Global Bachelor in Business Administration
Global Bachelor in Business Administration
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Your life as a global student
Your life as a global student
Spending a year in four different cities is a core part of your experience, but some of the most defining moments happen outside the classroom.
Explore what daily life looks like across your journey, from practical planning to the experiences that will shape who you become.
- Where you’ll live: Navigate life in cities like Madrid, Dubai, Singapore and/or New York, with guidance on accommodation, neighborhoods and what to expect in each location.
- What it costs: Understand the cost of living in each city, including housing, transport, food and social life, so you can plan ahead with confidence.
- Who you’ll meet: Join diverse student communities at each partner university while staying connected to IE University’s global network, so every move feels like a continuation, not a reset.
- What you’ll experience: Immerse yourself in new cultures, environments and perspectives. Living across four cities will shape your adaptability, mindset and global outlook.
This is more than studying in different cities; it’s about the perspective, independence and global mindset you develop along the way.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Living the experience
Living the experience
Get a clear view of what living, studying and moving between cities looks like, from housing and costs to student life and cultural experiences.
Accommodation
Find your home in every city
Secure safe, student-focused housing with trusted options and university guidance before each move, so you can arrive feeling confident.
Madrid
Book verified apartments and residences through IE University’s Beyond Campus platform.
Dubai
Choose on-campus housing at AUD or explore private options with support from the housing office.
Singapore
Receive a detailed housing guide from SMU with recommended, student-appropriate accommodations.
New York City
Details will be shared in advance of your final year.
Living costs
Plan ahead with clarity
Understand the cost of living in each city, including housing, food, transport and daily expenses, with detailed guidance and breakdowns throughout the program. Costs vary depending on lifestyle, but early planning helps you adapt your budget to each location and stay in control of your finances.
Madrid
- Housing: €700–€1,500/month (off-campus apartment) or €800–€1,200/month (off-campus student residence)
- Groceries & Takeout: €300–€500/month
- Transport: ~€10/month (student pass)
- Health insurance: €35–€60/month
- Mobile phone: €25–€60/month
- Visa fee: €160 (one-off, non-EU students only)
Dubai
- Housing: €800–€1,600/month (on campus) or €1,800–€2,900/month (off campus)
- Groceries & Takeout: €825–€1,060/month
- Transport: €50–€100/month
- Health insurance: €750/year
- Mobile phone: €35–€60/month
- Visa fee: €230/year
Singapore
- Housing: €700–€1,400/month (off campus)
- Groceries & Takeout: €450–€600/month
- Transport: €100–€140/month
- Health insurance: €260/year (included in SMU miscellaneous fees)
- Mobile phone: €20–€35/month
New York City
- Housing: €2,000–€3,000/month (off campus)
- Groceries & Takeout: €300–€500/month
- Transport: €300–€500/month
- Health insurance: €100/month
- Mobile phone: €60–€90/month
- Visa fee: €300/year
*Ultimately, costs will depend on your lifestyle choices, but the key is to plan early, adapt as you go and make the most of each city on your own terms.
Clubs & student life
Make an impact in each diverse, global community by joining clubs, sports and campus events. Whatever your interests, you’ll find opportunities to lead, connect and shape your journey.
Madrid
IE University has a highly international student body. The IE Campus Life team supports a wide range of student-led clubs covering everything from entrepreneurship and consulting to finance, technology, sustainability, culture, sports and social impact. Regular campus events, including conferences, competitions, networking opportunities and social initiatives, will encourage you to step into leadership roles and become an active part of campus life.
Dubai
AUD's Student Center is the social hub of campus, with dining outlets, a mini mart, shops and printing services. Sport options include basketball, cricket, squash, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball. AUD also provides an on-campus Health Center, a 24/7 university hotline and licensed personal counseling services to support your academic and personal well-being.
Singapore
SMU has a wide range of student clubs and organizations focused on academic, cultural, athletic, artistic and special interest areas. There are also extensive recreation facilities on campus, including food courts, a gym and fitness center, a swimming pool, libraries and a wellness center. You’ll have access to comprehensive health and well-being support throughout the year.
New York City
Students experience one of the world’s most dynamic cultural capitals, with access to iconic landmarks, world-class museums such as The Met and MoMA, Broadway shows, diverse neighborhoods, and a vibrant food scene shaped by global influences. From Central Park to Brooklyn’s creative districts, and from major sporting events to international festivals, the city offers endless opportunities to engage with its energy, diversity, and cultural richness beyond the classroom.
Cultural immersion
Live each destination as a local, not a visitor. From Madrid’s cultural heritage to Dubai’s rapid growth, Singapore’s diversity and New York’s energy, each city helps you build adaptability, cultural awareness and a more global perspective.
Madrid
Discover a city where history and modern life coexist. From the neighborhoods of Malasaña and La Latina to world-renowned museums like the Prado and Reina Sofía, Madrid offers a vibrant cultural and social experience at the heart of Spain.
Dubai
Experience a global hub where tradition meets ambition. From heritage sites and souks to skyscrapers and international events, Dubai showcases how innovation and growth shape one of the world’s fastest-evolving cities.
Singapore
Immerse yourself in a dynamic, multicultural environment at the center of Asia. From hawker centers to neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India, Singapore blends tradition, innovation and global connectivity.
New York City
Step into one of the world’s most influential cities. From museums like MoMA and The Met to its unmatched food, music and theater scene, New York challenges your perspective and expands what you think is possible.
Summer experience
Use your summers to build your profile
Between academic years, take part in internships, practical projects, global experiences or IE University’s Summer School. These opportunities allow you to gain professional experience, strengthen your CV and explore different career paths.
Visas
Guidance every step of the way
Each destination requires a student visa, and you’ll receive support from IE University and partner institutions throughout the process.
Madrid
Spain long-term student visa (non-EU students).
Dubai
UAE student residence visa (sponsored by AUD).
Singapore
Student’s Pass (STP) managed with SMU.
New York City
Details will be shared in advance of your final year.
With IE University, living in four cities is more than a logistical journey; it is a structured, supported experience designed to build your independence and adaptability and help you grow in a global context.
MORE THAN JUST ACADEMICS
MORE THAN JUST ACADEMICS
With over 150 student clubs and organizations, leadership bootcamps, corporate challenges and alumni networks, the Global Bachelor in Business Administration—a distinctive international program of IE University’s Bachelor in Business Administration—offers a truly holistic and transformative education. Beyond the classroom, you’ll develop practical skills through hands-on experiences, connect with a vibrant global community, and gain real-world insights that prepare you to excel in today’s fast-paced, interconnected business landscape.
This comprehensive approach is a core part of the IE University experience, designed to empower you to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact anywhere in the world.
A PERSONALIZED STUDY PATH
A PERSONALIZED STUDY PATH
The IE University experience involves much more than academic studies. Our practice-based methodology takes you beyond the classroom walls and straight to the frontlines of the industry you’re passionate about. We offer an exceptional range of opportunities that allow you to tailor your studies to your specific career goals and enhance your employability by obtaining extra qualifications.
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT AND MENTORSHIP
Students receive academic guidance from tutors and advisors who provide direction, encouraging the integration of the different degree elements. Build a personalized academic program that matches your professional aspirations.
IEU LABS
IEU Labs are IE University’s alternative to traditional internships. Designed for first- and second-year students seeking high-level internship placements, the IE Labs provide a hands-on, internship-like, on-campus experience, where you work on projects for leading companies and institutions in a variety of sectors.
HUMANITIES
Holding them as one of its values, IE University understands the Humanities are key to understanding the reality of our world, and applying critical thinking skills to complex, global challenges. Students can select which Humanities course to complete, based on their interests.
ADVANCED SEMINARS
Advanced Seminars complement the core degree by giving students deeper knowledge of subjects in a very diverse area of studies.
INTERNSHIPS
Additionally, students can take part in several internships, gaining professional skills and enhancing that highly valued international profile.
LANGUAGES
Aside from mastering Spanish, our students can decide to study other relevant languages of today’s globalized world, including French, Portuguese, German, Arabic, or Chinese.
In their shoes
In their shoes
GOING TO IEU PODCAST
GOING TO IEU PODCAST
If you’re curious about what it’s like to study at IE University, tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or other podcast platforms and start listening today.
Read our blog
Read our blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What extracurricular activities are available in the Global BBA?
The Global BBA offers a wide range of extracurriculars to enhance your student life and leadership skills, including:
- Student clubs and societies across business, tech, innovation, sustainability, and culture
- IEU Labs: hands-on consulting projects for real companies
- Case competitions, hackathons, and pitch challenges
- Sports, arts, and social events to build community and well-being
These activities are designed to complement academic learning with real-world skills.
- How does the Global BBA help me build a global network?
Throughout the program, you’ll connect with:
- Classmates from over 160 nationalities
- International faculty and guest speakers
- Global alumni across leading industries
- Top employers and partners through internships, career events, and business challenges
By graduation, you'll have a strong global professional network spanning continents and industries.
- Are there study abroad opportunities within the Global BBA?
Yes. The Global BBA is designed to be a truly international experience. Students benefit from:
- Campus rotations across different countries
- Immersive learning modules focused on regional business dynamics (e.g. Europe & Africa)
- Multicultural teamwork and global classroom environments
This international structure helps students develop a global mindset and adaptability in diverse business settings.
How does the Global BBA support personal growth and cultural awareness?
This format is built to foster both personal development and intercultural competence through:
- Global Foresight & Regional Intelligence modules
- Teamwork with diverse classmates
- Experiential learning in international settings
- Career coaching and self-leadership programs like the Impact Skills Accelerator
You’ll graduate with a global mindset and a high degree of cultural agility.
- What global business challenges will I face during the program?
You’ll tackle real-world business problems through:
- The IE Challenge and Business Sprints
- Hands-on consulting projects with companies
- Courses in global strategy, innovation, and sustainability
- Topics like multinational management, disruption, and emerging market dynamics
These experiences prepare you to solve complex challenges in a rapidly changing world.