Barcelona; the dream city for any student!
Studying in Barcelona; Barcelona is by far one of the greatest destinations in Europe for foreign students and is full of many exciting prospects and opportunities. As the capital city of Catalonia, a region with its own unique identity, Barcelona is definitely one of Spain’s most intriguing cities historically, culturally and politically.
Deciding whether to study abroad can be a tough decision, just the thought of moving thousands of miles away from your home comforts, friends and family is very daunting. But fear not, we’re here to reassure you that Barcelona is one of the best destinations for studying abroad.
The student culture in the city is unlike anywhere else, there is always something to see or do (or eat), making it the perfect place to embark on your study abroad journey. With it’s world-renowned universities, amazing weather, stunning scenery and vibrant nightlife, Barcelona is the dream city for any student!
Studying in Barcelona
Stories of students in Barcelona
Studying in Barcelona; our top tips
- Plan your finances ahead of time
- Arrange your NIE as soon as possible (if applicable)
- Keep in regular contact with your home university (if applicable)
- Don’t rush into finding accommodation - Take your time!
- Get familiar with the transport system
- Take advantage of Facebook groups and join the Barcelona ESN page
- Learn Spanish/Catalan
Is Barcelona an expensive city for students?
Although the cost of living in Barcelona does tend to be more expensive than most Spanish cities (with the exception of Madrid), it’s still much cheaper than other popular study destinations such as New York, London and Paris. It’s definitely possible to live on the cheaper side, but it all depends on the kind of lifestyle you want to have when you get here. How much you pay for your accommodation will depend on how much you’re willing or able to spend, along with taking into factors such as the location and how many people you choose to share with. For more information, check out our ‘Cost of living’ blog.
Discounts in Barcelona
The beautiful city of Barcelona has endless activities, restaurants, nightclubs, and more fun things to do. At first, life and activities in Barcelona may seem relatively cheap compared to other cities. But, the costs may begin to add up and it can become more expensive than you thought. Barcelona Expat Life is offering discount codes from several companies to save you some money in your daily life.
How can I find accommodation?
As a student, one of your main priorities will probably be to have a great social life alongside your studies, so we would definitely recommend renting a room in shared accommodation as opposed to living by yourself. We would recommend finding short-term accommodation to avoid any potential problems such as not liking the area, or even worse, your flat mates. Your university may require you to study/learn from home so bear these things in mind when finding a place to live. Remember, the key is to do your research and not to rush into anything!
Real estate websites
I want to study a Master's degree in Barcelona, what do I need to know?
- Tuition fees at public universities in Spain are typically set by each individual Autonomous Community, meaning they are more or less the same for every public university. On the other hand, private universities set their own fees and these are usually much, much higher than those of public universities.
- You can choose to do a Master’s degree in English due to the large number of international business schools in Barcelona. This means you won’t be required to learn Spanish to study a Master’s degree in Spain.
Universities & Business Schools
Studying in Barcelona: Maud's Barcelona
Check out the stories of Maud, Dutch, she is studying a Masters degree in International Business at EAE Business School and she is enjoying life. She is sharing advice, Q&A’s and personal experiences regarding student life in Barcelona.
Do I need to know Spanish/Catalan to study in Barcelona?
English is widely spoken in Barcelona but, considering Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, it would be wise to get this language under your belt too. If you’re keen to learn Spanish or Catalan while you’re in Barcelona, you should first see whether your University/Business School offers language lessons alongside your course. If this isn’t an option, there are a large variety of professional institutions in the city to choose from, offering classes for beginners through to experts.
When it comes to everyday language learning, simple things such as listening to Spanish music, watching local programmes or binging Netflix series and reading books in Spanish are all great ways to practice.
