IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs: driving global change

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs merges theory and practice in collaboration with the UN, EU, NATO and other organizations to provide practical and meaningful experiences, drawing on the research of its network of Centers and direct access to government heads, policymakers and leading sector figures. The school is a member of APSIA, NASPAA, and ECPR, and is a full member of CIVICA, Europe's preeminent network of institutions in economics and political science.

International Relations focuses on the relationships between states, international organizations, and non-state actors, covering diplomacy, conflict, and international law. Global Affairs is a broader, more interdisciplinary field that incorporates economics, development, public policy, technology, and environmental issues alongside traditional IR.

Yes, Madrid is home to major EU institutions, multinational corporations, international NGOs, and the diplomatic corps of 180+ countries, making it an exceptional laboratory for public affairs. Madrid offers the perfect blend of traditional culture, a fast-growing economy, and professional opportunities for any ambitious professional. The city's position as Spain's political and economic capital gives students direct access to the policymakers and institutions that shape European and global affairs.

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs graduates occupy a wide range of roles in public service, international corporations, and nonprofits. Common paths include diplomacy, international development, economic consulting, public policy, government relations, EU/UN institutions, think tanks, international finance, and corporate strategy. The dual-degree options with business and law further expand career versatility into the private sector.

Our Bachelor in Political Science integrates emerging technologies like AI, big data, govtech, and cybersecurity into its curriculum, with partnerships with top-tier institutions such as GESDA, Google, and the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Rather than purely theoretical study, IE's approach combines policy analysis with practical leadership training, real-world simulations, and direct engagement with international organizations — preparing students for roles in both the public and private sectors.

Public affairs is increasingly central to private-sector strategy as companies navigate regulation, geopolitical risk, ESG commitments, and stakeholder relations. IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs's political science programs are specifically designed for proactive innovators seeking careers in the public and private sectors who want to understand policy formulation and its effects on businesses and wider society.

Our programs include experiences such as the IE Model United Nations, curricular immersion weeks in Brussels, Geneva, and New York run with partners such as the United Nations Staff College, as well as capstone projects with partners such as NATO and the European Commission. The school has also launched an Executive Master in International Development in direct collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC).

Our Master in Public Policy offers a specialization in AI and Digital Transformation, covering the ethical and strategic use of AI in policymaking, data-driven decision-making, regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies, and digital governance models. The Bachelor in Political Science also directly addresses AI and emerging technologies as key policy frontiers, alongside climate, health, and education. The school's partnership with Sciences Po for the Dual Degree Master in Technology and Global Affairs further deepens this focus.

Yes. IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs is a full member of APSIA — the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs — alongside institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Sciences Po. It is the only school in Spain and the seventh in Europe to belong to this global elite.

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs's programs address global security, geopolitics, and defense as core themes, particularly in the Master in International Relations and through capstone projects with NATO and European Commission partners. The newly created Center for Innovation in Global Politics and Economics (CIGPE) functions as a geopolitics and geoeconomics think tank, bringing together global thought leaders to promote new perspectives on the world's challenges. Students interested in security and defense can deepen this focus through electives, simulations, and direct engagement with institutional partners.

Yes. Dual degree options at undergraduate level include International Relations with Laws, International Relations with Business Administration, and Business Administration with Political Science, among others. At master's level, IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs also collaborates with Sciences Po Paris on a joint dual master's in Technology and Global Affairs. These combinations are designed for students who want to operate at the intersection of policy, commerce, and law in global careers.

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs has a unique ecosystem of initiatives including its Tech4Democracy project, which focuses on promoting democracy-affirming technologies, and the Center for the Governance of Change, which researches the social impact of technological transformation. The Master in Public Policy is delivered by a school that is a member of NASPAA, APSIA, ECPR, and CIVICA, and connects students to a global network of public and private partners for capstone opportunities, real-world simulations, and mentoring from senior policy practitioners.