IESE welcomes inaugural MiF and new MBA and MiM classes

IESE Business School welcomes its new full-time master’s cohorts for the 2026-27 academic year this week, bringing together more than 630 students from around the world across its MBA, Master in Management (MiM) and newly launched Master in Finance (MiF) programs.

Together, the three classes reflect IESE’s commitment to internationalization, diversity and developing leaders equipped to make a positive impact in business and society.

As AI transforms organizations and the nature of work, all three programs are also designed to prepare students to understand and navigate AI’s impact across business functions and sectors. AI is embedded throughout the learning experience, helping students develop the technical capabilities, judgment and human skills needed to work effectively and responsibly in an increasingly AI-enabled world.

Kick-off of IESE’s inaugural Master in Finance

This academic year marks an important milestone for IESE with the arrival of its inaugural Master in Finance (MiF) Class of 2027.

The new program welcomes 70 students, significantly exceeding its initial target of 40. The cohort represents 19 nationalities, with 60% international students and 23% women. The average age is 23. After Spain, the most represented countries are Germany and Italy, followed by Mexico.

The IESE MiF, offered in collaboration with the School of Economics and Business at the University of Navarra, combines rigorous finance training with leadership development and international exposure.

The nine-month academic program is taught in English at IESE’s Madrid campus and is complemented by a mandatory internship and modules in New York and London. Students will also gain practical experience through Bloomberg immersion and simulations in areas including trading, investing and M&A, alongside preparation for the CFA exams.

IESE MiM welcomes record intake

Also starting classes this week at IESE’s Madrid campus is the Master in Management (MiM) Class of 2027, which welcomes a record 190 students — up from last year’s record intake of 149.

The class includes students from 45 nationalities, with 70% international students and 42% women. The average age is 23.3. After Spain, Germany, India and Italy are the most represented countries in the cohort, reflecting the increasingly international profile of the program.

Designed for recent graduates with limited or no full-time work experience, the MiM provides a strong foundation in business fundamentals while developing students’ ability to think strategically, work across cultures and make responsible decisions.

MBA Class of 2028: a global cohort for the age of AI

IESE’s MBA Class of 2028 also kicks off this week at the school’s Barcelona campus. The cohort comprises 371 students representing 60 nationalities, with 90% of students coming from outside Spain and 39% women.

Students join the MBA from a broad range of regions, with Latin America and the Caribbean accounting for 36% of the class, followed by Europe and Asia, each at 24%. North America represents 10% of the cohort, while 6% come from the Middle East and Africa.

The diversity of the class brings together perspectives from across markets, industries and cultures, creating a rich environment for discussion and collaboration.

This year’s MBA class is also the first to experience IESE’s newly redesigned curriculum for the age of AI. The program integrates AI capabilities throughout the first year, preparing students to work effectively with AI, rethink how work is organized and make strategic decisions in AI-enabled organizations.

Marc Badia, Deputy Dean of IESE, says:

“Welcoming a new generation of students is always a special moment for IESE. This year is particularly exciting as we welcome our inaugural Master in Finance class, a record MiM cohort and a new MBA class beginning a redesigned curriculum for the age of AI. Each new class brings its own perspectives, experiences and ambitions to IESE, enriching our community and the learning experience for everyone. Together, these students represent the next generation of leaders who will shape how organizations and society respond to a rapidly changing world.”