Dinged by a business school for the fall term. Don’t be discouraged. Some business schools begin accepting students for their programs in January. Some big names on this list will surprise you. This blog post is for you if you missed the fall intake of 2023 and plan to enroll in one of these business schools in January 2024.
Top MBA programs starting in January 2024
Here are the top eight MBA programs beginning in January 2024:
- 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
Let’s look at each MBA program in detail.
Columbia Business School J-Term
When a traditional schedule does not meet your needs, Columbia Business School’s J-Term option allows you to join a smaller cohort for four consecutive terms beginning in January. The compressed format gives you access to a diverse student body as well as faculty mentors, alumni, and C-level connections.
In this program video, two students explain why the J-Term was the best option for them.
Except for the schedule, the January term is identical to the August term: same professors, same rigorous core curriculum, and same highly selective admissions standards. J-Term students attend orientation in the spring, while August-entry students begin their second terms. During summer, J-term students finish their core courses and August-entry students take summer internships.
The two tracks merge in the fall of the second year, when all MBA students choose from the same pool of electives, have access to the same career management resources, lead the same clubs, and graduate as a single class. In January, approximately 30% of full-time MBA students begin their studies.
Take a look at this graphic to know more.
Requirements
The main prerequisite for the January term is that you do not believe you require an internship. Students who want to stay in the same industry (including sponsored students), entrepreneurs, and students in family businesses are generally attracted to this program.
Application deadline
Please keep in mind that there is no early decision option for January entry and that January term applicants are not eligible for merit fellowship consideration due to the timing of the application cycle. The final deadline for J-term applications is September 13, 2023.
INSEAD
In contrast to Columbia, INSEAD’s January intake is geared specifically toward students interested in pursuing an internship. While the September intake does not allow for full-time internships, the January intake has two months set aside for this purpose. Class sizes are typically the same as in the September intake, and both terms allow for a Fontainebleau-Singapore exchange.
Here are the deadlines for the INSEAD January 2024 intake:
| Application deadline | Interview decision | Final decision | |
| ROUND 1 | 07 March 2023 | 07 April 2023 | 12 May 2023 |
| ROUND 2 | 18 April 2023 | 19 May 2023 | 23 June 2023 |
| ROUND 3 | 27 June 2023 | 28 July 2023 | 01 September 2023 |
| ROUND 4 | 08 August 2023 | 08 September 2023 | 06 October 2023 |
HEC Paris
HEC Paris is a world-renowned business school located in the heart of Paris, France. Founded in 1881, HEC Paris has a long tradition of educating tomorrow’s business leaders. With a dynamic and international faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a rigorous academic curriculum, HEC Paris provides an exceptional education for its students. In addition to its top-ranked MBA program, HEC Paris offers programs in finance, management, and strategy. HEC Paris also has a strong research department that produces groundbreaking research in the field of business and management. With its global reputation and renowned faculty, HEC Paris is an excellent choice for anyone looking to pursue a career in business.
Application deadlines for Jan 2024 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 chances of an admit.
| APPLICATION DEADLINE | DECISION DATE | DEADLINE |
| Jan 15, 2023 | Feb 16, 2023 | Mar 15, 2023 |
| Feb 15, 2023 | Mar 16, 2023 | Apr 13, 2023 |
| Mar 13, 2023 | Apr 13, 2023 | May 11, 2023 |
| Apr 10, 2023 | May 11, 2023 | Jun 11, 2023 |
| May 15, 2023 | Jun 15, 2023 | Jul 13, 2023 |
| Jun 12, 2023 | 12th July 2023 | Aug 12, 2023 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | Sep 14, 2023 | Oct 11, 2023 |
| Sep 11, 2023 | Oct 12, 2023 | Nov 9, 2023 |
| Oct 13, 2023 | Nov 16, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
| Nov 13, 2023 | Dec 14, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
IMD Switzerland
Unlike the other schools on this list, IMD only has one intake, with classes beginning in January. The program is extremely intimate, with a maximum class size of 90 students, and allows for an immersive experience. The class has an older demographic, with an average entry age of 31 years. If you want to work in Europe after finishing your MBA, the school has a strong brand and plenty of opportunities.
Application deadlines for Jan 2024 intake
| Application deadlines | Final decision by |
| Jan 15, 2023 | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Feb 15, 2023 | Apr 1, 2023 |
| Apr 15, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 |
| Jun 15, 2023 | Aug 1, 2023 |
| Aug 15, 2023 | Oct 1, 2023 |
| Sep 15, 2023 | Oct 18, 2023 |
| Oct 15, 2023 | Nov 10, 2023 |
Schulich School of Business
Schulich School of Business is one of the world’s leading business schools, offering programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
Located in Toronto, Canada, Schulich is known for its entrepreneurial approach to business education and research.
The school’s faculty members are widely respected for their academic and professional achievements, and they are committed to preparing students for success in a rapidly changing global business environment.
In addition to its strong academic program, Schulich offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships, co-op placements, and international exchanges. With more than 15,000 alumni around the world, Schulich graduates are well-positioned to make a positive impact on the business world.
Application deadlines for the Jan 2024 intake
| Application Round | Deadline |
| Round 1 | June 1, 2023 |
| Round 2 | July 12, 2023 |
| Round 3 | September 14, 2023 |
| Round 4 | November 12, 2023 |
The MBA program is available in both full-time and part-time formats. Both full-time and part-time studies start in September and January. The Part-Time downtown cohort starts in September only. Not all courses are available downtown. On a rolling basis, domestic applicants are considered for admission. Following each round deadline, international applicants will be reviewed and may be held for further review in subsequent rounds if additional information is required.
International students are strongly encouraged to apply by Round 2 in order to allow enough time for study permit processing.
Round 4 is only for domestic applicants. Domestic applications received after the deadline may be accepted if space is available.
Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University
Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University (RSM) is an internationally ranked research-intensive business school. It is the only Dutch member of the prestigious Club of Ten, a select group of elite European business schools. RSM offers a full range of programs from undergraduate to executive education, both on-campus and online.
Students come from all over the world to benefit from the school’s rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty. RSM’s research is highly regarded, and the school is constantly ranked among the top research institutes in Europe.
The school’s focus on responsible leadership and sustainability ensures that graduates are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the future. With its commitment to excellence, RSM is educating responsible leaders for a global society.
Application deadlines for the Jan 2024 intake
You can begin working on and submitting your MBA application at any time of the year. Rounds of interviews and evaluations are conducted. As a result, please submit your application for the Full-time MBA program beginning in January 2024 by one of the deadlines listed below:
- 7 February, 2023
- 4 April, 2023
- 6 June, 2023
- 1 August, 2023
- 3 October, 2023
- 1 November, 2023
Queen’s University – Smith School of Business
Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business is one of the world’s leading business schools, offering a unique combination of academic excellence and real-world experience. Located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the school is ranked #1 in Canada for its undergraduate programs and #2 for its MBA program.
The school offers a wide range of programs, including full-time and part-time MBA, Executive MBA, Ph.D., and Master of Finance. With a global reputation for excellence, the school attracts students from around the world. The school’s faculty is comprised of leading scholars and researchers who are committed to teaching and mentorship.
In addition to its academic programs, the school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, which provide students with opportunities to network and build relationships. The school’s strong focus on career development helps students to secure positions at top organizations around the world. Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in business education.
Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is another school in Canada that has a January start.
Application deadlines for Jan 2024 intake
The next class will begin in January 2024. Applications are currently being accepted online and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the best class members are chosen.
The deadline for international applications is September 1, 2023. International applicants must submit their applications in plenty of time for their study visas to be processed. All international students are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Ivey Business School
The MBA program begins each year in March. Please keep in mind that applications are processed on a rolling basis and that both admissions and scholarship decisions are made between application deadlines. You do not need to wait for a deadline to apply and decisions are made within 4-6 weeks.
| Application Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | January 30, 2023 |
| Round 2 | April 17, 2023 |
| Round 3 | July 10, 2023 |
| Round 4 | September 18, 2023 |
| Round 5 | November 6, 2023 |
| Round 6 | January 8, 2024 |
All international applicants are highly encouraged to apply by Round 4 on September 18, 2023, in order to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
FAQs
Columbia Business School offers J-term for students who want to join the MBA programs in January.
Yes. These business schools offer January intake –
Schulich School of Business
Queen’s University – Smith School of Business
Ivey Business School
These European business schools offer Jan intake
INSEAD
HEC Paris
Rotterdam
