ESEI was founded in 1989, and for more than 23 years, it has been following the path of the world’s top business schools. Established by Mr. Jorge Estera-Sanza, an experienced manager and business leader, ESEI has been providing international students with the highest quality of education, shaping its business programme in a way that creates in-depth knowledge and skills vital for succeeding in the global, multicultural world of business.

All classes are taught in English.

Our average class size is around 25 to 35 students.

We recognise and understand the cultural changes you may experience while studying here in Spain. We are available to give help and advice on any issues you wish to discuss. We can also give you the contact details of ESEI students from your country.

Enrollment is finalized upon receipt of payment, and a maximum of 35 slots per level are filled chronologically with respect to the order of payment.

ESEI has a diverse international student body; over twenty different nationalities are represented at the school. The fact that more than 90% of our students come from outside Spain (including Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Croatia, Serbia, Ireland, UK, Colombia, Mexico, and Japan) has greatly benefited the multicultural environment within ESEI.

We also receive study abroad students and exchange students from several countries each semester.

The facilities include:

A library, student lounge with a small kitchen, computer lab with internet access, media lab, study room, garden and halls of residence.

ESEI also provides Wi-Fi throughout the school premises.

Yes. If you have any problems or weaknesses in the areas of the English language, Finance, Mathematics, etc., ESEI can arrange complementary classes for you before the beginning of the academic year. Please check our Foundation Programme.

Most ESEI students play football and basketball. The university helps students with organising other sports activities and with obtaining discounts in sports centers. The average monthly cost for a membership is 40-60€, and it typically includes access to facilities as the gym, swimming pool, climbing walls, squash courts, etc. There are also many sports that can be done with no or minimum cost like cycling, rollerblading, hiking, surfing, etc. Other popular sports are horseback-riding and golf.

No. All of our classes are taught in English. However, if you don't speak the language, Spanish for foreigners and Business Spanish are mandatory courses at ESEI. More information on ESEI PROGRAMME.

Apart from sports activities, ESEI arranges many social and cultural events throughout your study period. You will have the chance to spend time with your classmates and get to know the culture of Barcelona and Spain during activities like city tours, Spanish culture classes, industrial visits, sport tournaments, trekking and cycling tours. Other events organized by ESEI include, among others, an International Food Expo, a Valentines Day celebration, and the ESEI Annual Picnic.

Only non-European students are required to pay an application Fee of 150 euros in order to start the application process. The fee is non-refundable and covers the administration expenses. The application process will start once the payment has been made. It is only when the student obtains a student visa that he/she is required to pay the enrollment fee.

No, we do not. However, if you can prove that you have significant qualifications, education, and skills, you will be seriously considered for admission. We select applicants on the basis of the application and the interview.

No. There are no prerequisite subjects.

View more information on Admissions

We accept certified copies of official documents, but originals will be required at enrollment. Official records are defined as original documents issued by the institution -- not photocopies -- which bear the actual signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution. If a document cannot be replaced, however, be sure to obtain a properly certified copy; keep the original for yourself. Never send a document that cannot be replaced. If the original document is not issued in English, enclose an official copy of all educational documents in the original language and a certified copy translated into English.

An official English language translation should:

-bear the ink stamp and signature of a translating company official or an authorized university official.

-have the stamp and signature on each page.

-include a statement of authenticity on the last page.

More information on ADMISSIONS

Our minimum entry requirements for the tests are: TOEFL 550 or IELTS 6.0

ESEI does accept exchange students. Normally, the exchange takes place with ESEI's affiliated universities. However, this is not always the case and students should ensure that the exchange university accepts transfer credits obtained at ESEI.

More information on EXCHANGE STUDENTS

There is no minimum age for acceptance. However, if you are under 18 years old a parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form for you to study abroad.

Provided that all documentation is in order, you can expect us to contact you within a week of applying in order to schedule your interview. For international students who are not currently in Spain, a telephone interview is arranged. You will be asked questions such as why you want to study at ESEI, why you want to study business, what you know about the degree, and what recent business issues you have read about. No offers are made without an interview.

Our exchange programme entails studying at ESEI for one semester or one academic year and then returning to the university of origin.

ESEI does accept transfer students. This possibility is available to students who have already done at least one year of studies at a university of a similar profile and who now wish to continue at ESEI. In this case ESEI will consider accepting transfer credits as part of the degree. Students cannot transfer to ESEI to do the final year of their programmes. 

More information on TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transferability of courses taken and credits accumulated at other educational institutions will be subject to the following considerations:

a) Profile of the institution from which credits would be transferred

b) Comparability of the course work with that of ESEI

c) Appropriateness of the coursework for the student's degree programme at ESEI. When all the above mentioned factors have been examined, credit equivalencies will then be evaluated and credits awarded.

Transferral of studies undertaken at ESEI to your home university:

Only the home university can decide whether or not a course at ESEI can form part of your degree. To be certain that your university will accept the course or programme you would like to study, you must contact the university where you are currently studying before applying to ESEI.

The application fee is non-refundable and covers administrative expenses.

More information on PAYMENT

No. All fee payment must be paid by bank transfer, cash, or cheque.

More information on PAYMENT

No, the tuition fee only covers tuition. You will need approximately 150€ for book expenses

Students are allowed to work while studying at ESEI, however we advise our students not to during the first year of study. The class schedules are also set in a way that allow you to work morning or afternoon shifts. Students can choose to do an internship (obligatory during 3rd year of studies) or find other part-time work on their own. Non–European students holding a student visa can only apply for an internship.

More information on INTERNSHIPS

No. Payment of all tuition fees is entirely the responsibility of the student. However, Spanish banks offer a wide variety of student loan options for the purpose of financing university studies and all related expenses.

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Having completed the BSc (Hons) in Business Administration at ESEI, you can access to any Masters programmes worldwide or move into the professional world.

At the end of the programme you will obtain the BSc (Hons) in Business Administration awarded by the University of Wales. More information on Degree structure

Our Postgraduate and Master's Degrees are private and awarded by Esei International Business School Barcelona.

If you complete your exams successfully, you will obtain the corresponding official, validated and accredited diploma and the corresponding credits for each level. 

ESEI collaborates closely with StudentsFlats, an accommodation company that provides new students with rooms in apartments shared by ESEI students. It is also possible to rent a shared room for a cheaper price or a whole apartment. If you want to check their offer click here.

a. How much should I be prepared to pay for the room or apartment?

The prices for the room in a shared apartment are from 300€ to 500€ depending on the type of room (size, views, etc). You can also share a room with another student at an average of 250€ per person, or you can rent your own apartment starting from 600€. The bills are usually not included in the price, so you should be prepared to pay 50-70€ extra per month on gas, water, internet, etc.

b. Do I need a bank account in order to rent a flat?

If you go through StudentsFlats, no bank account is needed. Other agencies usually require a Spanish bank account.

c. What else might I be asked for?

If you rent an apartment independently, you may also be asked for aval bancario, which is a type of a bank deposit or payment done two or three months in advance. You will also always be asked for a security deposit. Agencies will also charge you an agency fee. 

d. What is a security deposit?

A security deposit is a payment, usually equal to one or two months of rent, that is made to the owner/agency in order to cover any possible damages to the apartment or to secure rent payments. If the apartment is in good condition when you leave it, the security deposit will be returned to you up to one month after the end of the contract. The security deposit cannot be used as a payment for the last month of rent.

e. Is it possible to rent accommodation for less than 12 months?

Yes, the rental periods are 3, 6, 10 and 12 months.

f. What happens if I want to leave the apartment before the end of the contract?

This would be a breach of contract and would result in the loss of your security deposit. If you provided a bank account, you may also still be charged monthly rent until the end of the contract. If you rent from StudentsFlats, you will be able to leave the apartment before the contract ends without losing the deposit if you find someone else that is willing to rent your room/apartment.

g. Are the rooms offered by ESEI close to the university?

Yes, all the apartments are within walking distance of the university.

h. What should I bring with me?

A standard apartment rented by StudentsFlats has 3-4 rooms, one bathroom, and is furnished and equipped with all the items needed for a comfortable and non-problematic stay. You will typically find a closet, bed, and some shelves in your room, and a sofa, dining table, and TV in the living room. Kitchens are equipped with a microwave, stove and oven, fridge with a freezer, dishes, and cutlery. The apartments usually do not have bed sheets, bed linens, curtains, towels, or bathroom mats. In most of the flats/rooms you will be provided with a quilt and a pillow, however they are not guaranteed. You can bring the things mentioned with you or buy them in Barcelona. The quilt, pillow, bed linens, and towels will all cost approximately 60€.

Barcelona has a very well organized and effective transportation system including the subway, underground and above-ground trains, and day and night buses. A single-trip ticket costs 1,35€ and is valid for all the means of transport mentioned. For those who are more active, Barcelona has a system of bicycle stations called Bicing which lets you rent a bike for 30€ per year. Students can also buy or rent a scooter.

The weather in Barcelona is pleasant most of the year. However, you'll experience the best weather from mid April to the end of July. Summer in Barcelona is typically hot and sunny with temperatures of 30ºC-40ºC in June-August. September is also a good month. You won't find sunshine every day though, so be prepared for days when it could be overcast with a little rain. The weather in October and November is still pleasant but starts to get cooler. The lowest temperatures hover around 5ºC and occur mainly during December-January. If you want to check what the weather is like in Barcelona today, click here.

Barcelona, like all of Catalonia, has two official languages – Spanish (Castellano) and Catalan. You will find most people speaking Catalan on a daily basis, however Castellano is also spoken regularly, and it is perfectly acceptable to use it.

The budget for life depends on the necessities and capacities of individual students. Excluding accommodation, students need a minimum of 250€ a month for living in Barcelona, although a typical international student spends around 400€ a month for food, travel and other expenses.

For more specific price descriptions please visit our section about the city of Barcelona.

Students can enjoy discounts in many places around Spain and Barcelona including cinemas, theaters, museums, tours, etc. Bus and subway tickets can not be discounted, but there are price reductions for inter-city trains. The most widely accepted document is the EURO 26 student card, but in many situations your ESEI ID card will be enough.

(For more information about Barcelona, read here)

Students coming from European Union member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are advised to obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card entitles the holder to the same access to public sector health care (e.g. doctors, chemists, hospitals) as Spanish citizens. The EHIC does not cover you for private sector health care providers. The card can be obtained in your country, usually free of charge. Once you get to Spain it is recommendable to also support your EHIC card with the Spanish public health care (Seguridad Social).

As proof of travel/health/accident insurance and also in order to get a student visa, non-Europeans must present a letter from their insurance company stating that they will cover 100% (no deductibles) of any medical expenses incurred. The student also must have a minimum of 30,000€ (or its equivalent in the country's currency) of emergency and repatriation coverage. While living in Barcelona you should apply for Seguridad Social - a social security number which entitles you to use Spanish public health care. You may, however, use private insurance if you have it. For Spanish public health care you will also need to apply for empadronamiento - a letter of residence stating that you are registered as living in Barcelona.  

All students who are not citizens of a European Union member state, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland must obtain a long stay visa if they wish to stay in Spain for a period of over 90 days per semester. The student visa allows the holder to remain in Spain in order to pursue studies, research, or training programmes. Within a month of arrival in Spain, you must also request a pertinent Student ID Card from the Spanish Police (Policía Nacional).

ESEI does not assist with any credentialing necessary to obtain visas for foreigners. In the case of non-European students, we only issue the official enrollment letter necessary for visa purposes. Following Spanish Embassy requirements, for visa purposes ESEI issues an official enrollment letter indicating:

• the student's name, address, phones, and e-mail
• full payment of tuition
• duration of the program (start and finish dates)
• subjects of study 
• hours of study per week (20 at least).

No, the student visa allows you to study but not to work during your stay in Spain.

It is a Spanish Student Residence Card required for non-European students. If you are a non-European student, and your studies last for more than 180 days, you must contact the local authorities to acquire a student residence card (Tarjeta de autorización de estancia por estudios). It should be applied for within 30 days of arriving in the country. This "Spanish Student Residence Card" is valid for a year upon initial issue, and can be renewed annually for 5 years. The application should be submitted to the police station at C/ Balmes, 192 from Monday to Friday (9.00 - 14.00).

You must present the following documents:

• The official application. You can pick it up at the office. Original and photocopy.
• Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months. Original and photocopy.
• A photocopy of the visa stamp in your passport received from border officials upon entering Spain.
• Acceptance letter from ESEI that was presented to the Consulate General of Spain in your country of origin before entering Spain. Original and photocopy.
• Original letter verifying (a) enrollment as a full-time student in ESEI, (b) the duration of the course, and (c) full payment of enrollment fee. Original and photocopy.
• 3 recent pictures, passport size.
• Letter of residence (empadronamiento) stating that you are registered as living in Barcelona.

Seguridad social is a social security number. It entitles you to use public health care in Spain. To get the social security number, you need to visit the Administración de la Seguridad Social (address provided below) with the following documents:

This is a certificate showing that you have registered with the town hall (ayuntamiento) at your current address.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR CERTIFICADO DE EMPADRONAMIENTO: