Official Master’s Degree in International Business Administration (IMBA)
- Format In-person
- START * scholarships available for this call
- LANGUAGE English
- MODALITY Full Time
OFFICIAL MASTER’S DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (IMBA)
If you are not making decisions, you are carrying out someone else’s. This IMBA prepares you to lead decision-making in the age of AI.
Transform your professional future with an MBA in English that combines rigorous academic training, a global business mindset, and the leadership capabilities demanded by today’s competitive world.
ESIC University’s IMBA empowers you to strengthen your strategic thinking, broaden your management expertise, and develop the soft skills required to excel in a constantly evolving environment shaped by innovation, sustainability, and digital acceleration.
The programme offers two types of international experiences: short-term (1-week Business Study Tours with AMBA‑accredited partners) and long-term placements through academic mobility or international internships lasting 2–12 months.
Elevate your career with a Master’s degree starting in October 2027.
Discover our available funding opportunities and secure your place today.
Why ESIC?
At ESIC we know that doing is the best way of learning. Our programme design is based on pragmatic components like tools, workshops, real-world cases, and the deployment of licenses so that you can access the labour market with the best possible preparation. Our Master in Business Administration approach stands out for its many advantages:
Degree with European recognition - Our MBA is a master's degree under the Spanish university system (ANECA / Madri+d), carrying full academic recognition across Europe.
AMBA accredited — a distinction achieved by only 2% of business schools worldwide.
International mobility included within tuition fees, with placements in AMBA‑accredited institutions.
Curriculum in constant evolution, delivered by experienced faculty and supported by industry advisors.
Exclusive complementary activities, including masterclasses, company visits, entrepreneurial workshops, networking events, and business lunches with senior executives.
Rankings
#1
SPAIN
Leaders in Marketing Master’s Programs according to El mundo
#3
SPAIN
ESIC on the podium of the Best Business Schools for recent graduates and young professionals
#5
ESPAÑA
Ranking Bloomberg Best Business School
#8
ESPAÑA
QS World University Ranking
#13
EUROPA
Ranking Bloomberg Best Business School
#34
EUROPE
ESIC among the European Top Schools for studying marketing programs
#49
WORLDWIDE
Best Marketing School based on the opinion of alumni, students, and employers
#56
EUROPA
QS World University Ranking
#151-160
MUNDIAL
QS World University Ranking
ESIC ACCREDITATIONS
More than 55 years of history means that we have institutional agreements and collaborations that recognise our quality as a business school. These are our accreditations:
ASSOCIATION OF MBAS
The international impartial authority
on postgraduate business education
EFMD Programme Accreditation
The leading international system of quality assessment,
improvement and accreditation of business programmes
Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación
Sistemas de Garantía de Calidad de Centros y Docencia
ASSOCIATION OF MBAS
The international impartial authority
on postgraduate business education
EFMD Programme Accreditation
The leading international system of quality assessment,
improvement and accreditation of business programmes
Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación
Sistemas de Garantía de Calidad de Centros y Docencia
WHY CHOOSE ESIC’S INTERNATIONAL MBA?
Our MBA prepares you to lead with purpose, drive organisational transformation, and create long‑lasting economic and social value. You will gain the strategic mindset, analytical capabilities, and leadership presence needed to guide teams and organisations in highly dynamic markets.
Comprehensive development of management and business skills
The MBA supports your professional growth by striking a balance between technical and management skills. You will gain a thorough understanding of key business functions and how they interact while developing leadership, resilience, creativity and teamwork.
A catalyst for professional growth and transformation
The MBA experience is designed to support the next major step in your career, whether you are moving into management roles or changing direction and reinventing your career in line with your personal and professional goals.
Critical thinking and decision-making development
Throughout the programme, you will develop an analytical and critical mindset, rooted in intellectual curiosity and an understanding of the wider environment, that will allow you to make sound, ethical and responsible decisions in complex business situations.
Leadership with economic, social and sustainable impact
You will prepare to lead organisations with a global outlook, maximising economic and social value, managing stakeholders and contributing to innovative, profitable and sustainable long-term business models.
A high-value professional network
The MBA connects you with a global community of ESIC professionals, executives and alumni active in leading industries. Built through collaborative projects, mentoring and events, this network becomes a strategic asset throughout your career.
International experience and a global outlook
The programme offers a truly international perspective through modules, case studies and collaborations with globally renowned institutions and companies. You will develop the ability to operate in multicultural environments and understand international market dynamics as an essential part of your management education.
STUDENTS’ PROFILE: WHO IS THIS MBA FOR?
The MBA is designed for for young professionals with at least three years of experience who wish to progress from technical roles to management or executive positions. Professionals like you who want to make a difference in business by moving into management and leadership roles with an international and strategic perspective focused on creating business value.
Entrepreneurial profiles—whether launching a start‑up or preparing to manage a family business succession—are especially valued. ESIC Entrepreneurs provides mentorship, incubation services, and expert support to accelerate your project.
Objectives Official Master’s Degree in International Business Administration (IMBA)
Throughout the programme, you will develop a strategic business perspective centred on decision-making in complex, global environments, learning to combine knowledge, leadership and managerial judgement to create tangible impact within organisations.
Design, implement and evaluate innovative business strategies
Using current tools and approaches to address environmental challenges and anticipate business needs.
Interpreting the economic and competitive environment to make well-founded strategic decisions.
By developing a critical perspective that helps you identify opportunities for improvement and lead organisational change.
Making responsible, sustainable decisions that create economic and social value.
Building core capabilities for leading teams and projects in demanding and dynamic environments.
Interpret and make sound decisions in complex, constantly changing business situations.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND LEARNING METHODOLOGY
Throughout the programme, you will tackle the major challenges facing business today, as data, digitalisation and artificial intelligence transform how organisations compete and make decisions. You will gain the ability to define strategies, execute them with sound judgement and lead organisations in complex, global and highly competitive settings, combining strategic thinking with genuine business impact.
- Business strategy and business models.
- Innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
- Financial management, marketing and operations.
- Data analytics for decision-making.
- Leadership, critical thinking and team management.
Throughout the programme, you will work in real-world settings, develop a holistic and integrated view of business, and acquire the skills to make informed decisions, lead teams and create competitive advantage in organisations where interactions between people, data and intelligent systems are increasingly decisive.
You will understand how leading organisations think, compete and transform in environments increasingly shaped by data, technology and artificial intelligence. You will learn to analyse the business landscape, identify opportunities and develop robust strategies that combine sustainability, innovation and a global outlook, while building your capacity to make impactful strategic decisions in complex, changing environments.
- Strategic analysis and decision-making in VUCA environments.
- Business-model definition and value proposition.
- Stakeholder management and business ethics.
- Integrating sustainability into strategy.
You will master the financial dimension of business to make data-informed, strategic decisions focused on value creation. You will learn to interpret financial information, assess investments and manage risk, strengthening your ability to make robust decisions in environments where analytics, data and information systems are essential to business management.
- Analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
- Assessing investment opportunities and project feasibility.
- Clear, persuasive communication of financial information.
- Developing business plans with a solid financial foundation.
You will understand the global economic context to anticipate change and make strategically informed decisions. You will develop the ability to interpret the economic landscape and link macroeconomic variables to business decisions in complex, dynamic scenarios.
- Economic markets.
- Macroeconomic analysis.
- How markets operate.
- National and international economics.
You will explore the emerging technologies transforming the global business landscape and understand how to leverage them to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency and gain competitive advantage. You will develop the ability to assess technological opportunities and risks, and evaluate the strategic implications of digital transformation and sustainable innovation in an increasingly connected and dynamic business environment.
- Global Overview of Emerging Technology Trends.
- Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Automation.
- Cloud Computing and Edge Computing.
- Cybersecurity and Technological Risk.
- Advanced Connectivity Technologies (IoT, 5G, Software-Defined Networking).
- Blockchain, Web3, and Decentralized Digital Economy.
- Green Technologies (GreenTech) and Sustainable Innovation.
You will learn to develop strategies that connect with customers and drive growth in competitive, digital and increasingly data-driven environments. You will gain the ability to analyse markets, build value propositions and make strategic marketing decisions by combining information, technology and consumer insight.
- Identifying market opportunities and innovation.
- Applying VUCA environment analysis to marketing.
- Persuasive communication in business contexts.
- Ethics and sustainability in commercial strategy.
You will learn to expand businesses beyond national borders, identify global opportunities and design internationalisation strategies in increasingly interconnected and digital markets. You will develop the ability to analyse international scenarios, reduce uncertainty and make strategic decisions in global environments using data and advanced tools.
- Identifying challenges in a global, digital VUCA environment.
- Critical evaluation of business-analysis tools and methods.
- Designing innovation strategies for international growth.
- Creating value in global markets.
You will optimise processes and resources to improve business efficiency and competitiveness in increasingly automated and connected environments. You will learn to manage operations and supply chains by incorporating innovation and technology, developing the ability to make operational decisions that directly affect organisational performance and scalability.
- Operations and supply-chain management.
- Innovation in processes and operations.
- Supply-chain control, management and optimisation.
- E-commerce.
You will discover how to turn data into decisions. You will learn to identify innovation opportunities and market needs through information analysis and design original business-management projects supported by efficient information-technology management.
- Identifying opportunities through data analysis.
- Business analysis tools and methodologies.
- Designing original data-driven projects.
- Efficient management of ICT for decision-making.
You will develop the personal and interpersonal capabilities that define effective managers: clear communication, inclusive leadership and managing diverse teams. You will learn to apply ethical and democratic principles within organisations and create efficient organisational structures adapted to their environment.
- Clear, persuasive communication for all audiences.
- Inclusive leadership in complex teams and settings.
- Applying ethical and democratic principles in business.
- Designing efficient organisational structures adapted to the environment.
You will develop the mindset and tools to innovate effectively in highly competitive environments where technology and the pace of change make a difference. You will learn to generate and validate distinctive solutions, design business models and lead transformation in settings driven by innovation and applied business intelligence.
- Agile methodologies: Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Agile.
- Creating new business models.
- Developing business plans.
- Innovation and disruption in global markets.
As the culmination of the programme, you will develop a comprehensive business project that brings together everything you have learned. You will design and defend a business plan, demonstrating your strategic thinking, analytical skills and decision-making ability in a real-world context, positioning yourself as a manager prepared to lead organisations where data, technology and managerial judgement determine competitive advantage.
*Academic structure subject to change. Some business reality and networking sessions may be delivered via webinars outside of class hours.
Master’s degree from ESIC University
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded the Master’s Degree in Business Administration, issued by ESIC University*.
Find out more about what obtaining a degree from ESIC University entails.
EXPERIENCES DURING YOUR MASTER’S
The International MBA (IMBA) at ESIC is designed to provide you with a transformative, hands-on learning experience that combines strategic management, leadership and innovation to prepare you for the challenges of today’s global business environment.
Throughout the programme, you will tackle real-world business challenges, develop your analytical and decision-making skills, and learn to lead teams and drive organisational transformation in dynamic, multicultural contexts. These experiences are designed to accelerate your professional growth, strengthen your global business mindset, expand your international network and prepare you to create sustainable economic and social value.
The MBA has a strong international dimension designed to broaden your global perspective and prepare you to compete in multicultural markets. This experience will enable you to understand marketing from a global perspective, expand your network and strengthen your professional profile.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND GLOBAL EXPOSURE:
The IMBA offers a unique international dimension integrated into the programme:
- Short-term international stays during the master’s: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP).
- Extension Programme: available through more than 60 international institutions across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
*For international destinations and prices, contact oficina.internacional@esic.edu
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
The programme combines two practical dimensions that connect you directly with the business world.
On the one hand, classroom learning is based on real-life cases incorporated into every subject, allowing you to apply concepts and tools to specific business situations.
On the other, you will have the opportunity to complement your studies with professional internships or employment during the programme, expanding your exposure to the real business environment.
PREPARATORY WORKSHOPS
The programme includes pre-course workshops designed to ensure that all students start with a solid foundation and can make the most of the academic content.
- Financial Accounting.
- Fundamentals of Business Management.
These workshops will help you acquire the essential knowledge to successfully approach the various areas of the programme from the outset.
GROUP CASE STUDIES AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
Throughout the master’s, you will work on real-life practical cases both individually and in rotating, multidisciplinary teams.
This methodology will enable you to:
- Apply knowledge in real business settings.
- Collaborate with diverse profiles and broaden your perspective.
- Develop leadership, negotiation and teamwork skills.
The collaborative approach builds synergies among students and mirrors the way organisations operate in practice.
PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE LICENCES AND MANAGEMENT TOOLS
During the programme, you will use tools employed in business environments, combining licensed solutions with widely used industry applications.
- SPSS and specialised analytics platforms.
- Excel and data management tools.
- Power BI for visualisation and decision-making.
- Digital productivity and support tools, including AI tools such as ChatGPT.
This ecosystem will familiarise you with key technologies for data-driven management decision-making.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT
The MBA introduces you to a real-world ecosystem of tools and methodologies used by companies in their day-to-day operations, enabling you to adopt a practical, results-oriented approach.
Through hands-on use, you will learn to:
- Analyse key information to support decision-making.
- Manage business data and KPIs.
- Integrate technology into strategic processes.
- Optimise business management from an analytical perspective.
Together, these capabilities will help you graduate with skills aligned with market needs and the confidence to lead with impact.
FACULTY AND GUEST SPEAKERS
*Faculty and guest speakers are subject to change.
Employability
Boost your career with the support of ESIC’s Professional Development Unit (PDU)
The PDU supports you at every stage of your journey—both as a student and later as part of our Alumni community. The Employability area manages nearly 4,000 internship offers and over 2,000 job opportunities each year, with a global employability rate of 95%. It offers access to an exclusive job portal, international job platforms, and organises recruitment activities, career fairs, and employability training.
👉 Remember: your professional success will also depend on your initiative in identifying opportunities and your engagement throughout the process.
Learn more about ESIC’s Employability, Entrepreneurship Services and Alumni here.
97.3%
of our IMBA students are employed within the first year after completing the programme
+3,200
partner companies collaborate annually in talent recruitment
+4,000
internship opportunities are managed annually by our Professional Development Unit across our campuses
+1,800
job opportunities are available each year through our employability porta
OUTPUT PROFILE
The MBA prepares you for leadership and management positions in complex business environments, developing a global strategic outlook and the ability to make decisions that create business impact. Throughout the programme, you will gain the capabilities needed to manage organisations, lead teams and generate economic and social value across sectors and contexts.
Positions our students take up or consolidate after the programme include:
- Management team positions across all business functions.
- Founding partner in business ventures.
- Founder or promoter of entrepreneurial initiatives.
- Leader of succession processes in family businesses.
- Consultant in strategic and business settings.
- Professional roles in sectors such as banking and financial services.
This programme enhances your career prospects by strengthening your management profile, leadership ability and employability, preparing you to take on new challenges, progress into more senior positions and lead organisational growth in a global, competitive environment.
WHERE DO OUR STUDENTS WORK?
Non-Curricular International Experience
📅 Duration: 1 week (intensive programme)
You can take part in an optional international experience that complements your training with an immersion in the world of international business. Explore new cultures while gaining practical knowledge and building a global network. Transform your learning and open doors to unique personal and professional opportunities.
IMBA & SPECIALIZATION IN EBS, ESTONIA
EBS – Tallinn, Estonia- Digital Business in Europe’s Innovation Capital
At Estonian Business School (EBS), located in the heart of Tallinn, students explore how digitization is reshaping business, government, and sustainability practices across Europe and beyond. Estonia is globally recognized as a leader in digital governance and innovation—making it the ideal setting for this forward-thinking track.
Subjects:
- Fintech
- E-Governance
- E-Startup
- Green Economy Innovation
Program Highlights
Through interactive sessions led by digital economy experts, students gain advanced knowledge of how technology drives innovation in finance, public systems, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The curriculum combines theoretical insight with practical application, offering:
- A deep dive into Estonia’s world-renowned E-Governance systems and how digital public infrastructure enables business agility.
- Strategic perspectives on Fintech, including blockchain applications and digital finance models.
- Tools and techniques for launching E-Startups in highly agile, tech-centric markets.
- A focus on Green Economy Innovation, aligning business models with sustainability and ESG imperatives.
This track prepares students for leadership in digitally driven sectors and enhances their readiness to thrive in tech-forward roles across industries.
What’s included?
- Masterclasses & hands-on workshops with experts
- Case studies on AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity
- Company visits & networking with Estonia’s top innovators
- Certificate of completion from EBS
What’s not included?
- Flights & accommodation
- Meals & personal expenses
Do you have any doubts? Talk to us!: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
SISU – Shanghai, China- Business in the Asian Century
At Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), students dive into the strategic heart of Asia’s economic engine. This one-month program provides immersive exposure to Asian business models, innovation practices, and regional consumer dynamics, all within one of the world’s most fast-paced commercial environments.
Subjects:
- Entrepreneurship in Asian Markets
- Consumer Behaviour and Applied Neuroscience
- Fintech Accounting and Corporate Finance
- Smart Operations and Supply Chain Management
Program Highlights
The SISU track enables students to:
- Decode the complexities of entrepreneurship in Asian markets and identify scalable opportunities.
- Leverage neuroscience and consumer behavior insights to craft culturally adapted strategies.
- Understand the financial structures underpinning Asia’s Fintech expansion and corporate growth.
- Master smart operations and supply chain tactics critical to thriving in high-speed, globalized networks.
With input from regional experts and visits to leading Chinese companies, this experience builds cultural intelligence and business agility essential for operating across Asia.
What’s included?
- Expert-led lectures & interactive discussions
- Case studies on China’s evolving business landscape
- Practical exercises & hands-on market entry strategies
- Networking with business leaders & peers
- Certificate of completion from SISU
What’s not included?
- Flights & accommodation
- Meals & personal expenses
Do you have any doubts? Talk to us!: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
Extension programme
📅 Duration: 3 to 12 months (minimum 12 credits)
Broaden your academic and professional horizons with the Extension Programme — a unique opportunity for international specialisation.
Designed to complement your studies, this programme allows you to choose subjects and courses from an exclusive portfolio of over 60 partner universities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
You’ll be able to customise your learning experience with courses aligned to your career goals and gain key knowledge for your professional future. Upon completion, you'll receive an official certificate listing your subjects and accredited credits, validating your global experience — with no academic cost, as ESIC covers it through bilateral agreements.
Take your education to the next level and stand out in a world without borders!
What’s included?
- On-campus university classes
- Assessment and academic monitoring
- Certificate of completion, transcript, and credit accreditation
What’s not included?
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Meals
Questions? Get in touch with us: oficina.internacional@esic.edu
If you want to see all the universities with detailed information, here it is.
DOWNLOAD EXTENSION PROGRAMMECAMPUS, PRICES AND FORMATS
Campus in Madrid
Avenida Juan XXIII 12,
Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
Phone +34 91 452 41 00
View on Google MapsIntakes and prices
Duration: Octubre 2027 - Noviembre 2028
Tuition Fee:
€ 29.900
Format: Full time
Schedule: Mondays to Friday 17:00 a 22:00h
ADMISSION PROCESS
We accompany you throughout the whole process, guiding and advising you so that you choose the best option for your professional career. These are the steps to follow:
1 Application
- You request information through our form.
- An advisor will contact you in the following 24–48 hours.
- You have a first contact call, and a consultancy meeting is convened for questions and doubts.
- You have a second call where all your doubts are solved, and you are guided in everything you need.
2 Documentation
- If the programme meets your needs, you proceed to apply.
- Prepare the necessary documentation (such as university degree or certificates).
- Conduct a personal and professional essay.
- You hand in all documentation.
3 Interview
- Once the documentation is approved, you are scheduled for an interview with the programme director.
- At this interview, you will be able to discuss any specifics you want to know about the programme, as well as any questions you may have.
4 Enrolment
- After the interview, your advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to notify you if you have been accepted into the programme.
- Once you have been accepted, you have about 5 days to formalise your enrolment.
- Once the enrolment is complete, you will be given all your access (virtual classroom, e-mail…).
- Of course, our last step is always to congratulate you and to wish you the best in your studies.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDY GRANTS
We currently offer a range of scholarships and financing agreements to help support your future.
We do not want economic issues to be an obstacle for you to reach your objectives and ensure training with a future. Therefore, we present you with a wide range of possibilities that will help you in this sense, both the Scholarship Plan that we have developed at ESIC, as well as those that are available to you from different public and private organisations. The scholarships and grants available are as follows:
- Early enrolment grants
- Diversity grants
- Expiga grants
- Women and Leadership grant
ESIC has financing agreements with certain banks with preferential conditions for students enrolled in any of its programmes, as long as you have a bank account in Spain. The specific rules and conditions of each of these agreements can be found in the Secretary's Office. ESIC helps you with the financing of your degree.
If you live outside one of the cities where ESIC has a campus and you are looking for accommodation, we recommend a series of companies and residences dedicated to student accommodation. Find the one that best suits your needs.
MORE INFORMATION
ESIC has partnered with Flywire to accept payments from international students worldwide. You can make your payment easily and securely in your own currency, using local payment methods from the safety and comfort of your home. Real-time tracking and multilingual support are available around the clock.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLYWARE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Study grants will be communicated to you during the selection process. Our grants are adapted to each profile and to the date on which the enrolment is completed. In addition, you can find information about the scholarships we offer at ESIC as well as those provided by other public and private organisations.
Yes, there is a mandatory attendance percentage in the on-campus Master’s programmes. However, you may have a small percentage of unjustified absences.
The MBA includes two types of international experiences designed to enhance your global perspective. Students can participate in short-term opportunities, such as one-week Business Study Tours delivered with AMBA-accredited partner institutions. In addition, the programme offers long-term international experiences through academic mobility placements or international internships lasting between 2 and 12 months.
International internships are available as part of the programme’s global experience offerings, but they are not specified as a mandatory component of the academic curriculum. Students have the opportunity to pursue internships abroad as part of their international pathway, depending on their interests and career goals.