English

Freshmen students

At IE University we are well aware that choosing what to study at university is one of the most important decisions you have to make in life.

Your choice will have a huge bearing on your personal journey, your professional future, and your achievements in life.

We know you are experiencing something special: a unique moment in time, in which you are the protagonist.

The aim of the IE University Admissions Department is to guide you in your choice, show you what IE University has to offer and, if you like what you see, help you through the admission process.

We provide you with individual attention: you will be assigned a contact person in the Admissions Department, who will liaise with you in all your dealings with IE University.

Below you may find some helpful information about the university entry qualifications depending on your educational system and the legal requirements to access higher education in Spain. Do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Department (ieuadmissions@ie.edu) with any questions.

UNIVERSITY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

75 percent of our students are international, coming from more than 60 different educational systems.

IE University welcomes applications from all around the world. Over 75 per cent of our students are international and they represent more than 110 different countries, which enriches the student experience and fosters reflection, debate and the exchange of ideas. Our students speak on average 3 languages each and they come from more than 60 different educational systems.

Diversity is highly valued in our Admission Process. The Admissions Committee will evaluate our applicant’s academic performance as well as their awards and accomplishment in the extracurricular activities in which they have been involved in. At IE University, we take a holistic approach when evaluating applications in order to bring in the most talented and interesting candidates through our competitive admissions process.

We therefore assess all of our applicants individually. Our review process identifies and recognizes creativity and a wide range of competencies, which are not always reflected in a traditional assessment based solely on academic achievement.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS

The information below is provided as guidance for the most popular educational systems represented on campus. These guidelines are purely advisory and do not guarantee admission.

Please remember that IE University is recognized by the Spanish Government. To be officially enrolled, all students must comply with the requirements established by the Ministry of Education. As general rule, a student is required to meet the University Entry Requirements from their country of residence to be able to study officially in Spain.

A-LEVELS

The Spanish Government requires a minimum of 3 A-Levels. IE University accepts A-Levels that range from A B B to A*A*A*.

Additionally, IE University strongly recommends taking subjects relevant to their chosen program. If you are not able to provide relevant subjects you may be asked for some additional academic requirements.

Although the Spanish government also requires a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or higher, IE University applicants should preferably have obtained As and Bs, especially in the subjects relevant to their chosen program.

Remember that The Ministry of Education requires the official GCEs or IGCEs results to homologate your A-Level studies.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA (IB)

IE University welcomes IB Diploma students. The rich, diverse, and globalized learning environment we offer enhances learning for each individual and our unique learning environment becomes a seamless transition from the IB Diploma to IE University.

Typical admissions are based on scores between 32 and 45. The average final IB score of our students is 36.

IB Students must present the full IB Diploma, since the IB Certificate is not legally accepted in Spain.

Please note that we only accept the first IB results, retake exam scores will not be considered.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

FRENCH BACCALAURÉAT (BAC)

We are looking for final BAC results of 14 or over (Mention Bien and Mention Très Bien). The average final BAC grade of our students is 15/20. Please note that we will take a holistic approach when assessing your application.

Letters of recommendations and transcripts can be accepted in French.

The Baccalauréat professionnel is not accepted.

Candidates applying with the Baccalauréat technologique will only be assessed if their academic trajectory and overall profile are outstanding.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

ALLGEMEINE HOCHSCHULREIFE (ABITUR)

You should be aiming for a final average of 2.5 to 1 with Sehr Gut or Gut in subjects most closely related to the bachelor you want to study.

We do not accept “Fachhochschulreife”, “Mittlere / Realschulabschluss” or “Hauptschulabschluss”.

US HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

We are looking for a GPA score of 3.2 or higher (unweighted).

Although not required, AP and Honors Courses are highly recommended.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

Important note: The Spanish Ministry of Education requires that all students graduating with a US Diploma present the transcripts of the last 3 years of High School (Year 10, 11 and 12), and do not allow students to skip any academic years. For those students enrolled only in year 12 and graduating with the US Diploma, they are expected to present transcripts of equivalent to Years 10 and 11 in their corresponding academic systems, otherwise, they won’t be able to obtain the homologation to the Spanish educational system.

ITALIAN LICEO / ESAME DI MATURITÀ

The minimum requirements for the Italian National system are 7/10, with a 75/100 minimum for your final Maturità score. Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

Letters of recommendations and transcripts can be accepted in Italian. Istituto Tecnico and Istituto Professionale are not accepted.

SPANISH BACHILLERATO + UNIVERSITY ACCESS TEST

We only accept the first EBAU/EvAU results from June, retake exam scores will not be considered.

We are looking for an average score in your Bachillerato of at least 7.5, and an overall score in the mandatory section of your CAU higher than 7.5/10.

IE University does not require that students take any specific subject for the Fase Voluntaria of the EvAU/EBAU but it is highly recommended and valued during the admissions process if any subjects related to the program of study are taken.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

SWISS MATURA (MATURITÀ)

We are looking for an average of 4.5 out of 6.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

PORTUGUESE ENSINO SECUNDÁRIO

We expect a minimum of 14 – 15 out of 20 on average in the Ensino Secundário.

Please note that it will be required that you submit the Direcçao Geral do Ensino Superior certificate (DGES) and the Exames Nacionais do Ensino Secundário card (ENES)

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

NORWEGIAN VITNEMAL-VIDEREGAENDE OPPLAERING

Certificate of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole with an average of 4.25 out of 6

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE

EB Diploma awarded. We typically require a minimum of 75% in the European Baccalaureate.

Specific subjects may be required depending on the bachelor.

Regarding the homologation, please note that the last two years of EB are indivisible.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

As part of our Admissions Process, we require candidates to take our Admissions Test which allows us to measure their competencies, skills and personality characteristics. It also evaluates their English level.

Alternatively, we accept the following globally recognized tests:

New SAT: Minimum 1200. 25th / 75th Percentile: 1270 / 1460IE University’s identification code “6293”
ACT: Minimum 24IE University’s identification code “5360”
LNAT: Minimum 22

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

All our programs are taught fully in English therefore all candidates will have their English communication skills assessed during the admissions process.

The possession of a language certificate will be necessary for non-native English speakers unless they have been living in an English-speaking country for more than 2 years, studied in an Anglophone educational system (such as American High School, IB in English or A-levels) all their education or at least the last 2 years of High School.

Should the Admissions Committee determine that the candidate does not have the required level of English they may request that the candidate submit a language certificate.

The accepted language certificates are:

TOEFL – minimum 100 points, 105 recommended
Cambridge – Cambridge Advanced C1 (CAE) or Proficiency C2 (CPE)
IELTS - minimum 7 points, 7,5 recommended
Duolingo English Test: minimum 130 points

The validity of all previously mentioned English language certificates for IE’s admissions process is two years, from the date you took the exam.

Please note some of our degrees offer a reinforcement program (the Language Proficiency Track) for students who need to improve their English fluency.

English proficiency requirements | IE University

ENTRY LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

IE University is recognized by the Spanish Government. To be officially enrolled, all students must comply with the requirements established by the Ministry of Education.

The Admissions Department will be available to help you with this process. You must hand in or submit by post the corresponding documents to IE University Admissions – Madrid Campus or Segovia Campus before the 15th of October.

REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS SPANISH UNIVERSITY STUDIES AS FRESHMAN STUDENT