If you are looking to start your MBA as soon as possible and missed the fall intake of MBA admissions 2019, don’t be disheartened. Some of the top-notch business schools offer MBA programs that start in January, for which the application cycle is currently open. You will not need to wait an entire year to start your degree and the January term can even be an advantage over the traditional cycle. These programs are usually shorter and therefore, less expensive while giving you the same quality education as the fall entry options. Additionally, the competition for these spots is typically lesser than fall MBAs primarily because of the volume of applications coming in.
Here are 8 top MBA programs starting in January 2020:
- Columbia Business School J-Term
- INSEAD
- HEC Paris
- IMD Switzerland
- Schulich School of Business
- Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University
- Queen’s University – Smith School of Business
- Ivey Business School
Know more about MBA Application deadlines 2019 – 2020 of top business schools
Columbia Business School J-Term
Columbia Business School’s January start MBA is specifically targeted towards students who don’t need an internship especially for those not considering a career change or those interested in entrepreneurship or family business. The full-time hiring schedule is together with the Fall entry full-time MBAs so you get the same access to resources and employment opportunities. The two entry options converge in the classroom in the second year so there is plenty of socializing and networking too.
Columbia Business School – J term MBA application deadline
The MBA application deadlines for the J-term intake of 2020 has not been released by Columbia Business School yet. Typically the application deadline would fall in the first week of October 2019.
Know more about the Class profile of the class of 2020 and employment opportunities offered by Columbia Business School
INSEAD
In direct contrast to Columbia, INSEAD’s January intake is targeted towards students who are specifically interested in pursuing an internship. While the September intake does not allow students the time for a full-time internship, the January intake has two months built in for this specific purpose. The class size is typically the same as September intake and both terms allow for a Fontainebleau-Singapore exchange.
MBA application deadlines – INSEAD Jan 2020 intake
| INSEAD Jan 2020 intake application deadline | ||
| Application round | Application Deadline | Decision Date |
| ROUND 1 | 20-Feb-19 | 26-Apr-19 |
| ROUND 2 | 17-Apr-19 | 21-Jun-19 |
| ROUND 3 | 5-Jun-19 | 9-Aug-19 |
| ROUND 4 | 24-Jul-19 | 27-Sep-19 |
Know more about the Class profile of the class of 2020 and employment opportunities offered by INSEAD
Taking the GMAT 2-3 months before the application deadline is important. If you are planning to take the GMAT, we can help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare. Write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com. We are the most reviewed GMAT prep company on gmatclub with more than 1830 reviews (as on June 6, 2019). Why don’t you take a free trial and judge it for yourself?
HEC Paris
HEC Paris is another business school that offers both January and September intakes. Reputed as a “leadership school”, HEC is an excellent choice for students interested in the entrepreneurial route or anyone looking to hone their leadership skills.
HEC Paris – MBA Application deadline – Jan 2020 intake
The school offers deadlines practically throughout the year, indicating that it has rolling admissions. However, it is advisable for non-EU students to apply latest by July to maximize their chance of an admit.
| Round | Application Deadline | Decision Date |
| ROUND 1 | 2 January 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
| ROUND 2 | 1 February 2019 | 8 March 2019 |
| ROUND 3 | 1 March 2019 | 5 April 2019 |
| ROUND 4 | 1 April 2019 | 10 May 2019 |
| ROUND 5 | 2 May 2019 | 7 June 2019 |
| ROUND 6 | 3 June 2019 | 5 July 2019 |
| ROUND 7 | 1 July 2019 | 26 July 2019 |
| ROUND 8 | 16 August 2019 | 20 September 2019 |
| ROUND 9 | 16 September 2019 | 18 October 2019 |
| ROUND 10 | 15 October 2019 | 14 November 2019 |
| ROUND 11 | 15 November 2019 | 13 December 2019 |
Student Profile: Class of 2020
Know more about the Class profile of the class of 2020 and employment opportunities offered by HEC Paris
IMD Switzerland
Unlike other schools on this list, IMD Offers only one intake with classes starting in January. With a maximum class size of 90, the program is incredibly intimate and allows for an immersive experience. The class skews towards an older demographic with the average age at entry being 31 years. If you want to work in Europe post your MBA, the school has an excellent brand name and opportunities are aplenty.
MBA application deadline – IMD Switzerland
| Application Round | Application Deadline | Decision Date |
| ROUND 1 | 1-Feb-19 | 29-Mar-19 |
| ROUND 2 | 15-May-19 | 26-Jun-19 |
| ROUND 3 | 15-Aug-19 | 26-Sep-19 |
| ROUND 4 (for applicants exempt from long term Swiss visa requirements) | 11-Oct-19 | 31-Oct-19 |
Know more about the Class profile of the class of 2020 and employment opportunities offered by INSEAD
Schulich School of Business
Schulich MBA at the York University, Canada offers the option to start the program in either January or September. The program is accredited by multiple international bodies and is one of the top MBA programs in Canada.
MBA application deadline – Schulich
International students and those interested in a scholarship are encouraged to apply by Round 2.
| Round | Application Deadline |
| ROUND 1 | 5 July 2019 |
| ROUND 2 | 5 September 2019 |
| ROUND 3 | 1 October 2019 |
| ROUND 4 | 15 November 2019 |
Student Profile: Class of 2018
GMAT Scores (average): 660
Work Experience (average): 5 years
Women: 35%
Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University
Rotterdam also has a January start date. Located in the Netherlands, the program with its very international peer group is considered to be one of the best one year European MBA degrees.
MBA Application deadline – Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University
| Round | Application Deadline |
| ROUND 1 | 2 April 2019 |
| ROUND 2 | 4 June 2019 |
| ROUND 3 | 6 August 2019 |
| ROUND 4 | 8 October 2019 |
| ROUND 5 | 5 November 2019 |
Student Profile: Class of 2018
GMAT Scores (average): 640
Work Experience (average): 6 years
Women: 41%
Queen’s University – Smith School of Business
Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is another school in Canada that has a January start. Ranked amongst the top 3 business schools in Canada, it is a great option if you plan on working in Canada post-MBA.
MBA application deadline – Smith School of Business of Queen’s University
Rolling admissions, international students are required to submit their applications by September 1, 2019.
Student Profile: Class of 2019
GMAT Scores (average): 650
Work Experience (average): 5 years
Women: 37%
Ivey Business School
The University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School offers one of the top MBAs in Canada and remains extremely popular for careers in Consulting and Finance. Ivey is among the largest publishers of Case Studies all around the world, just behind Harvard Business School. This 1-year program starts in March and the school suggests that graduating early in the cycle provides an exclusive edge to its students, in terms of recruitment.
MBA Application deadlines January – Ivey Business School
| Application Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Round 2 | April 8, 2019 |
| Round 3 | July 15, 2019 |
| Round 4 | September 23, 2019 |
| Round 5 | November 12, 2019 |
| Round 6 | January 6, 2020 |
Student Profile: Class of 2018
GMAT Scores (average): 667
Work Experience (average): 4.8 years
Women: 25%
These were some of the top MBA programs commencing in January 2020.
About the author
Prashant Tibrewal is the founder of Admit Square Consulting and has mentored 1000+ MBA aspirants to get into top global universities like Harvard, Stanford, INSEAD, Oxford, HEC, ISB, etc. With a team of Consultants from top business schools such as Yale, Wharton, Duke and Oxford, Admit Square offers 100% Money-back Assurance on its services. You may send your details to prashant@admitsquare.com for a free profile evaluation.
