Would you like to combine your studies abroad with an entrepreneurial spirit, a Southern European lifestyle, and a close-knit network of companies? Then EAE Business School in Barcelona is the perfect place for you. Located right in the heart of the Eixample district, the school combines hands-on business education with a city that epitomizes innovation, startups, and a zest for life. Since 1958, EAE has been training executives and up-and-coming talent from around the world and is now one of Spain’s most renowned private business schools. On our website, you’ll find all the key information about the school, the city, and more, and learn how your dream of studying abroad at EAE Business School can become a reality. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon be surrounded by Gaudí’s architecture, the Mediterranean, and the startup scene, writing your own chapter in Barcelona!
EAE Business School was founded in Barcelona in 1958 and thus has over six decades of experience in training executives and entrepreneurs. Since 2006, the school has been part of Planeta Formación y Universidades, the education division of Spain’s Grupo Planeta, and as a result benefits from a strong network and stable institutional structures. More than 65,000 professionals and executives from over 100 countries have studied at EAE since its founding, a testament to the school’s international reach far beyond Spain. At the heart of EAE’s teaching philosophy is a direct connection to business practice. Instructors are predominantly active managers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who incorporate real-world case studies, current market trends, and their own professional experience into the classroom. Traditional instruction is complemented by projects with partner companies, internships, and a vibrant startup culture: Through the in-house support program “EAE Emprende Barcelona”, more than 1,400 students have developed and implemented their own business ideas since 2019.
EAE’s degree programs cover the traditional business disciplines, ranging from General Management to Marketing, Finance, and Operations, all the way to Human Resources, and are taught in both Spanish and English. The English-language bachelor’s and MBA programs, which are specifically designed to attract international students, are particularly in demand. The close ties to the business world are also reflected in employment opportunities: According to the university’s own surveys, 93 percent of graduates find a suitable job within six months and virtually all within one year of graduation. EAE’s Master’s in International Business was also recognized by QS as the program with the highest relevance to the job market in all of Spain.
At EAE, internationality is not just a buzzword, but a way of life: students from more than 100 countries come together in Barcelona, collaborate in intercultural teams, and build a global network even while they’re still studying. Over 1,000 partner organizations from business and industry provide practical projects, guest lectures, and career paths that extend far beyond graduation. Students at EAE therefore not only learn theory but also develop an entrepreneurial mindset from day one in an international environment, right in the heart of Barcelona—a vibrant hub of business and innovation.
EAE Business School is located in the heart of the Eixample, one of Barcelona’s most central and bustling neighborhoods, known for its grid-like streets, modernist architecture, and easy access to the subway, buses, and trains. Instead of a self-contained campus, EAE is spread across several buildings in the city center that are conveniently connected by foot. The main building on Carrer d’Aragó spans approximately 5,000 square meters and features modern, well-lit classrooms as well as event spaces where executives and entrepreneurs from the business world are regularly invited as guest speakers.
Directly across the street is another building covering over 1,000 square meters, dedicated entirely to entrepreneurship. This is also home to the EAE Barcelona Lab. The undergraduate campus on Carrer de Tarragona brings together the bachelor’s degree programs in a dedicated learning environment tailored to younger students. This deliberate division into several compact locations ensures that students are constantly on the move and that the city itself becomes an integral part of their daily academic life.
The Entrepreneurship Building is home to the EAE Barcelona Lab, a space entirely dedicated to startup activities and entrepreneurial work. Here, as part of “EAE Emprende”, students develop their own business ideas, work in teams on prototypes, and receive support from mentors with real-world experience. For anyone who wants to do more than just learn theory during their semester abroad—and instead take an active role in entrepreneurship—the Lab is a real draw.
Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Europe for studying, and for good reason. The Catalan capital combines big-city charm with a Mediterranean climate: sandy beaches are just minutes away by metro, and the city also offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, from Gaudí’s Sagrada Família to the Gothic Quarter and countless small galleries and music clubs. Those who enjoy going out will find a wide variety of bars, rooftop terraces, and live music in neighborhoods like El Born, Gràcia, or Poblenou. Barcelona has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the liveliest student cities in Europe.
Barcelona also scores high on practicality: The public transit network—comprising the metro, buses, and trams—is well-developed and affordable, and the international airport is just half an hour from the city center, making quick weekend trips to Madrid, the south of France, or the Balearic Islands possible. English is easily understood in much of the student and tourist scene, although knowledge of Spanish or Catalan makes daily life even easier.
Housing is in high demand in Barcelona, so it’s worth starting your search early. EAE itself does not operate its own student dormitories, but it assists exchange students in finding housing through partner agencies and private student residences. A room in a traditional shared apartment in Barcelona typically costs between 400 and 700 euros per month, depending on location and amenities. Neighborhoods such as Eixample, Gràcia, and Sant Antoni are particularly popular among international students. Those who prefer to live in a supervised student residence with full-service amenities typically pay between 600 and 1,000 euros per month, but in return have everything included, from housekeeping to common areas. Overall, the cost of living in Barcelona is above the Spanish average, but it remains attractive compared to other European cities such as Munich, Paris, or London, and is more than offset by the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the chance to combine your studies in Munich with a stay at EAE Business School in Barcelona—all within a single program! You can complete your semester abroad at EAE Business School as part of a bachelor’s degree program in International Business at MBS. Learn more about our degree programs now!
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Has the Bachelor’s in International Business at Munich Business School piqued your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal to start your studies in February or September. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to study at both Munich Business School and EAE Business School in Barcelona!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in the Bachelor’s program in International Business, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you’ll learn important business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your program and interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
The first semesters at Munich Business School (MBS) are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at EAE Business School. When you’ll study abroad in Barcelona depends on when you started your degree program. If you began your bachelor’s program at Munich Business School in the fall, your semester abroad will take place during your fourth semester. However, if you started your bachelor’s program in February, you will go abroad during your sixth semester. The MBS International Center is here to provide you with advice and support as you plan your semester abroad at EAE Business School and will answer all your questions about course selection, housing, and student life.
Once you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad at EAE Business School, it’s finally time to get started. Yay, your semester abroad in Barcelona is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the new (university) culture, make new friends, soak up everything around you, try new things, and create memories that will last a lifetime! One thing is certain: the experience of studying abroad in Spain will stay with you forever, and you’ll return a changed person. After your semester abroad, you’ll return to Munich Business School and complete your bachelor’s degree after one to three more semesters (depending on when you started your program).
To qualify for a business degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also at EAE Business School in Barcelona—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of available spots is limited.
Studying at EAE Business School in Barcelona is a dream for many young adults! At the same time, studying abroad in Spain is a big step that requires careful planning and financing. To help you organize everything as best as possible, this FAQ provides answers to common questions about studying at EAE Business School.
For students who value hands-on business education, an international environment, and close ties to the business world, EAE Business School is a very solid choice. The school is one of Spain’s better-known private business schools, is regularly listed among Spain’s top business schools in national rankings such as the Merco Ranking, and stands out for its high employment rates among graduates. Unlike some of its neighboring schools in Barcelona, however, EAE does not currently hold any of the three international “Triple Crown” accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).
Barcelona is one of the more expensive cities in Spain, but it remains attractive by European standards. For a room in a shared apartment, you should expect to pay between 400 and 700 euros per month; supervised student residences usually cost between 600 and 1,000 euros. On top of that, there are ongoing expenses for food, leisure, and transportation of around 300 to 400 euros per month. If you start looking for housing early and are open to shared rooms in neighborhoods like Sant Antoni or Gràcia, you’ll usually find a good and affordable option.
Yes, EAE Business School offers numerous degree programs taught entirely in English, particularly in its international bachelor’s and MBA programs, which are specifically designed for international students. In addition, there are Spanish-language programs for students who wish to apply their language skills directly to their studies. For a semester abroad as part of the Bachelor’s in International Business at Munich Business School, there are plenty of English-language courses available, so while knowledge of Spanish is helpful, it is not a requirement.
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