IEU Challenges & Competitions

Are you a natural problem-solver? Do you believe in the practical application of mathematical knowledge? Did you realize that mathematics is the key element in many industries? The main organizations are using mathematics to create sustainable business models.

If you believe mathematics is a catalyst for innovation, you will be interested in entering this competition. Prepare yourself to solve several real-life problems and do not miss the chance to put your skills to the test.

IE University Math Challenge is a global competition where students will prove their analytical and critical thinking skills and have the chance to win an exclusive award to study at IE University.

The challenge will be divided into several phases.

*Registration closed

If you are drawn to design and architecture and you want to set your university application apart, this is the challenge for you!

Your portfolio is more than a folder of work, it is a snapshot of how you explore ideas, make things, and communicate through projects. We run this challenge to spot rising creative talent and to give you a real stage to show what you can do.

First, you will join a live virtual session where an IE expert shares practical guidance on building a strong application portfolio and three first year students walk you through their own examples with honest tips.

After the event you will have time to refine and submit your portfolio to compete for an exclusive award that recognizes creativity and initiative.

If you want a quick head start before the session, you can watch our short portfolio tips video HERE. 

*Registration closed

IE Debate Club will be hosting the “European Speech Contest - the Art of Persuasion” in Madrid, Spain. In this hybrid event (online or in-person participation), college and high school students are invited to compete on the highest level to show off their speech and argumentation skills.

Through three intense rounds of judging, each contestant will be able to prepare three 60 second speeches to exhibit their skills. As the number of competitors dwindles, and the tension grows, there will be only one winner in each category. In the final round, a current Member of the European Parliament will be deciding who will win from both categories.

The high school category winner will be awarded a 100% award for IE ‘Pre-University Summer Program’ (age 15 -17). With a 5900€ value, it includes 2 weeks room and board in Spain to experience the IE University experience, completely free. More information can be found here. 

The cost to enter the competition is 10€.

*Registration closed

Music lights up our imagination. This challenge invites you to let music guide your design thinking and to translate an artist’s identity into a creative response.

You will choose one of your favorite artists and, inspired by their sound, story, and audience, build a concept that lives visually, spatially, through styling, or as a product idea that improves the live experience.

We do this to discover bold new voices, celebrate the many ways design can respond to culture, and give you a platform where your creativity can be seen. The official brief will be shared with all registered participants on February 2nd,2026 and will outline several tracks and simple submission guidelines. The heart of the challenge is simple, use music as the spark and design as your language.

*Registration closed

Imagine a philanthropist has left you a major endowment with one condition: you must use it to create a museum. Your museum can be physical, virtual, or hybrid, and you’re free to choose the theme, time period, and geographical focus.

Your task is to present a complete museum concept: build a compelling narrative, explain the social impact, describe how you would attract and engage visitors, propose programs and activities, and outline a viability plan for long-term maintenance. 

Funding can also cover key needs such as acquiring or borrowing pieces, venue costs, digital development, and personnel. Projects are evaluated on humanistic insight, originality, clarity, and ethical reflection. The winner receives an award covering 20% of tuition for eligible Humanities programs at IE University.

Discover how Python is used to explore, visualize, and interpret data—and learn how this connects to real decision-making in business and technology. This beginner-friendly challenge introduces core concepts through practical examples, helping you build analytical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence with data, regardless of your academic background. 

You’ll apply what you learn by analyzing a real dataset and communicating your insights clearly and creatively. One selected participant may receive an award of up to 30% toward an eligible Bachelor’s degree at IE University (subject to admission requirements).

Every day, people navigate the world using mental shortcuts that influence how we interpret information, form beliefs, predict outcomes, and evaluate ourselves and others. While useful, these shortcuts can also lead to predictable errors, even when we believe we are being objective.

The Psychology Factor: The Strategic Influence Challenge includes a live virtual workshop where participants explore, through dynamic examples and hands-on activities, how these mental tendencies shape perception, cognition, and behavior in contexts such as interpersonal relationships, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, and social media.

This challenge is ideal for students interested in psychology, behavioral science, and evidence-based decision-making. By the end of the workshop, participants will gain a deeper understanding of when, how, and why cognitive biases arise, and will walk away with practical tools to recognize and manage these mind traps in both everyday situations and academic contexts.

Instructions on how to compete in the challenge, including submission guidelines and evaluation criteria, will be shared during the live session.

Enter the dynamic world of sports marketing and take on the challenge of designing a winning launch strategy for a new football (soccer) season jersey. Participants will step into the role of a sports brand strategist, gaining insight into the sports industry while defining target fans, brand positioning, and key objectives.

From there, the challenge is to develop a compelling 360° communication campaign that brings the jersey to life. By combining creativity with strategic thinking, participants will design an integrated launch strategy that resonates with fans, captures the spirit of the game, and demonstrates that a football jersey is far more than what players wear on the pitch—it’s a symbol of identity, passion, and belonging.

Instructions on how to compete in the challenge, including submission guidelines and evaluation criteria, will be sent to participants via email on February 21st .