International MBA - Admissions, Fees and Funding

Q: If I am admitted to the International MBA program, what’s the difference between Conditional Admission and Admission?

A: Conditional Admission still allows you to reserve your place in the program. The only difference between the two is that if you are given Conditional Admission we will still need to verify documents that you have pending (the pending document/s will be stipulated in your admission letter).

Q: Do I need to physically mail my documents to the IE Admissions Office in Madrid?

A: No, you can scan all your documents and submit them with your online application. The only two documents we will need to verify will be the originals of your Bachelor Degree Transcript and Diploma. These can be verified at your local IE office or upon your arrival to Madrid at our Admissions Department on Calle Maria de Molina 13.

Q: If I’m not granted admission can I reapply for the following intake? Do I get feedback about my denied application?

A: If the Admissions Committee feels you do not meet the profile we are looking for, then you will directly be denied admission to the program. Should this occur, you will only be eligible to reapply after 2 years have elapsed. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we do not do not give specific feedback if you are not admitted to the program.

Q: How long is my admission valid for? Is my admission to the International MBA program valid only for the intake I’m applying to?

A: Your admission will be valid for 2 intakes: the intake you apply to and the following. Please take into account that places are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore meeting your Place Reservation deadline is highly recommended in order to ensure a seat in your preferred intake.

Q: What part of the application is most important? What should I focus on?

A: We take a holistic approach to admissions, therefore, the entire application is important and we will review it in detail. In particular we look at your work experience and career development, international exposure, motivation to do the program, interpersonal skills, academic performance, entrance exam, and your English or Spanish language abilities, depending on which language track you’re applying to.

Q: Do I need to come to Madrid to do the formal interview?

A: If you have the opportunity to come on campus, we highly recommend it. The interview can also be conducted at one of our offices around the world with one of our representatives or in your city by an alumnus. In case a face-to-face interview is not possible, we can also schedule a Skype interview.

Q: How long will the Admissions Committee need to review my application?

A: Once you submit your online application, we will try to get back to you in 1 to 3 weeks after a first revision. We will let you know if any documents are pending, or if we feel your profile is aligned to what we are looking for we will invite you to a formal interview. Once the interview is completed and all your documentation is submitted the Admissions Committee will get back to you with a final decision between 1-3 weeks. Please bear in mind that over holiday periods this timeframe could be longer.

Q: When is the deadline to apply to the International MBA program?

A: We have a rolling admissions process, so there are no application deadlines. However, given the limited number of places in the program and the time needed for visas and securing financing, it is highly recommended that you apply approximately one year to six months prior to program commencement.

Q: If I receive a loan from Sabadell, when will I receive my diploma?

A: Those students that have outstanding loans from Sabadell will receive a provisional diploma at the graduation ceremony due to the specific conditions in place with these cooperating financial institutions. While the diploma itself contains text indicating it is provisional, there is no difference in the distribution of folders at the graduation ceremony. Once the loan is paid in full, graduates should send the confirmation to registrar@ie.edu so that the final diploma can be mailed by post. Should you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact loans@ie.edu

Q: Is the Financial Aid committee decision the same as the Admissions Committee decision?

A: No, the criteria of both committees are different. IE Business School awards tuition funding assistance based on merit, distinctive competencies and academic excellence.

Q: Is there a maximum number of scholarships I can apply for?

A: Yes, you can apply to a maximum 2 scholarships and 1 fellowship.

Q: Can I apply for Financial Aid even if I have already been granted an external scholarship?

A: Of course! Financial Aid is just one part of your financing plan and everyone should apply for it.

Q: When can I apply for a scholarship?

A: You can start your online Financial Aid application as soon as you start your admissions process. You can also submit both applications at the same time, but you will not receive a final decision from Financial Aid until you are granted admission.

Q: When will the Financial Aid Committee decide on my application?

A: The Financial Aid committee reviews every application individually. You should receive a final decision by email after approximately 2-3 weeks after submitting.

Q: Is there a limit to the financial aid amount granted?

A: Yes, the maximum amount of scholarship/fellowship will be 40% of total tuition fees. We recommend that students in need of substantial assistance supplement with a combination of IE Financial Aid, external scholarships, and/or loans.

Q: Is there a deadline to apply for scholarships?

A: As with our admissions process, there is no specific deadline to apply, but some scholarships have specific deadlines. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of funds available for each scholarship. For the best chance at securing funds we recommend that you apply six months in advance if you think you’ll need financial assistance.

Q: Which documents should I submit with my financial aid application form?

A: Every scholarship has its own requirements. The best option is to use the search tool in the Financial Aid website and choose the scholarships that are more suited to your profile. Once you have chosen them you can see the specific requirements of each one.