Do you want to spend your master’s program abroad not just anywhere, but at one of Europe’s youngest top universities with a strong research focus, right in the heart of Barcelona? Then the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is the perfect place for you. Founded as recently as 1990, UPF has catapulted itself to the top of Spain’s higher education landscape in just a few decades and is now ranked as Spain’s best university by Times Higher Education. Through the UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM)—which holds two of the most prestigious international business accreditations, EQUIS and AMBA—you’ll immerse yourself in an educational experience characterized by strong research, practical relevance, and an international network. On our website, you’ll find all the key information about the university, the city, and more—and learn how your dream of studying abroad at UPF can become a reality. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon be working on your next case study with a view of Ciutadella Park or the Mediterranean Sea!
Pompeu Fabra University was founded in 1990 by the Catalan Parliament and named after the linguist Pompeu Fabra, who played a key role in the standardization of modern Catalan. What began with a few hundred students in the fields of law and economics has, in just over three decades, evolved into one of the most research-intensive universities in Europe. In the Times Higher Education rankings, UPF consistently ranks first among Spanish universities and is considered one of the best young universities in the world. This is a remarkable achievement for an institution that is significantly younger than most of its European competitors.
Business and management programs at UPF are offered through the UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM), which is closely integrated with the university and benefits from its academic reputation. UPF-BSM combines academic excellence with a clear practical focus: faculty members contribute the latest research as well as real-world management experience, and case studies and direct interaction with companies are an integral part of the programs. Classes at UPF follow a trimester system, which organizes course content into more compact, focused units rather than traditional semesters.
Internationality is one of UPF’s founding principles, and this is reflected in the numbers: About one-fifth of the faculty comes from abroad, and at UPF-BSM, this figure rises to about half among master’s students. The university collaborates with more than 40 countries and maintains partnerships with 28 universities ranked among the top 50 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. As a founding member of the European University Alliance EUTOPIA and a member of the Guild Alliance, UPF is also firmly anchored in the European higher education network. Students at UPF-BSM also benefit from the university’s proximity to one of Southern Europe’s most dynamic economic hubs: Barcelona is home to numerous international companies, startups, and innovation centers, with which the university collaborates closely through practical projects, guest lectures, and career services. For students who wish to combine academic depth with a strong practical and career focus, UPF thus offers an environment that tangibly bridges academic rigor and economic relevance.
UPF-BSM is located at two central sites in Barcelona: the Balmes Campus, right in the heart of the city’s business district, and the Ciutadella Campus, directly adjacent to the park of the same name. Both sites combine historic architecture with modern learning facilities.
The Ciutadella Campus is housed in former barracks and is located just a few minutes’ walk from Barceloneta Beach. It’s a campus that uniquely combines urban student life with Mediterranean charm. At its heart is the university library in the “Dipòsit de les Aigües,” a former water tower built in 1880 that is now one of Catalonia’s most impressive learning spaces.
The Balmes Campus is located on one of Barcelona’s main thoroughfares and is home to the largest business school in the city center. In addition to modern lecture halls and flexible group rooms, it features a rooftop terrace with a view of the city skyline, which is a popular gathering spot between classes. Both campuses benefit from their central locations: libraries, cafés, the cafeteria, and student hangouts are all close together, and everything is within easy walking distance or a short metro ride away.
Barcelona is located on the Catalan Mediterranean coast and, with a population of about 1.6 million, is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The city combines the medieval alleys of the Gothic Quarter, Gaudí’s modernist architecture, kilometers of city beaches, and a vibrant café and nightlife scene. This is an environment that effortlessly blends academic life with the Mediterranean lifestyle. Between lectures and practical projects, there’s plenty of time in Barcelona for culture, sports on the beach, or spontaneous excursions into the Catalan countryside.
The public transportation system is also impressive: The metro, bus, and tram networks are well-developed, affordable, and cover the entire city, so owning a car isn’t necessary. The international airport, along with good train and long-distance bus connections, also make Barcelona an ideal starting point for weekend trips within Spain and Europe.
Housing in Barcelona is in high demand, which is why it’s important to start your search early. UPF operates only a few of its own student dormitories but partners with select residences and connects students with rooms and shared apartments through platforms like Housing Anywhere. Depending on the location, a room in a shared apartment costs between 400 and 700 euros per month, while private student housing tends to range from 600 to 1,000 euros. Overall, you should expect monthly living expenses of between 800 and 1,200 euros for rent, food, transportation, and leisure activities. This makes Barcelona one of the more expensive Spanish cities for students, but it also offers a particularly vibrant international student life. Popular neighborhoods include the central Eixample, with good access to the UPF-BSM campuses; the bohemian Gràcia; and the historic districts around Ciutat Vella.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the chance to combine a master’s degree program in Munich with a study abroad semester at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona—all within a single program! You can complete your study abroad semester at UPF as part of a master’s degree program in International Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or International Marketing and Brand Management 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 one of the master’s programs at UPF that includes a semester abroad piqued your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. We recommend applying early to give yourself the best chance of securing a spot at Munich Business School and at UPF in Barcelona!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in your master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first few semesters, you’ll acquire important foundational knowledge in your field, delve deeper into your areas of focus depending on your program, and work with your fellow students on real-world projects.
Your first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at Pompeu Fabra University. In the Master’s program, the semester abroad is typically scheduled for the third semester. Since this program is a fee-based study-abroad option, you’ll incur additional tuition fees for your stay at UPF. The MBS International Center will provide you with detailed information and is here to offer advice and support as you plan your course selection, housing, and student life in Barcelona.
Once you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad at UPF, 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 with fellow students from all over the world, soak up 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 return to Munich Business School and complete your degree with your thesis.
To qualify for a master’s program at Munich Business School—and thus also for a semester abroad at Pompeu Fabra University—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.
A semester abroad at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona 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 UPF.
Yes, UPF is considered one of Spain’s strongest and most prestigious universities in terms of research. According to Times Higher Education, it consistently ranks first among Spanish universities and is among the world’s leading young universities—a remarkable achievement for an institution founded as recently as 1990. The UPF Barcelona School of Management also holds the internationally recognized EQUIS and AMBA accreditations, placing it among a small group of business schools worldwide that can boast two of the three major seals of quality. For students who wish to combine academic excellence with an internationally oriented business education, the UPF is an excellent choice.
Barcelona is one of the more expensive cities in Spain for students. You should expect monthly living expenses of between 800 and 1,200 euros for rent, food, transportation, and leisure activities. A room in a shared apartment costs between 400 and 700 euros, depending on the location, while private student housing typically ranges from 600 to 1,000 euros. Since this program is a fee-based study abroad program, you’ll incur tuition fees for your semester at UPF in addition to your living expenses. You can get detailed information on current fees from the International Center at Munich Business School.
Pompeu Fabra University teaches undergraduate programs primarily in Catalan and Spanish; however, at the UPF Barcelona School of Management, many master’s programs and international courses are taught entirely in English. For exchange students enrolled in a master’s program, there are generally enough English-language courses available, so knowledge of Spanish or Catalan is not a requirement. Since you’ll hear a lot of Spanish and Catalan in everyday life off campus, it’s still worth acquiring at least a basic knowledge of the languages before your semester abroad. This will make your daily life easier and help you connect with local classmates.
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