ESCI-UPF School of International Studies
trusts
HousingAnywhere
with accommodation for their students since 2014

• Founded in 1993

• University ranks 296th place on the QS World University Ranking scale

• 1,000 students

• 100 international students

• 100 members of faculty

• Offers a variety of courses in English, along with 2 programs that are taught entirely in English

• Has partnered with Housing Anywhere since July 2014

Campus facilities

ESCI or Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (translated in English to the International School of Trade) is part of the Pompeu Fabra University. ESCI-UPF is located in Barcelona in the neighborhood of Born. Designed by architect Rafael Cáceres Zurita, the university building is a total of 7,600 m2.

One of the smallest buildings of UPF, ESCI still includes all of the necessities. It has rooms set aside for students to work on group projects, a library and a quiet room for studying, along with a popular campus café with a lovely terrace that is open on weekdays for both breakfast and lunch. For more information on other helpful information for international students in Barcelona, be sure to check out our Barcelona City Guide.

Courses

ESCI offers students a myriad of sought-after programs with an international appeal. The university offers Bachelor degree programs in Urban Sciences, Bioinformatics and International Business and Marketing. The Master’s programs include International Retail and International Digital Marketing, International Trade and International Business.

While the university offers well-respected undergraduate and graduate courses, it also hosts several research programs in areas of economics and business, like corporate social responsibility, life cycles, environmental management and international business.

The courses at ESCI are typically taught in English or Spanish, making it popular with international students.

International dimension

The ESCI-UPF International Business School is focused on global issues, making it one of the most unique business schools throughout Spain. A joint venture between UPF and the Catalan government, the school began back in 1993 to offer programs and to promote research on Catalan firms’ internationalization. Jointly offered by the ESCI-UPF International Business School and the UPF Education Abroad Program, the International Business Program is offered specifically to undergraduate students who are majoring or minoring in business. These students wish to learn from a unique global perspective, with both real-life and classroom experiences allowing them to be significant forces in the international market.

The university also has important exchange agreements with many American, Asian and European schools. Plus, any student who finishes the ESCI-UPF International Business Program will receive a certificate for two international business courses from the ESCI International Business School and the UPF Education Abroad Program

Most classes are taught in environments that promote intermingling between local and international students, during case studies, lectures, presentations, team assignments, required reading and much more. Many courses at the university are offered in the English language, while two programs are taught completely in English.

As an incoming international student, be sure to read on in our Barcelona City Guide to find plenty of helpful tips and suggestions.

How to get to the university

Metro Almost covering the city in its entirety, the metro has eight lines and 140 stations, making it both the most convenient and the fastest method of public transportation. Plus, there are two new lines currently under construction to run to the Barcelona El Prat airport. To get to the university, the Red Line (L2) with a stop at Arc de Triomf and the Yellow Line (L4) with a stop at Jaume are the best choices.

Bus Linking to Barcelona and its neighboring areas and multiple metropolitan areas, there are more than 100 bus routes. Night buses, which are called NitBus, cover many popular routes in the evenings.

Tram. To connect Barcelona with other neighborhoods in the greater metropolitan area, there are six tram routes. The Trambaix route links Les Corts with the towns of Esplugues de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Sant Joan Despí. The Trambesòs route links Sant Martí with the towns of Badalona and Sant Adrià de Besòs. It also makes UPF’s Ciutadella and Poblenou campuses accessible in about 10 minutes.

Bicing. Bicing is a form of shared bicycles that is a popular urban transportation system.It’s a wonderful way to get around the city like a resident, plus it is both simple and environmentally friendly. You can find over 400 stations (with many at the UPF campuses) and 6,000 bicycles. All you need to rent the bicycles is a Spanish National Identity Number (DNI) or a Foreigner Identity Number (NIE).

FGC (Catalan Railways). FGC offers 14 railway lines, with three connecting to Barcelona’s metro system. Other railway lines link Barcelona to other neighborhoods and cities located within the greater metropolitan area and even outer lying areas.

Rodalies (Catalan Suburban Railways). Rodalies offers eight lines that also link Barcelona with outer lying areas, along with the easily accessible metropolitan area.

To learn how to get around Barcelona just like a local, be sure to check out our transportation page in our Barcelona City Guide to find plenty of helpful tips and suggestions.

Student neighbourhoods

El Born

ESCI-UPF’s home base is El Born, which is located in Barcelona. Once a site for medieval celebrations and jousting matches, El Born is now a modern, bustling city. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the neighborhood, if they are on their way to the university. They can find restaurants, bars and numerous shops offering unique wares. You can also expect museums, stunning architecture and spaces filled with culture.

The Eixample

The primary residential area in Barcelona is The Eixample, and it is located close to the university. It is organized on a grid with straight streets and wide avenues, as well as square blocks with designs from the 19th century by Ildefons Cerdà. There are also lovely structures from the catalan modernism epoque. The area is literally split in two by Passeig de Gràcia, running all the way to Plaça Catalunya and boasting high-end shopping experiences.

Gracia

Very popular with a younger crowd, Gracia is slight further from the university, but still very convenient. Once an independent village, Gracia is now one of the most densely populated areas in Barcelona. Due to its heritage, its residents have a deep sense of belonging to the area, generating great pride. It has a free-spirited, rather bohemian feel, always up to date with the hippest trends. This makes it a popular area for visitors. Also expect to find lovely cafes serving organic and international dishes, along with bars, used bookstores and vintage clothing stores.

The area still has many elderly residents, who mix in nicely with the younger generation. Artists flock to this area, regularly finding creative inspiration in its buildings and people.

If you’d like more information on Barcelona’s neighborhoods, be sure to read on in our Barcelona City Guide to learn more.

Common housing practices

Barcelona is a favorite European city, sometimes making it difficult to find housing. Students staying in the Barcelona area typically rent rooms, one-room studios, flats or apartments. Student residences are also often available. These residences are generally more expensive, but they may include dining and other offerings. UPF has created agreements with many of the student residences, but renting a space for a shorter time period than one calendar year may not always be possible.

It’s often a better option to find a room to rent in a shared flat, studio or apartment. It can also be more budget conscious. Prices may vary by the neighborhood, but a room in shared accommodations will generally cost somewhere between 300€ - 500€. If you require a furnished space, expect to pay around 600€ per month.

When speculating on your budget, keep in mind that most rentals will require that the renter pays a deposit, normally totaling two or three months of rent. Also be sure to ensure what the monthly payment includes, whether it be electricity, gas, water or Wi-Fi.

Also be sure to look out for people trying to scam renters with promises of rooms that do not actually exist. Always see the property before you sign any paperwork. Alway use a safe, secured website.

HousingAnywhere.com is an international student housing platform where you can find a place to stay in Barcelona during your semester abroad. It is simple to use, and you can have the peace of mind that your rental agreement will be secure.

As that the university is a part of the University Pompeu Fabra, many of the popular student associations are featured at ESCU. One of the most widely recognized is the Erasmus Student Network Pompeu Fabra (ESN). This association assists international students in a variety of ways, helping them to build their social and professional lives in their new surroundings. It is run by volunteers who thrive on helping international students.

The Entrepreneurship society is also present at Pompeu Fabra. They work closely with students who build qualities that can be helpful in the entrepreneurial environment. They excel at setting up workshops and events, where they can give birth to networking situations in which students can mingle with professionals from other areas or learning institutions.

As an incoming international student, be sure to learn more in our Barcelona City Guide to find plenty of helpful, first-hand information.

Events

Known as the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona is known for its memorable architecture. It plays hosts to many events, making it very popular with international students who are studying abroad. Students love its bustling areas, like Carrer Blai, La Rambla and Passeig de Garcia.

However, Barcelona truly has something for everyone, no matter their age or tastes. Imaging catching a football game at Camp Nou, hanging out at the beach, finding adventures in the city’s streets or shopping at the market La Boqueria. There are also exhibitions, sporting events, concerts and music festivals. To learn more about events for students organized by the university’s associations, visit the website of ESN UPF.

You can read more about things to do and places to visit in our Barcelona City Guide.

4 AMAZING NATURE SPOTS FOR A DAY-TRIP NEAR BARCELONA

TOP 5 NEIGHBOURHOODS IN BARCELONA