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INSEAD-SAIS Dual-Degree Programme

About the Dual-Degree

INSEAD and The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) have joined together to offer a dual MBA/MA degree programme.

The dual-degree programme will allow students from both schools to work toward completing the SAIS Master of Arts (MA) and INSEAD Master of Business Administration (MBA) simultaneously with the aim of preparing students for careers that combine international affairs and business administration. Students admitted to both programmes will be able to complete the two degrees in two and half years, instead of the three years required to complete the degrees separately, by spending one and a half years at SAIS and one year at INSEAD.

Applicants interested in the dual-degree programme apply to each school separately and must meet the admissions requirements for each school. Students admitted to both institutions are considered participants in the dual-degree programme. Current students at INSEAD and SAIS are also eligible to apply. For more information about admissions to the SAIS MA programme.

For students accepted to the INSEAD-SAIS Dual-degree Programme, SAIS will waive four non-language courses or one semester worth of coursework, in recognition of the relevance of the electives taken at INSEAD. Those completing the INSEAD MBA must take five periods of coursework for a total of 23.5 courses, including 13 core courses and 10.5 elective courses. INSEAD will not provide a reduction in the total number of courses required to complete the degree for students participating in the INSEAD-SAIS dual-degree Programme.

Participants may begin the programme at either SAIS or INSEAD. Both INSEAD and SAIS will offer their career and student services to students participating in the dual-degree Programme. These services will be available from the time the student matriculates at either institution until completion of the Dual-degree Programme.

For further information on The Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, please visit http://www.sais-jhu.edu.

FAQs

How do I apply for admission and financial aid for the dual-degree programme?

The admissions processes for both INSEAD and SAIS remain separate. Candidates must apply to both schools and will need to meet the regular admissions requirements of both schools. Current students at either school can apply to the other school to become part of the dual-degree programme. Students admitted to both programmes are considered to be part of the dual-degree programme.
INSEAD MBA applicants should send an email to mba.candidates@insead.edu notifying the admissions team of the intent to enrol as a dual-degree applicant if admitted to both institutions.
Dual-degree candidates can apply to INSEAD early if they intend to start the dual-degree at SAIS. Applicants should indicate that this is their intention when they submit their application form by emailing mba.candidates@insead.edu.
There are no earmarked places at either school for dual-degree students; nor are there restrictions on volume.
Students pay the regular tuition fees for the INSEAD MBA programme plus the regular tuition for three semesters at SAIS. More information on fees at SAIS.
There are no specific scholarships for dual-degree students but they can apply for financial aid from both schools through the regular application processes.

What is the programme structure?

Students have the following options in regard to the dual-degree programme structure:

The first full year at SAIS in Washington, DC or Bologna (August-May), the second full-year at INSEAD Fontainebleau/Singapore (September-July), and the final semester at SAIS in DC (August-December).
The first full year at INSEAD Fontainebleau/Singapore (September-July) followed by the second year at SAIS in DC or Bologna (August-May) and a final semester at SAIS in DC (August-December).
The first full year at SAIS in DC or Bologna (August-May) followed by an additional semester at SAIS in DC (August-December), and the final year at INSEAD Fontainebleau/Singapore (January-December).

Whilst dual-degree students can start at SAIS, come to INSEAD, and then return to SAIS, they cannot break up the year at INSEAD (i.e. they cannot start at INSEAD and go to SAIS before completing their studies at INSEAD).
INSEAD MBA students will be able to participate in the Wharton/Kellogg exchange as well as the Fontainebleau/Singapore exchange. More information on INSEAD campus exchanges.

What are the requirements for graduation from the dual-degree programme?

A student completing the standard SAIS MA degree must complete four semesters of coursework for a total of 16 non-language courses, including the completion of a primary concentration, International Economics concentration, two core courses/exams, language proficiency exam, and oral or capstone project. The remainder of the 16 non-language courses consists of free electives. For students accepted to the SAIS-INSEAD dual-degree programme, SAIS will waive 4 non-language courses or one semester worth of coursework, in recognition of the relevance of the electives taken at INSEAD, but the dual-degree programme students will still be required to meet all other SAIS graduation requirements.
Students must complete the normal requirements for graduation from the INSEAD MBA programme. More information on the INSEAD curriculum.
Students will receive two diplomas: the SAIS MA and the INSEAD MBA, so long as the complete all the graduation requirements.
Once the INSEAD graduation requirements are met, INSEAD will grant the degree to the student, irrespective of the student's degree progress at SAIS. Since the SAIS reduction of credits is contingent on the student completing the INSEAD degree, SAIS will not confer the SAIS degree until the student has met all requirements of both programmes.

Is careers services guidance provided from both Schools?