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Overview
Accreditations:
AACSB, AMBA, EQUISThe IE Brown Executive MBA is a unique and innovative program that combines the strengths of two world-renowned institutions: IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. This 15-month program is designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and broaden their perspective on global business challenges.
What sets the IE Brown Executive MBA apart is its interdisciplinary approach, blending traditional business education with liberal arts and sciences. This fusion allows students to develop a more holistic understanding of the complex issues facing modern organizations. The curriculum covers core business topics such as finance, marketing, and operations, while also incorporating courses in areas like psychology, philosophy, and design thinking.
The program is structured to accommodate working professionals, with a blend of online learning and face-to-face sessions. Students attend five residential weeks spread across IE's campus in Madrid, Brown's campus in Providence, and a third international location that rotates annually. This global exposure provides invaluable insights into diverse business practices and cultural contexts.
Graduates of the IE Brown Executive MBA emerge with a unique skill set that combines business acumen with critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. This comprehensive education prepares them to lead with vision and adaptability in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy. The program's alumni network spans across industries and continents, offering lifelong connections and opportunities for collaboration.
Studies
Program Duration and Format
- Total duration: 15 months
- Blended learning approach: Combines online modules with face-to-face residential sessions
Residential Weeks
Five intensive residential weeks spread throughout the program
Locations:
- IE Business School, Madrid, Spain
- Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Cape Town, South Africa
Online Learning
- Interactive online sessions between residential weeks
- Asynchronous coursework and collaborative projects
Core Curriculum
The program covers essential business disciplines integrated with liberal arts perspectives:
Business Fundamentals
- Finance and Accounting
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Strategy
- Organizational Behavior
Liberal Arts Integration
- Critical Thinking and Decision Making
- Ethics and Leadership
- Design Thinking
- Global Economic Environment
Specialized Modules
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Digital Transformation
- Sustainable Business Practices
Capstone Project
- Integrative business project applying learned concepts to real-world challenges
- Opportunity to address a strategic issue within the student's organization or industry
Electives
Selection of elective courses allowing for specialization in areas of interest
May include topics such as:
- Advanced Finance
- Digital Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Social Entrepreneurship
Leadership Development
- Personal coaching sessions
- Leadership workshops during residential weeks
- Ongoing peer feedback and self-reflection exercises
Networking and Career Development
- Dedicated career services
- Alumni networking events
- Industry speaker series
The curriculum is designed to be dynamic and may be updated to reflect current business trends and challenges.
Program Benefits
Interdisciplinary Approach: The program's unique blend of business education with liberal arts and sciences provides a comprehensive perspective that goes beyond traditional MBA curricula. This approach equips graduates with a broader understanding of complex global issues, enabling them to make more informed and nuanced decisions in their professional roles.
Global Exposure: Through its international structure, the program offers unparalleled exposure to diverse business environments and cultures. The residential weeks take place in three distinct locations: Madrid, Spain; Providence, Rhode Island; and Cape Town, South Africa. This carefully chosen trio of cities allows students to gain first-hand experience of different markets, regulatory environments, and business practices across Europe, North America, and Africa. The inclusion of Cape Town as a permanent fixture in the program provides valuable insights into emerging markets and the unique business landscape of the African continent. This global immersion is invaluable for executives aiming to lead in an increasingly interconnected world, offering a comprehensive view of global business practices and challenges.
Flexibility for Working Professionals: The program's blended format, combining online learning with face-to-face sessions, is designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of working executives. This structure allows students to apply their learning immediately in their workplace, creating a dynamic interplay between theory and practice.
World-Class Faculty: Students benefit from the combined expertise of faculty from both IE Business School and Brown University. This diverse group of educators brings a wealth of academic knowledge and real-world experience, offering insights from both business and liberal arts perspectives. The opportunity to engage with and learn from these thought leaders is a significant advantage of the program.
Network Building: The IE Brown Executive MBA provides access to a diverse and influential network of peers and alumni. This network spans various industries and countries, offering valuable connections for future collaborations, career opportunities, and business ventures. The relationships formed during the program often last well beyond graduation, providing a lifelong resource for professional growth.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Focus: Drawing on IE's strong reputation in entrepreneurship and Brown's emphasis on innovation, the program cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset. Students are encouraged to think creatively, challenge conventional wisdom, and develop innovative solutions to business problems. This focus is particularly beneficial for those looking to drive change within their organizations or launch new ventures.
Leadership Development: The program places a strong emphasis on developing well-rounded leaders. Through a combination of coursework, practical exercises, and personal coaching, students enhance their leadership skills. The interdisciplinary nature of the program helps develop leaders who can navigate complex challenges, communicate effectively across diverse groups, and lead with ethical consideration and cultural sensitivity.
Admission requirement
Experience (years)
Other
- One page resume or CV
- Two essay responses (please refer to the online application for topics)
- Copy of passport or photo ID
- Upload of passport sized photo
- Official University transcripts*
- Upload of bachelor’s diploma and relevant additional accreditations
- Employment verification letter & Organizational chart
- Two letters of recommendation written by professors, entrepreneurs, freelance professionals or persons holding a management position
- Submitted application fee 150€
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Is IE Business School a good fit for you?
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What people are saying?
P.J., Alumni
37 years oldMy main goal was to better myself as a person overall. The IE Brown Executive MBA allows for both personal and professional development. I went into the program ready to learn as much as I could from my professors and peers alike. Inspired by the global perspectives presented throughout the program, I have since become a more well-rounded leader.
I.A., Alumni
44 years oldThe program had great diversity in terms of people’s backgrounds—from culture to nationality, to industry and functional positions across the class. This, coupled with the rich curriculum and various professors, all added layers of complexity and enrichment to the program. I was accepted into quite a few renowned local schools and would have been in class with lots of people with backgrounds similar to mine. In the Global Executive MBA there was a lot of diversity, so everyone had a different background. It showed us how diversity really can increase the productivity and performance of an organization.
F.M., Alumni
42 years oldMy experience at IE helped prepare me for the environment, through working closely and interacting with peers from so many different countries and cultures. The cases we studied in the various leadership courses during the IMBA also provided me with theoretical knowledge that I was able to apply in my day-to-day interactions. From a business perspective, learning the ins and outs of a new industry was also demanding.
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