MiM Or MBA? How to Decide Which Program Is Right for You

If there is one question you might ask yourself as you begin deciding, it is: where do I see myself in 10 years? If you’re intent on being a leader soon and feel you have some good experience, the MBA might be the quick answer.

However, the situation is much more nuanced, and the MiM is not without its leadership preparation merits, so let’s take a look.

While there are always exceptions, IESE’s MBA tends to attract students who have been exposed to working life for an average of five years. Many candidates view the program as an opportunity for a career change after having gotten a few years of work experience in the business world under their belts.

The IESE MBA is a fascinating and intense two-year journey. It comes with international prestige and focuses on general management. There’s no doubt that it will transform you and has the potential to open up for you an incomparable array of fresh opportunities at the top.

You’ll be faced with hundreds of real-life cases, class discussions to turn your preconceived ideas on their head, and campuses across the world. And that’s all before the world-class professors are added to the mix.

The MiM, in contrast, welcomes those with either no or at most two years of, career experience. Like the MBA, it uses the case method. During the program, you’ll develop essential analytical skills and knowledge for entry-level management roles and for having a positive impact on the workplace. 

MiM subjects include business analytics, product management in the digital environment, finance, negotiation, and the creation of new businesses. 

Some Practical Considerations

Ultimately, it may come down to the practicalities, so here are three potential game-changers you should know about: 

At €89,950 euros the MBA is more than double the cost of the MiM, for which the tuition fees are €37,900.

Then there’s location: the MBA’s in-person classes taken place in Barcelona, Spain whereas the capital city Madrid is the site of the MiM.

You have the flexibility of choosing the duration of the MBA (either 15 or 19 months), but the MiM requires you to commit to an 11-month period. 

Final Thoughts

No matter which program you decide to take, IESE will mold you into a strong leader with a general management toolkit allowing you to drive your career in any direction you choose. 

You’ll be taught by world-class professors who also train top executives. And you’ll have access to an alumni network of over 50,000 across 150 different countries. 

IESE will help boost your own personal brand and you’ll be a part of a community dedicated to having a lasting impact on people, companies, and society. 

It’s important to reach out to current students and alumni as you make your decision and indeed beyond. They are an invaluable resource to help you make the final call and also settle into the program well in its early days.  

“It is crucial to get off on the right foot at IESE, and no one knows it better than MiM alumni: reach out to them, ask them about their experience and what would they do differently if they were to start the program again,” says MiM ’20 alumni Federico Marchi.  

“Personally, talking with IESE students helped me in knowing the school better, understanding what to expect from the program, and building a plan for my job search,” he adds.

IESE has teams dedicated to accompanying both MBA and MiM students along the job search process, so there’s no distinction to be made there. The school has agreements with international companies, participates in career fairs and forums, and advises students on how to prepare as well as possible.