Bachelor in Economics

About the course

A four-year economics degree taught entirely in English at IE’s Madrid or Segovia campus. It combines economic theory with quantitative methods, data analysis and policy. Check IE’s programme page for the current course structure and specialisations.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Ireland is an EU school system, so under Spanish law (Royal Decree 534/2024) you do not sit the Spanish PAU. You must meet the rules for getting into university in Ireland. As a guide, UCD’s minimum is six subjects with at least H5 in two and O6/H7 in the other four, including English and Irish. IE University does not publish a specific Leaving Cert grade rule and looks at your whole academic and personal profile, so confirm the grades it expects with IE admissions.
• IE runs its own admissions: an online application, the IE University Admissions Test (verbal, logical and numerical reasoning, taken in English), an online assessment with video and written questions, and a personal interview. IE’s admissions policy says it also accepts SAT (1300+), ACT (28+) or LNAT (22+) in place of its own test. No separate maths subject rule is published.
• English: IE’s 2026-2027 admissions policy exempts applicants who studied in an English-speaking country or through English for at least the last two years of secondary school, so Irish Leaving Cert students taught through English should not need a test. Otherwise IE asks for TOEFL 100, IELTS 7, Cambridge C1/C2 or Duolingo 130. Confirm with IE admissions.

How to apply

1. Apply onlineSubmit your application on IE University’s online portal and pay the €150 admission fee. Aim for Round 1 (6 Nov 2026) or Round 2 (15 Jan 2027).
2. Admissions testTake the IE Admissions Test or send SAT/ACT/LNAT scores instead, then complete the online assessment with video and written questions.
3. Interview and decisionAttend the interview and wait for IE’s written decision. If you get an offer, pay the €3,000 reservation fee by the date in your offer letter to secure your place.
4. Legal documentsAfter your Leaving Cert results in August 2027, apply for UNEDasiss and send your official documents to IE Admissions by the date IE gives you.

Costs

• IE University is a private university, so this course is not tuition-free. IE’s official fees page lists the 2026/27 tuition for the Bachelor in Economics at €26,500 a year (€441.67 per ECTS). IE says fees rise by a fixed 2.9% each year while you are enrolled. Other costs are a €150 admission fee, a €3,000 non-refundable place reservation fee (deducted from first-year tuition) and a one-time €1,200 IE Foundation contribution in first year. The 2027/28 fee had not been published at the time of checking, so confirm it with IE.

At a glance