IE Business School: How It Has Changed and Where It Is Headed

IE Business School today in numbers

In Madrid, the school is based at the IE Tower on Paseo de la Castellana and the María de Molina campus, with IE University's historic campus in Segovia. The school cites students from over 165 nationalities, and IE University says its alumni network spans 85,000 people in 180 countries.

The IE Business School ranking picture is strong, though it varies by programme:

What has changed at IE since 2021

A new dean. Lee Newman became the school's ninth dean in 2021, succeeding Martin Boehm. He holds a PhD in psychology and computer science from the University of Michigan and worked at McKinsey. IE linked his appointment to the impact of AI and behavioural science on business.

A US college. IE University created IE New York College (IENYC) in SoHo, recognised by the State of New York, with IE University as its sole member. Master in Management students can now take a two-year dual degree that starts in Madrid and finishes in New York.

A reshaped MBA range. IE's online MBA, ranked first by the Financial Times in every March edition from 2023 to 2026, has evolved into the IE Global MBA: 18 months, fully online or blended. Senior executives choose between the Global Executive MBA and the IE Brown Executive MBA, run jointly with Brown University.

Renamed masters. The former Master in Business Analytics and Big Data is now the Master in Business Analytics and Data Science, taught by IE School of Science and Technology. IE also offers a Master in Management and Strategy for graduates with business or STEM degrees and relevant experience.

Rankings have moved too. In the FT Master in Management ranking, IE went from 13th in 2021 to 21st in 2024, while QS placed the same programme 5th in September 2025.

Where the school is headed

IE describes New York as a "transatlantic bridge" to Madrid. IENYC plans to add a Master in Finance and a Master in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence from 2026, and IE University aims to double its full-time faculty by 2030.

Technology runs through the newer curricula. The Master in Finance offers certifications in finance technologies and AI, and the analytics master includes AWS, Microsoft and Tableau certifications.

What it means for your application

IE Business School admissions run on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines, and places go first come, first served. Most programmes follow the same steps: an online application with a €150 fee, an entrance test where required, a three-question online assessment, then an interview with the admissions team.

Choose the programme before the brand. Start with the life you want, then the industry and the skills it needs, and only then the degree:

• Graduates with up to three years of experience: IE MiM admissions
• Quantitative profiles aiming at banking or investing: IE Master in Finance admissions
• Professionals with three or more years of experience: IE MBA admissions
• Managers who want to keep working: IE Executive MBA admissions
• Data and AI careers: IE Master in Business Analytics admissions

For daily life in the city, read our IE Madrid profile.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into IE?

IE does not publish acceptance rates, so treat every programme as selective. The committee reviews your whole file: academics, test result, online assessment and interview. Because admissions are rolling and places are limited, applying early gives you more room, especially if you need a visa.

Does IE Business School require the GMAT?

It depends on the programme. The Master in Management and International MBA accept the ieGAT, GMAT or GRE. The Master in Finance asks for the GMAT, GRE, CFA Level I or CAIA Level I. The Global Executive MBA requires no entrance test. Note that the ieGAT can be taken only once.