IE Business School (IE University)
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Madrid , Spain
- Program Length: 11 months
- Program Cost: €82,300
- Average GMAT score: 677
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
Employment Reports (2022)
- Received an Offer: 95%
- Median Salary: $108,590
- Median Performance Bonus: $25,437
RANKINGS
- #22 Financial Times 2023 MBA Ranking
- #7 QS Global MBA Rankings 2023
Class of 2024
- International students: 96%
- Women: 33%
- Nationalities: 44
ABOUT
IE Business School teaches students to take risks while looking toward the future. With programming utilizing recent market trends, students are exposed to out-of-the-box education and innovative teaching methods. IE forges the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. With the support of a world-class faculty and leading academics, students are given the tools necessary to lead in business, research, and academia. IE has innovated business education with thier unique ‘liquid learning’ model. IE has pioneered online learning for over 20 years, and has molded their teaching methods to consistently remain relevant, global, personalized, and diverse. This model of education provides students with the skills and opportunities necessary to thrive in their professional and academic careers.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. There are no specified deadlines involved in the application process.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Transcripts
A bachelor degree from an accredited university is required, along with the official university transcripts (certified translation into English or Spanish).
GMAT or GRE
When applying, candidates can submit their unofficial GMAT or GRE scores obtained on the test day at official testing centers, or their official scores if already received. You can also take the IE Global Admission Test as a substitute for the GMAT or GRE.
Foreign Language Proficiency
For non-Native English speakers we accept the TOEFL (minimum score of 100 but 105 recommended), the IELTS (minimum score of 7 but 7,5 recommended), Duolingo English Test (minimum score 130) or a Cambridge Advanced level. A certificate is not required if you completed an undergraduate degree in English. The validity of all previously mentioned English language certificates for IE’s admissions process is two years, from the date you took the exam.
2 Recommendations
2 letters of recommendation are required.
CV
In the admissions process, IE University encourages applicants to showcase their personality in their CV. David Savic, an Admissions Advisor, suggests building the CV around passions, interests, and academic achievements. The focus is on allowing applicants’ personalities to shine through.
Video/Writte Essay
Once you have submitted your online application and paid the application fee, you will receive a link to answer three live questions, two in video format and one in written format.
Interview
After completing the initial application steps, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your application to determine if you qualify for the final interview phase. This interview is exclusively for applicants who have successfully passed the earlier stages of the admissions process. Conducted by university staff members, the interview aims to assess various qualities, including personality, critical thinking abilities, self-expression, and communication skills. The objective is to understand you better and evaluate your potential as a candidate at IE University, fostering a mutually beneficial personal and academic relationship.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of €120 is required.
Chloe Testimonial – ieGAT
Check out more testimonials HERE!
ieGAT: Pass
“What I took away from the first meeting, was not only was Mike willing to spend an hour and a half on the phone with me trying to understand who I was, what my background was, what it is that I wanted, which was absolutely night and day with the other firms that I spoke to. There was this idea that it was going to be tailored to me and the skills that I wanted to get out of the prep.”
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Lab Period
The Lab Period at IE lasts 1.5 months. During this time, students can begin tailoring their studies. There are 4 immersive labs to choose from or students can decide to participate in an internship. The lab period is meant to give students hands-on experience for solving real-world business challenges. Thus, they graduate from IE with a portfolio of knowledge and the ability to stand out from competitors.
The four immersion labs that students can choose from are
Start up Lab
Business Impact Lab
Social Impact Lab
Tech Lab
Students select the lab that best suits their interests and goals and embark on the period in teams. Teams receive a mentor, under which they are guided through the process. At the end of the lab period, teams present their findings. “
Corporate Connections and Career Services
IE Business School has extensive connections with corporations and businesses globally. It collaborates closely with industry leaders to design programs that are relevant to the current needs of the business world. Additionally, its Career Services department provides tailored support to students, including career counseling, workshops, and networking opportunities. The school’s strong ties with the corporate sector facilitate internships, job placements, and career advancements for its graduates.
Focus on Humanities and Liberal Arts
IE Business School integrates humanities and liberal arts education into its business programs. This interdisciplinary approach aims to develop well-rounded professionals who can think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the ethical and societal implications of business decisions. The school’s commitment to a holistic education sets it apart by nurturing not only business acumen but also cultural awareness and social responsibility.
Blended Learning Methodology
One of the hallmarks of IE Business School’s programs is its blended learning approach. Many of its courses combine online modules with in-person sessions, allowing students to balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. This method is particularly attractive to working professionals seeking to advance their careers without putting them on hold. The school’s commitment to innovative online education has been a distinguishing factor.
STUDENT LIFE
At IE students are in an environment that combines living and learning. Located within the historic city of Madrid, students learn and live alongside a diverse cohort who are motivated and strive to achieve their goals. The Campus offers space for collaboration and networking, while student clubs give greater opportunity for students to build diverse relationships and friendships with similar-minded people. With over 132 different countries represented on the IE campus and 150 student clubs to participate in, living and learning at IE truly combine to become a single formative experience.
MBA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The MBA program at IE offers students a forward-thinking skill set that they can use to further their career. Students learn with data and technology in mind, as the constantly work towards becoming innovative and impactful leaders.
The MBA program at IE is designed for dynamic professionals, where a flexible curriculum and interactive teaching methodologies are utilized to bring out the best in the students. IE has perfected its blended learning model to include both in-person and virtual learning environments.
Three different full time MBAs are available to choose from. These are IE’s Tech MBA, International MBA, and Global Online MBA. The Tech MBA combines technology, data, and business to give students the necessary insights into their passions and drive their career. The International MBA is offered in both Spanish and english, and puts students in the middle of an international cohort. With the Global Online MBA, students are taught using the Blended Methodology where they gain digital fluency skills. This program combines virtual learning with face-to-face interaction on IE’s Madrid campus.
11 month program
The Global MBA is 11 months in length and is designed with students who have at least 3 years of professional experience in mind. At the beginning of the program, students take classes as part of the Core Period, where they develop a 360-degree understanding of the business world while gaining leadership skills. During the Lab Period, students take their theoretical knowledge and transform it into practice. During the elective period, student personalize their curriculum by choosing elective courses from over 100 different options. Before classes begin, however, students engage with each other and the university through Orientation Week and Pre-Program classes, where they learn the relevant materials to succeed in the IE MBA program.
Fall Semester
- Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Marketing Management
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Innovation in a Digital World
- Leading People & Change
- Data Analytics for Managers
- Financial Markets
- Critical Management Thinking I
Spring Semester
- Managerial Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Strategy
- Operations Management
- Entrepreneurial Venturing
- Business, Government & Sustainability
FEATURED PROFESSORS
Gonzalo Garland
Professor Garland is a professor of practice and economics at IE. He teaches courses on Economics Environments and Business in Developing Countries. He has worked at IE since 1996, before then as a research assistant at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has a year of corporate experience, having worked as a member of the board of directors for Banco Industrial in Lima, Peru, among other experiences. He earned his degree in economics from Universidad del Pacifico, his MA from Stanford, and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cristina Cruz Serrano
Professor Cruz Serrano is a professor of entrepreneurship at IE. She studies organizations with a strong family presence and its influence on decision-making. Her research has been published in the Journal of Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. She earned her BA in International Economics from Manchester University and a PhD in Business Economics and Quantitative Methods from Carlos III University in Madrid.