Programme Structure

The programme structure for the first year is similar to that of INSEAD's PhD programme, with students required to complete extensive course work across the basic disciplines of management. The FPM will have one intake every year in September. The academic year is divided into five terms, each of two months in duration. During the first year, ISB's FPM students will spend their time on ISB campus, and join INSEAD's PhD students, from the Singapore and Fontainebleau campuses, via video-conferencing for lectures. In addition, specific FPM courses may also be offered at the ISB campus. The table below lists the stages of progression in the FPM.

Stages of progression in the FPM.

The second and third year coursework are area specific. In order to advance to FPM candidature, all FPM students are required to complete a research paper in an area of their interest by the end of the second year in the program. This research manuscript must be exclusively authored by the research scholar and have the potential for publication in a top-tier academic journal. The paper has to be presented to a faculty panel. Thereafter, the research paper, the candidate’s performance in the course work and qualifying examination, and potential to conduct scholarly work will be evaluated by a faculty committee to decide on the admittance to FPM candidacy.

During the final years in the FPM, the students will work on their dissertation which should represent independent and original research publishable in top-tier academic journals. Each student will work towards defining a topic in consultation with the faculty members, and form a dissertation committee. This dissertation committee will be chaired by an ISB tenured or tenure track faculty member. Some committee members (including co-chairs) may be from associated schools. Under the close supervision of a faculty advisor, the student will prepare a dissertation proposal to be submitted to the dissertation committee by the end of the third year. The proposal should define the precise topic and the methodology of research. Approval of the proposal is a requirement for entry to the fourth year.

Typically, students are expected to complete and submit their dissertation before the end of the fifth year. The dissertation will be evaluated by the student's dissertation committee members for originality and contribution. Thereafter, the student will be invited to defend the dissertation, organised as a research seminar, open to all ISB faculty members and FPM students. Finally, the dissertation committee will meet again to determine whether any revisions are required. Once these revisions have been implemented, the dissertation committee will grant approval via a written report to the FPM committee. The FPM committee will then make a final recommendation to the Dean to award the Fellowship.

During the advanced years of the program, ISB's FPM students will be allowed to travel to Fontainebleau or Singapore for up to four months. ISB's FPM students may also spend some time at other associated schools. FPM students can also opt to complete some courses at the INSEAD campus or other associated schools. Such arrangements will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

ISB offers generous funding and financial support to almost all FPM students in the form of scholarships and living allowances.

While there is no specific limit on the number of students admitted to the program, the admissions committee will decide how many students to admit in each area based on their qualifications.

FPM Committee
The FPM Committee is chaired by the FPM Director and consists of other nominated faculty members. The Committee is responsible for procedural issues concerning students (such as admission, courses, award of degree, leave of absence), for the implementation of the policies governing the programme, and for making recommendations about changes in these policies.

Teaching and soft-skills training
Throughout the programme, from time to time ISB will offer its FPM candidates workshops on skills such as writing, presenting and teaching skills to develop them into successful academicians.

Residence Requirements
This is a fully residential, full-time programme. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of three years in residence. In future ISB may enter into exchange agreements with other academic institutions, allowing students to attend certain courses there or to carry out research. This would be subject to the approval of the FPM Director. In such cases, tuition fees and living expenses would generally be covered by ISB. Visits to other institutions might also be approved for specific periods, to enable students to undergo specific training in topics, where there are relevant experts available outside ISB.

Certification
Following the recommendations of the FPM Committee, the Dean of ISB will grant the Fellowship on behalf of the entire ISB faculty.