IE University
IE Universidad
A private, English-taught university split between a Madrid skyscraper and a 13th-century convent in Segovia.
- International
- 80%
- of students
- Tuition
- €27,300
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1973
- QS World Ranking
- #446
- 2027 edition
About IE
IE University grew out of the Instituto de Empresa, founded in Madrid in 1973 as a graduate business and law school. It took over a small private university in Segovia in 2006 and has used the IE University name since 2008. Today it is organised into IE Business School, IE Law School, the IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, the IE School of Architecture and Design, the IE School of Science and Technology and the IE School of Arts and Humanities.
Every bachelor's programme is taught entirely in English, and the student body is unusually international: IE says over 80% of students come from outside Spain, from more than 140 countries. Undergraduates study either in the IE Tower, a 180-metre vertical campus in Madrid's financial district opened in 2021, or in Santa Cruz la Real, a Dominican convent founded in 1218 in the centre of Segovia. Some programmes, such as the BBA, can start in Segovia for two years and finish in Madrid.
Admission is holistic and runs in rounds: IE scores your school record, extracurricular involvement, background, English, an admissions test (its own online test or the SAT, ACT or LNAT) and an online video assessment, and may invite you to interview. Tuition is high, from about 27,300 euros a year, but IE says 35% of students receive some funding. It suits students who want a business-flavoured, international, English-language degree in Spain and who are comfortable with a private-university price.
Unus Mundus Mentes Diversae
“One World, Diverse Minds” — university motto
Why students choose IE
All bachelor's degrees are taught fully in English, with free beginner and intermediate Spanish included in years one and two.
A very international class: over 80% of students are from outside Spain, representing more than 140 countries.
IE reports that 96% of its Class of 2025 job seekers were working, and half of its graduates work outside their home country.
Dual degrees pair the BBA with Law, International Relations, Computer Science and AI, Data and Business Analytics, Design and more.
Admissions
2027-28 entry
Selectivity
IE does not publish an acceptance rate. Applications are scored on academic record, extracurriculars, personal background, English proficiency, admissions test and the online assessment; earlier rounds have more places available.
Typical entry requirements
| Any recognised secondary school system (60+ accepted) | Holistic review of the last two years' grades; subjects relevant to the chosen degree strongly recommended |
|---|---|
| SAT / ACT / LNAT (in place of the IE test) | SAT 1300 or above, ACT 28 or above, LNAT 22 or above (Law) |
| Spanish legal entry requirements | You must meet university entry requirements in your own country and file the Spanish Ministry of Education documents with IE by 15 October of your first year |
| English language | IELTS 7 · TOEFL iBT 100 Required for non-native speakers unless they have lived in an English-speaking country for over two years or studied at least the last two years of school in English (e.g. American high school, IB in English, A-levels). TOEFL 100 (105 recommended), IELTS 7.0 (7.5 recommended), Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, or Duolingo 130; certificates are valid for two years. |
Deadlines
- Early Round Non-binding Passed18 September 2026 (past)
Decisions by 23 October 2026.
- Round 1 Non-binding Next deadline · In 31 days6 November 2026
Decisions by 11 December 2026.
- Round 2 Non-binding In ~3 months15 January 2027
Decisions by 19 February 2027.
- Round 3 Non-binding In ~5 months5 March 2027
Decisions by 23 April 2027. A post-rounds period follows, first come first served while places remain.
Official 2027-28 calendar. You cannot choose your round: applications are placed in the round whose deadline they meet, and late applications roll into the next round. Admitted students confirm with a non-refundable place reservation fee (5,000 euros for the BBA and Global BBA, 3,000 euros for other programmes), deducted from first-year tuition.
How to apply
Apply online directly to IE with a 150 euro application fee: transcripts, one recommendation letter, CV, passport copy, photo and an 'Express Yourself' piece on a topic given in the form (portfolio optional). Then take the IE Admissions Test (or submit SAT, ACT or LNAT), complete the online video and written assessment, and interview if invited. The Admissions Committee decides within the round's timeline.
What admissions looks for
- Academic excellence shown in the last two years of school, ideally in subjects relevant to the chosen degree.
- Extracurricular involvement and a personal story, shown through the CV, recommendation and Express Yourself piece.
- Reasoning ability in the IE Admissions Test, or strong SAT, ACT or LNAT scores.
- Communication skills, critical thinking and motivation in the online assessment and interview.
- English proficiency good enough for a fully English-taught degree.
Tips for applying to IE
- 1 Apply in an early round: IE says earlier rounds have more capacity, and an early decision leaves time for Spanish degree recognition and visas.
- 2 The IE Admissions Test is short and timed (for example 37 numerical tasks in 12 minutes); IE says you cannot prepare for it and warns that no prep centres are official.
- 3 If you apply to Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and AI, Data and Business Analytics or Environmental Sciences, prepare for the 60-minute maths assessment covering algebra, linear algebra, calculus, geometry and statistics.
- 4 Use the Express Yourself section and optional portfolio to show something grades cannot, since IE reviews applicants beyond grades alone.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
IE University and the IE Foundation invest more than 50 million euros a year in financial support, and IE says 35% of students benefit, with more than 3,500 talent awards granted this year. Undergraduates apply to the Financial Aid office for awards and scholarships, and student loans and other financing options are available.
- 35%
- Students receiving funding
- More than 50 million euros
- Annual investment in financial support
- 3,500+
- Talent awards granted this year
- 150 euros (non-refundable)
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; single September intake
Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA)
IE's flagship degree, taught in Segovia and Madrid, and the base for most of its dual degrees; 29,880 euros a year for 2027-28.
Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE)
An interdisciplinary degree housed at IE Law School, with a maths assessment in admissions.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Offered with options to add an LL.M. at Northwestern University or King's College in the fourth year; LNAT 22+ accepted in place of the IE test.
Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
From the IE School of Science and Technology, launched in 2022; also offered as a dual degree with the BBA.
Bachelor in International Relations
Taught by the School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs; its mandatory language requirement is covered by tuition.
Bachelor in Architectural Studies
From the IE School of Architecture and Design, which Wikipedia says has had its own Segovia campus at the Palacio de Mansilla since 2025.
Research
- IE describes a network of studios, labs and centres across its locations; the Segovia campus alone has a Design Studio, a Creativity Center and science labs inside the restored convent.
- IE says 25% of its alumni go on to found their own companies.
- IE University is the sole member of IE New York College, an independent college in New York's SoHo that offers master's degrees.
Schools & faculties
- IE Business School
- IE Law School
- IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs
- IE School of Architecture and Design
- IE School of Science and Technology
- IE School of Arts and Humanities
96% of IE University Class of 2025 job seekers reported they were working; 50% of graduates work outside their country of origin, and 45% of international graduates started their careers in Spain.
Student life
Life depends on the campus. In Madrid, undergraduates share the IE Tower, a 180-metre skyscraper in the Cuatro Torres business district that IE calls a vertical campus, close to companies and start-ups. In Segovia, a small UNESCO World Heritage city 25 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, classes take place in the cloister and restored rooms of the Santa Cruz la Real convent, and IE says 100-plus nationalities shape the city's student social life. Wikipedia lists more than 100 student organisations, from debate and music to a European Law Students' Association chapter.
- Santa Cruz la Real, Segovia: a Dominican convent founded in 1218, whose church now serves as the Aula Magna for graduations.
- IE Tower, Madrid: the fifth-tallest building in Madrid, opened in 2021 as the undergraduate home.
- More than 100 student organisations, including the IE Debate Club and a chapter of the European Law Students' Association.
- An exchange programme and dual-degree options, plus a Brown University summer programme for eligible students.
Housing. In Segovia, the on-campus Reyes Católicos Residence Hall is part of the Santa Cruz la Real complex.
Location
Madrid is Spain's capital; IE notes it is large enough to anchor a career, can be crossed in about 30 minutes on fast, cheap public transport, and costs less to live in than London, Paris or Amsterdam. Segovia, 25 minutes away by high-speed train, is a small UNESCO World Heritage city; the campus sits below the old city walls, a short walk from the Roman aqueduct.
Nearest airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Notable alumni
- DL Diane LeyreModel and Miss France 2022; Bachelor of Business Administration graduate
- SE Sofia EllarSinger-songwriter; business administration graduate
- MY Marius YoFormer singer with the Japanese band Sexy Zone; PPLE graduate (2024)
- II Irene IkomuUgandan lawyer and democracy advocate, manager of Parliament Watch Uganda; IE executive MBA
- CR Carmen RiuHotelier, co-CEO and later chair of RIU Hotels & Resorts; postgraduate training at IE Business School
- MG Maya GnypOscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary producer; studied at IE Business School
Frequently asked questions
What is IE University's acceptance rate?
IE does not publish one. It scores applicants on grades, extracurriculars, background, English, an admissions test and an online assessment, and says earlier rounds have more places.
Does IE University require the SAT?
No. You can take IE's own online Admissions Test instead; if you submit scores, IE's minimums are SAT 1300, ACT 28 or LNAT 22 (Law).
How much does IE University cost per year?
For 2027-28, first-year tuition is 27,300 euros for most bachelor's degrees, 29,880 for the BBA and 31,800 to 34,020 for dual degrees, plus a one-time 1,200 euro IE Foundation contribution.
When are IE University's application deadlines for 2027?
Round 1 closes 6 November 2026, Round 2 on 15 January 2027 and Round 3 on 5 March 2027; the Early Round closed on 18 September 2026.
Are IE University degrees taught in English?
Yes. All bachelor's programmes are taught fully in English, and non-native speakers usually need TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0, Cambridge C1 or Duolingo 130.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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