IESE Business School in Barcelona runs one of Europe’s most respected MBAs, built on the case method and a strong general-management focus. MBA Center has guided 5 candidates into IESE. We help you pick the right round, reach a competitive GMAT or GRE score, write essays and Kira video answers that show who you are, and prepare for the interview and Assessment Day.
Sources: IESE MBA, class profile and admissions pages, checked October 2026. A GMAT or GRE score is required. See our GMAT preparation and GRE preparation.
Updated October 2026. Round 1 has closed, so Round 2 (7 January 2027) is the main target for this season. Round 4 is late in the cycle, when fewer places and scholarships remain. Source: IESE application rounds.
CV, transcripts, GMAT or GRE score, English test, one recommendation letter, written essays and a €200 fee.
Four video questions. The link arrives within 24 hours of submitting and expires 48 hours later, so submit the written part a few days before the deadline.
A review of your complete file.
In English, on campus in Barcelona, by videoconference or with an admissions director travelling to your region.
A day with other candidates where you present aspects of your candidacy in an original way. Not everyone is invited, but IESE strongly recommends attending if you are.
Shared by phone and email.
IESE teaches mainly through business cases, and the selection process tests how you think, listen and argue in a group. We run mock interviews and group-discussion practice so you are ready to defend a point of view and build on other people’s ideas. See interview preparation.
Candidates who want an MBA in Spain usually compare IESE with IE in Madrid. IESE’s MBA lasts 15 or 19 months, starts once a year with four fixed rounds and is built on the case method; IE’s International MBA starts in September or January, can take 11 months and admits on a rolling basis.
Free consultation on your profile and the right round; a test plan for a target GMAT or GRE score inside IESE’s range; essay and recommendation help from your Personal Coach; timed practice for IESE’s four Kira video questions; mock interviews and group-case practice for Assessment Day; and help with IESE’s scholarship and loan applications.
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.
For the September 2027 intake, the IESE MBA deadlines are 23 September 2026, 7 January 2027, 9 March 2027 and 6 May 2027. Final decisions follow on 23 November 2026, 15 March 2027, 30 April 2027 and 11 June 2027.
IESE’s acceptance range is 545 to 715 on the GMAT Focus Edition (580 to 750 on the previous GMAT). A GMAT or GRE score is required, but IESE also weighs your personality, motivation, goals, leadership and communication skills.
The Assessment Day is an optional but strongly recommended stage where invited candidates meet other applicants and present aspects of their candidacy in an original way. Not every candidate is invited if IESE already has enough information.
The IESE MBA lasts 15 or 19 months, depending on whether you choose the Traditional or Flexible track. It is based in Barcelona, taught in English and starts each September.
Tuition for the September 2027 intake is €117,000, which includes a €10,000 non-refundable commitment fee. The application fee is €200, and IESE offers scholarships and loan programmes.