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IEU Challenges & Competitions

At IE University, we are looking for students who are adaptive learners, ready to face unexpected challenges of all types.

IE University is launching a series of challenges and competitions for you to creatively address and develop innovative ideas that could make a difference!

Our IEU Global Challenges & Competitions will give you the opportunity to network and brainstorm with your fellow members all over the world.

The winners of each challenge will have the opportunity to gain exclusive scholarships to study at IE University*.

Join us on these exciting ventures and become the leader of the future!

If you have any questions, please contact us at ieuchallenges@ie.edu.

* Scholarships are only applicable after completing successfully our admission process.

ECONOMICS – POLICY DILEMMA SIMULATOR CHALLENGE

This challenge will use as support a single-player economics game which allows you to choose policies over a period of 7 years and observe the results.  Many events happen, such as a pandemic, a financial crisis and an oil price shock.

In this virtual game, you are the government of a medium-sized developed country with its own currency and central bank. You control fiscal, monetary, structural and exchange rate policy, and face elections at least every four years. Every policy decision that you make has an impact. Its objective is to review the basic concepts of macroeconomics, especially those related to policy, and to understand the effects of policy, external shocks and factors that lead to long-term, stable economic growth.

During the virtual session, Professor Gayle Allard will introduce the game and the different concepts linked to economic policy.

Once you have participated in this virtual session, you will have 10 days to play the game unlimited times. To compete for an exclusive scholarship to attend IE University, you will have to submit a printout of your highest scores in the game, and a short (one-page) essay.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.
Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

ECONOMICS – POLICY DILEMMA SIMULATOR CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE

If you are drawn to design and architecture and you want to set your university application apart, this is the challenge for you! Learn how to put together the perfect portfolio and compete with top likeminded creators from all around the world.

The International Portfolio Challenge is a two-session global competition that will allow you to explore the relevance of the portfolio as a tool for an aspiring designer/architect.

In the first session, you will participate in a workshop on how to create your first portfolio, looking at different examples and providing feedback and insights. After the workshop, you will have two weeks to work on your own portfolio and submit it the second session, where the Directors of IE University Bachelor in Architectural Studies and the Bachelor in Design will make a selection and give a full in-depth critique to pick the winner.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.
Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

THE INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

THE MATH CHALLENGE

Are you a natural problem-solver? Do you believe in the practical application of mathematical knowledge? Did you know that mathematics is the key element in many areas in both industry and research?

Mathematics is considered "the language of nature" and is the building block of many of society’s most important ventures. For example, mathematical models impact financial decisions, web dynamics, and traffic flow optimization; they also help understand pollination, epidemics, and rocket propulsion, among many more.

If you believe mathematics is the tool to tackle real-world issues, you will be interested in entering this competition. Prepare yourself to solve interesting (and challenging!) problems and do not miss this 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 scholarship* to study at IE University.

*Scholarships are only applicable after successfully completing the IEU Admission Process.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.
Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

THE MATH CHALLENGE

THE MARKETING CHALLENGE

Do you have a creative mind? Are you a Digital native? Do you think that a great campaign always tells a great story? Do you believe maintaining customer relationships matters? Learn why Marketing has been the main driver for business growth in the last two millennia, building brands, telling stories, promoting products and maintaining relationships with customers in all possible channels, from outdoor advertising in a bus stop to an influencer’s TikTok video.

Work for a worldwide top brand willing to launch a new and exciting product that will revolutionize the category. A tech innovation that will propel the company 10 years forward from competition. Do you want to take on this challenge? You will have to create a new brand, position it, promote it, sell the product, work the customer experience and create a relationship program with the customers so the company can increase their loyalty and lifetime value.

Ready to participate? Join participants from all around the globe in this thrilling challenge and have the chance to win an exclusive scholarship to study a Bachelor degree at IE University.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.
Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

THE MARKETING CHALLENGE

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SPACE GOVERNANCE CHALLENGE

Today the world changes faster than ever before. The development of new technologies, the opportunity to discover new worlds, and constantly shifting geopolitical realities raise important questions about what the future of global affairs will look like.

No doubt, the space and cyber realms will likely play increasingly important roles in the future of geopolitics. How will they shape the way that international actors engage with each other? Further, what can space and cyber affairs teach us about the nature of complex strategic interactions more generally?

To explore these questions, Professor Andrew Bertoli will guide you through an interactive simulator named “Facing New Challenges in Space and Cyber Affairs”.

The simulator will help you understand that challenges in world politics often involve multiple collective action problems. It will also teach you how space debris and cyber warfare will likely complicate global affairs in the coming years.

To reach the best outcome, you will learn to strategize, negotiate, and consider different points of view about how to advance in the game.

Moreover, once you have participated in this virtual session, you will be able to submit an assignment and compete for an exclusive scholarship to attend IE University.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.
Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SPACE GOVERNANCE CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

URBAN STUDIES CHALLENGE

Cities and conflicts are intrinsically linked. Cities cannot be understood without conflicts, and conflicts happen at all scales, from the individual to the collective level, including your neighbors, the neighborhood, or the neighbor city. In addition, the origin of the conflicts can be political, gender, age or even from your local sports team.

You will have to identify a conflict in a city (it does not matter the scale or origin of the conflict) and then propose a solution or arbitration.

WHEN?

TBD

WHO?

High School students starting university in September 2023 or September 2024.

Applicants participate individually.

FORMAT

Online.

THE URBAN STUDIES CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

CLIMATE CHANGE, COMPANIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGE

The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment has been recognized as a human right by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. States are bound under International Human Rights Law to protect against human rights abuse within their territories by third parties, including business enterprises. Such enterprises are required to respect human rights and to address and repair any adverse human rights impacts that arise as a result of their activities.

Are you aware of the role that international law and the concept of sustainable development play in today’s business and industrial spheres?  If you are passionate about making an impact and becoming an agent of change, this is the perfect challenge for you!

The 1972 Stockholm Declaration paved the way for several different international guidelines and policies that aim to secure and guide business enterprises’ obligations to preserve the environment. In this simulation exercise focusing on a man-made environmental catastrophe, you will be able to guide States and business enterprises into the best practices to avoid and repair environmental damage.

You will have a first session that will help you understand the intricacies of international law, human rights and how to make an impact in the world through law. Finally, you will have to present your video in a final session where a panel of judges will decide the winners of the challenge.