The program has 5 face-to-face periods for a total of approximately 7.5 weeks in residence over 15 months. The face-to-face periods take place at the campuses of IE in Madrid, Spain, Brown University in Providence, USA and on location in Cape Town, South Africa. 

The module in South Africa is an ‘immersion experience’, specifically designed for students to experience the ‘beyond business’ focus of the program in a real setting. The week in Cape Town provides context for applied learning— applying knowledge acquired in previous classroom and online sessions. This rich field experience, in which new opportunities are proposed, explored and understood in context, is intensified and amplified by the dynamic clashes of culture, politics and human need in the selected site.

Interactive, online learning takes place between the face-to-face periods, ensuring continuous learning and interaction between classmates for the duration of the program. 

Our approach isn’t just online and it isn’t just on campus – it’s blended. We align and combine the best of technology, methodology and our world-class faculty, so you can experience a multi-layered learning in a multi-faceted environment.

The online learning experience consists of approximately three sessions per week that include: 

1. Video conference lectures, and/or 
2. Forum discussions

Video conference lectures are live, synchronous classes lasting around 90 minutes. You'll actively participate real-time in the session via Zoom. The timing of video conference lectures vary depending on the faculty member but usually take place at either 6 - 8 a.m. EST or 11 - 12 p.m. EST. 

Forum discussions are online conversations where you respond to prompts and comments by faculty and other students. They usually open on a Tuesday and remain available for response until Friday afternoon. You can choose the best times to respond based on your schedule.

In totality, the work balances forum discussions, teamwork and reading, all of which can be completed when you have availability. The time commitment during regular work hours is relatively minimal, amounting to typically one or two video conferences per week for a total of three hours.