IE University Admissions 2026

IE University is one of Spain’s top private universities, with campuses in Madrid and Segovia.

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Updated 6 September 2026

In short: IE University is one of Spain’s top private universities, with campuses in Madrid and Segovia. Admission to its Bachelor programs is based on your application, the IE University Admissions Test (or the SAT, ACT or LNAT), a personal interview and an online assessment. Tuition ranges from €26,500 to €29,000 a year depending on the program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but places fill up several months before the start of the academic year.

Why choose IE University?

IE University is a world-renowned higher education institution, regularly ranked among Europe’s best universities for business, law, international relations and technology. Founded in Segovia in 1973, IE University now has two campuses: the original campus in Segovia and the new Madrid campus (IE Tower), opened in 2021. The university stands out for its innovative teaching approach, which combines the case method, project-based learning and cutting-edge educational technology.

Rankings and recognition

IE University regularly appears in the Financial Times, QS and Bloomberg Businessweek rankings. Its Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) is considered one of the best in Europe. The university is accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, a triple accreditation held by only 1% of business schools worldwide.

Available Bachelor programs

IE University offers a wide range of Bachelor programs, all taught in English:

Every program includes a year abroad through IE University’s partner network and a compulsory internship.

Admissions process

Admission to IE University is a holistic, multi-step process. For the 2027-2028 intake, IE has published four application rounds (18 September 2026, 6 November 2026, 15 January 2027 and 5 March 2027; source: ie.edu, accessed 6 September 2026). Places are limited, and programs often fill up several months before the September start.

Steps in the admissions process

1. Online application: Complete the form on the IE University admissions portal with your personal and academic details.
2. IE University Admissions Test: Take the IE University Admissions Test, which assesses verbal, logical and numerical reasoning. It is taken online and in English only, either machine-proctored and available 24 hours a day, or proctored by an examiner, and only one attempt is allowed. Alternatively, you can submit an SAT score (minimum 1,200, IE code 6293; the 25th and 75th percentiles for admitted students are 1,270 and 1,460), an ACT score (minimum 24, IE code 5360) or an LNAT score (minimum 22, for the Bachelor of Laws) (source: ie.edu, Admissions Test page, accessed 9 October 2026).
3. Online assessment: Complete a video and written assessment that demonstrates your communication skills, critical thinking and motivation.
4. Personal interview: The Admissions Committee invites you to an interview to explore your profile and motivations in more depth.
5. Admission decision: The committee reviews your entire application and makes its decision.

Required documents

• IE University Admissions Test results, or SAT, ACT or LNAT scores
• English proficiency test: TOEFL 100 minimum (105 recommended), IELTS 7 minimum (7.5 recommended), Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE), or Duolingo 130 minimum. Certificates are valid for two years from the test date.
• One-page CV
• Motivation letter (personal essay)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copy of your passport and an ID photo
• High school transcripts
• Portfolio (Design and Architecture only)

The IE University Admissions Test explained

The IE University Admissions Test is the university’s own entrance test for Bachelor’s applicants. It assesses verbal, logical and numerical reasoning, developed both in and outside the classroom. It focuses on your ability to reason rather than on specific knowledge, which is why IE says no prior preparation is needed. IE states that the test is offered only in English (source: ie.edu, Admissions Test page, accessed 9 October 2026).

The test is taken online: IE offers a machine-proctored version, available 24 hours a day, and a version proctored by an examiner, and you can take it only once. Visiting students are exempt. You book a slot through the admissions test calendar on ie.edu; paying the €150 application fee is what entitles you to take it, and IE’s FAQ adds that at least 25% of the application must be completed beforehand (source: ie.edu, Admissions Test page, accessed 9 October 2026).

A useful clarification: the ieGAT is IE’s test for its Master’s programs, not its Bachelor’s programs, and IE states that no center is authorized to prepare candidates for it. If you are applying for a Bachelor’s degree, the admissions test described above is the one that applies to you.

Separately from the application rounds, your official enrollment documents must reach the IE University admissions office, on the Madrid or Segovia campus, before 15 October.

Tuition fees and funding

IE University publishes its tuition fees per year. The Bachelor in Business Administration costs €29,000 per year; all other Bachelor’s programs cost €26,500 per year. Over four years, that comes to about €106,000 for the other Bachelor’s programs and €116,000 for the BBA.

Three costs come on top of tuition and are often left out of budgets: a one-off €1,200 contribution to the IE Foundation, paid when you enroll in first year; a place reservation fee of €5,000 for the BBA and €3,000 for other programs, which is non-refundable but deducted from first-year tuition; and a non-refundable €150 application fee. Tuition fees are also adjusted each year in line with the Spanish consumer price index, which meant an increase of 2.9% for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Available scholarships

IE University offers several types of scholarship: academic merit scholarships, scholarships based on international profile, social impact scholarships and need-based scholarships. Scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but funds are limited: the earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving funding. You apply for financial aid through the online form at ie.edu/financialaid after submitting your application.

Student life and campus

IE University offers a truly international student experience, with more than 130 nationalities represented across its campuses. The Segovia campus, housed in a former 13th-century monastery listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers an intimate, historic setting. The Madrid campus (IE Tower), a 35-story skyscraper in the financial district, has state-of-the-art facilities. Students usually spend their first years in Segovia before moving to Madrid for their final years.

Get expert help with your application

Your Dream School supports you at every stage of your IE University application: admissions test preparation, writing your motivation letter, interview preparation and overall application strategy. Our consultants know what the admissions committee is looking for and help you present the strongest possible application.

Author: Adam Girsault, co-founder of Your Dream School (2018), who with his team has guided more than 1,000 students to the most selective universities in Europe and the English-speaking world.

IE University FAQs

How do I apply to IE University?

You fill in the online application form, take the IE University Admissions Test (or submit an SAT, ACT or LNAT score), complete an online video and written assessment, then have a personal interview with the admissions committee. For 2027 entry, IE has published four application rounds: 18 September 2026, 6 November 2026, 15 January 2027 and 5 March 2027 (source: ie.edu, accessed 6 September 2026).

How much does it cost to study at IE University?

The Bachelor in Business Administration costs €29,000 per year in 2026-2027, compared with €26,500 for the other Bachelor’s degrees and €43,800 for the Global BBA. IE has not published any fees for 2027-2028: its fees page states that, for students starting in 2026-2027, fees will rise by 2.9% a year until graduation. On top of this come a €150 application fee, a one-off €1,200 contribution to the IE Foundation and a place reservation fee (€5,000 for the BBA and Global BBA, €3,000 for the other Bachelor’s degrees), which is deducted from tuition (source: ie.edu, Tuition Fees 2026-2027 page, accessed 8 October 2026).

What is the IE University Admissions Test?

It assesses numerical reasoning (12 minutes, 37 tasks), verbal reasoning (12 minutes, 49 tasks), deductive logic (6 minutes) and working memory (5 minutes), plus a 60-minute mathematics test for certain School of Science and Technology programs. IE gives a total duration of one and a half to two hours, including instructions and practice exercises, while its FAQ cites 70 to 90 minutes. You take it online and in English only, and you get a single attempt. Accepted alternatives: an SAT score of 1,200 or above, an ACT score of 24 or above, or an LNAT score of 22 or above (source: ie.edu, Admissions Test page, accessed 9 October 2026).

Is there an application deadline for IE University?

Yes. Since the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, IE has used application rounds: Early Round on 18 September 2026 (decision on 23 October), Round 1 on 6 November 2026, Round 2 on 15 January 2027 and Round 3 on 5 March 2027. After that, applications are reviewed subject to the places still available (source: ie.edu, accessed 6 September 2026).

Does IE University offer scholarships?

Yes: merit scholarships, scholarships for international profiles, social impact scholarships and need-based aid. Applications are reviewed round by round and funding is limited; IE requires a complete financial aid application by 28 February at the latest (source: ie.edu, accessed 6 September 2026).