Living in Barcelona

The BSE offers a unique opportunity to study at an institution with a world-class teaching and research faculty, while enjoying the cultural, social and recreational amenities of one of the world's most exciting cities.

An international hub for graduate study and research

With seven universities and numerous research institutions, Barcelona offers one of Europe's most inspiring environments for students and academics to live and study. This intellectually appealing atmosphere coupled with the BSE's location on the campuses of two internationally ranked universities puts our students in the heart of a dynamic academic environment.

Find out more about Barcelona’s education and research centers

An entrepreneurial and business-friendly city

Thanks to its long business and commercial tradition, Barcelona is today one of the most important cities in Europe for doing business. The city produces and attracts entrepreneurs and is establishing itself as a European centre for business creation. Another noticeable feature is the creation of business clusters in cutting-edge sectors such as information and communication technologies (ICT), the media, biotechnology, energy, design, social sciences, aeronautics, aerospace and mobility.

More about doing business in Barcelona

Cost of Living in Barcelona

According to recent reports, the cost of living in Barcelona is still generally lower than that of most major European cities. This is a key factor in the lifestyle and quality of life standards for the BSE university community. Indeed, in recent years the city has become a magnet for students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Barcelona has long been a popular destination for Erasmus students and other study-abroad programs, as well as a leading post-graduate education hub that includes several top-ranking international business schools and leading economic research institutions.

Public Transportation

Barcelona has an excellent public transportation system: an underground metro, a clean and reliable bus system, and inexpensive taxis. Read more at the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) website to find out the best way to get from one place to another. 
 
There are nine subway lines and several intercity rail lines, each identified by a number and color. You can purchase a 10-trip reusable ticket (T-10), or 50-trips/monthly ticket for regular commuting. The closest stop to the BSE and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) main campus is the Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica station on the Yellow/L4 line. The BSE and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Bellaterra Campus is located just 30 minutes outside of the Barcelona city center. The closest stop is the Universitat Autònoma station on the S2 or S55 lines, and requires a 2-zone ticket.
 
Barcelona also offers an environmentally friendly bicycle-sharing service, designed for easy use with drop-off stations all over town. This bicycle system is not available to tourists, and has become very popular with locals and students. There are two bike stations at our main campus. To use the service you must register and pay a yearly fee of €24. The first 30 minutes of bicycle use is free, and additional time is charged at €0.30/30 minutes. For more details about Barcelona's public bicycles, please click here.

Quality of Life

Beaches

  • 4.2 km (2.6 mi) of beaches within walking distance of the city center
  • Restaurant terraces serving tapas, paella, and fresh seafood
  • Free concerts and street festivals along the boardwalk
  • Seaside towns outside the city just a short ride away by local rail

Sports

  • First-division Spanish soccer games almost every weekend
  • Celebrate wins with the locals at bars and cafes along the Ramblas
  • Join intramural football, rugby, basketball leagues
  • Running clubs, 10k races, half and full marathons

Culture

  • Cuisine: Try food from all over the world, priced for every budget
  • Cinema: Several international theatres showing films in their original language
  • Museums: Art, history, design, even chocolate!
  • Music: Street artists, festivals, clubs, Palau de la Música

Explore

  • Green zones, parks, and gardens all over the city
  • Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France just two hours away
  • High-speed trains (AVE) linking major points across Spain
  • Skiing, hiking, horse riding, rafting, cycling, and more easily accessible