IESE Barcelona

This review was written by Nirvan Gandhi on 4th April, 2025

IESE Business School, Barcelona: Beautiful Weather, Brutal Cases, and a Global MBA That’s Not for the Faint of Heart

Real Talk: I Visited IESE—and Here’s What Hit Me First

I’ve been to the IESE campus.
It’s not grand. It’s not spread out. And it’s definitely not something you’d post on your Instagram story for aesthetics.

The campus is small. Two small campuses. Both just around the corner from each other. Very functional. Very unpretentious.
But then again, maybe that’s the whole point.

IESE doesn’t try to impress you with glass towers or fancy lounges.
It hits you where it matters—in the classroom.

And don’t let the calm of Barcelona fool you. This school runs one of the most rigorous MBA programs in the world.

Divyanshu Jain
INSEAD (CO'25), HEC Paris Admit ($$), IESE Admit

Ranked #3 in the World by FT (Wait… What?)

Let’s talk numbers for a second.

In the latest Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, IESE landed at #3 worldwide—ahead of most of the big-name US schools.

Top in Europe.
Right below Wharton and Columbia.

Now, I’m not someone who blindly follows rankings. But this isn’t a fluke.
IESE's long game is starting to pay off. They’ve been investing in faculty, student outcomes, and a crazy strong network—especially across Europe and Latin America.

And this jump? It’s a sign that more people are finally noticing.

Barcelona: Not Just Gaudí and Beaches

Now, let me say this—I love the weather in Barcelona.

Coming from grey, rainy Paris, this felt like an upgrade.
Blue skies. Chill evenings. Sea breeze. It’s the kind of weather that puts you in a good mood even when you’re prepping your 7th case for the week.

And that matters when you’re going through an intense program.

But here’s where it gets tricky—don’t confuse location with ease.

Barcelona is not a cakewalk. The classes are tough. The competition is real.
And if you thought “Oh I’ll just figure it out once I’m there”—think again.

The Case Method: Welcome to 300+ Rounds of Intense Discussion

IESE doesn’t ease you in.

From Day 1, it’s pure case method. You’re expected to:

Show up with a point of view
Defend it like it matters
Get hit with counterpoints from your classmates and profs

Over 15–19 months, you’ll go through 300+ cases.
That’s more than most schools pack into 2 years.

It’s intense. Some people love it. Others break.
But one thing’s for sure—you don’t come out the same person.

If you want an MBA where you can coast and hide in the back row, IESE is not your school.

15 or 19 Months? Pick Your MBA Style

Here’s where IESE gets it right.

You can choose to finish in 15 months or stretch to 19 months.
Most people pick the longer route. And for good reason.

With 19 months, you get:

A summer internship
A proper global exchange
More time to explore jobs, industries, geographies

This flexibility is perfect for career switchers.
You’re not being forced into a sprint. You get space to figure your move—without sacrificing quality or outcomes.

What the Brochures Won’t Tell You About Jobs in Spain

Let’s get real here.

Getting placed in Spain after an MBA is not easy.
And it’s not just about speaking Spanish.

The Spanish economy isn’t firing on all cylinders.
There are fewer jobs, and salaries aren’t as high as other parts of Europe.

Most international students at IESE end up looking elsewhere:

London (especially for consulting and finance)
Amsterdam (tech, impact, VC)
Dubai/Middle East (IESE has a solid pipeline to MBB here)
Latin America (for those with roots or language advantage)

Does that mean no one gets placed in Spain? No. But you better be fluent and willing to hustle hard if that’s your target.

The “Send Us Your CV” Thing (More Schools Should Do This)

One thing I really like about IESE?

They allow you to submit your resume before applying.
No pressure. Just a quick fit/no-fit type check from their team.

It’s a great way to test the waters. And unlike other schools that ghost you after downloading a brochure, IESE actually responds.

I’ve had applicants try it and say they got honest, helpful feedback right away.

Shortlisted? Welcome to Assessment Day

Here’s another IESE twist.

If your application clears the bar, you’ll be invited to Assessment Day.
This includes:

A pre-shared case study
A group discussion around that case
A one-on-one interview

So instead of just doing a classic behavioral interview, you’re basically dropped into a mini classroom simulation.

This is IESE’s way of seeing how you:

Think under pressure
Collaborate in a diverse group
Communicate in a structured way

It’s one of the most realistic interview formats I’ve seen.
If you do well here, chances are you’ll thrive in the actual program too.

Final Verdict: Should You Apply to IESE?

Yes, if:

You want structure + challenge + clarity
You’re looking to work in Europe or the Middle East
You thrive in group learning and fast decision-making
You value real diversity, not tokenism
You want an MBA that doesn’t spoon-feed you

Maybe not, if:

You want to work in Spain but don’t speak Spanish and aren’t aware of the market reality
You want a chill, self-paced MBA
You hate group work or intense classroom formats
You want to be in the US right after MBA (IESE has limited play there)

Final Thoughts (From a Guy Who Walked That Hilltop Campus)

Barcelona is beautiful. The weather is amazing.
But don’t come to IESE for that.

Come if you want to get your brain rewired.
Come if you want professors and classmates who challenge you every single day.
Come if you’re okay with pressure—and actually want to grow.

IESE isn’t the loudest brand out there.
But if you get in, and if you’re the kind who shows up and pushes through, you’ll walk out different.

Better. Sharper. Hungrier.

And if you want help figuring out if IESE is the right fit, or how to build a killer application for them—well, you know where to find me.

BTW: Want to see more pics from my visit to the campus?

Scroll Below.