Considering the cost and time required to undertake a degree, you need to be certain that you’ll get the most out of it. Reading stories from current students can tell you whether your time at a particular university will give you the foundations for your future – but won’t tell you how certain that future is. For that, you’ll need to consult those who have already finished their university journey.
At IE University, current students on some of the school’s most innovative degrees are testing ideas, building networks, and exploring their passions. Alumni, meanwhile, are applying those same skills in global organisations, including some of the world’s biggest companies.
In this article, you’ll get to hear about the IE University experience from students across Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. By exploring students from the past and present, we gain insight into how an IE degree fits into your career journey.
Bachelor’s degrees at IE University: A foundation for the future
Dual Degrees at IE University
Academic support is vital on a Dual Degree programme, which can be more intensive than studying a single Bachelor’s degree. That support is what has attracted some students to the IE University experience – one current student says: “They motivate you a lot and guide you in a way I hadn’t seen before. They are very approachable professors and are attentive to how they can optimise your studies.”
Current students on the Dual Degree programme also understand the power of networking at IE. “IE University is a wonderful experience if you want to study abroad and enjoy a multicultural environment that will allow you to build very powerful contacts from all around the world,” says another student.
Graduate Tabea Böglin chose the Dual Degree in Law and International Relations to combine her passion for human rights, politics and law. She has already translated that curiosity into practical experience through leadership roles and work in the human rights field.
These include numerous roles at the European Student Think Tank (EST) and her current position as a Human Rights Specialist at the luxury group Richemont in Geneva. As part of this role, Tabea has contributed to drafting and reviewing the company’s first overarching Human Rights Policy.
“As someone who is currently in the process of pursuing a career in international relations and law, my advice to alumni is to properly research all the options you may have and are of interest to you. Keep track of these and thoroughly explore them by reading or engaging with people already working in this field,” she adds.
By contrast, Lukas Mansky’s experience in a Dual Degree programme – Business Administration and Law – led him down a very different path. But he also highlights the value in networking at IE University.
After graduating from IE University, he moved to London for internships at Morgan Stanley and Cinven before eventually joining Bank of America as an Investment Banking Analyst. In 2025, he was made Vice President of Investment Banking in the Life Sciences division.
“The network and wealth of experiences I was exposed to have helped me grow personally and professionally and allowed me to become more adaptable and curious, two key attributes for any career,” Lukas says.
Student Review – Dual Degree in Law and International Relations
I chose this university because some friends who had studied there had told me it was a great experience, and it’s true. It has excellent facilities and a faculty that always encourages you to do your best. They motivate you a lot and guide you in a way I hadn’t seen before. They are very approachable professors and are attentive to how they can optimize your studies. I made good friends there, I have good memories of that experience, and I might even pursue some further studies because it left a very positive impression on me.
Student Review – Dual Degree in Law and International Relations
IE University is a wonderful experience if you want to study abroad and enjoy a multicultural environment that will allow you to build very powerful contacts from all around the world. The facilities are incredible, as this year they unveiled the IE Tower, and the professors are incredibly qualified and will spend office hours helping you without any problem!
Bachelor’s in Communication and Digital Media
The media landscape is constantly evolving, and current student Brijesh Mirchandani believes adaptability is one of the most valuable skills he is developing. “Even though I don’t know what my future is, IE University is helping me build that future,” he says.
This mindset is shared with other Communications and Digital Media students at IE. Recently, a Spanish student shared that, while the course opens doors to a wide variety of careers, the immersive classes have helped them understand what their future career could look like.
“It has helped me develop as a person in the working world because of the way they due [sic] their classes. It really takes the content into experiences and allows you to get an insight into the career path you are taking.”
Studying a varied, interdisciplinary degree is exactly what has made Aurora Ask Bjaarstad’s career so successful. She graduated from the Bachelor’s programme in 2019 and, during her degree, undertook three internships in various areas of communication and media studies, including e-learning and Facebook Ads.
“The broad spectrum of knowledge I earned at IE really made me advance in so many fields,” she says. Now, she works at Videocation in Oslo, Norway, a digital publisher that creates online courses.
“I know and understand everything my colleagues at work are discussing in my field, be it marketing, digital marketing, content production, how to behave, and the list goes on. All that I learned through the courses at IE have prepared me, especially since IE focuses on practicality.”
Student Review – Communication and Media Studies
I study Communication and Digital Media at IE University and it has been a one of a kind journey when it comes to my studies. But not necessarily because of the courses, but due to the overall experience. It offers so much opportunities, and networking where you can get doors open for your future. It has helped me develop as a person in the working world because of the way they due their classes. It really takes the content into experiences and allows you to get an insight into the career path you are taking. I will say, if you don’t like to attend to class or prefer to study on your own it is an issue, because IE University is very strict when it comes to their attendance policy, and students have had problems because of how strict it is, and how little they help in that sense. Overall I would recommend the university, especially if you want to to get an idea of how your future working world will be.
Bachelor’s in Behaviour and Social Sciences
A degree in behaviour attracts students who want to better understand human behaviour and its impact on society. Students who follow a degree in this area often want to make a difference in the world; a mindset that requires a motivational and inspirational academic environment.
“I changed my bachelor’s to Behavioral and social sciences because my interests changed and leaned more to that educational sector,” explains one Bachelor’s in Behavioural and Social Science on the programme in their IE University review.
“It’s a very people-focused program and university,” notes current student Théo Gandolphe. “I am able to match a highly personal study experience with a hugely impactful program.”
For third-year student Masa Haikal, the programme’s impact is a significant factor in her enjoyment of it.
“I have gone through different subjects, and each one left a mark on me, which made me who I am today,” she reflects.
Student Review – Behavioural and Social Sciences
IE University is an excellent place if you are a social and extroverted person as it has amiable staff and students. The overall environment is driven by high tech and innovation. The campus is a tower overlooking the city of Madrid; it is also in the financial sector of Madrid, which creates a working environment that is refreshing and motivational for students. There are also many facilities that you can choose from; you will find a variety of sports clubs, gyms, yoga centers, and Cross-Fit studios to choose from. In the first year of studying at Ie, I was in the Data and Business Analytics Bachelor; during my second year, I changed my bachelor’s to Behavioral and social sciences because my interests changed and leaned more to that educational sector. Changing my bachelor’s went very smoothly as a team of intelligent individuals guided me to make that possible. As an international student, I did not find it challenging to make friends and create personal relationships because IE is known for diversity; students come from over 140 countries worldwide, which is an excellent opportunity to meet and connect with new people from different cultures.
Bachelor’s in International Relations
For many students, the appeal of International Relations lies in its ability to connect global issues with practical solutions. IE University enables students to practice such interdisciplinary thinking throughout their degree, preparing them to solve complex challenges in their future roles.
Sanae Kiunsi has since graduated from the Bachelor’s in International Relations programme, but during her time as a student, she noted that IE University’s approach was a defining part of the student experience.
“IE stands out from other universities for its academic uniqueness: All of its programs blend business and the humanities,” she says.
Another IR student mentions the same thing in their university review.
“It is true that the first two years have been a more theoretical approach; however, now that I’m in my third year, I feel that we are more focusing on the practical approach and on topics such as international organisations and conflict resolution,” they say.
“In my opinion, we have all the tools in order to succeed in this path and if we like some topic is a matter of going deeper into it.”
Looking to the future, programme alumna Maria Sánchez Faus, originally from Madrid, Spain, says that students should make the most of the opportunities available to them – especially those subjects or extracurricular activities that they feel passionate about.
For Maria, that was sustainability and international governance. However, she also strengthened her studies by spending a semester abroad in Australia, where she could meet new people and discover new perspectives.
Now, following her desire to travel once more, she has accepted a job offer at the European Patent Office in Munich, Germany – proof that a degree at IE can lead to opportunities around the world.
Student Review – International Relations
My programme gives a broad view on international and political issues.
The reason behind choosing IE is because I wanted to study in English this career since I am very interested in the field of International Relations. Also, such an international environment has given me the opportunity to connect with different realities and learn about new cultures.
It is true that the first two years have been a more theoretical approach, however now that I’m in my third year I feel that we are more focusing on the practical approach and on topics such as international organisations and conflict resolution that are the topics I’m more passionate about.
In my opinion, we have all the tools in order to succeed in this path and if we like some topic is a matter of going deeper into it.
Transitioning from Theory to Practice with IE Master’s Degrees
While undergraduate students at IE University are often still exploring career possibilities, Master’s students arrive with clear ambitions – and an IE Master’s programme helps them graduate with the skills, networks and confidence to accelerate their careers.
Master in Management
The IE University Master in Management is gives early-career students who may have just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree the opportunity to explore the breadth of business studies.
Aimed at students who don’t come from a business background or who want to deepen their knowledge, the course can be a valuable way to enhance core finance and sales skills, as well as adaptable soft skills in communication and leadership.
“The MIM programme at IE is really comprehensive for someone who doesn’t have a background in management,” explains one student in their review.
The comprehensive curriculum, combined with a practical approach, ensures that students feel prepared for wherever their personal career goals will take them.
“IE has a very practical approach to teaching, and I believe it’s one of the biggest advantages of the university compared to the rest of Europe,” adds another student.
For alum Erik Staxrud, who studied IE University’s Master in Management and Master in Finance Dual Degree, the wide range of transferable skills acquired during the programme was valuable in exploring numerous job opportunities after he’d graduated.
He started his career as a financial analyst before progressing to a trader role at Futex Global. Finally, he returned to his home country, Norway, where, in 2017, he launched his own startup.
Similarly, Dual Degree graduate Yumo Liu from China also highlights the dynamic environment as being integral to his graduate prospects.
“The program equipped me with a versatile toolkit to tackle business challenges, supported by essential theoretical knowledge for today’s fast-paced world. Professionally, it enhanced my skills across diverse areas, boosting my confidence in future leading roles,” he notes.
Student Review – Master in Management
IE has a very practical approach to teaching and I believe it’s one of the biggest advantages of the university compared to the rest of Europe. Moreover, we students have the privilege to be surrounded by people from all around the world with many different nationalities which makes us exposed to a variety of cultures and helps us become more open-minded.
Marketing and Communications Degrees
Working in Marketing and Communications requires creative, innovative thinking and the ability to collaborate with people with differing perspectives and backgrounds. The diverse environment at IE University and the hands-on programmes ensure that students feel prepared for their future roles, as this student explains.
“From the dynamic coursework to the diverse student body, this program has provided me with both theoretical insights and practical skills that have significantly shaped my professional outlook,” Jaoquin, from Mexico, says.
Graduates from programs in Marketing and Communications continue to apply the international outlook, strategic thinking and professional networks developed during their studies to careers spanning industries and continents.
“IE has a holistic approach on multiple fronts: in the method of teaching and study, in the cultural blend that characterises it, and in the variety of teachings imparted. Everything is an opportunity to confront the other side: different approaches, different aspirations, different ways of thinking, different values,” explains recent Master in Digital Marketing graduate Victoria Giustiniani Zorrilla.
Master’s in Corporate and Marketing Communications graduate Adedoyin Jaiyesimi is now using the practical experience and skills she acquired on the programme to shape impactful narratives across Africa. Her education is paying off: in April 2021, she was named among the 40 under 40 women in marketing and communications in Nigeria.
“It expanded my mind,” she says of the experience. “There were many case studies and class discussions that showed me what was possible outside my local context. This expansion of the mind was also in the area of creativity, too. I’ve always been creative, but I honed my creativity further during my program.”
Student Review – Marketing
Pursuing my Master’s in Strategic Marketing and Communication at IE has been an enriching and transformative experience. From the dynamic coursework to the diverse student body, this program has provided me with both theoretical insights and practical skills that have significantly shaped my professional outlook.
How will a degree from IE University prepare me for my future?
Evidently, an IE University education is not defined by a single linear journey. As we’ve seen from the student stories above, IE University students pursue a wide range of careers after graduation.
Across subjects as varied as law, behavioural science, communications, business and international relations, among many other disciplines, a theme emerges: an IE degree equips you with the skills to follow your own unique path, while providing you with a network that will prove valuable many years into the future. Discover a world of opportunities at IE University, and apply for a programme that truly aligns with your goals and ambitions.
The student voices featured here demonstrate the value of maximising your university experience by exploring all the academic opportunities available to you. IE University alumni show what can happen next – transforming those experiences into careers that create impact across business, media, policy and beyond.
Want to hear more about the IE University experience from real students? Read more student reviews on the school’s EDUopinions profile.
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