Table of Contents
- 1. ESADE history
- 2. ESADE today
- 3. Rankings
- 4. Programs on offer at ESADE
- 5. Faculty
- 6. Fees
- 7. Admission requirements for ESADE
- 8. Acceptance rates for ESADE
- 9. Scholarships and financial aid
- 10. Career after ESADE
- 11. Summary
ESADE history
The business school was founded in the springtime of 1954 by a group of Spanish entrepreneurs. The focus was on people first with the firm belief that all future technologies should benefit people and communities. They wanted to educate future business leaders with this people-first ethos at the heart of their studies. Their goal was to improve the world and for their students to motivate and inspire others as they moved across the globe throughout their careers.
After signing an agreement with The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, Esade opened in October 1958 in a small building in the Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona, Spain.
In 1959 the first Bachelor’s degree was launched and in 1960 the first upper management (now executive education) programs were launched. In 1964 the first MBA program started and in 1982 a second campus was opened in Madrid, Spain.
This was followed by the founding of a law school in 1993. After celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008, the new Sant Cugas campus was launched in 2009.
The Esade MBA campus was created in 2009. They also incorporated Esade Creapolis at the Sant Cugas this year which is the home to multiple technology startups. After undergoing digital transformation during the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, Esade opened Esade CTL – their center of excellence in educational innovation. 2022 saw the launch of Esade’s sustainability plan.
Throughout the 65-year evolution of Esade, its founding drive, core values, and focus have remained the same: Its mission is to guide and train new generations of business leaders who’ll help create a more equal, fair, and diverse society for everyone.
ESADE today
ESADE today still has people at the core of its purpose. Students are diverse and their community is composed of students, alumni, academics, researchers, professionals, and members of the Society of Jesus.
There are two schools – the ESADE business school and the ESADE law school as well as the language center – the ESADE executive language center. ESADE also has a strategic alliance with Barcelona’s Ramon Llull University in its undergraduate programs in business and law.
Rankings
ESADE has garnered a string of prestigious rankings and accolades over the years. It was rated as the best international business school in the world by The Wall Street Journal and ranked as the 7th best business school outside of North America by Business Week.
It has also been ranked as the number 4 business school in the world for Executive Education – by the Financial Times. It has been ranked number 3 for new skills and learning (new ways of thinking) according to the Financial Times. It came in at number 1 in the world for Innovative Education according to El Economista. It scored number 3 in the world for Educational Experience according to The Economist newspaper. And The Financial Times ranked ESADE at number 5 in the world for International Course Experience.
The startup ecosystem scored number 4 for best MBA for entrepreneurs according to Poets&Quants who ranked it at number 1 for technical degree specialization.
Meanwhile, the professional development sector ranks highly globally – most notably it scored number 1 for its marketing career specialization according to QS and number 5 for salary increase by The Financial Times.
ESADE also ranked highly for diversity – they scored number 3 according to QS and number 5 for female faculty according to the Financial Times.
Programs on offer at ESADE
The programs on offer at ESADE today include bachelor’s degrees in business administration, law, global governance, economics and legal order, transformational leadership, and social impact.
Master’s include MSc programs, Masters in law, and Executive Masters. MBA programs include a full-time MBA, an Executive MBA, and a Multinational MBA as well as a variety of Executive Education programs.
Faculty
The ESADE student body is composed of 126 nationalities that live together in complete mutual respect and harmony. Its people – students and professors – are at the heart of ESADE’s global vision to have a positive impact on society.
Their work centers around three core founding values: Human quality, sensitivity, and social identity.
The ESADE faculty is composed of professors who are known for their academic excellence, and who maintain direct contact with the business, law firms and organizations throughout the world.
Fees
Fees for ESADE vary according to which program you do and whether you’re paying for your first or second year.
ESADE sets out a fee guide as follows in Euros on their website:
First-year options:
MSc in Finance – €36,000
MSc in Marketing, MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MSc in International Management, MSc in Digital Business, MSc in Sustainability Management – €33,500
Second-year options: CEMS MIM – €13,500
Internal Double Degree (MSc):
– MSc in Finance: €21,000
– MSc in Marketing, MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MSc in International Management, MSc in Digital Business: €18,500
External Double Degree (MSc): €18,500
ESADE has listed estimated costs of other fees such as rent and food as a guide for students.
- Accommodation (shared housing): €400
- Utilities: €80
- Groceries: €200
- ESADE Cafeteria: €115
- Transportation: €60
- Sports: €45
- Misc. expenses: €300
Admission requirements for ESADE
Applying to and getting accepted by ESADE takes time and effort. Your admissions pack will need to be the absolute best it can be with two referee letters which will be used to evaluate whether you have a global mindset and personal motivation. It’s worth noting that one of the questions your professional and academic referees will need to answer is which areas they feel you need to improve. You’ll need time for your referees to compile these letters and your admissions pack overall needs to speak to how you’ll fit in with the existing multi-national student body.
To gain acceptance to ESADE you will need to be able to demonstrate a proficient level of English fluency, a high GMAT score, great recommendation letters, a standout, well-written resume, and an outstanding personal essay. You’ll also need to impress the admissions team at your interview.
For expert coaching and advice our bespoke admissions consulting team is intricately attuned to the admission requirements of ESADE and we have regular contact with officers on the admissions board. Schedule a call for help on how to hone your ESADE admission today >
Currently, ESADE lists a minimum GMAT score of 660 for all ESADE Masters and 670 for a Master’s in Finance. For an MBA there is no lower requirement listed but the average GMAT score is 660 for those who were accepted.
We’re experts at helping applicants prep to score exceptionally high on their entrance exams here at 700+Club. To stand the best chance of admission to ESADE check out our GMAT courses >
Acceptance rates for ESADE
The school wants to maintain an intimate atmosphere on campus and thus limits the number of places on its MBA program each year. The acceptance rate is approximately 37% with an average of 500 students competing for just 190 places within the MBA program every year.
Scholarships and financial aid
ESADE currently has a variety of scholarships available across all their programs for students who can demonstrate high academic potential and financial need. Scholarships cover between 60% to 100% of students’ tuition fees, and they also offer grants to help these students with their room and board.
Recent key facts: 4 million euros was dedicated to the Scholarship Program and there were 287 scholarship recipients. 75% of recipients had their tuition fees covered and 8% of undergraduate students are scholarship recipients
Career after ESADE
Statistics
After graduating from ESADE 97% found employment within 3 months. 54% found jobs outside their home country and the average starting salary was 65K euros per annum. Consulting was the most popular choice for almost 50% of students but other popular sectors were technology and financial services.
Employers
Employers of ESADE alumni include McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, UNIDO, Amazon, Zalando, EY, KPMG, Bloomberg, Glovo, Cuatrecasas, SAP, Salesforce, PJT Partners, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Deutsche Bank.
Average salaries
Those who graduated from ESADE and went into consulting earned an estimated annual salary of 77,114 €. Those in the business and data analytics sector earned 70,421 €. Finance sector workers earned an average of 60,375€. Marketing and sales sector workers earned an average salary of 53,307€, while general management employees earned 39,405€ and those in other functions earned an average of 49,467€ per annum.
Summary
ESADE is a forward-thinking business school with a people-first global mindset. It’s highly selective and accepts the very best from its pool of applicants from across the globe each year.
Students should aspire to do good and be better per the school’s motto and be able to demonstrate that they will thrive in an international setting.
At its very heart, ESADE aspires to make the world we live in a better place for everyone through business.
Further reading: Ever wondered about INSEAD? Check out our in-depth profile of this leading business school. >
