Choosing the right master’s program is a significant step that can shape the trajectory of your career. Reviewing program content, rankings and facilities is a big part of the decision-making process. But equally important is finding the right environment, the right location and the right fit. And that’s exactly why IE University Summer School can help you follow a honed pathway to a master’s degree.
IE University Summer Program has various options. Some programs are held in the city of Madrid, while others take place at our campus in Segovia. The wide range of topics are suited to varying profiles, from pre-university students all the way to executive professionals.
A personal journey: Mithun’s pathway to a master’s degree
Mithun Balakrishnan, a petroleum engineer from Saudi Arabia, is an IE Business School alum who took part in IE University Summer School before enrolling in the International MBA. He already had several years of work experience behind him when he decided it was the right time to embark on a master’s.
Mithun had learned about IE University through several clients. So when he heard about IE University Summer School, he decided to trial the education style.
“I wanted to test the waters at IE University before enrolling in a master’s program,” Mithun Balakrishnan.
After completing the summer program, Mithun was “more sure than ever” that this was where he wanted to pursue his master’s. Going into the master’s fresh from the summer program also had its benefits: his motivation was high and the transition was smoother than expected. “The IE Community and IE Campus Life were a great help,” he says.
Mithun strongly encourages anyone considering the IE University Summer Program as a path to a master’s at IE University. “It’s a good way to step into school again, especially for people with long years of work experience and rusty study skills.”
Why consider IE University Summer School before a master’s?
We know that choosing a master’s program isn’t an easy decision. That’s where the IE University Summer Program comes in. We offer a choice of eight two-week programs covering a broad range of subjects—choose one program or combine up to three to create a personalized learning experience that best suits your interests and ambitions:
1. Upskilling for Professional Development
2. Customer Experience Innovation
3. Breakthrough Tech & AI
4. Rethinking Sustainability
5. Fashion Styling & Media
6. Law & Innovation
7. NextGen Public Changemakers
8. Entrepreneurship (4 weeks)
Each program is an immersive blend of academics, networking and culture. You’ll gain firsthand exposure to IE University’s hands-on learning methodology through practical, real-world challenges that offer insights into the latest global trends and challenges. Outside the classroom, a full schedule of extracurricular activities allows you to network with faculty and peers while getting a taste of what Madrid has to offer.
And there’s an added benefit: If you go on to enroll in one of our master’s degrees after completing the IE University Summer Program, you’ll benefit from a fast-track application process and exemption from the master’s application fee.
Living and learning in Madrid
If you plan to study a master’s away from home, it helps to know what life is like in your potential new environment. The IE University Summer Program is a complete cultural immersion that will help you envision life in Madrid as a graduate student.
You’ll have time to wander the streets of Madrid’s diverse neighborhoods, connect with your peers over tapas, and explore the city’s vibrant social scene. The program strikes a balance between structured learning and unstructured discovery, with daily extracurricular activities from visits to cultural landmarks, picnics and food tours to trips to surrounding towns.
Your summer, your launchpad
If you’re looking to clarify your next step while spending your summer taking part in an impactful and vibrant experience, our IE University Summer Program could be the solution. Submit your application now and discover how a summer with IE University can open the doors to your next big chapter.
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
