ESADE MBA vs IE MBA for consulting (especially in Middle East)

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• Neither Esade nor IE seem to have a strong brand presence in the Middle East consulting market compared to, for instance, INSEAD. If your goal is a consulting firm in this region, the school name can play a role – especially when you’re not already based in the region.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming applications, pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I think this is the 3rd thread about the same question (with the same answers :-)).

Cheers,

Florian

Hey there ?

Both ESADE and IE are strong MBA programs, but if your goal is consulting—especially in the Middle East—there are a few subtle differences to keep in mind:

? ESADE tends to have a slightly better reputation with MBB and Tier 2 firms in Europe, especially with McKinsey and Bain. The alumni network is very solid in consulting, and the career services are very structured.

? IE is more international and has a lot of exposure in the Middle East region. It’s very well known for its flexibility and entrepreneurial vibe. Also, many IE alumni do make it into Middle East offices of consulting firms (especially Dubai).

So: if you’re really focused on the Middle East, IE might give you a slight edge in regional brand recognition and alumni base. But if your focus is broader (especially within Europe), ESADE might be stronger in pure consulting prep + reputation.

Let me know your budget, language preferences, or where you want to work after the MBA and I’m happy to give more specific advice! ?

Best,
Alessa ?

Both are very good schools and degrees; IE has a slight edge in the Middle East given larger alumni network and brand recognition

Hi there,

Q: ESADE MBA vs IE MBA for consulting (especially in Middle East)

You can get a data-driven answer by checking the track record of the programs in terms of exits. You can do so as follows:

1. Go to LinkedIn
2. Add the universities as "School", one by one (if possible, target the the MBA only)
3. Filter by each target company you have as “Current company” for your target geography
4. Check how many school alumni joined your target firms
5. Normalize for the size of the MBA intake (if available)

Good luck!

Francesco

None of them is super strong in the Middle East, but IE has the better brand.