I don't see any material basis for saying that IE has a stronger brand position than Esade. I have no idea where that comes from. 

I don't see any material basis for saying that IE has a stronger brand position than Esade. I have no idea where that comes from. 

I don't see any material basis for saying that IE has a stronger brand position than Esade. I have no idea where that comes from. 

From what I’ve been reading, ESADE and IE are relatively comparable in terms of brand in Spain, but outside of Spain, IE is more renowned as stated by students and recruiters. ????????‍♂️

I would love a reference to that. The FT ranking shows which schools are recommended more by alumni of other top 100 schools, for example. The two schools are similarly ranked. IE has a *scale* advantage with 700 students in the MBA compared to 190 at Esade. 

The idea that there is a big difference between being 12th and 13th in Europe is a bit weird, yeah? 

[Edited by Duncan on Jul 15, 2022]

I would love a reference to that. The FT ranking shows which schools are recommended more by alumni of other top 100 schools, for example. The two schools are similarly ranked. IE has a *scale* advantage with 700 students in the MBA compared to 190 at Esade. 

The idea that there is a big difference between being 12th and 13th in Europe is a bit weird, yeah? 

It's exactly because perception is subjective that references and data are so important. IE spends massively on advertising and effectively buys brand associations through generous revenue sharing on joint degree programmes with Brown, Northwestern and SMU. These make more impact on applicants than on the value they create for employers. I think it's useful to compare where their alumni end up. 

It's exactly because perception is subjective that references and data are so important. IE spends massively on advertising and effectively buys brand associations through generous revenue sharing on joint degree programmes with Brown, Northwestern and SMU. These make more impact on applicants than on the value they create for employers. I think it's useful to compare where their alumni end up. 

[Edited by Apanda1 on Jul 17, 2022]

Good rules of thumb are:
- have a clear career goal, don't look for a Swisd Army Knife.
- target the schools that place graduates where you want to work

Neither IE nor Esade are great for working in the English speaking world. 

Hi Duncan, 

Thanks so much for your time. I’ve worked in medical device, beauty and aesthetics, and FMCG marketing but I’m looking to ideally pivot into tech and/or social impact or human performance consulting, with the goal of staying in Europe with a decent paying salary (was making upper hundred thousand in the US). Given UK companies having hesitations re:sponsorship for Americans or non-EU talent, I decided it was likely not worth it to apply to UK schools. 

So instead, I chose to apply to ESADE/IE (and I see myself eventually starting my own business down the line so the entrepreneurship element was a nice plus), if that gives context to my motivations. In a way, as I’m not 1000% fixed and am using the MBA as a way to further explore these interests and pivot into these industries while getting a well-rounded business framework education. 

That being said, I recognize there is a great deal of truth in what you said about getting a degree where you want to work/settle. Both RSM and ESCP’s MBA program I believe are about to accept me, which would allow me to either get the post-grad visa in Netherlands for RSM, or visa via ESCP in France, and I’d do the option with the two semesters in Berlin, which would grant me a student post-school visa for Germany, one of my other target countries post-graduation. Knowing this, school reputations, and alumni networks both in Europe and arguably the US should I ever want to come back, would you still dissuade from the Spanish programs or suggest one of the others as a clear winner? Your guidance is much appreciated!

l

Good rules of thumb are:
- have a clear career goal, don't look for a Swisd Army Knife.
- target the schools that place graduates where you want to work

Neither IE nor Esade are great for working in the English speaking world. 

[Edited by Apanda1 on Jul 19, 2022]

I work for a UK business, and we've had a huge shift since Brexit on the sponsorship of visas (as has the Government). Without easy access to EU talent, we are greatly widening our talent search and sponsoring a large number of roles. I'm hiring at the moment for example, and all the best applicants are abroad. 

Language skills are key. Also when you look at the best schools for mobility, often they have foreign students who speak the business language (https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/best-mbas-for-international-students-placement-35651). Esade, for example, attracts many Spanish-speakers. 

With the schools you mention, the national language barriers are maybe a little lighter in the Netherlands, but your comments don't give any sense of engaging with the seriousness of the language barrier. 

I would rate ESCP in Berlin as the worst of the options. Its a weak brand in Germany, and Berlin is the poorest of the major German cities, with high unemployment and a large pool of available talent.