Studying in Barcelona: An Insider's Guide

Is Barcelona really as great as everyone says? The short answer is yes, writes Gracy Rigano, an Italian business economics student who spent a year in Barcelona while studying at EAE Business School.

The capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is well known for the distinctive architectural creations of Antoni Gaudi. It’s also among Europe’s top student cities, and if you’d like to spend your student days eating good tapas, soaking up sunshine and meeting lots of friendly people of different nationalities, this could be the place for you.

Here are five reasons to choose to study in Barcelona:

1. Lots of international business schools

In Barca, as most people call it, there are many internationally renowned business schools, including EAE, IESE and ESADE. The public universities – Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona – are also good, so even if you’re not sure about spending your entire university career in Spain, it could be a good option for a shorter period of study abroad.

If you’re not able to speak Catalan (used alongside Spanish in the Catalonia region of Spain), that shouldn’t be a problem. Many courses are available in Spanish and/or English, and you’ll meet people of a wide range of nationalities.

2. Good weather

The sun shines from March to October in Barcelona, and when winter arrives it’s rarely harsh. You can take a break from studies by relaxing with friends on Barceloneta beach or in one of the city’s many bars, which also serve delicious tapas. For jogging or picnics, Ciutadella Park is a good choice, and you’ll often find great musicians playing and singing there too.

3. Artistic, cultural and historical exploration

Walking around Barcelona is always a pleasure! In the Gothic district, you find yourself being transported back in time, as you can’t help but stop to admire Gaudi’s most famous work – the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Meanwhile the El Born area is full of old-town architecture but with a ‘new town’ feel – an irresistible combination that makes it particularly popular with locals.

The Arabic district in the El Raval area is vibrant, historic and full of personality. This lively, multicultural neighbourhood offers a huge selection of tempting cafes, restaurants and bars. The area has also become fashionable in recent years, hosting a wide variety of art studios, galleries and trendy bookshops, not to mention the imposing MACBA (Museum of Modern Art).

Then there’s Passeig de Gràcia, part of the 5km-long shopping district, and home to two more of Gaudi's most important creations – La Pedrera  and Casa Batlló. However, if you don’t like crowds I’d recommend avoiding Las Ramblas – a 1.2km walkway through the centre of the city which is always packed with tourists!

4. Fiesta

In Barcelona, you will never be far away from the next fiesta (party). There are plenty of clubs to meet all kind of tastes, and there’s always someone ready to join you for a fun night out.

There are also fantastic city-wide festivals, such as the Fiesta de la Mercè, an official holiday held every 24 September to mark the Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. Highlights include parades, firework displays, human tower-building, and of course lots of music and dancing.

5. Affordable living costs

The cost of living in Barcelona is relatively inexpensive. Public transport is affordable and the service is very good, and the cost of renting a room is also very reasonable – which for students could be a key factor!

In Mercer’s 2011 Cost of Living survey, which compares the cost of goods, services and accommodation rental prices, Barcelona ranked at 66 – much lower than cities with comparable attractions and quality of life.