IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs

What IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs does

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs is one of eight constituent schools within IE University, a private higher education institution founded in 1993 and headquartered in Madrid with a secondary campus in Segovia, Spain. The institution delivers undergraduate, master's, dual degree, summer school, and executive education programs across business, law, science and technology, architecture and design, arts and humanities, and politics/economics/global affairs. Its core educational platform is Liquid Learning, a proprietary methodology that combines in-person and digital modalities into a personalized learning experience. The institution supports this curriculum through IEX Labs, an applied research ecosystem spanning AI and Data Science, Health-tech, Clean-tech, and Financial Systems, and through the IEX Research Xcelerator program that places students on industry-partnered projects.

The business model is anchored in tuition and program fees across degree and executive education offerings, supplemented by philanthropy routed through the IE Foundation (Fundación Instituto de Empresa). Specific tuition pricing is not publicly disclosed, but the institution offers scholarships, awards, flexible payment plans, and financing to broaden access. Distribution is executed through a global network of 25 international hubs spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, supported by more than 5,000 in-person and digital events annually and a self-serve online application portal incorporating the proprietary IE Global Admissions Test (ieGAT). Customer segments are primarily individual students (undergraduate and graduate) plus a secondary segment of corporate partners engaging through IE Talent & Careers.

Brand and ecosystem assets underpin the institution's positioning: a Global Online MBA ranked #1 in the Financial Times 2024, an alumni network of 65,000+ across 140+ countries, and 25% of alumni going on to found their own companies. Strategic partnerships span technology vendors (Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI, IBM, Google, Accenture, Palo Alto Networks, Samsung, ESA), peer academic institutions (Harvard, LSE, UC Berkeley, HKUST, ESSEC), and cultural organizations (UNESCO, Guggenheim Bilbao, Museo Reina Sofía, MASP). The institution is a member of CIVICA, the European University of Social Sciences, and owns dedicated campuses in Madrid (IE Tower) and Segovia (a UNESCO World Heritage city).

Name

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs

Legal name

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs

Website

https://ie.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs is one of eight schools within IE University, a private Spanish higher education institution founded in 1993 operating from Madrid and Segovia. It delivers undergraduate, master's, and executive programs to a globally diverse student body across 25 international hubs, supported by the proprietary Liquid Learning methodology and partnerships with leading tech and academic institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHABAD

Social Sciences & Public Policy Research Universities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Private Research Universities

SECONDARYEDAHALAL

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Distance & Online Universities

SECONDARYEDAHAHAJ

International Business & Global Management Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Political science degrees
• Economics programs
• Global affairs education
• Executive education

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate, master's, summer school, and executive education programs through tuition and program fees
2. Donations and Philanthropy: IE Foundation accepts donations supporting scholarships, research initiatives, and social impact programs. Fiscal benefits are available for donors under Spanish law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs is one of the constituent schools of IE University, a private higher education institution offering undergraduate, master's, dual degree, and executive education programs in politics, economics, international affairs, and global affairs. The school operates under IE University's proprietary Liquid Learning methodology combining on-site and digital learning modalities, delivered through campuses in Madrid and Segovia and supported by a global network of 25 international hubs.

Product overview

IE University is a multi-school private university in Spain (Madrid and Segovia campuses) operated by Instituto de Empresa, S.L. and IE Universidad. The institution is organized into eight distinct schools (IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, IE Business School, IE Law School, IE School of Science & Technology, IE School of Architecture & Design, IE School of Arts & Humanities, IE Lifelong Learning, and IE Summer School), offering undergraduate degrees, master's programs, dual degrees, and executive education. IE University's core educational approach is Liquid Learning, a proprietary methodology combining in-person and digital learning modalities. The institution also operates IEX Labs as a research ecosystem for applied technology, and IE Foundation for scholarships and social impact. IE University has an international community with over 65,000 alumni in more than 140 countries, supported by 25 international hubs worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs in Politics, Economics & Global Affairs Undergraduate bachelor's degree programs in politics, economics, international affairs, and global affairs for students seeking higher education with international exposure, taught using IE University's Liquid Learning methodology.
• Master's Programs in Politics, Economics & Global Affairs Master's degree programs for graduates and working professionals in politics, economics, international affairs, and global affairs, including specialized tracks.
• Dual Degree Programs Combined undergraduate and graduate degree pathways allowing students to earn multiple credentials, including Bachelor + Master's combinations.
• IE Lifelong Learning (Executive Education) Executive and continuing education programs for professionals seeking ongoing skill development, available across multiple IE University schools including Politics, Economics & Global Affairs.
• IE Summer School Short-term summer educational programs offering intensive learning experiences for prospective students, current students, and professionals across IE University's portfolio.
• IE Global Admissions Test (ieGAT) Proprietary admissions assessment used as an alternative to GMAT or GRE in the IE University application process.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% of alumni found their own companies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• IE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIE Foundation supports IE University's mission through philanthropy, providing scholarships, funding research, and supporting social initiatives. It offers donor fiscal benefits and manages funds including the IE President's Fund and General Scholarship Fund.
• UNESCOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with UNESCO on applying humanistic thinking to AI ethics and digital transformation. Part of IE School of Arts & Humanities network of cultural institutions.
• Guggenheim BilbaomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participate in seminars, internships, and capstone projects at the intersection of art and society through this cultural partnership.
• Museo Nacional Thyssen-BornemiszamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to one of Europe's great painting collections through seminars, visits, and the Young Friends program.
• Instituto CervantesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to explore the Spanish language and Hispanic culture with the institution that promotes them worldwide.
• Fundación Ortega-MarañónmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with a leading think tank for open debate on contemporary society.
• CHCI (Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy within a global network of humanities centers and institutes.
• Museo Reina SofíamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to one of Spain's most important cultural institutions through trips, internships, and research.
• MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to one of Latin America's most relevant art museums through courses, research, and curricular collaboration.
• Fundación TelefónicamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through enlightED, the annual congress on education, technology, and innovation.
• AmazonmajorTechnology or IntegrationStrategic collaboration connecting education with real industry challenges and facilitating graduate employability through IE Talent & Careers.
• MicrosoftmajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership enabling students to work with Microsoft technologies and tools as part of their learning experience.
• AccenturemajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Accenture for industry-aligned curriculum and career opportunities for graduates.
• OpenAImajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership bringing cutting-edge AI education and research opportunities to IE students.
• IBMmajorTechnology or IntegrationIBM certification and technology partnership for IE students.
• European Space Agency (ESA)majorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with ESA for space technology research and education.
• SamsungmajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership providing access to Samsung technologies and industry insights.
• GooglemajorTechnology or IntegrationGoogle partnership for technology education and career development opportunities.
• Palo Alto NetworksmajorTechnology or IntegrationCybersecurity technology partnership for specialized education.
• CSIC (Spanish National Research Council)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Spain's premier research institution for scientific collaboration.
• CIEMATmajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research for applied science programs.
• UC BerkeleymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic alliance providing students with international learning opportunities.
• LSE (London School of Economics)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for economics and social sciences education.
• ESSECmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean business school alliance for student exchange and collaborative programs.
• HKUST (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsia-Pacific academic partnership for technology and business education.
• HarvardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious academic partnership for knowledge exchange and research collaboration.
• CIVICA (European University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIE University is a member of CIVICA, the European University of Social Sciences, promoting collaboration among leading European institutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• London Business School (LBS): London-based graduate-only business school with globally sourced cohorts in MBA, MiF, and executive programs; competes for the same internationally mobile student segment as IE.
• ESSEC Business School: France-based business school with campuses in France and Singapore and an established international student base; competes with IE across undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs.
• INSEAD: Europe-based international business school with global campuses (France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi) and a top-ranked Online MBA; competes directly with IE for internationally mobile graduate students and corporate-sponsored executive education.
• ESADE: Barcelona-based private business and law school operating across Spain and Latin America; closest direct Spanish competitor to IE University across undergraduate, graduate, and executive education.
• IMD Business School: Switzerland-based international business school focused on MBA and executive education; competes with IE for globally mobile executive and EMBA candidates.
• Sciences Po: Paris-based university specializing in social sciences, politics, and international affairs with a strong international undergraduate college model; the most direct competitor to IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs.
• London School of Economics (LSE): London-based university specializing in social sciences, economics, politics, and international relations; competes for students seeking policy, economics, and global affairs degrees at undergraduate and graduate level.
• SDA Bocconi: Milan-based private business school with international masters and executive programs; competes with IE for European and international graduate business students.
• HEC Paris: France-based leading European business school with international MBA and executive programs; competes with IE for European and EMBA-bound international students.

Broad incumbents

• IE Business School (parent brand): The Business School is one of the eight schools within IE University — a sibling brand with overlapping admissions and shared GTM, but a different product category focus than the Politics, Economics & Global Affairs school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iespega
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ieuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/ieSchoolOfPoliticsEconomicsandGlobalAffairs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ie-school-of-politics-economics-global-affairs
• Instagraminstagram.com/ieuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@ieuniversity?

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs