IESE Business School, founded in 1958, is the graduate business school of the University of Navarra in Spain. With a mission to develop business leaders who will create a positive impact on business and society, IESE has a global mindset and a people-centered approach to education that encourages ethics and social responsibility. Grounded in the Christian tradition, IESE’s core values include integrity, a spirit of service, and professional excellence.
The school’s MBA programs are consistently ranked among the top 10 in the world due to their international scope, alumni salaries, and overall return on investment. In 1963, IESE launched the first two-year MBA program in Europe, in partnership with Harvard Business School. Today, IESE has over 50,000 alumni around the world. Notable alumni include Joan Clos (former Mayor of Barcelona), Steve Shiffman (CEO of Calvin Klein), and Jeroen Merchiers (Managing Director – Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Airbnb).
IESE has campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, New York, and São Paulo – some of the world’s major business hubs. The IESE Barcelona campus is situated 20 minutes away from the city, one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse business centers in Europe. IESE’s campus in Aravaca, Madrid, is also nearby the city center, a major economic hub home to tech companies like Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle. IESE’s campus in Munich is located in the city center. As a major business hub in Europe, Munich is home to companies like Airbus, Siemens, Allianz, and BMW.
IESE’s campus in New York is located in the heart of Manhattan, close to Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, and Central Park. Finally, IESE’s São Paulo campus is situated in the Bela Vista neighborhood, 40 minutes away from the São Paulo-Guarulhos airport. All campuses offer state-of-the-art learning facilities.
IESE Business School offers three MBA programs across its various locations. The IESE MBA is a full-time, 15- or 19-month program taught in English that takes place in Barcelona. The curriculum teaches students the core skills, knowledge, experiences, and perspectives needed to lead in today’s global business environment. The program also includes overseas modules and exchange programs. Students also have the option to complete Business Spanish courses throughout the program.
The IESE Executive MBA is an 18-month, part-time program offered in English or both English and Spanish (bilingual). The program is available on all campuses and includes international weeks in Nairobi, New York, São Paulo, and Shanghai. The Global Executive MBA (IESE GEMBA) is a 16-month, English program, available in Barcelona, New York, and Munich. This immersive program challenges students to build their leadership abilities and transform their vision of management.
IESE’s MBA programs are accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
Additionally, IESE is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education’s National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA), which is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions in Spain.
IESE offers several scholarships for each of its MBA programs. The IESE MBA offers scholarships such as the IESE Trust Scholarship (awarded to 20-30 outstanding candidates), the IESE Entrepreneurship Scholarship (awarded to professionals with a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and resilience), and the IESE Social Impact Scholarship (awarded to candidates who have made a demonstrated impact on society). The average scholarship amount awarded to IESE MBA students is EUR€23,000.
The IESE Executive MBA offers scholarships such as the Excellence Scholarship and the Female Talent Scholarship, while the Global Executive MBA program offers two scholarships: the Global Leader Scholarship and the Women in Business Scholarship (both covering up to EUR€30,000).
IESE Business School and Harvard Business School (HBS) have maintained a special relationship for more than 50 years. The Harvard-IESE Committee, created in 1963, was designed to help guide IESE’s growth and the design of its programs. The committee was instrumental in launching the first two-year MBA program in Europe at IESE.
Today, the institutions continue to work hand-in-hand through joint international executive education programs. For example, Value Creation Through Effective Boards is a short course that takes place in Barcelona, offered in association with HBS. The course aims to help participants become more effective board members and promote boardroom effectiveness to drive business value, board engagement, and competitive advantage.
