Visiting Students

VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM

Are you a student with an international outlook? Then you might be thinking about enrolling on our Visiting Student Program! If you decide to sign up, you will have the opportunity to choose the courses you want to pursue from within either the Fall or Spring semester programs. Or you can choose both, as long as you begin your classes in September.

Our rolling admissions process means you can apply to the Visiting Student Program at any time of the year. However, as places are limited and the student visa process can take some time, we advise you to start the process several months before the start of the semester of your choice.

If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Department: ieuadmissions@ie.edu. They are always available and willing to guide you throughout the process.

Why study the Visiting Student Program?

  1. A truly international VSP

    Studying abroad is not the same as studying at a truly international institution, where you can interact with people from over 100 different countries. If one of the goals of being a Visiting Student is meeting people, discovering cultures, and experiencing life in a new environment, then IE University is the place to do it: you can do it in a million different ways. Generally, when choosing a university for a Visiting Student Program, the university’s culture is highly valued. At IE University you will not only meet people from one different culture, you will meet people from many different countries, providing you with a richer experience and a larger network of new contacts and friends from around the world.

  2. Comprehensive learning

    IE University is built on four key pillars: diversity, an entrepreneurial mindset, technological training for innovation, and the humanities for understanding the world around us. These four values are embedded in everything we do at IE University. Students who participate in our Visiting Student Program receive a comprehensive education based on these four pillars. At other universities, Visiting Student Programs include one or two of the university’s values, while the comprehensive educational experience is reserved for students doing their full degree at the university. At IE University our Visiting Students benefit from our complete academic model, and are exposed to all of our guiding principles.

  3. A personalized approach

    IE University gives each Visiting Student personalized attention. IE University is proud to contribute to the education of their Visiting Students and to help each of them focus their program on their academic interests. Our Visiting Students are not considered guests or people who are just passing through; they are considered members of our academic community, and we are proud to contribute to their educational journey. IE University advises students on which courses to take, so that the program completed by each student is effective in terms of learning; students also have access to faculty advisors. The entire university community is available to our Visiting Students; this program offers the unique opportunity to participate in student activities and the rich student life found at IE University including clubs, sports, social activities, etc.

  4. Add the prestige of IE University to your CV

    IE University stands out as one of Europe’s benchmark higher education institutions for excellence in innovation and learning technologies. Its undergraduate programs are recognized in their respective fields by the most prestigious associations, and are among the most highly valued by employers at leading companies and firms in various sectors. Admission standards for the Visiting Student Program at IE University are similar to undergraduate degree admissions, and being accepted to the program is unequivocal proof of your intellectual and interpersonal ability.

  5. Spain is an ideal country for a year of study

    The opportunity to complete the Visiting Student Program in Segovia or Madrid, will allow you to experience Spain in two of its historic cities, both filled with vibrant cultural, social, and athletic life. Whether you decide to come for one semester or two, you can choose where you would like to complete your program; if you come for two semesters you can choose to complete one semester in Segovia and the other in Madrid. Segovia is a medieval university town, one of the historic centers of Spanish culture, and is only 25 minutes from Madrid on the high-speed train. Madrid is one of the most lively, interesting, and fun cities in all of Europe.

Program Overview

Explore different areas of knowledge

The structure of the Visiting Student Program allows you to both explore new areas of knowledge that you haven’t studied at your home university, and to concentrate on what you like, gaining new knowledge through innovative approaches and content.

A flexible structure

The possibility of choosing one semester or two allows you to design your year of international exploration as you choose. Whether you have an internship from September to December, or you are a student from the Southern Cone (completing your studies in December), you can choose the semester that begins in January. And if you have an internship, or have decided to travel in January, you can choose to start your program in September.

Thinking about your future

One of the reasons for participating in a Visiting Student Program is to be able to reflect upon your professional future, thinking about what you would like to do and be in the future. You will have access to advice from teachers, experts, and specialists at IE University’s Talent & Careers during your stay with us, allowing you to begin your process of reflection.

Develop skills for the professional world

The hands-on methodologies that IE University is globally recognized for, and which you will find in all of your courses, will help you develop abilities in critical thinking, oral and written expression, and skills in communication and teamwork.

AVAILABLE SUBJECTS DURING THE VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM

As a visiting student, you can choose classes from a wide selection of Bachelor programs across the five areas of interest detailed below. We’re flexible, open, and accommodating, so you can mix and match classes and study whatever you find most interesting! If you want to shake up your studies, just choose 80% of your classes from one program and 20% from another.
We’ve grouped together our Bachelor programs by field of study, in order to make it easier for you to view all the subjects in specific areas of interest. However, if you come across another subject you would like to study that doesn’t appear on this page, don’t worry—you can still take it as long as it’s available!

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Are you bursting with original ideas? Studying Architecture & Design will equip you with all the skills, tools, and resources you need to design and create innovative, future-forward, and sustainable environments. Unleash your creativity as you transform your global design dreams into reality.
The Bachelor in Architectural Studies and the Bachelor in Design are part of our School of Architecture & Design.

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

Whether you’re looking to work for a multinational corporation or start your own company, Business & Economics is for you. Here, you will develop an exceptional business acumen and unparalleled managerial skills, preparing you to thrive in today’s constantly evolving economy.
Check out our Bachelor in Economics and Bachelor in Business Administration if you want to take the corporate world by storm.

LAWS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

In Laws & International Relations, you will deepen your understanding of a wide range of complex economic, political, and social dynamics across the globe—while grasping just how closely they’re related.
In this ever-expanding field of study, you’ll find our Bachelor in International Relations, Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics, and our Bachelor of Laws.
 

SOCIAL SCIENCES

With Social Sciences, discover how to become an expert in human behavior and society, or communication and marketing, in order to lead the next generation of pioneering social scientists.
Study our Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences or our Bachelor in Communication and Digital Media to set yourself on the path towards success.
 

TECHNOLOGY

Harness the power of data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to drive innovation, solve the world’s most complex challenges, and ultimately transform the world we live in.
Want to become a digital disruptor? Take a look at our Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics and our Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
 

Discover all the different subjects available to you

ADMISSIONS PROCESS STEPS

Please see below the steps involved in the Admissions Process. Do not hesitate to contact your Admissions Advisor for any query.

Application form

The online application form is an essential part of the admission process, as you will use it to formally apply to IE University. This form provides our Admissions Department with valuable information for assessing your suitability as a potential student.

The application form contains detailed step-by-step information on how to fill it in, and guides you through the process. You can start to fill the form in at any time of the year.

Your application is subject to a non-refundable admission fee of 120 euros. Information on how to pay this fee is included at the end of the form.

Documentation

The following documents must be submitted with your application form*:

  • The originals or official copies of your academic record for your current or recent university studies, or high school if you are a freshman, detailing all of the subjects and courses taken, and the grades obtained.
  • Letters of recommendation: one from your professor or tutor, and another from your head of studies or from your dean or rector.
  • An official copy of your passport, identity card, or residence permit (NIE).
  • A recent CV that includes your academic background, work experience, and extracurricular activities. Don’t forget to include any prizes, awards or distinctions you have won and enclose any documents relating to these awards.
  • A passport-sized photo.

Additional documents: a portfolio of your work and any other diploma or prize that you feel will give us a better overview of you, your achievements, and your interests.

Personal interview

The Admissions Department calls to interview everybody who has been successful during the admission process. Personal interviews are held at IE University, or at any of our 29 international offices. However, if is not easy for you to reach any of these offices, we can arrange an online interview.

During the interview, the data provided in the application will be reviewed in greater detail, you will be tested on your communication abilities and will be evaluated to ensure that your profile meets the demands of the program.

The interview is not an exam. There are no right or wrong answers, or trick questions. The idea is for you to relax and simply be yourself. Our objective is for IE University to be the best university for you, and for you to fit in with us both academically and personally. Basically, you will have about 30 minutes for you to tell us why you should be admitted to IE University.

Here are some tips for the personal interview.

The admissions committee’s decision

Once you have completed the application form, handed in the documentation, and passed the personal interview, the University’s Admissions Committee will review your application and the report filled in by your interviewer.

The Admissions Committee is made up of university staff members who, jointly, value your suitability as a candidate. You will be informed of the Admissions Committee’s decision in writing within about two weeks.

If you have been accepted, you can pay the place reservation fee, guaranteeing yourself a place on the Visiting Student Program.

Bear in mind that being accepted at IE University does not guarantee you a place on the Visiting Student Program. Places are awarded on a first come, first served basis by strict order of payment.

You can reserve your place by paying a “place reservation fee” of 2,000 euros (non-refundable). This will then be discounted from the total cost of the Visiting Student Program. You will receive the documents you need to make this payment with your letter of acceptance, either by post or by e-mail.

The place reservation fee will also enable you to obtain a student visa in Spain.

Enrollment

Once you have paid the place reservation fee, we will send you the enrollment form for you to fill in and return to the Admissions Department. You will be provided with specific instructions regarding the enrollment process and given a detailed list of all the documents you will need to submit. If you have already submitted some of those documents during the admission process, you don’t have to resend them.

If you require any further information, please contact the Admissions Department.

Meet our students

Discover our students Visiting Student Program experience.

requirements to become a student in the Visiting Student Program

  • Students from all years can access the program.
  • Classes start either in September or in January.
  • It is required to enroll on a minimum of 30 ECTS.
  • Students can sign up to courses from different degrees as long as the schedules are compatible.
  • It is not necessary to take the admissions test.
  • Students who are not citizens of the EU need to check and fulfill the visa requirements.
  • There’s a fee that needs to be paid to IE University.

 

In order to validate the credits obtained at IE University, you will need to consult with your university regarding the requirements to ensure your credits are correctly recognized.