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Finance Fundamentals

Understand finance today, lead tomorrow
duration2 weeks
languageEnglish
locationMadrid
intake29th of June - 10th of July, 2026
FormatIn-person
FOR WHOUndergraduate students & young professionals

Unlock the world of finance

Over two immersive weeks in Madrid’s financial district, this summer program introduces you to the world of finance through a mix of theory, practice, and teamwork.

You’ll learn the essentials of corporate finance, explore capital markets and personal finance, and take a crash course in financial accounting to understand balance sheets and income statements—always with an interactive, hands-on approach.

The experience also includes talks with finance professionals, networking with peers and alumni, and a final team challenge solving a real business case. 

By the end, you’ll have built solid finance fundamentals and the confidence to analyze, present, and pitch like a future finance professional.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Days to start your best summer

39days
:
00hours
:
13minutes

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR?

  • This program is right for you if…

    … you want to understand how financial decisions drive companies, markets, and careers—and get a head start on your own.

  • Participant profile

    This program is ideal for students and early-career professionals from diverse academic backgrounds who are eager to build a solid foundation in finance while experiencing the dynamic style of a top business school.

Focus Areas

Develop a solid foundation and real-world skills to thrive in the world of finance. From corporate decision-making to market simulations, each area equips you with the tools to analyze, model, and navigate today’s dynamic financial landscape.

  • 01.

    Corporate Finance Foundations

    Understand the core principles of corporate finance and how financial decisions drive value creation within organizations.

  • 02.

    Valuation & Financial Analysis

    Learn to analyze financial statements and apply valuation techniques to assess companies, projects, and investment opportunities.

  • 03.

    Markets, Risk & Return

    Explore how financial markets operate and how risk and return influence investment decisions and capital allocation.

  • 04.

    Financial Modeling & Communication  

    Develop practical modeling skills and learn to communicate financial insights clearly and confidently in a professional setting.

Study Plan

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

This agenda is subject to change.

What You're going to do
2 Weeks | 40 Hours | 3 ECTS
Week 1
    Week 2
      Final Project
        What You're going to do
        2 Weeks | 40 Hours | 3 ECTS
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        CREDIT RECOGNITION

        If you join IE University’s Summer Program for a two week module and opt in to the additional academic deliverable, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement indicating an academic workload equivalence of 3 ECTS credits.

        Completing two modules with the deliverable corresponds to 6 ECTS, and three modules to 9 ECTS.

        To qualify for credit recognition, you must fulfill all course requirements and submit the additional deliverable within two weeks of finishing your last module. Recognition of credits is always determined by your home institution.

        Your first look at the program

        Play

        Unique Value

        Gain a complete finance toolkit—from fundamentals to hands-on simulations—while experiencing how real professionals think, decide, and act.

        Learning Outcome

        Walk away with a solid foundation in finance, practical modeling and analysis skills, and the confidence to pursue your academic and professional goals in the financial world.

        Course Overview  

        Typical Day in the Finance Fundamentals Program

        We’ve structured your day-to-day to sharpen your skills and bring out your best ideas. Designed for an engaging and hands-on experience, here’s what a typical day in the Finance program looks like:

        Week 1:

        Monday to Friday: 

        • 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Classes.
        • Afternoon: Optional cultural activities

        Week 2

        Monday to Thursday:

        • 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Classes.
        • Afternoon: Optional cultural activities

        Friday:

        • The last day is dedicated to reflection, group project presentations, and a fun graduation ceremony.
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        Discover the summer calendar

        Take a look to see how you can structure your summer with our various combinations.

        Our Faculty

        Our program lead faculty

        Rodrigo Hurtado del Nido - Academic Director & Faculty, IE University | 15+ years in Global Finance & Asset Management

        • 15+ years of international experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America in financial markets and asset management.
        • Academic Director and Faculty at IE University, teaching Corporate Finance and Capital Markets; recognized with multiple Teaching Excellence Awards (2022–2025).
        • Former Senior Product Specialist at Principal Asset Management and Head of Equity Sales at Santander, leading teams and client strategies that exceeded revenue goals by 120%.
        • Raised over US$80 M in new assets within one year through successful fund introductions and institutional partnerships.
        • Builds and leverages an extensive C-level network across top institutions within Europe such as Pictet, Citi, Blackrock, JP Morgan, the Saudi Stock Exchange, and more.
        • Holds an International MBA from IE Business School (top 25%) and a Master of Finance from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (top 15%).

        Admissions

        Our admissions process is simple and designed to understand your motivation and goals. Apply online and receive a decision within approximately two weeks.

        We recommend applying early, as places are limited.

        Abstract for Tuition | IE

        TUITION

        2 WEEK PROGRAM

        • 3,500€
        • 5,900€ Bundle Price (2 weeks + 2 weeks)

        THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

        1
        Online Application
        2
        Submit your Application
        3
        Admissions Final Decision

        Online Application

        You will need to complete the online application with the following documents:

        1. Academic transcripts.
        2. CV (cv template).
        3. Video Assessment: in this section you will complete two live video questions on general knowledge topics.

        *You must complete all sections of the application in order to submit it.

        1/3

        FIND YOUR IDEAL PROGRAM

        With flexible programs, you can mix and match the topics that interest you the most, giving you a taste of your future degree or career. Each program lasts two weeks and you can combine up to three programs to create a very personal learning journey.​

          From Summer to Your Future at IE. 

          Step Into Your Master’s Journey

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            FAQ's

            • No prior experience is required. The program starts with fundamental concepts and progressively introduces more advanced financial tools and frameworks.

            • You will explore key areas such as financial analysis, investment principles, corporate finance, and how financial markets operate.

            • The program is highly practical, combining real-world case studies, interactive sessions, and applied exercises to help you understand how finance works in real business contexts.

            • It equips you with essential financial literacy and analytical skills that are valuable across industries, from business and consulting to entrepreneurship and investment.

            • Yes, this program can be combined with other courses from different sessions to create a broader academic experience. Check out the combined program options.