IQS |Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona: Business Degrees With a Global Edge

Barcelona doesn’t just look good on postcards – it’s an amazing student city. Safe, well-connected, and endlessly international. It’s the city where you’ll find IQS School of Engineering & Management, a founding member of Universitat Ramon Llull (URL) – a private, non-profit university created in 1990 that brings together several prestigious schools (IQS, ESADE, Blanquerna, La Salle, and others).

At IQS you’ll find two complementary worlds under one roof: the School of Management (business, marketing, international business) and the School of Engineering (science & tech fields). The institution’s hallmark is academic rigor plus hands-on learning: small classes, modern labs, mandatory internships, and strong links to employers – supported by an active careers team and job bank.

What IQS is known for

• Quality & international accreditations. The IQS School of Management holds AACSB accreditation and the School of Engineering has ABET-accredited programs – signs of robust academic quality and outcomes. IQS School of Management is among the top 100 business schools in Europe according to the Financial Times.
  
• Practical, career-ready education. Internships and applied projects are built into the curricula (including mandatory in-company internships in business), plus exchanges and double/triple degree options that broaden global exposure. 50% of the time is dedicated to practical hands-on learning in labs and classrooms.
  
• Barcelona campus life. IQS highlights a compact, well-equipped campus in a residential, safe area (Sarrià) with quick access to the center. IQS also provides guidance on accommodation and cost of living.

The English-Taught Bachelor’s Degrees at a Glance

1) Business Administration & Management (BBA)

A well-rounded degree covering finance, accounting, marketing, economics, business law, statistics, and leadership. Students can join exchange programs with over 100 partner universities and have the option to earn a dual degree with KEDGE Business School (France) in four years.

2) International Business

Designed for globally focused students, this program combines international trade, marketing, data analysis, and project management while developing strong cross-cultural and leadership skills. Students can earn a triple European degree (IQS Barcelona + IÉSEG France + Sheffield Hallam UK) or a dual degree with KEDGE (France) or Pforzheim University (Germany).

3) Marketing (Global & Digital)

Focused on digital strategy, market research, brand management, and analytics, this program prepares students for careers in global marketing and communication. It includes access to IQS’s digital and neuromarketing labs and offers students to pursue dual international degree options with various global universities.

Careers & Internships:

All IQS business students complete internships as part of their studies. The IQS Careers Service connects students with national and international employers through internship forums, workshops, and job placements.

IQS’s School of Engineering Bachelor’s degrees – taught in Spanish 

IQS’s School of Engineering also delivers excellent bachelor’s degrees, such as Industrial Technology Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Mathematics, and combined dual degrees (e.g., Engineering + Business). However, these bachelor’s degrees are taught in Spanish. So, if you’re fluent in Spanish and want a science/tech path, this side of IQS is an excellent choice – and ABET accreditation is a differentiator.

Admissions timeline

You can find the various steps outlined on IQS website. Here are the main steps of the admissions process:

Step 1 — Pre-register online. Start the application and upload your last two years of transcripts; the process (including the IQS admissions test) is designed to be fully online.

Step 2 — Admissions test. IQS admisnisters an online admisions test (psychometric/aptitude + sections like reading/writing/numerical.) English evaluation is handled separately for English-track degrees. Official minimum English scores are published (e.g., TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7 / Duolingo 130)

Step 3 — Decision & pre-enrolment. Once admitted, follow the pre-enrolment instructions from IQS. Enrolment generally opens in July for September starts (make sure to check the program page).

Most often, you can expect an admissions decision in about 4 weeks after submitting your application.

Homologation (diploma recognition) | When to start

International students with non-EU high-school credentials (e.g., U.S. diploma) need homologación – official recognition as equivalent to Spain’s Título de Bachiller – to finalize first-year enrolment.

• The Spanish Ministry of Education explains the process and keeps it open year-round. However, Universities – IQS included – typically accept proof that you started the process for initial enrolment, with final resolution delivered later. You begin the government process as soon as you graduate high school.
  

Student visa (non-EU/EEA)

After (conditional) admission and pre-enrolment, apply for a long-stay student visa at your local Spanish consulate. Requirements vary slightly by consulate (proof of acceptance, funding, health insurance, clean record, etc.) and can take several weeks. Therefor, plan early. Examples: Consulates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston publish current checklists.

Tuition, housing & living costs

• Tuition. For the 2026-27 academic year, tuition at IQS School of Management is € 14,100. IQS publishes tuition annually by program; check your degree page and admissions communications for the current cycle’s amount. Fees are the same for EU and non-EU students.
  
• Housing. IQS and URL (Universitat Ramon Llull) list recommended residence halls and housing services. Explore options and availability early.
  
• Cost of living. URL/IQS estimate ~€1,200 per month for a student in Barcelona (accommodation is the largest cost).
  

Quick program chooser

• You like management, analytics, and leadership → BBA (with a possible dual degree at KEDGE).
  
• You want deep international immersion & credentials → International Business (triple degree with years in France & the UK).
  
• You’re brand/digital-focused with global ambition → Marketing (dual degree option; strong digital and global orientation).

Why choose IQS School of Management?

If you want the credibility of AACSB, the energy of Barcelona, and the practicality of mandatory internships with global degree pathways (dual & triple options), IQS School of Management is a compelling choice. For students who see themselves working in international markets, brand strategy, digital growth, or data-informed marketing, the English-taught BBA, International Business, and Marketing degrees hit the sweet spot.

Watch our Global College Spotlight presentation with IQS School of Management for more insights:

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