Academic Recognitions

IE Business School recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of its students and awards those who meet the requirements the following academic recognitions:

Beta Gamma Sigma

IE Business School gives its students the opportunity to join Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), an international business company that recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of students enrolled in Business and Management programs accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

The organization of Beta Gamma Sigma is based on the fundamental principles of honor, integrity and pursuit of wisdom, and supports the advancement of thought and business practice to promote learning for life among its 700,000 members, who currently reside in more than 160 countries worldwide.

BGS was originally founded as a national organization in 1913. The first national honor society in business was a merger of three separate societies established to honor academic achievement in business at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Illinois and the University of California.

Currently, more than 300 universities are members of this prestigious organization. In December 2003, IE Business School became the first collegiate organization in Europe BGS.

Elegibility: Only top 20% out of each program and intake (GPA calculated up to the end of the 2nd period) will receive an invitation for the Beta Gamma Sigma.

In order for the student to be officially invited to be a part of the organization, the IE Business School will transfer the student’s basic information to BGS (full name, intake and email address), it breaks down to an international transfer of their personal information. If the student is not interested in participating as a BGS member, he/she may contact the program management team before the end of the second core term. If no notifications are received and the student is classified as one of the top 20% of the class, their basic personal information will be sent to the organization in order to continue the process.

Students who accept the BGS membership will have to pay an administrative fee of $75 USD. In the future, there are no annual or associated fees for belonging to BGS.

For more information about unique opportunities and benefits to members such as professional assistance, access to job listing, programs benefit society, BGS Alumni Network and more, please see www.betagammasigma.org

Dean’s Letter Of Appreciation

The Dean´s Letter of Appreciation is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service during their master program. Only top 10% of each class makes it to the dean’s list (GPA of the completed master program).

The delivery of this letter is an honor given exclusively by the Dean of IE Business School, Mr. Lee Newman, who is interested in learning more about the career of these students after they leave IE and offering his support in future endeavors.

Blue Torch

The Blue Torch is an esteemed distinction that proudly recognizes the students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and/or outstanding citizenship within the IE Business School community. The recipients of the Blue Torch will be selected considering the following criteria:

Outstanding citizenship: we look for students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the success and well-being of their peers and to the overall positive experience of others in their program. This recognition is only bestowed by peers through a nomination process within each program section that includes four behavioral categories:

  • Academic support given to classmates.
  • Fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.
  • Supporting and encouraging others
  • Promoting an enjoyable atmosphere that makes IE more fun

Academic performance: students whose cumulative GPA from the first two terms places them amongst the top 10% of their program intake.

To obtain the recognition, recipients need to meet one or both criteria.
Receiving the Blue Torch allows you to showcase your exceptional commitment to academic excellence and making a positive impact within our community. The awarded students are invited to a closed doors induction ceremony and networking cocktail with fellow recipients, academic leadership, faculty, and staff.

Associated dates:

  • Outstanding citizenship nominations per section: TBC
  • Announcement: week before the event through a calendar invite
  • Blue Torch Ceremony: TBC