PRE-TERM. PRE-TERM. Description. This stage lays the intellectual and personal foundations for the entire program. It introduces the mindset of purpose, systems thinking and wellbeing that will guide everything that follows. Students understand why sustainability is not an add-on but the lens through which complex businesses and societies must be read.. Systems Thinking for Navigating Complexity. Develop advanced systems thinking skills to address complex sustainability challenges in today's interconnected world. Through case studies and interactive simulations, you'll learn holistic problem-solving approaches and how to anticipate unintended consequences. This course equips you with essential tools for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.. Purpose in Action. Participate in “Purpose in Action” by giving back to the community for a couple of days through meaningful service. Experience the chance to put your values into action while making a positive impact on others.. Well-Being in Practice. Cultivate resilience and mindful leadership as foundations for sustainable business success. Grounded in the science of well-being, this hands-on course helps you develop your own personal strategies for well-being and learn techniques for stress management. This course enhances your emotional intelligence and prepares you to create positive workplace cultures.. Career Success. Develop the strategic tools and insights needed to successfully navigate today's sustainability job market. In this practical session, you'll learn how to craft your personal brand, build effective professional networks and position yourself for impactful roles in sustainability and business transformation. By the end, you’ll be ready to advance in your career with concrete strategies for success.
TERM 1. tERM 1. DESCRIPTION. This term gives you the map. It focuses on the major conceptual frameworks of sustainability, innovation and business transformation. The goal is to learn how to read the world: systems, interdependencies, impacts and limits. It is deeply analytical. Students capture the big picture before moving a single piece. It prevents simplistic solutions and anchors all future work.. Eco-Essentials for Business I. Discover why sustainability is a strategic imperative for business today. This course provides a scientific foundation in environmental sustainability, exploring key topics like climate change, biodiversity and resource management. Through challenge-based learning, you'll develop expertise to assess business impacts on planetary boundaries and drive impactful sustainability initiatives.. Economics, Progress & Prosperity. Examine how economic progress aligns with today's sustainability challenges. You'll learn to analyze macroeconomic indicators, evaluate government policies and assess market failures, with a special focus on environmental economics, globalization and social equity. This course will give you the tools to navigate complex trade-offs and drive both business value and sustainability.. Behavior, Nudging & Positive Change I. Master powerful behavioral science frameworks to drive sustainable business transformation. You'll explore key models such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, the psychology of habits and the ethics of nudging. Through practical applications, you'll learn how to influence consumer behavior, shape corporate culture and improve policy outcomes to accelerate meaningful change.. Behavior, Nudging & Positive Change II. Deepen your understanding of behavior change by exploring how human nature and design thinking drive sustainable transformation. You'll study evolutionary behavioral roots, social influence and the circular economy while mastering the design and evaluation of pro-social interventions. These insights will help you develop strategies to reshape business practices for sustainability.. Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Investing. Discover how to harness entrepreneurship for social impact through innovative business models and impact investing. Through hands-on engagement with case studies and industry experts, you'll explore funding mechanisms and scaling strategies for sustainable ventures. You'll develop practical skills to launch, finance or invest in businesses that deliver social impact and financial returns.. Challenge: Venture Building. Embark on the journey of building an impact-driven startup over the course of your first term. Through hands-on practice, you'll identify market opportunities, validate business hypotheses and master customer discovery principles. You'll also develop essential entrepreneurial skills, from crafting investor pitches to securing funding, preparing you for success in the sustainable startup ecosystem.. Finance for Sustainability Professionals. Master the fundamentals of financial decision-making through a sustainability lens. You'll learn to evaluate investments, assess risk and optimize capital structures while exploring key innovations such as green bonds and climate risk in financial markets. This course will equip you to effectively integrate financial and environmental priorities for sustainable business success.. Sustainable Business Strategy. Learn how to transform business strategy for sustainability beyond mere operational changes. You'll develop a systemic perspective on corporate sustainability, evaluating industries through an environmental lens and integrating green technologies. This course teaches you the art of developing strategic roadmaps that balance long-term profitability with environmental and social responsibility.. Sustainability Law. Understand the legal frameworks that make sustainability a business imperative. You'll explore environmental regulations, ESG compliance requirements and governance guidelines while examining the intersection of law, business and ethics. This course empowers you to navigate legal risks and leverage regulatory opportunities in corporate sustainability.. Project Management. Master both classic and agile project management methodologies that are essential for driving sustainability initiatives. You'll learn to effectively scope, schedule and execute projects while optimizing resources and managing risk. This hands-on course helps you successfully manage sustainability projects from concept to execution in dynamic business environments.. Creative Thinking. Unleash your creative potential to solve complex sustainability challenges. Through hands-on exercises in divergent and convergent thinking, you'll master design thinking and creative problem-solving approaches. You'll also learn to develop and implement breakthrough solutions by combining human-centered and systems-thinking methodologies that drive meaningful change.. Self and Team Transformation. Personal Mastery & High Performance Unlock your leadership potential through deep self-awareness and team excellence. This transformative course equips students with the tools to build and lead high-performing teams in today's flat, collaborative organizations. Through evidence-based assessments (MBTI, VIA Character Strengths, Belbin Team Roles), students discover their unique working styles and learn to leverage diversity for team synergy. The course explores proven frameworks to diagnose team dynamics and design strategies that foster psychological safety, trust, and accountability. A cornerstone of the experience is IE's 360-degree feedback process (ISAQ), where students learn to give and receive constructive feedback using models like Crucial Conversations and the Johari Window. By course end, students will have developed personal development plans and the leadership capabilities essential for modern organizations: navigating conflict, establishing psychological safety, and driving continuous team improvement.
TERM 2. term 2. Description. This term gives you the tools. Students move from understanding systems to intervening in them with data-driven strategy, science-based solutions and technology, among other levers. They start working hands on with sustainability: measuring, planning, modelling, designing. This is where concrete capabilities emerge for transforming organizations from the inside.. Problem Solving. This course is intended for both students who plan to work in the finance area or wish to understand important financial concepts and tools which they might encounter in the normal course of their career as consultants or managers. It will cover financial decisions that firms take with the objective of creating value for their shareholders, broadly categorized into investment and financing decisions. Students are expected to follow the financial news and participate in class discussions on current and related topics. After completing this course, students can opt for the finance track of the Master in Management program, or take more courses from the several electives in finance that will be offered in the following semesters.. Eco-Essentials for Business II. Develop your environmental expertise with cutting-edge sustainability solutions. Explore carbon removal, circular economy strategies and ecosystem regeneration through the lens of the One Health framework. You’ll learn about the connections between environmental, human and economic health and become prepared to implement impactful sustainability strategies.. Triple Bottom-Line Accounting. Master triple bottom-line accounting to evaluate business success beyond traditional profit metrics. You'll develop expertise in sustainability disclosures, ESG performance metrics and financial statement analysis through a sustainability lens. This knowledge will empower you to make decisions that balance economic success with environmental and social responsibility.. Data Analytics & Visualization. Develop the critical ability to transform data into compelling sustainability narratives. Using industry-standard tools like Tableau and Looker Studio, you'll learn to analyze and visualize data effectively. This course will enable you to gain powerful data storytelling skills with which to influence business strategy, government policy and social impact initiatives.. Challenge: Consulting & Change Leadership. Immerse yourself in a comprehensive sustainability consulting project that spans your entire second term. Collaborating with Fortune 500 clients, you'll develop essential consulting skills through interactive boot camps and professional coaching. This extensive experience prepares you to lead strategic sustainability transformations in any business context.. Triple Bottom-Line Accounting II Sustainability Impact Analysis. Gain expertise in the critical business function of sustainability reporting and analysis. You'll learn to interpret sustainability data, navigate global frameworks such as CSRD, GRI and SASB and develop skills to identify greenwashing. This holistic approach to impact assessment will prepare you for leadership roles in sustainability consulting, compliance and corporate strategy.". Driving Sustainability Through Innovation & Technology. Explore how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain and IoT are driving sustainable transformation across industries. Through real-world case studies and expert insights, you'll learn to navigate the opportunities and challenges of tech-driven sustainability. You'll also develop the strategic foresight to leverage technological innovation for both business value and global impact.. Non-Market Strategy. Learn to navigate the complex political, social and regulatory landscapes that shape business success. You'll gain strategic tools for stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy and risk management in non-market environments. Through case studies and simulations, you'll develop strategies to build sustainable competitive advantage beyond traditional market approaches.. Thinking Critically. Sharpen the analytical skills you need to lead sustainable transformation. You'll learn to identify cognitive biases, navigate ethical dilemmas and make informed decisions in complex environments. With a special focus on AI ethics and misinformation, this course helps you develop the critical mindset required to assess risks and drive meaningful organizational change.
TERM 3. TERM 3. Description. In the final term of the program, students have the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom by integrating an internship into their academic experience. Those who wish can request to have part of their professional experience formally recognized as a curricular component, accompanied by academic supervision and a graded reflective report. The aim is to ensure that hands on work is paired with rigorous reflection, turning experience into structured learning. Alternatively, students may complete their electives and pursue an internship on an extracurricular basis, gaining valuable professional exposure alongside their studies.. Sustainable Strategic Governance. Examine how effective governance drives sustainable business transformation. You'll explore corporate governance structures, board dynamics and regulatory frameworks that shape ESG performance. Through real-world case studies, you'll master approaches to navigate real-world governance challenges, from shareholder activism to ethical decision-making.. Marketing Sustainable Products & Services. Discover how to leverage sustainability as a powerful competitive advantage through strategic marketing. You'll learn to engage conscious consumers, craft responsible brand narratives and navigate the evolving green marketing landscape while avoiding greenwashing. This course gives you the tools to successfully position sustainable products and services for long-term impact.. Fostering Great Places to Work. Discover how to create workplaces that thrive beyond environmental sustainability. You'll explore proven approaches to employee well-being, diversity and ethical leadership. By studying workplace innovation and corporate responsibility, you'll learn to design organizational cultures that foster both employee engagement and strong sustainability commitments.. Sustainability Impact Analysis & Reporting. Gain expertise in the critical business function of sustainability reporting and analysis. You'll learn to interpret sustainability data, navigate global frameworks such as CSRD, GRI and SASB and develop skills to identify greenwashing. This holistic approach to impact assessment will prepare you for leadership roles in sustainability consulting, compliance and corporate strategy.. Integration Seminar: The Sustainable City. Explore the complex challenges and innovative solutions shaping sustainable urban development. Through real-world case studies, you'll analyze smart city initiatives and sustainable infrastructure projects. This seminar will help you develop strategies for creating more livable and resilient cities, integrating key trends in urban planning, energy efficiency and public policy.. Integration Seminar: Purpose-Driven Leadership. Connect with your core values to develop an authentic leadership approach that creates meaningful impact. Through mindfulness practices and leadership frameworks, you'll build resilience and learn to navigate uncertainty with confidence. This interactive seminar helps you align your leadership style with sustainability goals, fostering both personal and professional growth.. Final Integration Challenge. Apply your sustainability expertise to tackle complex, real-world challenges. Working in teams in a real-time simulation environment, you'll develop strategic solutions that integrate sustainability principles with business acumen. This capstone project tests and showcases your readiness to drive meaningful impact through sophisticated problem solving.. ESG Investing. Explore how financial markets are driving sustainability transformation through ESG integration. You'll analyze impact investing strategies, risk assessment frameworks and sustainable finance mechanisms that influence corporate behavior. Through practical applications, you'll learn how investors and companies are using ESG criteria to drive long-term value creation.. Biomimicry: Nature-Inspired Innovation. Discover how nature's solutions can inspire sustainable business practices. You'll explore biomimicry applications in industries such as architecture, product design and supply chain management, from bio-based materials to regenerative design principles. Through case studies and hands-on exercises, you'll learn to improve efficiency and resilience in your business operations.. The Future of Energy. Examine how the global energy transition reshapes industries and economies. You'll explore the entire energy landscape, from renewables and fossil fuels to emerging technologies like synthetic fuels and energy storage. This deep dive into business models, regulations and investment trends will empower you to drive innovation and lead transformation in this dynamic sector.. Responsible AI. Address the critical ethical challenges posed by the growing influence of AI in business and society. You'll examine issues like algorithmic bias, data privacy and AI accountability through real-world case studies. By exploring regulatory frameworks and practical implications, you'll gain the expertise to ensure that AI initiatives align with ethical principles and sustainability goals.. Unlocking Creativity. Creative Problem Solving & Systems Thinking Creativity isn't magic—it's a discipline you can master. This hands-on course treats creativity as a learnable skill set, guiding students through a complete creative process: from observing real-world systems problems to presenting evidence-based, actionable proposals. Students work in teams on a genuine fieldtrip project, identifying challenges in sectors like infrastructure, culture, retail, or public services. They apply design thinking and systems thinking frameworks, use divergent and convergent thinking tools, and learn to prototype ideas rather than perfect them. The course emphasizes doing over describing, with activities including a Madrid cultural fieldtrip, peer-reviewed creative exercises, and a final student-organized presentation. Students explore the "4C model" of creativity (mini-c to Big-C), practice oblique strategies and analogical thinking, and receive structured peer and professor feedback. By the end, students will have developed their creative confidence, learned to see problems through multiple lenses, and built the capacity to generate innovative solutions that balance novelty, feasibility, and human impact.. Moving People. Communication & Negotiation for Influence In flat organizations and stakeholder-rich environments, leaders succeed not by commanding but by enrolling. This course develops influence as a core leadership capability through an integrated framework called the Influence Architecture, which combines communication and negotiation across three levels: Presence (building credibility through voice, gesture, and composure), Persuasion (structuring arguments, storytelling, and framing ideas compellingly), and Alliances (co-creating sustainable agreements through principled negotiation). Students practice public speaking with personalized feedback, record presentations using VR technology, and participate in real negotiation simulations. They learn methodologies managing power dynamics ethically, and designing win-win solutions. Whether addressing a large audience or sitting across a negotiation table, students master the skills to move ideas, audiences, and stakeholders toward action—building the intelligent influence required for modern leadership.. Executing Projects. Agile Delivery Projects are the engine of organizational change—but most fail. This course prepares students to manage projects effectively in today's fast-paced, uncertain environments by mastering both Agile and Classic project management methodologies. Students learn when to apply iterative, adaptive Agile methods versus structured, planning-based Classic approaches, and how to combine the two for maximum impact. Through hands-on practice, students experience real project dynamics: managing resources, minimizing waste, navigating uncertainty, and mitigating stress among team members and stakeholders. The course addresses the sustainability and social responsibility challenges inherent in project work, emphasizing efficient resource use and stakeholder well-being. By course end, students will understand the "how-to" and the trade-offs of each methodology, enabling them to choose the best-fitting practices for any project situation and deliver results that matter.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PROGRAM. Business Transformation Trek. Self-Transformation I . Harness your leadership potential in this immersive workshop focused on self-discovery and personal growth. Through reflective exercises, personality assessments and resilience training, you'll develop deeper self-awareness and emotional intelligence. This foundational experience will help you align your values and strengths to lead with authentic purpose in the sustainability sector.. Career Forum: Sustainability Day. Connect with sustainability professionals, recruiters and industry leaders at this exclusive networking event. Gain valuable insight into current hiring trends, in-demand skills and emerging opportunities in sustainable business. This forum provides direct access to key players shaping the future of sustainability careers and opportunities to build meaningful professional connections.. Career Discovery Accelerator. Shape your professional future with this comprehensive career development program. Through small-group workshops and direct engagement with industry professionals, you'll explore different career paths and gain practical insights into different sectors. This hands-on experience will help you identify and prepare for your ideal career path beyond IE Business School.. Business Transformation Trek. Experience sustainability in action with immersive visits to Spain's innovative companies. You'll witness first-hand how companies are tackling sustainability challenges and implementing transformative solutions. These field experiences provide valuable insights into real-world sustainability practices and business innovation, enriching your understanding of implementation strategies.. Intership. During the final term, students have the opportunity to undertake an internship across diverse industries, applying sustainability insights in areas such as consulting, technology, finance, and beyond, while gaining practical experience in leading organizations. This experience can also be formally recognized as part of the program, with academic supervision and a graded reflective component.. The Global Immersion Week. The optional Global Immersion Week is a unique experience focused on sustainability in business, where students can explore international hubs of innovation. You'll learn what it's really like to run a sustainable business on a global scale and gain a working knowledge of local business practices with a sustainable approach. This will happen through lectures and dynamic sessions led by professors and industry experts from world-class organizations, as well as visits to top sustainable companies where you'll analyze success stories through direct interaction with managers.
