FAQs
What are the IEU LABs?
The IEU LABs are fully tutored working spaces in which IE University students can develop professional projects by working closely with companies or starting their own business while remaining at the university. The projects are an excellent opportunity for students who want hands-on experience, interdisciplinary knowledge, and the opportunity to work on challenging projects to gain professional skills and start building their professional profile.
What types of LABs are offered?
What types of LABs are offered?
There are three kinds of LABs: Start-Up Lab, IEU LABs with Corporate Partners, IEU LABs with Institutional Partners, and Independent Labs.
- Start-Up Lab
Serves as an incubator for students´ business initiatives and guides them through the process of creating and starting a business. Students are given training in areas like marketing, funding, strategy and legal aspects, and are introduced to investors or to other entrepreneurs that share their experience.
- IEU Consultancy LABs with CORPORATE & INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
Students work as consultants for companies, firms and institutions. These clients collaborate with IE University and call on students to carry out specific research projects and strategic analysis and deliver their findings, guided by the Lab Directors and experts. Clients belong to a variety of sectors, such as sports, finance, marketing, media, information technology, etc. IE departments or other IEU LABs can also become clients. Research and consulting are carried out in areas such as urban development, city marketing, legal issues, museum management, education, creativity, social behavior and many others. Every year more clients collaborate with the IEU LABs and new projects are added to the portfolio.
- IEU Social Impact Projects
The Social Lab, Arts & Culture Lab, and Sustainability Lab provide external consultancy services to public institutions, NGOs, and private companies. Their work focuses on helping these organizations achieve their goals and objectives with professional expertise by developing projects that create a social impact. These Labs leverage the multicultural backgrounds of their participants and the synergies offered by their diverse educational experiences.
How can I find out more specific information about the IEU LABs?
Four ways:
- Go to BLACKBOARD, look for Organizations / IE LABs & Entrepreneurship
- Contact university@ie.edu
- Visit our website: http://ieulabs.ie.edu/
- Send an email to the Lab Director for more specific information (you will find their email addresses on Blackboard and our website)
Will there be a Lab Director looking after us?
Yes, you will have a director, who will guide you and the rest of your group all along the way and who will monitor your work, give you feedback, help you whenever you have to meet with clients, and who will set up specific goals and deadlines.
Where do the LABs take place?
The IEU LABs are offered both at our Madrid and Segovia campuses.
May students join a Lab that is different than their degree track?
Except for the the Legal Clinic (which is only aimed at students from Law related degrees), anyone can join any of the Labs offered regardless of the degree they are taking. In fact, it should be encouraged so that they explore other areas of interest.
Who can join the IEU LABs?
The program is geared toward first and second-year students, however, senior students can also participate.
Can I enroll in a Lab that is offered in a different Campus?
How can I enroll?
Access the online enrolment platform:
When can I enroll?
- Madrid: 4-20 November.
- Segovia: 5-20 November.
The enrolment platform doesn't work/ is not available.
If you are unable to add/ drop a Lab through the enrolment platform, please contact: matricula@university.ie.edu
How many LABs can I register for?
You may register for only ONE Lab per academic year. To work in two LABs would be very demanding and would put at risk your academic performance.
Can I change/ drop LABs once I have begun working for one of them?
The Add & Drop period will run from 11 January to 5 February 2027.
After 5 February, you will no longer be able to drop a Lab. If your attendance is unsatisfactory, you will receive a Fail grade, which will appear on your academic transcript.
Is there limited space available in each Lab? How do you select students?
Yes, there is limited availability in each Lab. Most allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis.That is why we encourage students to enroll as soon as possible. However, the following LABs have an additional selection process: Legal Clinic, Innovation Lab, Finance Lab Segovia, Econ Data Lab, Start-Up Lab, Entertainment Lab, Communication Lab Madrid, Communication Lab Segovia, Branding Lab and Policy Lab. Final admission will be confirmed by the respective LAB director.
If I missed the registration in November, can I still sign up for a Lab?
Yes, the online enrolment platform will reopen from 11 January to 5 February 2027.
When are the IE LABs starting their activity this year?
There are two periods in the IEU LABs programme: the Extensive Period and the Intensive Period.
Extensive Period
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Extensive Period will run from the week of 26 January to 8 May 2027. Students are expected to dedicate 4–6 hours per week to their Lab.
Please note that there will be no LABs activity during Spring Break, from 30 March to 6 April.
All sessions during the Extensive Period will take place in person.
Intensive Period
The Intensive Period will run from 1 to 26 June 2027, over four weeks. Students are expected to dedicate 4 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Student attendance will be monitored.
Can I do the extensive period in one Campus and the intensive period in the other?
In principle this will not be possible if the rest of your team does not change location. This can be explored during the first meetings of the Lab when the projects are assigned but it cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Can I sign up for only the extensive period or the intensive period?
No. You need to work both during the extensive AND intensive period.
Are the IEU LABs graded?
Yes, you will obtain a grade of 0 to 10 for your participation in the IEU LABs. Your grade will be determined by your performance and the reports you have to prepare for the client or your progress in the business idea.
Does the grade I obtain in the LABs count towards my GPA?
No, but it will appear in your European Supplement to the diploma as an extra academic activity.
Will I obtain credits (ECTs) and how many?
Participation in the LAB is initially recorded as an extracurricular activity and does not count towards your GPA.
Later in your programme, when you are eligible to take elective courses, you may voluntarily apply for official recognition of your LAB. If approved, the 3 ECTS assigned to the LAB will count towards your degree, the corresponding fee will apply, and your LAB grade will be included in your GPA.
Is there a fee?
Students do not pay anything extra for joining and working at the IEU LABs. Only later on, if you decide to ask for credit recognition to make up for an elective, you will have to pay for those credits (as you would do if you decided to enroll in an elective course).
If I decide to drop the Lab (for instance, because I have other plan for the summer, I get an internship, etc.) after the add & drop period is over, what will be the consequences?
You will receive a Fail that will show on your transcript. Working in a Lab is voluntary. When you decide to join, you acquire a commitment towards the clients, the university, your Lab Director and the rest of the team. The team will have to deliver in any case at the end of June. If you leave, your teammates will have to do the extra work and the credibility of the university and of the IEU LABs project will be questioned.
If I have done a Lab in the past, can I enroll again? In the same Lab? In a different Lab?
Yes, you can sign up again.
- If you are interested in a different Lab, you will have to attend the two portions of the new Lab (non-intensive and intensive). You will get 3 ECTs.
- If you are interested in the same Lab, you have 2 options:
- to do the full package (non-intensive and intensive) for 3 ECTs;
- or to do only the non-intensive period for 1 ECT.