IE Madrid: Global Business, Spanish Style

Why Study at IE Madrid? Here’s What Makes It Shine

An International Community Like No Other

If you’re on the lookout for a business school, you might want to check out this gem that’s been named one of the top 40 business schools in the world according to the 2025 QS Rankings. Located in the vibrant Maria de Molina financial district of Madrid, they also have a cozy campus in Segovia, just an hour from the city.

What’s really cool about this school is its international vibe, with about 75% of students coming from all over the globe. They offer a wide variety of programs, with their well-known 4-year Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) being a standout.

The new "IE Campus" is buzzing with over 200 clubs and associations, and it’s home to nearly 7,000 students from more than 150 different nationalities! Tuition for their programs is 25,000 euros per year, which is a bit on the higher side compared to other European BBAs. But don't worry—there are options for fee reductions based on family income, as well as loans and grants available through IE.

What Can You Study at IE? Discover the Programs

• Bachelor in Business Administration (4 years)
• Bachelor in Economics (4 years)
• Bachelor in Communication & Digital Media (4 years)
• Bachelor in International Relations (4 years)
• Bachelor of Laws (4 years)
• Bachelor in PPLE (Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics, 4 years)
• Bachelor in Data & Business Analytics (4 years)
• Bachelor in Design (4 years)

Double Degrees, Double the Opportunity

• Bachelor in Business Administration & Laws (5 years)
• Bachelor in Business Administration & International Relations (5 years)
• Bachelor in Business Administration, Data & Business Analytics (5 years)
• Bachelor in Business Administration & Design (5 years)
• Bachelor in Economics & International Relations (5 years)

The selection process for the Bachelors happens during your last year of high school, and you can apply through the IE website. Feel free to apply for more than one program at a time! It might be a bit of a journey with five stages to navigate, but don’t let that scare you off.

Just a heads up: the application process operates on a “rolling admissions” basis, which means there’s no set deadline, and you can apply as late as July or August. However, since these programs are quite popular and have limited spots, it’s a good idea to get your application in early.

Step 1: Start Your Application Online

Getting started with your application is simple! First, you'll need to set up your online application space and share some important information and documents.

Express Yourself! (Yes, Really.)

Here, you can show off your creativity by submitting a video, a PowerPoint presentation, or an essay that’s between 250 to 600 words. This is your chance to share your unique personality and how everything in your application ties together. If you decide to write an essay, just choose one of these three prompts:

1. "Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or a setback. What did you learn from this experience and how has it affected the way you view future obstacles?"

2. "Describe one of your unique personality traits which will make you a valuable member of the IE University community. Give us an example of when this aspect of your personality helped you through a situation."

3. "Reflect on a personal accomplishment which has helped you develop your understanding of yourself or the world around you."

What You’ll Need to Include in Your Application

Aside from the "Express Yourself" section, don’t forget to include these essential items in your application:

• Your personal details
• A passport-sized photo
• A scan of your ID
• An English CV
• One or more letters of recommendation
• Your academic transcripts from 10th grade onward
• Answers to a few short questions
• A score from a standardized English test like TOEFL or IELTS
• Any other documents that might strengthen your application

While including a TOEFL or IELTS score isn’t mandatory, we highly recommend it! Without a score, you might be accepted conditionally, requiring you to take an English refresher course for 2,500 euros before the academic year begins. To save yourself that extra cost, it’s a good idea to sit for the test ahead of time.

You can also take the IE admission test once you've completed at least 25% of your online application and paid the application fee of 120 euros.

Step 2: Take the IE Admission Test (or Use Your SAT/ACT)

When it comes to the admission test, you have a couple of options! You can choose to take the SAT or ACT (just remember that IE requires a minimum ACT score of 1200), or you can opt for the IE "in-house" test, which we really encourage you to consider!

The IE Test is a convenient online English assessment that you can take from the comfort of your home. Just make sure your computer has a working webcam and microphone set up!

This test lasts around 1.5 hours and is designed to not only assess your English skills but also to see how quickly you can think and process information.

The details about the content and format of the test are a bit of a mystery, so there aren’t any official resources to prepare from.

What’s Inside the IE Test? Here's the Breakdown

1. A “Numerical Reasoning” section where you’ll look at 6 different documents (like graphs and tables) about the same company. You’ll evaluate 36 statements in 12 minutes. For each statement, you’ll choose from three options: "Yes" if it’s true, "No" if it’s false, and "Cannot say" if the documents don’t provide enough info.

2. A “Verbal Reasoning” section that's similar but focuses on text instead of graphs and tables, and this one has 42 statements.

3. A “Deductive Logic” section.

4. A “Visual Logic” section where you’ll memorize a list of symbols quickly and then put them back in order.

Sessions are available regularly throughout the application period, up to twice a week, so there are plenty of opportunities to find a time that works for you!

Step 3: The Kira Assessment – Let Your Personality Shine

The Kira Assessment is an exciting part of the admissions process! After you validate your application on the platform, you’ll have a full week to complete it. This test will take about 20 to 30 minutes, where you’ll be on your own at the computer (no examiners around) to answer three questions.

For the first two questions, you’ll have a minute each to respond verbally after a quick 30-second thinking period.

What You Might Be Asked in the Kira Interview

• What are some challenges we can face in the business field or in the product design field or in both fields?
• How do you feel about artificial intelligence being integrated into today’s world?
• Tell me something, an anecdote, a story that you couldn’t necessarily mention in your CV or your documents.

Your answers will be recorded on video for the evaluators to review later! The third question asks for a written response, and you’ll have five minutes to craft your answer. The good news is that you’ll have a chance to practice with sample questions before the actual test. Just remember, once you start the real assessment, you’ll have one shot at each question!

Once you finish your Kira Assessment, the admissions panel will take a look at all parts of your application to decide if you'll move on to the next step: the admissions interview!

Step 4: The Motivational Interview (Now Online!)

Once you’ve made it through the first three stages, the admissions panel will decide if they’d like to invite you for a motivational interview. This is a great opportunity for them to get to know you better and see how serious you are about your application! While these interviews used to be held in Madrid, they’re now all done online, making it easier for everyone.

The goal of the interview is to understand your personality, assess how you think and communicate, and ensure your background fits well with the program you’re interested in. Just a heads up—IE interviews can be pretty challenging, so it’s a good idea to prepare well.

What to Expect in the Interview: Questions & Tips

• Can you introduce yourself?
• Why did you choose to apply to IE Madrid?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• What is an actuality that you could talk about (world event)?
• Where do you keep up with the news/ How do you inform yourself?
• What sports do you play?
• How would others describe you?
• What makes you unique and why should IE consider you and take you as a unique person?

If you perform well in this interview, IE may extend a conditional admission offer!

Skip the Interview? It’s Possible (Here’s How)

Just so you know, you can opt out of the interview if you meet a certain academic threshold in your final high school results—typically equivalent to a strong B average or higher. While this requirement applies to all applicants, exceptions are sometimes made for students whose grades are just below the threshold.

How Zenith Can Help You Succeed

At Zenith, we’re here to make your IE Madrid admission process smooth and enjoyable! Our friendly team of experts in bachelor's admissions is ready to support you every step of the way. Here’s what we’re happy to offer:

• We'll assist you in writing your "Express Yourself" essay in English, making sure your voice comes through.
• Need a standout CV? We’re here to help you craft one in English that's sure to impress.
• We’re here to assist you with all the necessary paperwork and administrative steps.
• Looking to ace the TOEFL or IELTS exam? We can guide you through your preparation.
• We’ll help you get ready for the IE entrance exam to ensure you feel confident.
• We offer support for the Kira online assessment, helping you showcase your best self.
• Plus, we’ll coach you for your motivation interviews to help you feel confident.

Let’s work together to make your application stand out!