Do you want to benefit from studying abroad at one of Spain’s most established business networks? Then ESIC University or Business and Marketing School is the perfect place for you. For over 55 years, ESIC has been training professionals and executives in marketing, business, and digital business, combining academic excellence with an extensive network of corporate partners. Depending on your program, you’ll spend your semester abroad in vibrant Barcelona or in the economic heart of Spain around Madrid and Valencia. On our website, you’ll find all the important information about the university, the city, and more, and learn how your dream of studying abroad at ESIC can become a reality. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon be working on your next marketing project amid case studies, tapas, and the Spanish zest for life!
ESIC’s history began in 1965 in Madrid, when the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart founded the “Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Comerciales” with the goal of providing Spain with well-trained professionals in a discipline that was still in its infancy at the time: marketing. ESIC is thus considered one of the country’s first business schools specializing in marketing and today looks back on a history spanning more than 60 years. In 2019, with the founding of ESIC Universidad, the institution also received official university status, granted by a law of the Madrid Region. Since then, ESIC Universidad and the ESIC Business & Marketing School have together formed the ESIC network, through which official bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as a wide range of continuing education courses, are offered.
Teaching at ESIC centers on three academic disciplines: Marketing, Business, and Technology. This clear academic focus distinguishes ESIC from traditional, broadly oriented business schools and makes it one of Spain’s most specialized institutions when it comes to marketing and digital business expertise. Teaching is deliberately designed to be practice-oriented: a large proportion of the faculty comes directly from the business world and brings up-to-date practical knowledge into the classroom. This is complemented by close collaborations with companies that provide internships, case studies, and career opportunities for students.
Internationality is deeply rooted at ESIC. Students from more than 85 countries shape campus life, and the university has partnerships with universities in over 40 countries across four continents. ESIC itself has multiple campuses in Spain, from Madrid to Barcelona to Valencia, and has long since expanded into the Latin American market with campuses in Medellín and Curitiba. Those who study at ESIC become part of an alumni network with more than 80,000 graduates worldwide—a network that provides tangible support when entering the workforce. Approximately 98% of ESIC graduates are employed in their field within one year of graduation.
Depending on your degree program, your semester abroad at ESIC will take place at various locations throughout Spain. All ESIC campuses share a common principle: modern, well-equipped learning environments right in the heart of urban life, rather than on a secluded university campus. The headquarters and hub of the ESIC network is Pozuelo de Alarcón, an upscale suburb northwest of Madrid, where ESIC Universidad is located, featuring modern IT labs, libraries, and sports facilities, and surrounded by cafés, supermarkets, and everything students need for daily life.
Students spending their semester abroad as part of the Bachelor of Arts in International Business are based at the vibrant campus in Barcelona, while students in the master’s programs study in Madrid or Valencia, depending on their specialization. At all locations, ESIC emphasizes small, practice-oriented learning groups, state-of-the-art technology in classrooms, and an active campus life featuring sports activities, student clubs, and regular corporate events. This close connection to the business world has a noticeable impact on daily student life at ESIC. Lectures are regularly interspersed with practical projects, guest lectures, and case studies from the real business world. Major business events also take place regularly, such as the university’s annual Marketing and Innovation Congress, which attracts experts from all over Spain. This provides students with direct insight into the business world even while they are still studying.
If you’re studying at ESIC in Madrid, you’ll be living near Pozuelo de Alarcón, an upscale, green suburb in the northwest of the Spanish capital. With a population of around 3.3 million, Madrid itself is one of Europe’s largest cities and is known for museums like the Prado, a vibrant tapas and nightlife scene, and parks like the Retiro right in the city center. The cost of living is still moderate compared to other European capitals. A room in a shared apartment costs between 450 and 650 euros per month, depending on the location, while student dorms typically range from 600 to 900 euros, including meals.
Anyone spending a semester abroad at the Barcelona campus will find themselves in one of Europe’s most popular student cities. With a population of around 1.6 million, Barcelona is more manageable than Madrid but just as vibrant: narrow alleys in the Gothic Quarter, kilometers of city beaches like Barceloneta, and a lively nightlife. The city also has a lot to offer culturally, from the Sagrada Família to countless small galleries and music clubs in neighborhoods like El Born or Gràcia. Barcelona is one of the more expensive cities in Spain, which is especially noticeable when it comes to housing. A room in a shared apartment costs between 500 and 700 euros, while student housing typically ranges from 650 to 950 euros per month.
At the Valencia campus, you’ll experience what is arguably the most laid-back of the three ESIC lifestyles: Spain’s third-largest city combines the narrow streets of its medieval old town with futuristic architecture and kilometers of city beaches. Valencia is one of the sunniest major cities in Europe and is particularly well-known among international students for its vibrant Erasmus community. Compared to Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia is noticeably more affordable. A room in a shared apartment costs between 350 and 500 euros, while student housing ranges from about 600 to 700 euros, including utilities.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the chance to combine your studies in Munich with a semester abroad at ESIC in Spain—all as part of your degree program! You can complete your semester abroad at ESIC as part of either your bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
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ESIC Business and Marketing School in Barcelona:
ESIC Business and Marketing School in Madrid oder Valencia:
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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.
Have you found a study program that piques your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you’ll then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of spending a semester abroad at ESIC!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first few semesters, you’ll learn key business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
Your first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at ESIC. Depending on your degree program, your semester abroad will take place at the Barcelona campus (Bachelor’s) or at the Madrid or Valencia campuses (Bachelor’s and Master’s). The MBS International Center is here to provide you with advice and support as you plan your semester abroad at ESIC and will answer all your questions regarding course selection, housing, and Erasmus formalities.
Once you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your Erasmus semester at ESIC, it’s finally time to get started. Yay, your semester abroad in Spain is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the world of Spanish marketing and business, make new friends with students from all over the world, enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle, 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 either return to Munich Business School for one to three more semesters (Bachelor’s program) or complete your degree with your thesis (Master’s program).
To qualify for a business degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also for a semester abroad at ESIC—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of exchange spots is limited.
A semester abroad at ESIC in Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia is a dream for many young adults—and for good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in Spain is a big step that requires careful planning and financing. To help you organize your experience as best as possible, this FAQ provides answers to common questions about studying at ESIC University.
ESIC is considered one of Spain’s most prestigious and highly specialized business schools, particularly in the field of marketing. With a history spanning more than 60 years, AMBA accreditation for its MBA programs, and additional EPAS accreditation from the EFMD, it ranks among the country’s most highly regarded business schools. Particularly noteworthy is its extensive network of over 2,500 corporate partners and more than 80,000 alumni worldwide, which provides students with real-world professional connections even while they’re still in school and opens up excellent career opportunities after graduation. Anyone seeking a specialized, practice-oriented education in marketing and business is in good hands at ESIC.
That depends on your degree program at Munich Business School. Bachelor’s students in International Business spend their semester abroad at the Barcelona or Madrid campus, while Master’s students study at the Madrid (Pozuelo de Alarcón) or Valencia campus, depending on their program. All locations offer modern learning environments in the heart of the city, as well as access to ESIC’s extensive corporate network. You’ll receive detailed information about your specific campus from the International Center at Munich Business School as part of your application process.
Depending on the program and campus, classes at ESIC are taught in Spanish, English, or in mixed-language formats. ESIC offers special English-language courses for international exchange students, particularly in the master’s programs. However, since you’ll hear and speak a lot of Spanish in your daily life off campus, it’s worth learning at least the basics of the language before your semester abroad—this will not only make your daily life easier but also help you connect with local classmates and corporate partners. Through ESIC’s in-house language center, ESIC Idiomas, you can also learn languages such as Spanish, Chinese, German, or French during your stay—a great opportunity to benefit linguistically from your semester abroad in Spain beyond your academic studies.
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80687 München Germany