Frequently Asked Questions MBA FAQs.

You do not need to decide on day one. All students begin together in September and will be asked to choose the duration of their MBA by mid-March of the first year. There is no limit on the number of students for each track.

Students who choose the flexible track take classes during the summer term, instead of the traditional summer internship. The 15-month option can be useful for those returning to a sponsored role, entrepreneurs or family business candidates who prefer to complete their MBA program in 15 months. Meanwhile, the 19-month options allow for greater elective depth and entrepreneurship projects. The 19-month traditional track is also particularly useful for those who wish to make a significant career change in their first post-MBA role.

No. The tuition fee is the same whether you complete the program in 15 or 19 months. The academic content is the same for both.

Summer classes will focus on popular electives such as Negotiation, Data Science for Business, AI Agents and more.

No. Students doing the Traditional track can only take up to 1 IESE credit (4 ECTS credits) maximum from the Summer Term courses.

Yes, you can go during Term 4 (September to December) or Term 5 (January to April) depending on the partner school’s schedule.

Yes, of course. At IESE, we believe an internship can be a powerful instrument to experiment with new roles and industries, but it is by no means a requirement. Certain industries, such as investment banking, tend to use the summer internship as a recruitment tool, making full-time offers at the end of an internship, but that is not the norm for many other industries. That being said, change takes time and for radical career change projects, completing the 19-month version is still advised.

Classes are held from Monday to Friday 8:30 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 15:15. There are breaks between each class. You will also have teamwork scheduled into your daily timetable.

A typical day for a student in IESE’s MBA program begins with a team meeting at 8.30 am where students prepare for the day’s challenges. This is then followed by classes. During the day there are also times to take a break, to practice sports and to interact with your classmates. Here is an overview:

• 8:15 Team Meeting
• 9:30 Quick Coffee in the cafeteria
• 9:45 First class – Strategy, Finance and Marketing
• 11:15 Second Class – Statistics, People Management of Operations
• 12:30 Lunch Break – enjoy the sun at the turtle pond, last-minute case reading, club presentations
• 14:00 Third Class – Leadership or Business Ethics
• 15:30 Business Spanish Program
• 17:00 Off to case work!
• After 19:00 Project work with team members, sports training, dinners or more casework.

The program has a comprehensive general management focus with the objective of preparing talented professionals to take on leadership roles in global organizations or start their own companies. In addition, students can concentrate on a particular area by taking electives, which are offered during the second year.

IESE has one of the most international MBA cohorts in the world. More than 85% of students come from outside Spain, representing over 50 nationalities. No single nationality dominates the classroom, creating a truly global learning environment.

Instead of traditional lectures, you will analyze real business cases. You prepare individually, discuss in small teams, and then participate in classroom debates moderated by professors. This develops critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills.

Unlike lectures in which students passively receive knowledge taught by their professors, at IESE, it’s mainly the students who contribute ideas in dynamic learning classes. We firmly believe that the best way to learn to make professional business decisions is by making them in a safe, academic environment.

IESE is known for its academic rigor. Students analyze hundreds of business cases throughout the MBA, with classroom participation playing a central role in the learning experience. The pace is demanding, collaborative, and highly participative.

You are assigned to a diverse team of 8-9 classmates from different industries and nationalities during the first year. Much of the learning happens through teamwork, debate, and collaboration, making the “Team Room” one of the defining elements of the IESE MBA experience.

Yes. In addition to the Case Method, students participate in simulations, consulting projects, case competitions, entrepreneurship initiatives, international modules, and treks, providing hands-on learning and exposure to real business challenges.

The MBA combines a rigorous general management core during the first year with significant flexibility in the second year. Students can tailor their experience through electives, international exchanges, internships, entrepreneurship projects, career treks, and language-learning opportunities.

During the second year, students can customize their MBA experience through choosing from over 140 electives in areas such as AI, entrepreneurship, family business, private equity, technology, luxury, sustainability, healthcare, strategy, finance, and global business management. Students can either focus on a particular topic by pursuing a concentration, which involves taking a selected set of electives within a specific field, or opt for a broader, more general learning experience by choosing electives across different areas.

During the second year, students can choose specific electives within different categories to earn a concentration along with their MBA diploma. The concentrations available are:

• AI, Tech & Data
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Family Business
• Finance
• International Business
• Sustainability & Responsible Business

Yes, you can certainly take classes across different topics and concentrations. You will need to complete four relevant course credits in order to graduate with a concentration, so it is possible to have two concentrations depending on the elective courses that you choose.

Yes, IESE employs a grade non-disclosure policy. The school only admits MBA candidates who have a proven track record of outstanding academic and professional achievement, as well as cross-cultural awareness and leadership potential. For this reason, recruiters are not permitted to ask students about grades during an interview.

Yes. The International Exchange Program (IEP) takes place in the first and second terms of the second year. IESE sends around 85 exchange students per year to approximately 30 universities with which we have exchange agreements and hosts an equal number of students from these universities.

Yes. IESE has exchange agreements with leading schools such as Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Kellogg, MIT Sloan and Wharton. Exchange opportunities are competitive and based on academic performance during the first year.

Entrepreneurship is deeply embedded in the IESE MBA experience. The program combines academic learning with practical exposure to founders, investors, innovation leaders, and real entrepreneurial challenges. There is also the chance to earn a concentration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation alongside the MBA diploma, by taking specific electives in the second year.

Whether students want to launch a startup, acquire a company, join a scale-up, or drive innovation within an established firm, the MBA provides access to IESE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and global network.

Yes. Many students use their time during the IESE MBA to develop entrepreneurial ventures, validate business ideas, or work on startup projects while benefiting from IESE’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and mentoring network.

Students can access initiatives such as the Summer Entrepreneurship Experience (SEE), entrepreneurship-focused electives, mentorship opportunities and student-led Startup & Entrepreneurship and Private Equity & Venture Capital clubs.

Around 30% of IESE alumni start a business within five years of graduation.

The Summer Entrepreneurship Experience (SEE) allows IESE MBA students to dedicate the summer period to developing their own venture ideas rather than pursuing a traditional corporate internship. The program combines hands-on venture building with mentorship, entrepreneurial guidance, and access to IESE’s startup ecosystem.

Yes. IESE is widely recognized as one of the leading institutions globally for Search Funds.

IESE was the first business school outside North America to offer its students an intensive course focused on search funds, which is now one of the most popular electives at IESE. Over 60 IESE graduates have raised search funds in 20 countries on 5 continents.

Through its International Search Fund Center, conferences, investor summits, and specialized programming, IESE connects students with experienced operators, investors, and acquisition opportunities from around the world.

IESE has one of the world’s most established Search Fund ecosystems outside the United States. In collaboration with Stanford, IESE publishes leading research on Search Funds and regularly hosts major industry gatherings, including the International Search Fund Conference.

Students interested in acquiring and operating companies as CEO-owners can access:

• specialized clubs,
• investor networks,
• Search Fund focused learning opportunities,
• and direct exposure to experienced search fund entrepreneurs.

Yes. IESE students can participate in the Startup & Entrepreneurship club, the Private Equity & Venture Capital club and the Search Fund Initiative. They organize speaker events, networking sessions, investor meetings, treks, workshops, and peer-learning opportunities throughout the year.

Barcelona is one of Europe’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. The city offers a dynamic startup ecosystem, international talent, access to investors, and a strong quality of life that attracts founders from around the world.

At IESE, entrepreneurship extends far beyond the classroom. Students benefit from access to mentors, investors, experienced founders, venture capital initiatives, entrepreneurship-focused electives, and one of Europe’s strongest entrepreneurship communities.

Yes. IESE offers mentoring initiatives designed to support entrepreneurs at different stages of growth.

Programs include WeStart Mentoring for early-stage startups, WeGrow Mentoring for scaling ventures, and access to experienced founders, investors, alumni, and faculty mentors across industries.

IESE offers multiple opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurial finance and investing.

These include the Finaves venture capital fund, the Business Angels Network, the Private Equity & Venture Capital club, as well as entrepreneurship-focused conferences and events.

Yes. IESE supports technology transfer and deep-tech innovation through initiatives such as the Technology Transfer Initiative, Technology Transfer Lab, and partnerships with innovation and research organizations.

These initiatives help entrepreneurs explore emerging technologies and commercialize innovative ideas.

No. At IESE, entrepreneurship is understood broadly as the ability to identify, develop, and grow new opportunities, whether in startups, family businesses, large corporations, or investment environments.

The MBA emphasizes entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, adaptability, and leadership across many career paths.

Our Career Development Center (CDC) works with students from day one through career coaching, company presentations, networking events, interview preparation, and career strategy support. IESE is also one of the few business schools globally with a mandatory Career Fundamentals Program for all MBAs. This structured, milestone-driven program covers every core component of the career search – CVs, storytelling, networking, interviewing – with tracked progress and required deliverables. It ensures that all students are recruiter-ready early in the program, aligning their preparation with hiring timelines and employer expectations.

Students also have access to IESE’s 60,000+ alumni community, which is known for being one of the most engaged and supportive in the world. It is currently ranked second globally by the Financial Times (FT Global MBA Ranking 2025 and 2026) thanks to its strength at creating career opportunities and supporting students’ professional development across industries and regions.

The school also maintains strong employer relationships across industries. More than 300 recruiting companies actively partner with IESE, and IESE hosts Europe’s largest MBA career fair for structured recruitment.

Career support begins before classes start and continues throughout the MBA journey. Students receive individualized coaching, access to career tracks, interview preparation, networking events, and employer engagement opportunities from the beginning of the program.

IESE attracts recruiters from leading global companies across consulting, technology, finance, healthcare, consumer goods, energy, and industrial sectors.

IESE is a designated Global Talent School for many of the world’s leading employers, including Amazon, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, and others. More than 300 companies actively engage with IESE Careers each year through recruitment activities, networking events, and employer partnerships.

Alongside structured recruitment, students also benefit from the school’s highly engaged alumni network and strong support for entrepreneurial and less traditional career paths.

Yes. Most students complete a summer internship between the first and second year of the MBA. In addition, there is also the possibility of taking an internship in the fall or winter terms, instead of the summer. Internships can help students deepen industry experience, explore new career directions, and build long-term professional relationships.

For many students, internships also serve as an opportunity to test potential career paths before making longer-term decisions after graduation.

IESE’s MBA helps students develop the adaptability and cross-cultural perspective increasingly valued in global business environments. Rather than focusing only on geographic mobility, IESE emphasizes preparing graduates to lead effectively across cultures, industries, and evolving business contexts throughout their careers.

This, combined with a highly international student body, faculty, global alumni network, and strong recruiter relationships across multiple regions makes IESE particularly attractive for candidates seeking international career opportunities.

Yes. IESE has extensive experience supporting internationally mobile candidates pursuing careers across Europe, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

The return on the IESE MBA extends far beyond the first post-MBA role. While graduates continue to achieve strong employment and salary outcomes, the MBA’s greatest value often comes from the long-term career opportunities, leadership development, and professional network it creates over decades.

IESE equips students with the adaptability, strategic perspective, and leadership skills needed to navigate evolving industries and technologies throughout their careers. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, these capabilities have become increasingly important to employers.

IESE has a global alumni community of more than 60,000 executives and entrepreneurs across industries and regions worldwide.

The network is widely recognized for its engagement and accessibility, with alumni actively supporting students and fellow graduates through mentoring, recruiting, career guidance, entrepreneurship, and professional networking. During the MBA, IESE actively fosters these connections through initiatives such as alumni coffee chats, mentoring opportunities, and industry events.

IESE is currently ranked second globally for alumni network effectiveness in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (2025 and 2026), reflecting the network’s impact on career opportunities, professional growth, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

IESE is committed to lifelong learning and long-term career development well beyond graduation.

Alumni can continue participating in learning opportunities across IESE’s campuses and global events, including short executive programs, industry-focused sessions, and virtual learning experiences designed to support professional growth throughout their careers.

Graduates also retain access to numerous career resources at the school, including tools and programs that support career transitions, leadership development, and personal positioning in evolving markets. One example is the Professional Transition Program (PTP), which helps alumni strengthen self-awareness, refine their personal brand, and develop an effective professional strategy.

These resources help graduates remain adaptable and valuable to employers throughout their careers.

You can meet IESE alumni at recruiting events held around the world, such as Open Days. These events provide excellent opportunities to find out more about the program, meet graduates and get to know faculty members. We also suggest contacting any alumni you know through your own personal social networks such as LinkedIn.

If you are considering applying to the MBA program, we recommend that you visit the IESE campus in Barcelona. We hold Open Days on the Barcelona campus, as well as Coffee Chats with Alumni at other international locations. These events provide great opportunities to find out if IESE is right for you. You can find out more information about our open day and campus tour website here.

Due to the nature of the case study method, three to ten years’ work experience is recommended so that students have professional experience to share in class. Students currently have an average of five years of experience.

All previous experience that is relevant to your pursuit of an MBA is important to mention in your application. We consider full-time military service to be valuable professional experience and should be included as well in your application.

IESE MBA students reflect a wide range of backgrounds. We welcome applications from diverse fields including law, medicine, the arts and non-profit organizations. Leadership potential and a global mindset are also key attributes.

To apply to IESE’s MBA program, applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, submit all application requirements detailed on our website: application form, Kira video essays, application fee, university transcripts copy, GMAT*/GRE, English Test (if applicable), passport copy and one recommendation letter. Due to the nature of the case study method, three to ten years’ work experience is recommended so that students have professional experience to share in class. Each case is different, and we take into account an applicant’s personality, motivation, goals, leadership abilities and communication skills in the admissions process.

At IESE Business School, we take a holistic, personalized approach to admissions. Our GMAT acceptance score range is 545-715. If you took the previous version of the GMAT exam, the acceptance score range was 580–750. We accept scores from exams delivered online or at a test center. The average age of our recent MBA students is 29 and most have 5-6 years of work experience, they reflect diverse nationalities and while English is the language they have in common, many students are multilingual.

English is the language of instruction of IESE’s MBA. There is no test requirement for candidates whose first language is English, who have completed their university degree in English or who have lived at least two consecutive years in an English-speaking country. For all other candidates, IESE accepts a recommended score of TOEFL 100, PTE Academic 68 (C1), IELTS 7.5 and Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English minimum level B. To send in your score to IESE, our TOEFL code is 7237 and IELTS code is CL035.

In light of forthcoming changes to the TOEFL iBT English test, IESE confirms that TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after 21 January will continue to be accepted to meet the English language requirements for IESE’s MBA program. Until further notice, IESE will continue to assess results using the existing overall score scale of 0–120. IESE will review the revised test format in due course and will communicate any future updates to its acceptance criteria as appropriate.

The admission process begins in August. The earlier you apply to the MBA the better. IESE has four rounds of deadlines. Further information regarding specific deadlines can be found here.

We recommend that all non-EU citizens apply before Round 3 in order to assure time for visa procedure. It is important to note that scholarships are more likely to be awarded in the first three rounds of the admissions process, with 70 percent of them being awarded in the first two rounds. Applications received after the deadline will be processed in the next application round.

Yes. IESE evaluates candidates holistically. While academic readiness is important, strong leadership experience, international exposure, career progression, and a compelling personal story can strengthen an application significantly.

This approach reflects IESE’s emphasis on peer learning and classroom discussion. We carefully build each class to bring together high-caliber professionals with diverse perspectives, industries, and experiences, creating a collaborative learning environment where students learn as much from one another as from the faculty.

Yes. IESE accepts both the GMAT and GRE as part of the admissions process.

Yes, The GMAT or GRE is an obligatory component of your application and cannot be waived. We accept valid GMAT scores achieved through either through the current or previous edition equally. GMAC launched the current version of the GMAT exam (the “GMAT Focus Edition”) in November 2023. This is the only version of the GMAT exam currently available, offered both online and at test centers. IESE MBA GMAT acceptance score range is 545-715. If you took the previous version of the GMAT exam, the acceptance score range was 580–750. We accept scores from exams delivered online or at a test center. Our GRE acceptance range is: Verbal Range: 143-170, Quantitative Range: 143-170, Verbal Median: 156 and Quantitative Median: 161.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate strong professional achievement, leadership potential, international exposure, a collaborative mindset, and clear motivation for pursuing an MBA at IESE.

No. The MBA is taught entirely in English, and Spanish is not required for admission.

However, IESE offers free Spanish classes for all students, and candidates may earn a Bilingual MBA diploma by reaching the required proficiency level and completing selected electives in Spanish. Students can begin learning Spanish from beginner level during the program.

Many students see learning Spanish as a valuable addition to their MBA experience. Beyond language skills, it can help students build deeper connections with classmates and the local community, while further enriching their personal and professional experience in Barcelona.

IESE may invite shortlisted candidates to an Assessment Day that includes group discussions and collaborative exercises. The admissions team evaluates communication skills, leadership potential, and collaborative mindset in addition to academic ability.

Interviews are carried out by members of the Admissions Committee or IESE alumni.

Candidates will generally be informed if they are invited for an interview within 2-3 weeks after receiving confirmation that their application has been received by IESE.

Candidates are generally notified of the decision taken on their application within six weeks following the interview. Please check the Admissions & Fees page on website for final decision dates for each round.

The Admissions Team will notify you by email of the final decision on your application.

Yes. Every year, the IESE Financial Aid Office grants and manages roughly €6 million in financial aid and scholarships to students.

IESE offers a number of scholarships based on merit and financial need, such as the Laidlaw Women’s MBA Scholarship Program, which provides full-tuition scholarships to 13 outstanding women in every MBA intake. IESE also works with financial institutions such as Prodigy Finance and Banco Sabadell to support student financing. IESE Business School is also recognized by U.S. Federal (Direct Loan and Stafford Loan) and Private Loans programs. You can find more details about the scholarships and loans IESE offers for MBA students here.

IESE offers scholarships based on both merit and financial need, with the goal of supporting a diverse and talented MBA class.

Yes. IESE collaborates with several financial institutions that provide loan options for international MBA students. More details can be found here.

IESE scholarship applications should be completed and submitted within the MBA application form to the Admissions Department. Scholarship applicants are required to submit one scholarship essay as part of their MBA application. Candidates may indicate up to three scholarships they believe are most relevant to their profile, although the scholarship committee ultimately determines scholarship allocation. More details can be found here.

Students are limited to one scholarship, there’s no need to apply for a specific scholarship.

Scholarships are generally announced together with your notification of acceptance to the program, or within two weeks of the release of your final decision. If we are unable to grant you a scholarship in your particular round deadline, your scholarship application may be rolled over to the following round for consideration. We will inform you accordingly if that is the case.

IESE’s Admissions Team will inform you about the scholarship decision. We kindly ask that applicants wait for the team to contact them.

Barcelona is a vibrant and beautiful city, that combines a dynamic business ecosystem with world class culture, gastronomy, and an exceptional quality of life. The city is also a major European hub for entrepreneurship, technology, and international business.

Living costs vary depending on lifestyle and housing choices, but the average living costs in Barcelona are comparably less than those of other large European cities. You can find more details here. Students should budget for accommodation, transportation, social activities, travel, and day-to-day expenses in addition to tuition.

Most MBA students live in neighborhoods close to campus or well connected by public transportation, including Pedralbes, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Eixample, and Gràcia.

Yes. IESE has a very active Families and Partners initiative, which provides dedicated events, resources and support networks designed to help partners and families integrate into life in Barcelona. IESE is also among the few schools with a dedicated onboarding program for the partners of our MBA students, ensuring that partners feel welcomed and integrated from day one.

Yes. In fact, IESE is the only business school to offer MBA partners their own unique academic program, which is designed to cater specifically to their needs. It addresses potential issues partners may face during the process of adjusting to life in a new cultural and social environment.

The program provides academic sessions by IESE professors with the aim of equipping them with a set of skills that can help them to grow and benefit from their stay in Barcelona. This ranges from supporting career changes, identifying new opportunities or building on current goals.

Throughout the year there will also be cultural visits and events on campus specifically for partners or where partners are able to join alongside students. For example, the MBA Club Fair, Social Action Fair, Global Leadership Sessions, visits to Sagrada Familia, day trip to Montserrat, Christmas activities on campus and much more. Partners are also invited to the many student-led conferences that take place on campus by the various clubs, such as the Women in Business Conference, Doing Good Doing Well, Energy Day and Healthcare Day.

Student clubs are a central part of the MBA experience. Clubs organize career treks, conferences, recruiting preparation, social events, speaker series, competitions, and community-building activities throughout the year.

IESE offers a wide variety of professional, entrepreneurial, geographic, cultural and social clubs that reflect the diversity of student interests and career goals.

Quick Comparison: Club Types

Professional clubs at IESE act as a second Career Development Center. They organize interview preparation sessions, technical workshops, networking opportunities, and peer-to-peer recruiting resources across industries such as consulting, finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. Examples of these resources include “Interview Banks” – crowdsourced databases of actual questions asked by McKinsey, Google, or Goldman Sachs to IESE students in previous years.

Career Treks are student-led trips to major business hubs such as London, Dubai and Berlin, where students meet recruiters, alumni, and industry leaders.

Multi-Culti is one of IESE’s signature student traditions and celebrates the diversity of the MBA community. Organizing and participating in the event also develops teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration skills.

At IESE, social impact isn’t a nice-to-have hobby it’s a central part of the experience. The Social Action Club partners with the Social Impact Consulting elective. You can earn academic credit by working on pro-bono consulting projects for NGOs and social enterprises in Africa, Southeast Asia, or local Barcelona charities, effectively turning your extra-curricular work into a resume builder. Students can combine extracurricular involvement with academic learning through social impact consulting projects and collaborations with NGOs and social enterprises.

Yes. The Student Council meets regularly with the Dean, works closely with MBA leadership and plays an active role in shaping elements of student life and the overall MBA experience. Historically, student feedback via the council has led to curriculum shifts and new specialized career treks. It’s a serious commitment for those looking to practice institutional leadership.