IESE Business School logo

IESE Business School

Barcelona, ES · Ranking #2

IESE Business School is the graduate business school of the University of Navarra, founded in Barcelona in 1958 and now operating campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Munich and São Paulo. It offers world‑class MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, Master in Management and a broad portfolio of executive education programs, all rooted in a general management perspective and a strong emphasis on ethics and leadership. IESE is consistently ranked among the top global business schools, with its full‑time MBA placed fourth worldwide in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026. The school is known for its case‑method teaching, close interaction with international faculty, and strong links to global companies and alumni across more than 130 countries.

IESE Business School logo

IESE Business School

About the university

IESE Business School is the graduate business school of the University of Navarra, founded in Barcelona in 1958 and now operating campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Munich and São Paulo. It offers world‑class MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, Master in Management and a broad portfolio of executive education programs, all rooted in a general management perspective and a strong emphasis on ethics and leadership. IESE is consistently ranked among the top global business schools, with its full‑time MBA placed fourth worldwide in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026. The school is known for its case‑method teaching, close interaction with international faculty, and strong links to global companies and alumni across more than 130 countries.

Key information

  • Location: Barcelona, ES
  • Ranking #2
  • QS #8
  • THE #10
  • National ranking #3
  • Institution type: private

Popular faculties

  • MBA Program
  • Executive MBA
  • Global Executive MBA
  • Master In Management
  • Master In Finance
  • PhD In Management
  • Executive Education Programs

Programs (13)

  • Computer Science
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • Mathematics
  • Sociology
  • Education

Student body

  • Total students: 570
  • Graduate: 570
  • International students: 85%

Campus life

Campus life at IESE Barcelona revolves around an intensive schedule of case‑method classes, team meetings, company presentations and networking events on a hillside campus overlooking the city. Students work closely in diverse teams, participate in conferences and treks, organize business competitions and social events and often interact with executives and alumni who visit the school. The small class size fosters a tight‑knit, collaborative community with strong emphasis on leadership development and personal reflection. Barcelona’s cultural life, beaches and business ecosystem complement the academic experience and provide many opportunities for internships and career exploration.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €800 - €1,500 / per month

Housing options

  • Private apartments in Barcelona
  • Shared student flats near IESE campus
  • Student residences and business‑school focused housing
  • Homestays with local families
  • Short‑term serviced apartments and hostels

Student clubs and organizations

  • Consulting club
  • Finance and private equity club
  • Entrepreneurship and venture capital club
  • Tech and digital innovation club
  • Industry and regional clubs (Latin America
  • Asia
  • Europe)
  • Sports and outdoor clubs
  • Social impact and responsible business clubs

Sports

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Running and triathlon groups
  • Fitness and gym training groups
  • Outdoor and hiking clubs

Career & internships

Employment rate: 95%

Partner companies

  • McKinsey & Company
  • Boston Consulting Group
  • Bain & Company
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Goldman Sachs
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Novartis
  • Nestlé
  • L’Oréal
  • Schneider Electric

Internships: IESE has a strong global reputation among employers and maintains deep relationships with consulting firms, investment banks, technology companies, industrial groups and impact‑driven organisations. Most full‑time MBA students complete a summer internship between the first and second year, often in consulting, finance, tech, industry or entrepreneurship, with support from the Career Development Center. The school organises career forums in Barcelona and international treks where students meet recruiters in key hubs such as London, New York, Dubai and São Paulo. Many internships convert into full‑time offers, contributing to very high post‑graduation employment rates.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • Online application form
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate and official transcripts
  • GMAT or GRE scores
  • Valid passport
  • English proficiency test scores (TOEFL
  • IELTS or equivalent) if required
  • CV or résumé
  • Essays and motivation statements
  • Two or more letters of recommendation
  • Application fee payment
  • Interview (in person or online) for shortlisted candidates

Tuition costs

  • €55,000 - €65,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 18.00%
  • Scholarships available: IESE offers extensive financial aid for its MBA and other programmes, including merit‑based scholarships, need‑based aid, diversity and geography scholarships and sector‑specific awards. Many scholarships can cover a significant portion of tuition and all admitted candidates are automatically considered for most merit awards, with early applicants having an advantage. The school also collaborates with banks and lending organisations to provide education loans and payment plans. Company sponsorship and employer co‑funding are common for executive programmes. Details on available scholarships and financing options are updated each year on IESE’s admissions and funding pages.
  • Additional costs: MBA materials €2000/year, Case study access €500/year, Events €300/year

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1958
  • Teaching languages: English, Spanish, spanish, english
  • Study formats: offline, hybrid

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