GPA cutoff. For Indian applicants, the key test is whether a bachelor degree, career progression and employer context can support applied company assignments.
Available 2027 Intakes
IMD lists two current EMBA start dates, and both are part-time modular routes. The April intake is the target cycle because it is the earliest future intake open on the research date.
| Intake | Published start date | Mode | Application status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring intake | 25 April 2027 | Part-time modular | Rolling applications open |
| Autumn intake | 19 September 2027 | Part-time modular | Rolling applications open |
Academic and Professional Eligibility
The academic requirement is broad, but the professional threshold is specific. IMD expects a recognised undergraduate degree and at least 10 years of relevant work experience with clear progression.
Indian degree context: IMD does not publish a minimum Indian percentage or CGPA. A recognised Indian bachelor degree is reviewed for equivalence by IMD during admission.
| Requirement | IMD rule | Indian applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Academic background | Recognised undergraduate degree in any field or equivalent qualification | A recognised Indian bachelor degree can fit, but IMD decides official equivalence. |
| Work experience | At least 10 years of work experience with clear career progression | Leadership scope, budget ownership or team responsibility should be visible in the CV. |
| Leadership potential | Vision, courage, initiative, maturity, curiosity and self-confidence | Essays and interview examples should show executive judgement, not only title growth. |
| International outlook | Cultural sensitivity, international scope or foreign-language exposure | Cross-border clients, global teams or regional assignments can strengthen the file. |
| Executive Assessment | GMAC Executive Assessment is used, with waiver review possible | Applicants should ask IMD about a waiver only when senior experience clearly proves readiness. |
English Language and Test Scores
IMD teaches the EMBA in English and requires strong written and spoken command. It does not require IELTS, TOEFL or PTE scores for the EMBA, because English is assessed throughout admission.
| Test or route | Published EMBA policy | Action for Indian applicants |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | No formal test required | Use the interview and written application to prove executive-level English. |
| TOEFL | No formal test required | No 2027 TOEFL score scale is published because IMD does not require the test. |
| PTE | No formal test required | Submit only if IMD later asks for supporting proof. |
| Executive Assessment | 90-minute GMAC assessment covering verbal, quantitative and integrated reasoning skills | Plan preparation unless IMD confirms a waiver in writing. |
- Indian applicants from English-medium workplaces should still prepare concise leadership stories for the interview.
- The Executive Assessment route matters most when the academic transcript is old or not quantitatively strong.
- Because the cohort is senior, admission evidence should show current executive responsibility rather than future management promise.
Fit note
The curriculum depends on in-company assignments, so applicants between roles or without company access need a clear plan. That issue can affect fit even when the degree and experience requirements are met.
Tip for Indian students: The strongest profile evidence is 10 plus years of progression with current leadership scope. A test waiver request should be backed by role depth, not by seniority alone.
IMD Executive MBA Application 2027
IMD uses rolling assessment for the EMBA, so the current cycle has no fixed application deadline. The practical application strategy is to work backward from the chosen start date and the four-week decision window.
Planning context: IMD recommends starting the application at least six months before the desired start date. For April 2027, that means beginning by 25 October 2026, although it is not a deadline.
| Intake | Published start date | Fixed deadline | Recommended application start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | 25 April 2027 | No fixed deadline published | 25 October 2026, based on IMD six-month guidance |
| Autumn 2027 | 19 September 2027 | No fixed deadline published | 19 March 2027, based on IMD six-month guidance |
Application Steps
The process moves from account creation to document upload, assessment, interview and committee review. Indian applicants should sequence references and sponsorship early because the portal requires reference or sponsorship requests before submission.
| Step | What IMD asks for | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Create account | Short form for personal account and login | Use the same email for advisor contact and portal tracking. |
| Complete application | CV, previous academic records and diplomas | Collect degree certificates, transcripts and role evidence before opening reference requests. |
| References or sponsorship | Two total requests through the application platform | Choose one sponsor or senior referee who can confirm company support. |
| Executive Assessment | GMAC Executive Assessment unless IMD grants a waiver | Book the test early if waiver evidence is uncertain. |
| Interview | Virtual or in-person interview after preliminary evaluation | Prepare examples from current business problems and team leadership. |
| Final decision | Usually within four weeks of a complete application | Align admission timing with the deposit and employer reimbursement process. |
The April 2027 applicant should treat 25 October 2026 as the latest sensible start point, not as a portal cutoff. A stronger plan is to finish the Executive Assessment decision, references and employer support before that date.
- Start sponsorship conversations before submission because IMD expects serious employer engagement for applied assignments.
- Keep the interview evidence current because IMD evaluates the contribution a candidate can make to the cohort.
- Use the four-week decision norm to schedule visa, deposit and travel decisions after the file is complete.
Applicants can submit the official form through the IMD application portal after documents, references and payment are ready.
Timing note
A rolling cycle rewards readiness, not speed alone. Indian applicants should apply when the sponsor letter, test plan and company assignment access are coherent enough for interview discussion.
Application tip: For the 25 April 2027 intake, complete the file around the six-month planning point. The rolling system can close seats before a formal deadline exists.
IMD Executive MBA Scholarships 2027
IMD publishes limited EMBA scholarship options, but the awards are partial and based on merit plus financial need. Indian applicants should therefore treat scholarship support as a reduction, not as a core funding plan.
Current published rule: IMD says EMBA scholarships average 10 percent and are deducted from the overall tuition fee. Awards are made on a rolling basis while funds remain available.
| Scholarship | Published value | Eligibility focus | Application route |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMD EMBA Women Leaders Scholarship | Partial scholarship, 10 percent average across EMBA awards | Female leaders with professional achievements and gender or viewpoint diversity impact | Scholarship application in the EMBA application form |
| IMD EMBA Diversity Scholarship | Partial scholarship, 10 percent average across EMBA awards | Exceptional candidates who increase professional and cultural heterogeneity | Scholarship application in the EMBA application form |
| IMD EMBA Excellence Scholarship | Partial scholarship, 10 percent average across EMBA awards | Leadership and professional achievement | Scholarship application in the EMBA application form |
Because funds are awarded on a rolling basis, the scholarship question belongs inside the admission timeline. An Indian applicant targeting April 2027 should submit a complete scholarship case with the EMBA application, not after an offer.
- Use financial-need evidence to explain why partial support changes the ability to attend.
- Match the scholarship category to a concrete leadership record instead of a broad diversity statement.
- Keep company sponsorship active because even a scholarship leaves most tuition and travel costs unfunded.
Check Out: IMD profile and programme options
Funding note
IMD does not publish fixed EMBA scholarship amounts for each category. Applicants should preserve the official percentage language and avoid building a net tuition plan until an award is confirmed.
Scholarship reality: The published EMBA scholarship support is partial and rolling. Indian applicants need employer funding, savings or loans even when the scholarship case is strong.
IMD Executive MBA Salary 2027
IMD reports EMBA career impact mainly as advancement, responsibility change and salary movement. That evidence fits the programme design because participants keep working and often use the degree for senior role progression.
Evidence scope: The class movement figures are for the EMBA class of 2022, surveyed two years after graduation. The salary figure is a Financial Times 2025 business-school ranking measure, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
| Career evidence | Reported figure | Scope | Decision meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced into new roles or greater responsibilities | 71 percent | EMBA class of 2022, two-year survey | Best read as leadership movement after the degree. |
| C-level positions | 3 times more | EMBA class of 2022, two-year survey | Signals seniority movement, not a placement promise. |
| Changed industry or sector | 20 percent | EMBA class of 2022, two-year survey | Shows pivot possibility for experienced managers. |
| Increased salary | 72 percent | EMBA class of 2022, two-year survey | Useful for funding discussions with employers. |
| Average salary three years after graduation | US$ 327,000 (INR 3.13 Crore) | Financial Times Business School Rankings 2025 | External ranking benchmark, not a typical offer. |
Source: IMD EMBA career page.
The reported FT salary is US$ 327,000 (INR 3.13 Crore), using US$ 1 = INR 95.82 as of 26 September 2026. Gross salary can translate into very different take-home pay, so applicants should use an official destination-country tax calculator before accepting an offer.
ROI for Indian Executives
The tuition commitment is CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore), before travel and living costs. ROI is strongest when the applicant can apply assignments inside a current employer, negotiate sponsorship or move into larger responsibility without leaving income for full-time study.
- The confirmed tuition is high, so applicants need a written employer-support plan before treating scholarship funds as available.
- The 71 percent advancement figure supports a progression case when the current role already has senior leadership scope.
- The 20 percent sector-change figure shows pivot access, but career-switch applicants should test target-sector demand before enrolling.
- The FT salary benchmark is global and gross, so India-return applicants should compare it with local executive compensation bands.
IMD also lists 131 plus global companies as EMBA participant sponsors. That proves company engagement in the programme, but it should not be read as a recruiter list or hiring guarantee.
Career evidence note
The strongest published evidence is career movement among experienced executives, not campus placement. Indian applicants should map the degree to internal promotion, sponsored succession or a targeted senior-role move.
ROI reality: The EMBA can be rational for an Indian executive when company support and senior-role access are already visible. It is financially risky as a self-funded speculative career pivot.
Switzerland Visa for IMD Executive MBA Students 2027
Indian students staying in Switzerland for more than 90 days use the national D visa route, and the India checklist lists a €90 fee (INR 9,844). The Swiss representation forwards the file to cantonal authorities, and published processing time is about 8 to 12 weeks.
- Non-EU students may work only after six months of study, for up to 15 hours weekly during term.
- Swiss graduates from higher education get six months after completion to seek work that matches their qualifications.
- After graduation, a Swiss employer still needs work authorisation, with salary and conditions customary for the sector.
- Family plans need canton-specific review because student family reunification is not automatic and requires adequate housing and funds.
Read More: student visa process for Indian applicants
Visa reality: The Swiss pathway gives a six-month job-search period, not an automatic post-study work permit. Indian EMBA candidates should treat employer sponsorship and sector fit as the real immigration test.
IMD Executive MBA Ranking 2027
The relevant programme-specific ranking is the Financial Times Executive MBA ranking. IMD reports that the EMBA ranked #26 worldwide and #13 in Europe in the 2025 edition.
Ranking matters for signalling in employer-funded executive education, but it should not replace fit checks. The stronger decision point is whether the modular structure and applied assignments match the applicant career problem.
| Ranking body | Edition | Published IMD EMBA position | Decision meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Times Executive MBA ranking | 2025 | #26 worldwide | Programme-specific global recognition for EMBA applicants. |
| Financial Times Executive MBA ranking | 2025 | #13 in Europe | Useful for Indian executives comparing European modular EMBAs. |
| Financial Times Executive MBA ranking | 2025 | Global top 30 for the 22nd consecutive year | Shows continuity of ranking visibility across cycles. |
The ranking supports brand recognition when an Indian applicant needs employer approval for time away and sponsorship. It does not prove admission odds, scholarship probability or job outcomes for any individual candidate.
Also Check: Swiss university options for Indian students
Key insight: The #26 worldwide EMBA ranking helps with executive-education signalling. The better fit test is still curriculum access, employer support and the ability to apply assignments at work.
IMD Executive MBA fits Indian executives who already have senior responsibility and need a modular degree that can use their current company context. The programme is distinctive because the academic work, coaching and global electives are designed around applied leadership rather than a full-time career break. The tradeoff is financial and logistical, since CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore) tuition excludes travel and some living costs. The next action is to confirm employer support, scholarship eligibility and test-waiver evidence before starting the April 2027 application.
IMD Executive MBA FAQs
Ques. Is the IMD Executive MBA full-time or part-time?
Ans. The IMD Executive MBA is part-time and modular, so participants continue working while studying. It uses Lausanne, online, Singapore and global immersion elements.
Ques. How much does the IMD Executive MBA cost for 2027?
Ans. The confirmed EMBA tuition is CHF 125,000 (INR 1.44 Crore). Travel, Lausanne living costs and international module expenses are outside the tuition.
Ques. Does IMD require IELTS or TOEFL for the EMBA?
Ans. No formal IELTS, TOEFL or PTE score is required for the EMBA. IMD assesses written and spoken English throughout admission.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for April 2027?
Ans. IMD has rolling assessment and no fixed deadline. For 25 April 2027, applicants should start by 25 October 2026 under the six-month guidance.
Ques. Is the IMD Executive MBA worth it for India-return applicants?
Ans. It is strongest for executives using the degree for promotion, succession or global leadership scope. A pure India-return salary jump is weaker without employer sponsorship.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹13456150 (CHF 115000) |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | ₹15211300 (CHF 130000) |
| Total Cost | ₹15211300 (CHF 130000) |
Important Dates
Admission is On Rolling Basis.









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