Best Business Schools in Spain: Rankings, Top Courses
GMAT
Talk to ExpertSpain has various world-renowned universities and business schools which exist there with a good population of international students. Pursuing a business programme or an MBA in Spain can help you build a good network which may help you in future with regard to career opportunities. Those planning to study a business course in Spain can read the article till the end and find out about the best business schools in Spain, the cost of pursuing an MBA in Spain, popular business courses available, and much more.
Studying in Spain can be an exciting experience as the country has a lot to offer in terms of culture and learning. It is also among the top countries which possess the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage cities. People in Spain are full of vim and vigor and love to stay connected to their traditions and rituals. One can pursue a degree in business in distinct sub-domains such as finance, economics, business management, marketing, business law, etc. Students from countries such as Egypt, India, Columbia, Mexico, Germany, China, USA, France, Italy, etc., are enrolled at courses at different levels such as undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, etc.
Although most of the higher education institutes in Spain teach in Spanish, a good number of universities and business schools where lessons taught are in English as well. This makes it more convenient for the overseas lot as they comprehend well. Also, those planning a career in Spain post-studies can try their luck in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona as they have multiple MNCs and reputed organisations, which are also internationally acclaimed. The International Student's Guide to Spain can assist you in planning your higher education in Spain.
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Why Study in Spain?
Studying in Spain can be a great overall experience as the country has loads to offer in terms of culture, food, music, and lifestyle. The education provided is of high quality, with the student satisfaction rate recorded at a high level. Some of the factors which can convince one to pursue higher education in Spain have been explained below:
- High-Quality Education: Spain has various universities and colleges which are well-known in Europe and across the world and attract students from different parts of the globe. Students who are not well-versed in English have the option to pursue a course at the master’s or doctoral level in English.
- Affordable Cost of Studying: Spain as a study abroad destination is quite economical in terms of tuition fees as compared to some of the other Western nations. If you choose to study in a small city, even your living costs will be much lower. In case of high tuition fees, there is always an option of scholarships or grants which are easily available for international students.
- Learning Spanish: As most of the courses in Spain are taught in Spanish, you can either enroll yourself on some language course or take classes to improve your Spanish before you apply for studying in Spain or before your programme commences. This way, you will be able to master another foreign language which will obviously be a plus point.
Best Business Schools in Spain
Before you finalise or filter business schools in Spain ensure that you do thorough research about those institutes in terms of ranking, student outcome, research, graduate career outcome, etc. Go for the university which best suits your interests and future goals. Also, learn what is the Cost of Studying in Spain in 2023 and learn about budgeting. Every city in Spain has different characteristics and its own benefits. So make sure to do your homework well.
Given below is a list of the best business schools in Spain according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, 2023, by subject (business and economics). The popular programmes offered at these institutes are also mentioned in the table.
| University | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 by Subject: Business & Economics |
Business Study Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Pompeu Fabra University | #85 | Master in Accounting & Financial Management, MBA, EMBA, Blended Master in Accounting & Financial Management |
| University of Navarra | #96 | Economics & Finance, Governance & Organisational Culture, Banking & Financial Regulation, Economics & Data Analytics, Business Administration & Finance and Accounting |
| Autonomous University of Barcelona | #101-125 | Business Administration & Management, Business & Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, Economics, Applied Research in Economics & Business, Labour Economics, Marketing, Economics & Business Administration |
| Universitat Ramon Llull | #101-125 | Management Sciences, Business Administration & Management, International Business, Transformational Business & Social Impact, BBA, BBA & Law |
| Carlos III University of Madrid | #251-300 | MBA, Business & Finance, Actuarial & Financial Science, Finance, Entrepreneurship & Business Venturing, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing |
| University of Granada | #251-300 | Business Management & Administration, Political Science & Public Administration + Law, Computer Science + Business Management & Administration, Civil Engineering + Business Management & Administration, Economics & Business Management |
| University of Salamanca | #301-400 | Business Administration & Management + Law, Business Administration & Management + Computer Engineering, Economics, SBM Management |
| University of Barcelona | #401-500 | International Business, Business Research, Executive MBA |
| University of Castilla-La Mancha | #401-500 | Economics, Business Administration & Management, Business Administration & Management – Tourism, Entrepreneurship: Analysis & Strategies, Modeling and Analysis of Economic Data, Banking and Quantitative Finance, Tourism Business Management, Business Strategy & Marketing |
| University of Deusto | #401-500 | Business Management & Administration, BMA + Financial Analyst Basics, Industrial Organisation Engineering, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Management Languages & International Trade, BMA + International Relations, Accounts Auditing, Finance |
| Open University of Catalonia | #401-500 | Taxation, Marketing, SAP, Human Resources, Economic Administration, Finances, Business Intelligence, Quality & Innovation, Logistics & Operations |
| University of Valencia | #401-500 | Business Administration & Management, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Economics, Finance & Accounting, International Business |
| University of the Balearic Islands | #501-600 | Business Administration & Management, Economics, Business Administration + Law, Business Administration + Tourism |
| Technical University of Cartagena | #501-600 | Economics, Financial Economics & Accounting, Business Economics |
| Complutense University of Madrid | #501-600 | Business Administration, Economics, MBA, Auditing & Accounting, Banking & Quantitative Finance, International Economics & Development, Business Finance |
Best MBA Schools In Spain
MBA or Master of Business Administration is one of the most sought-after degrees in the world. We have provided the list of Spain's top universities which are known for their MBA courses as per the QS Global MBA Rankings, 2023. The rank of each of these institutes is given next to their names.
| Institute | QS Global MBA Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|
| IE Business School, Madrid | #7 |
| IESE Business School, Barcelona | #10 |
| Esade Business School, Barcelona | #17 |
| Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid | #111-120 |
| EADA Business School, Barcelona | #151-200 |
| ESIC Business & Marketing School, Madrid/Barcelona/Spain | #151-200 |
| EAE Business School, Barcelona/Madrid/Spain | #201-250 |
| GBSB Global Business School, Barcelona/Madrid/Spain | #201-250 |
| ISDI, Madrid/Barcelona/Spain | #251+ |
The aforementioned institutes offer MBA courses in various formats such as full-time, part-time, and online as well as executive. So when you move forward with selecting a study format, remember your job level, commitments, requirements, and goals. In Spain, the duration of a full-time MBA course is usually 1-2 years, whereas a part-time MBA programme can extend a little more. You can also work along with studying if you're pursuing a part-time MBA.
Read More: Part-time Work Options in Spain for International Students
Q: Which countries prefer a GMAT score for MBA admission?
When it comes to the GMAT entrance exam, different countries and MBA colleges have different preferences. However, the GMAT entrance exam is a popular standardized exam that is accepted for MBA admission by more than 2,400 institutions. Some of the popular countries where GMAT is widely accepted for MBA and MIM admissions include the US, Canada, Australia, India, the UK, Singapore, Germany, Finland, Norway, etc. It is crucial to examine the unique prerequisites of each MBA programme you are considering to find out which admissions examinations are recognised and what score range is competitive. Additionally, candidates may decide to take practice exams or enrol in a GMAT prep course to increase their chances of passing the exam and getting accepted into the MBA programme of their choice.
Q: Which schools use GMAT scores?
More than 7,700 graduate management programs across the world use GMAT scores to give admission to aspirants. However, the GMAT score is not the only criterion for getting selected for a good MBA college. B-Schools usually look for candidates who have a holistic profile that has sound academic, managerial work experience, extracurricular activities, etc. Moreover, your admission documents (statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, resume, admission essays, etc.) also matter to a large extent. Hence, you need to be careful with your application documents also.
Q: Will GMAT Focus be accepted by universities abroad?
Yes, GMAT Focus Edition is the new and the latest version of the exam is being conducted across since January 31, 2024. The universities abroad are accepting both GMAT exam and GMAT Focus Edition. The reason being, some applicants have appeared for the previous version of the GMAT by January 31, 2024. So for now both versions are being accepted. But applicants should note, that the previous GMAT exam has been scrapped and GMAC is only conducting GMAT Focus Edition. So applicants from now onwards should prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition exam.
Q: How to send my GMAT scores to B-schools?
GMAT scores can be sent in two ways to B-schools. In the case of the test centre GMAT exam, students can select up to 5 programmes to which they wish to apply without any additional cost. After this, every additional GMAT score report is chargeable at $35 each. In the case of an online GMAT exam, a candidate can send his/her scores to 5 B-Schools within 48 hours of receiving the official GMAT score. If he/she wants to send his/her GMAT scores to more B-Schools or programmes, every additional GMAT Score report shall be chargeable at $35 each. It is important for the candidates to select the right courses/programmes beforehand. In order to do this, it is advised that research different programmes, their GMAT cut offs, career outcomes, etc.
Q: What is the cost of sending a GMAT score report other than 5 free programs?
Candidates are allowed to send free scores to five schools only once. After this, if they wish to send scores to other schools then they need to pay $35 per school. The fee, of $35 for an additional GMAT score report, is valid in the cases of online and offline GMAT both. On the day of the GMAT exam conducted at a test centre, students can send scores to 5 B-schools. In the case of the online GMAT exam, you are supposed to send your free scores to 5 programmes within 48 hours of its availability on the official website. It is important for the students to research the B-schools, their placements, career services, academic curriculum, GMAT cut offs, etc. before making a decision.
Q: Is a good GMAT score sufficient for admissions to the top MBA colleges?
While a good GMAT score is crucial for admission to the best MBA programmes, it is not the only need. Along with the GMAT score, the admissions committee also takes into account the applicant's job history, undergraduate GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, and performance in the interview. Your application may be strengthened by a strong GMAT score, but it is insufficient on its own. Here are the details of the other criteria:
- Work Experience: Admission committees look at your relevant experience. Your accomplishments, achievements, career progression, etc. are all taken into consideration.
- Academic Background: Your academic background is extremely important for your profile.
- Application Documents: Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, Admission Essays, etc. are extremely important for your selection to the top MBA colleges.
Although a good GMAT score displays your verbal, analytical, and quantitative skills, it is only one aspect of the jigsaw. Every top MBA programme has its unique set of aims and requirements for admission. Although certain schools may place a greater premium on GMAT scores than others, no school bases its admissions decisions purely on test results.
Q: Which are the best coaching classes for GMAT preparation in Delhi?
Applicants who are looking for best coaching classes for GMAT preparation in Delhi can go for:
- Jamboree
- T.I.M.E.
- Career Launcher
- IMS
There are ample options for applicants looking for GMAT coaching classes. Applicants can check out the full list of centres and select the best coaching center for GMAT prep.
We have curated a list of GMAT coaching centres for applicants planning to take coaching in different parts of the country, and they are as follows:
Q: How to apply for a Spain visa?
Step 1: If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must submit the application for a study visa to Spain on their behalf.
Step 2: The Consular Office is the competent authority to accept visa applications from individuals residing in cities that have a consulate. Applicants may also speak with visa brokers who have received advance approval from the Consular Office.
Step 3: The Consular Office will give the applicant a certificate of receipt of the application along with a number that will allow them to monitor the progress of their dossier via a link on the official website after they submit their Student Visa application.
Step 4: The Consular Office could ask the applicant to provide any missing paperwork or to offer further information if it's needed to make a determination on their application for a student visa to Spain. A personal interview with the candidate may also be scheduled.
Step 5: After a decision has been reached, the Spain Study Visa must be picked up in person within two months by the applicant or their agent (if the applicant is a minor).
Chandra has been mentoring students for the past seven years and has expertise in overseas counseling for those applying to Sweden, Germany, France, and Ireland. He is a people person and enjoys interacting with peo... Read Full Bio
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Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae