It is worth mentioning the IMD Business School separately. Located in Lausanne, it emphasizes its elitism by accepting no more than 90 students per year, with each cohort comprising individuals from different parts of the world. The selection process is extremely rigorous. The standard requirements include 7 years of work experience, with an international component, proficiency in multiple languages, a high GMAT score, and ten mini-essays detailing one's goals and achievements. Subsequently, candidates are invited to what is known as an assessment day, during which they must complete numerous tasks such as delivering a spontaneous presentation, participating in a collective analysis of a business case, and so on.

Unlike American two-year MBA programs, the IMD business school condenses the entire course into one year with a short summer break. However, the intensity of the program ensures that the volume of knowledge and skills acquired is no less than that of the benchmark Harvard Business School. The classic MBA program focuses on general management rather than narrow management areas. As a result, the majority of graduates find employment in the industrial sector or lead successful businesses of their own, whereas graduates of other schools often disperse into consulting and investment firms.

IMD consistently ranks at the top of prestigious business school rankings. In recent years, it has been recognized as the best in the world in terms of return on investment (Forbes, 2013) and the best for careers at top positions in companies (Business Week, 2012). The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking in 2019 placed IMD in the 20th position globally.