What is a dual degree program? Is it the next step you’ve been looking for to take your career to the next level? Sometimes it’s hard to sift through the mountains of information out there and make a decision between so many exciting possibilities.
Where to start
Most dual degree students start with either the Master in Management—for recent college graduates—or the International MBA—for more experienced professionals with a few years of work experience under their belt—before adding on a specialized second degree. This is where things start getting interesting.
Are you passionate about marketing and design? You could combine your business degree with a Master in Digital Marketing, or a Master in Visual & Digital Media. If you thrive on understanding people, you could choose a Master in Customer Experience & Innovation, or a Master in Market Research & Consumer Behavior.
Or maybe you believe fintech is the sector where you’ll thrive and grow. Your next step could be the Master in Finance, or perhaps a Master in Digital Business & Innovation would really tap into the skills you’re eager to develop. Some are even combining their business degrees with degrees in areas like law, real estate, or international relations—for example, the Master in Real Estate Development or the Master of Laws (LL.M.).
This is just a small taste of all the dual degree options at IE University. No matter where your interests lie, a dual degree can round off your educational experience by allowing you to specialize in your true passion. What’s more, you get to complete two full degrees in under two years.
What it’s like
Studying a dual degree means customizing your career path—and at top speed. Take a look at some insights from dual degree students and their experience studying in Madrid.
Arturo Yamagoshi, Dual Degree International MBA + Customer Experience & Innovation graduate, took full advantage of his time at IE University. He was Chief of his section in the IMBA, President of the Peruvian Club, and Dual Degree Representative on the Student Leadership Team (SLT), where he later became interim Vice President. In addition, he got involved with the overall IE Community beyond his program by creating events that connected different students from across schools and programs.
The more time you spend at IE University, the more opportunities you have for this type of positive impact.
Eleonora Manzo studied the Master in Management with the Master in Corporate & Marketing Communication. She credits this degree with helping her meet many personal goals: she learned to be “more self-confident while presenting in front of a huge audience and improved several soft skills, such as storytelling and public speaking.”
Another key aspect of studying a dual degree is diversity. When you start your second degree, you get the chance to meet a whole new cohort of peers from new backgrounds with different perspectives.
Eleonora, for example, was grateful for the extended time at IE University, as it gave her exposure to different departments and professors, thus widening her professional network. Networking is key to career success, and these connections helped her “find the right and best path,” inspiring her with their own unique experiences.
What it can do
A dual degree can help you zero-in on the career you’re dreaming of. After a degree as broad as the Master in Management or International MBA, narrowing down your area of specialization can be tough.
Doing a dual degree is a fantastic way to carve out a customized career.
For example, KC Anderson always dreamed of working in United States Foreign Policy, and in order to do so, he needed to find a higher education program to help him transition into a civilian career. According to him, IE University’s Dual Degree International MBA + Master in International Relations was the perfect balance to “reinforce his management training from the army and fine-tune the business and diplomatic skills necessary to succeed at an international level.”
Skills learned from a dual degree are highly employable: you have the general management training that enables you to see the big picture and understand global business goals, while at the same time specializing and preparing to excel in your role in the real world.
Plus, the student life makes for an unforgettable experience. As Michele Mauceri, Dual Degree Master in Management + International Relations graduate described it, “the whole point of studying at IE University is to learn from others, connect with them, find your personal and professional passions, and—above all—enjoy Madrid!”
Interdisciplinary education is the key to both diversifying and specializing your knowledge.
After a dual degree, you could follow a professional career in either field of study, as you’ll be qualified in both. Or, you could follow a career that requires an even balance of the two. A dual degree makes you well-equipped for this in a way that regular master’s programs don’t. Either way, a dual degree sets you up for a future-proof career full of growth and success.
