About the university
IE began in 1973 as Instituto de Empresa, a business school founded in Madrid by a group of entrepreneurs. It built its name on the MBA and other master's courses before taking over a small private university in Segovia, which became IE University in 2008. The first bachelor's students graduated in 2013, so the university side is young even though the business school is more than fifty years old.
Today IE is an umbrella for six schools. The business school is still the largest and is the reason most people know the name: its MBA, master's in management and marketing master's appear regularly in Financial Times and QS business-school tables. Newer schools cover law, international relations and economics, architecture and design, computer science and data, and the humanities.
Teaching is in small classes with a lot of case discussion, group projects and presentations, and IE pushes entrepreneurship hard: it says about a quarter of its alumni have started a company. Most bachelor's degrees can begin in Segovia, a small UNESCO World Heritage city about 30 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, before moving to Madrid; others are fully in Madrid, where the main campus is a 180-metre glass tower in the Cuatro Torres business district.
For Indian students IE is a premium, career-focused choice rather than a budget one. Fees are close to UK and US private universities, and admission is selective: you take IE's own admissions test (or the GMAT/GRE for master's), do an online video assessment and an interview. Classes are highly international, so you will rarely be in a big group from one country, and almost everything happens in English, though some Spanish helps for part-time work and life outside campus.
- Founded
- 1973 in Madrid as Instituto de Empresa, a graduate business school; renamed IE University in 2008, first undergraduates graduated in 2013
- Type
- Private university recognised by the Spanish government; degrees follow the Bologna (EHEA) framework
- International students
- More than 75% of students come from outside Spain, from about 130 nationalities each year
- Schools
- Six: Business; Law; Politics, Economics and Global Affairs; Architecture and Design; Science and Technology; Humanities
- Campuses
- IE Tower and María de Molina in Madrid; the Santa Cruz la Real convent campus in Segovia
- Language of teaching
- English for all programmes on this page (several bachelor's can also be taken in Spanish)
- Main intake
- September for bachelor's degrees; master's start in September, and some also in January, February or April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
446 in the world
QS Business Master's Rankings: Marketing 2025
3rd in the world (IE Business School)
QS International MBA ranking (non-US) 2025–26
7th in the world (IE Business School)
Financial Times European Business Schools 2024
11th in Europe (IE Business School)
Pitchbook: MBA programmes for founders 2026
3rd in Europe (IE Business School)
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €27,300
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended) or TOEFL 100
- Undergraduate
Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics
- Fee / year
- €27,300
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September (start in Segovia or Madrid)
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended) or TOEFL 100
- Undergraduate
Bachelor in Business Administration
- Fee / year
- €29,880
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended) or TOEFL 100
- Postgraduate
Master in Business Analytics and Data Science
- Fee / year
- €43,000
- Duration
- 11 months full time (17 months part time)
- Intakes
- April and September (full time); February (part time)
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €40,000
- Duration
- 15 months
- Intakes
- September and January
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €42,000
- Duration
- 10 months
- Intakes
- September and April
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €89,900
- Duration
- 11 or 15 months (longer options with an exchange or dual degree)
- Intakes
- September and January
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €37,000
- Duration
- 10 months
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence | 4 years | €27,300 | ≈ ₹28.9 lakh |
| Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics | 4 years | €27,300 | ≈ ₹28.9 lakh |
| Bachelor in Business Administration | 4 years | €29,880 | ≈ ₹31.7 lakh |
| Master in Business Analytics and Data Science | 11 months full time (17 months part time) | €43,000 | ≈ ₹45.6 lakh |
| Master in Management | 15 months | €40,000 | ≈ ₹42.4 lakh |
| Master in Finance | 10 months | €42,000 | ≈ ₹44.5 lakh |
| International MBA | 11 or 15 months (longer options with an exchange or dual degree) | €89,900 | ≈ ₹95.3 lakh |
| Master in Digital Marketing | 10 months | €37,000 | ≈ ₹39.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at IE University with similar universities in Spain.
Scholarships
- All bachelor's degrees
Direct Awards (undergraduate)
Value: Merit award off tuition; amount set by IE
Eligibility: Every applicant is considered automatically during admission. No separate application is needed.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - All bachelor's degrees
IE Awards (undergraduate)
Value: Between 10% and 60% of tuition fees
Eligibility: Submit a financial aid application while your admission is in progress. Assessed on merit and financial need.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and master's
IE Foundation scholarships
Value: Varies by scholarship and partner organisation
Eligibility: Each scholarship has its own criteria and deadline; some are aimed at students from particular regions or with limited access to other funding.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and MBA
Master's Direct Awards and application-based awards
Value: Partial tuition awards; IE says it gave more than €18 million in 2024–25
Eligibility: Direct Awards are considered automatically at admission. Other awards need an application before the programme starts.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 completed, with transcripts from the last two school years and any grades already available this year.
- Online application with a non-refundable €150 admission fee. You can also apply through the Common App.
- IE's own Admissions Test (in English: verbal, logical and numerical reasoning, with a maths section for science and technology degrees), or SAT/LNAT scores instead.
- An online assessment with video and written answers, followed by a personal interview.
- Applications run in rounds. For September 2027: Early Round 18 September 2026, Round 1 6 November 2026, Round 2 15 January 2027, Round 3 5 March 2027; later applications only while places remain.
- Indian school qualifications must be officially validated (homologated) by the Spanish Ministry of Education before enrolment is final. IE says this can take 3–6 months, so start early.
- On enrolment every new student pays a one-off €1,200 contribution to the IE Foundation in addition to tuition.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree (final transcripts or an interim transcript if you are still studying) and a CV.
- An admissions test: ieGAT, GMAT or GRE for most master's; the Master in Finance also accepts CFA or CAIA Level I; the MBA also accepts the Executive Assessment.
- Online application with a non-refundable €150 fee, then an interview with the admissions team.
- The International MBA expects several years of work experience (the class average age is about 29).
- Tuition can be paid in instalments; plans with more than three instalments carry a €400 administration charge.
- A one-off €1,200 IE Foundation contribution is payable at enrolment.
Documents
- Valid passport and a passport-size photo
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's), or degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- Translations or legalisation where IE asks for them
- CV with activities and any work experience
- English test score (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or Cambridge)
- Admissions test or GMAT/GRE score
- Portfolio for architecture, design and fashion applicants (and optional for others)
- Proof of funds and health insurance later, for the Spanish student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Minimum 7.0, with 7.5 recommended |
| TOEFL iBT | Minimum 100, with 105 recommended |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum 130 |
| Cambridge | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
| Exemption | IE may waive the test if your previous studies were in English; confirm with admissions before you skip it. |
Accommodation and living costs
IE has no guaranteed halls of its own; students rent private residences or shared flats, and IE's student services team helps with the search. The figures below are IE's own monthly estimates for Madrid (2025) and Segovia. Segovia rents have risen sharply because of student demand, so book early if you start there.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat, MadridIE student services estimate | €600–1,100per month | ≈ ₹63,600 – ₹1.2 lakh |
| Room in a private student residence, MadridOften includes some meals and cleaning | €800–1,800per month | ≈ ₹84,800 – ₹1.9 lakh |
| Studio, Madrid | €800–1,600per month | ≈ ₹84,800 – ₹1.7 lakh |
| Room in a shared flat, SegoviaIE student services estimate | €400–1,000per month | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹1.1 lakh |
| Room in a private residence, Segovia | €900–2,000per month | ≈ ₹95,400 – ₹2.1 lakh |
| GroceriesDepends on how often you eat out | €200–400per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹42,400 |
| Public transport pass, MadridLower price with the youth pass | €8–55per month | ≈ ₹848 – ₹5,830 |
| Private Spanish health insuranceNeeded for the student visa | €35–57per month | ≈ ₹3,710 – ₹6,042 |
Campus and location
IE splits its life between two very different cities. Madrid is the capital and Spain's business centre; Segovia is a small walled city with a Roman aqueduct, about 30 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train.
- IE Tower, opened in 2021, is a vertical campus in the 180-metre Caleido tower in northern Madrid's business district, with space for about 6,000 students.
- The María de Molina campus in the Salamanca district of central Madrid hosts business-school and other classes.
- The Segovia campus is a restored 13th-century Dominican convent, Santa Cruz la Real, next to the old city walls; its church is used for graduations.
- Architecture and design have their own Segovia building, the Palacio de Mansilla, since 2025.
- There are more than 100 student clubs, from debating and music to sports teams.
- Students in higher education in Spain can work up to 30 hours a week alongside their studies.
Careers and graduate outcomes
IE publishes career figures per programme. The numbers below come from IE's own programme pages and cover all graduates, not only Indian students. Spain also gives graduates a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work or start a business.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Master in Management job seekers with an offer within 6 months | 96% | IE Business School, Master in Management page |
| Master in Management class: international students | 91%, from more than 43 nationalities | IE Business School, Master in Management page |
| International MBA class: international students | 92%, from about 57 nationalities | IE Business School, International MBA page |
| Alumni who have founded their own company | About 25% | IE University |
| IE alumni network | More than 75,000 alumni in 182 countries | IE University, About page |
Studying in Spain
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Spain. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a bachelor's at IE cost per year?
For 2027–28 most bachelor's degrees cost €27,300 in the first year, Business Administration €29,880, and architecture, design and fashion €28,020. Fees rise each year, and you also pay a one-off €1,200 IE Foundation contribution and a €150 application fee.
What IELTS score does IE University need?
IELTS 7.0 minimum, with 7.5 recommended. TOEFL 100 (105 recommended), Duolingo 130 or Cambridge C1/C2 are also accepted.
Do I need to sit an entrance test?
Yes. Bachelor's applicants take IE's own Admissions Test (SAT or LNAT can replace it). Master's applicants take the ieGAT, GMAT or GRE, depending on the programme.
When should I apply for September 2027?
IE admits in rounds. The early round closes on 18 September 2026 and Round 1 on 6 November 2026. Indian students should apply in an early round, because school-certificate validation in Spain and the visa can take several months.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. The programmes on this page are taught in English. Basic Spanish still helps with renting, part-time jobs and internships outside multinational firms.
Can I work in Spain after graduating from IE?
Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work or start a business. You then need a job that qualifies for a work permit.
Sources
- IE University: About IE (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: application form and requirements (fee, documents, English) (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: admissions rounds 2027–28 (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: enrolment and credential validation (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics, admissions and fees (opens in a new tab)
- IE Business School: Master in Management, admissions and fees (opens in a new tab)
- IE School of Science and Technology: Master in Business Analytics and Data Science, admissions and fees (opens in a new tab)
- IE Business School: International MBA, admissions and fees (opens in a new tab)
- IE Business School: rankings (opens in a new tab)
- IE Financial Aid: undergraduate awards and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- IE Financial Aid: master's awards (opens in a new tab)
- IE Student Services: cost of living in Segovia (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IE Student Services: living in Madrid (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ie.edu/university (opens in a new tab)
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