MBA program content
Achieve your goals and amplify your impact
Becoming a real leader requires mastering a robust set of skills and knowing when and how to apply them effectively. Our newly designed curriculum bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, in a dynamic learning environment that blends functional knowledge and transversal skills development.
You will participate in real learning: a blend of cutting-edge academic content with hands-on experiences, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to tackle today’s business challenges head-on.
Mastering key and in-demand skills are what will set you apart as an IMD MBA graduate and greatly increase your future impact. Expand your career prospects, increase your earning potential, and broaden your perspectives.
Your year at a glance
What you will learn
You’re stepping into a program that’s all about setting you up for real leadership roles. That calls for a hands-on, practical approach that blends theory with real-world application. You’ll develop a robust and in-demand toolkit of leadership, functional and transversal skills, enabling you to lead with confidence across any industry. Here’s what you’ll cover:
Equip yourself with the tools to lead authentically and effectively in today’s dynamic world. Our approach to real leadership focuses on practical skills and real-world applications, ensuring that you’re ready to inspire and guide teams toward success.
Understand who you are as a leader; through self-analysis and one-on-one sessions with professional coaches, you’ll deepen your self-awareness and refine your personal leadership style.
Learn to work better with others and lead with empathy; positively influence group dynamics, manage conflict, and enhance your ability to create and lead in an inclusive environment.
Achieve more together; learn the essentials of forming and leading high-performing teams in a cross-cultural, collaborative environment.
Communicate clearly and motivate others; develop your ability to express ideas clearly and motivate those around you to achieve common goals.
To lead effectively, you need a solid understanding of the core business subjects. The IMD MBA curriculum ensures that you gain a holistic understanding of these essential topics and their interrelation.
Woven throughout the program, master the essential knowledge and skills to make complex and ethical decisions that will bring sustainability to your organization and career.
Learn to create effective strategies that align company goals and actions with changing market conditions and volatile business landscapes.
Deepen your knowledge of micro- and macroeconomics, including supply and demand, market structures, and monetary policy. Learn how economic principles influence business decisions and strategies.
Explore inventory management and forecasting techniques to optimize business operations. Understand how efficient operations contribute to overall business success.
Build a strong foundation in statistical analysis to support data-driven decision-making. Understand how to interpret and leverage data to inform business strategies.
Develop your entrepreneurial mindset and understand how to face the unique challenges in a start-up or entrepreneurial environment.
Develop the ability to interpret financial statements, master financial modeling, valuation, and forecasting. Understand essential financial concepts such as CAPM, options, and blockchain to make informed financial decisions.
Learn how to perform market analysis, breakeven analysis, and contribution margin. Develop strategies to effectively position products and services in the marketplace.
Critical thinking and communication skills are just as important to your success as business knowledge. By developing these abilities, you’ll be ready to tackle challenges and seize opportunities across a variety of industries and roles with confidence.
Understand complex systems and how different components interact.
Learn to anticipate and evaluate future trends and challenges in order to develop relevant solutions and plans.
Approach problems systematically, utilize tools and techniques to break down complex issues and find effective solutions.
Hone your observation skills based on patterns extracted from data and learn to recognize irregularities.
Enhance your creative problem solving abilities, build on the insights and ideas generated to develop feasible solutions.
Present information and communicate your ideas clearly and evocatively through visualization and compelling narratives.
In today’s data-intensive world it’s critical to know how to ask the right questions to find the information you need to make informed decisions.
Learn to present your ideas confidently and persuasively to influence stakeholders and drive action.
How you learn
How you learn is just as important as what you learn. Real learning ensures that your knowledge and skills don’t remain theoretical: you will apply what you learn in real time and will be supported as you go.
Over 40% of your learning occurs in a hands-on, experiential format. Apply your learned skills through international consulting projects, real-world business challenges and optional internships.
Your faculty spend significant time teaching executives from the world’s top companies, gaining insights into current market trends and real-world challenges that they bring directly into your classroom.
Thanks to our small class sizes and faulty-to-student ratio, you’ll get the personalized attention you need to thrive. Each student’s journey is unique, and we make sure your learning experience is tailored to your personal and professional goals.
Every leader needs a coach. You’ll have access to experienced mentors and coaches who are invested in your success. They’ll provide you with the insights and encouragement needed to refine your leadership style and achieve your career aspirations.
Meet your new study buddy, IMD AI+. Always on and ready to help, this AI tool brings personalized learning to your fingertips. Whether you need a deep dive into a complex concept or quick help before a presentation, IMD AI+ is there to enhance your understanding and readiness.
Real-world business immersion
At IMD you won’t just sit back and learn the theory—you’ll be out there, putting it into practice with internships, consulting projects, and our Future Lab in Singapore. Below you get an overview of these experiences and how they’re designed to sharpen your skills and prepare you for leadership in the real world.
For a full month during your IMD MBA, you’ll be part of our Future Lab in Singapore—a unique blend of classroom learning and direct industry interaction. This residency module is a deep dive into how cutting-edge technology shapes global business practices and drives innovation.
- Explore technological frontiers: Discover the pivotal role of technologies like AI and machine learning in business through engaging lectures and dynamic workshops. Our expert faculty will guide you through the complexities of digital transformation and show you how to leverage data analytics for strategic decision-making.
- Connect with global business leaders: Step outside the classroom to visit companies like Google, PayPal, and JLL. Experience firsthand how these leaders integrate advanced technologies to transform their industries and stay ahead of the curve.
- Understand government-business synergy: Explore the unique partnership between the Singaporean government and the private sector. Learn how this collaboration fosters a thriving environment for technological advancement and creates robust business ecosystems.
This is your chance to live and learn in one of the world’s most vibrant tech hubs; gaining insights and experiences that will shape your understanding of what it means to lead in a technology-driven world.
Nurture your entrepreneurial mindset by working in the dynamic world of early-stage, high-tech startup ventures from January to April. You will gain hands-on experience helping a local startup company, collaborating in teams and deepening your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this environment.
With strong ties to EPFL, our projects span diverse sectors, addressing issues like redesigning financial models, go-to-market strategies or sustainability impact.
In the 2022 Swiss Top 100 report, twenty-eight of the top 100 Swiss startups were IMD Startup Competition winners, with 18 having worked with EMBAs and 10 with MBAs.
Work in teams with your classmates over seven weeks for multinational companies and nonprofits. You’ll tackle current issues these organizations face, develop strategies and offer actionable solutions. During this time, there are no classes, allowing you to focus entirely on delivering impactful results to your clients.
This hands-on experience allows you to apply your newly acquired skills in a real-world setting, supported by your professors. You’ll go through a structured process—from analyzing the context and company strategy to designing implementation plans for your recommendations.
Since its inception in 1980, IMD’s ICP has led over 750 projects for 400 different companies globally, making it a pioneering part of our MBA program.
From July- August we offer you an optional summer internship, designed as a practical bridge to the professional world. This initiative allows you to directly apply your academic skills in real-world business settings and demonstrate your capabilities in a practical context. By engaging directly with the industry, you will have the chance to network with seasoned professionals and industry leaders.
Tailored for ambitious students, the internship program will enhance your resume and gives you another platform to connect with potential employers.
Electives
Choose between four and five electives that align with your interests and career objectives. These targeted courses let you dive deep into areas like sustainable finance, accounting, leadership, data and AI, marketing, and luxury brands. The options change each year based on the latest trends and research, and are voted on by you. Electives also include options from our GNAM network, broadening your global perspective.
Below you can see a selection of some of the electives we had in the past year.
Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM)
Connect with top business schools around the world through a network that enriches your MBA with broader perspectives and direct exposure to global business practices.
- Global electives: Tailor your learning by choosing electives from GNAM partner schools that match your career interests and focus on specific regional business dynamics.
- GNAM week: Engage in intensive modules focused on local business challenges at member schools, offering you practical experience and deeper understanding of international markets.
- Expanded professional network: Build connections with peers, faculty, and industry leaders across the globe. These contacts can become invaluable as you navigate your career in international business.
- Practical insights: Apply what you learn during GNAM weeks and electives directly to your MBA projects and future professional scenarios.
