IE Business School in Madrid is one of Europe’s most international and entrepreneurial business schools. MBA Center has guided 7 candidates into IE’s International MBA, Master in Management and Master in Finance. We help you choose the right programme and intake, prepare for the ieGAT, GMAT or GRE, get ready for IE’s video assessment and interview, and present a profile that fits IE’s practical, entrepreneurial culture.
IE runs English-taught programmes in Madrid with September and January intakes. Figures from ie.edu:
Sources: IE International MBA and admissions pages, checked October 2026.
IE admits on a rolling basis rather than in fixed rounds, so places and scholarships fill as the intake approaches. The process has four steps:
CV, personal statement, transcripts, two references, an English certificate (unless exempt) and a €150 fee.
Three timed questions, two answered on video and one in writing, taking 20–30 minutes.
The ieGAT, GMAT or GRE.
With a member of the admissions team, in person or online, followed by a decision from the Admissions Committee.
An admission is valid for the intake you apply to and the next one. Non-EU candidates should apply early to leave time for a Spanish student visa.
IE accepts its own test, the IE Global Admissions Test (ieGAT), as well as the GMAT and GRE. The ieGAT is designed for candidates from any academic background and tests practical decision-making; the GMAT or GRE makes more sense if you are also applying to schools that do not accept the ieGAT.
English: IE asks for TOEFL 100 (105 recommended), IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), Duolingo 130 or Cambridge Advanced, unless you are a native speaker or studied or worked in English. See IELTS preparation and TOEFL preparation.
IE’s Kira assessment tests how well you think on your feet: you see each question only when the timer starts. The interview then explores your goals, why IE and why now, and what you will bring to a very international class. We run timed Kira practice and mock interviews with feedback. See interview preparation.
Many candidates who want to study in Spain compare IE in Madrid with IESE in Barcelona. IE’s International MBA is shorter (from 11 months), has two intakes a year and admits on a rolling basis; IESE’s MBA is a longer, case-method programme with fixed rounds.
Your application is managed by a Head Coach, a Personal Coach, an Editor and a Concierge who keeps every deadline on track. No consultant works with more than six candidates at a time. MBA Center was founded in 1993 by Dr Hubert Silly, who still advises candidates personally.
IE admits on a rolling basis for its International MBA, with September and January intakes. Applications are reviewed as they arrive and a decision usually follows within one to three weeks of the interview.
No. IE accepts its own IE Global Admissions Test (ieGAT), the GMAT or the GRE. The ieGAT suits candidates focused on IE; the GMAT or GRE is better if you are also applying to other schools.
After you submit your application, IE sends a link to an online assessment with three timed questions: two answered on video and one in writing. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and shows how you think and communicate under time pressure.
IE asks for at least three years of professional experience. Participants have around six years of experience and are about 30 years old on average.
Tuition for the 11- and 15-month International MBA is €89,900, plus a one-off €1,200 IE Foundation contribution. IE offers merit-based scholarships, loans and interest-free payment plans.