Hi Nathan,
We can give you an overview of the housing and living expenses you'll potentially incur at INSEAD based on our own experiences. Are you only looking the Fontainebleau campus? Typically about 70% of students will exchange campus between Fontainebleau and Singapore so it might be worthwhile for you to know the cost for Singapore too. Campus exchange or not... it is a separate topic and it depends on your background etc. we can talk more on this if you are keen to know.
Fontainebleau
- Housing rent: Average between 450 - 1300 Euros per month (450 if you stay far away - requires about 15-30 minutes driving and 1000-1300 Euros to stay in the Fontainebleau town or somewhere near the school, it is walking distance away)
- Car rental: if you decide to stay further away from campus, then you'll need to drive. The most commonly used car rental is from
www.mbacars.com, an initiative from an INSEAD alumni to serve the car rental market for INSEAD students. The prices differs greatly depending on number of months you are renting the car for. If you decide to rent for the whole 10 months then you should budget about 2500 Euros.
- Living expense: Average per meal is about 5 - 10 euros if you eat out.
- Other expenses: Electricity, water, mobile --> you can estimate about 200-300 Euros per month. For those places within walking distance to campus (rates typically between 1200-1300 euros per month) it usually includes electricity and water bill in the rent.
Singapore:
- Housing rent: About 90% of students stay at the condominiums near to INSEAD (Heritage or Dover) and rent is about 1500-1200 SGD per month on a shared basis (3 bedroom apartment). This means that you'll have to plan early to coordinate with your classmates to rent a place together.
- Car rental: No need for car rental in Singapore since the apartments are within 15 minutes walking distance to school. HOWEVER, you may want to plan for some transportation allowance as INSEAD students are (in)famous for taking a taxi from Heritage or Dover to campus (cost about 4 SGD per trip)
- Other transportation: factor in some amount for public transport or taxi if you are going out or partying.. I'd estimate about 150 SGD per month (if you party moderately & share the taxi fare)
- Living expenses: Average per meal is about SGD 5 - 10 if you eat on campus or at normal food court. Restaurants will be more expensive at about SGD 15-20 per person.
- Other expenses: internet, electricity, water and mobile are usually not included in the rent. Budget about 100 SGD per person if you are sharing with your housemates (based on 3 bedroom apartment)
LASTLY:
- regardless if you are in Fonty or Singy, another large part of the INSEAD experience is the TRAVELLING!! you should really budget travelling into your plans because this is the moment that you get to bond (really bond) with you classmates and also when do you get a second chance to travel every weekend!! Looking back now, this is one thing that we wished we did more of. The problem now for most of us is that, we have the cash but not the time to travel (as much as we want) anymore!
hope the above information helps.
We are running a campaign now where we provide a free 1 hour alumni connect to help you with any questions that you have about your INSEAD application. Send us an email at
[email protected] if you are keen to enroll.
Best,
CONNECT INSEAD
The MBA Admission Consultant for INSEAD
[email protected]
www.connectinsead.com
