Where can I go to business school in Europe?

Sponsored by GBSB Global Business School

Europe may be the second smallest continent in the world but it’s the epicentre of business, innovation, research and world-class educational institutions.

Choosing which top European business school is right for you can be tricky, particularly as schools like GBSB Business School have campuses in some of the finest locations in Europe.

To help get you started, we take a closer look at three places you might want to keep in mind.

Barcelona – a charming seaside city with big ambitions and a creative start-up scene

Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and is the capital of the Catalonia region in the northeast of the country.

It’s a popular study destination for international students from all over the world and it’s not hard to see why. Barcelona is renowned as a charming seaside city, adorned with modernist architecture masterpieces, a sunny climate, world-famous gastronomy and, of course, Barcelona Football Club – or Barça as it is also known to its passionate and devoted fans.

There’s another side to the city too – one which puts Barcelona on the map not just for its distinctive history and culture – but for its business ambitions and entrepreneurial spirit.

In the latest annual Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings Report 2020, Barcelona ranked as the sixth best start-up hub in Europe – and this isn’t a one-off accolade either. Barcelona’s creative business community has experienced a wave of new start-ups and the city is now home to over 1,300 start-ups.

It’s not just the city’s vibrant and dynamic start-up ecosystem that attracts aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up ventures.

Barcelona’s policy makers have decided that technology, innovation and industrialization are keys to the future growth of the city, which has seen it become a top destination for international conferences, networking events, and some of the world’s largest international companies, like Amazon, Facebook and IBM.

Opportunities for business school graduates are in abundance with the city ranked firmly in the top 30 in the world for employer activity in the QS Best Student Cities ranking.

Studying in Barcelona is also an opportunity learn a language that is in high demand among employers and is the official language of many international organisations across various industries and sectors. Learning Spanish while studying here will not only help improve your language skills, but also give you an edge in the competitive international job market after graduating.

Madrid – a culturally rich and diverse capital and a frontrunner in tech talent

Madrid may well be a quintessentially historic European capital, but it’s also one of Europe’s largest innovation hubs and leading business and financial centres.

Fast-paced modern life takes place here against a backdrop of stunning architecture, a characterful history, world-leading arts and culture venues, legendary cuisine, and two of the world’s most famous football teams – Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid. No wonder the city has been a frequent feature in the QS Best Student Cities rankings since 2016.

As a thriving centre for business and commerce with a well-developed infrastructure and constant influx of investors and developers, Madrid now has one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. This makes the capital an exciting hub for graduate opportunities and business ventures in the capital – especially if you speak Spanish and have international experience.

Just like in Barcelona, studying in Madrid is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish language and help your CV stand out amongst the competitive graduate job market.

Malta  - a paradise for emerging business career opportunities

Sitting quietly in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea just south of Sicily is Malta – a group of three islands made up of Malta Island, Gozo and Comino. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking this small country with a population of fewer than 500,000 is simply an ideal holiday destination – but there is much more to this collection of islands than just sun, sea and sand.

From the Blue Grotto sea caverns on the south-east coast of Malta Island to the Blue Lagoon on Comino and the Cittadella of Gozo; traditional picturesque harbour towns like Marsaxlokk to centuries-old archaeological sites such as the seven megalithic temples and the hypogeum which also happen to be listed as UNESO World Heritage Sites; Malta is packed full of hidden gems that offer a unique insight into the country’s fascinating history and charming culture.

Aside from its abundance of cultural and historical wonders, Malta also offers an excellent standard of education. With English an official language as well as Maltese, students from all over the world come to Malta to pursue a high-quality degree programme in English. 

Graduates are highly valued in Malta, and those who choose to stay or move here can benefit from tax breaks, fast-track visas, and free support to help start a new business. Add to this exciting career opportunities in emerging industries such as blockchain, AI and gaming, plus an affordable high-quality standard of living, and it’s no wonder more and more graduates and expats are making Malta their new home.

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If we’ve got you interested in going to business school in Barcelona, Madrid or Malta, GBSB Global Business School offers a wide range of English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including the MBA at all three of its campuses.

All three of GBSB Global Business School’s campuses are well-connected and integrated with the local economies, allowing students to take up numerous industry experience opportunities in order to establish professional contacts, gain relevant insights, and develop an impressive business acumen. This, alongside an international study experience in some of Europe’s bustling industrial centres makes GBSB Global’s graduates stand out to employers and international organisations.