Where to Study Business in Europe

Europe may be the second-smallest continent in the world, but it is a hub for business, innovation, research, and world-class educational institutions.

Choosing the right top business school in Europe can be tricky, especially when schools like GBSB Business School have campuses in some of the continent’s best locations.

To help you get started, here is a closer look at three places worth keeping in mind.

Barcelona -- a charming seaside city with big ambitions and a creative startup scene

Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of Catalonia in the country’s northeast.

It is a popular study destination for international students from around the world, and it is easy to see why. Barcelona is known as a charming seaside city with modernist architectural masterpieces, sunny weather, world-famous cuisine, and of course FC Barcelona -- or Barça, as it is also affectionately known by its passionate and loyal fans.

But the city has another side as well. It has put Barcelona on the map not only for its unique history and culture, but also for its business ambition and entrepreneurial spirit.

In the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020, Barcelona was ranked Europe’s sixth-best startup hub. And this is not just a one-off distinction. Barcelona’s creative business community has seen a new wave of entrepreneurship, and the city now has more than 1,300 startups.

What attracts ambitious entrepreneurs and startups is more than just the city’s energetic and driven startup ecosystem.

Barcelona’s policymakers have decided that technology, innovation, and industrialization are key to the city’s future development, making it a top destination for international conferences, networking events, and some of the world’s biggest international companies, such as Amazon, Facebook, and IBM.

The opportunities for business school graduates are plentiful, and the city ranks in the world’s top 30 for employer activity in the QS Best Student Cities rankings.

Studying in Barcelona is also a chance to learn a language that is in high demand among employers and is an official language for many international organizations across industries and sectors. Studying Spanish here can not only improve your language skills, but also give you an edge in the highly competitive international job market after graduation.

Madrid -- a culturally rich and diverse capital, and a leader in tech talent

Madrid may be a classic European historic capital, but it is also one of Europe’s largest innovation hubs and a leading business and financial center.

Fast-paced modern life unfolds here against a backdrop of stunning architecture, rich history, world-leading art and cultural venues, legendary cuisine, and two of the world’s most famous football clubs -- Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. It is no surprise that the city has regularly appeared in the QS Best Student Cities rankings since 2016.

As a thriving business center with well-developed infrastructure and a steady influx of investors and developers, Madrid is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the EU. That makes the capital an exciting hub for graduate opportunities and business investment -- especially if you speak Spanish and have international experience.

Just like in Barcelona, studying in Madrid is a chance to immerse yourself in the Spanish language and help your résumé stand out in a competitive graduate job market.

Malta -- a paradise for emerging business career opportunities

Quietly located in the center of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, Malta is an archipelago made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

You might think this small country of fewer than 500,000 people is simply an ideal holiday destination -- but this island group is about much more than sunshine, sea, and beaches.

From the Blue Grotto on the southeast coast of Malta Island to the Blue Lagoon on Comino and the Cittadella on Gozo; from traditional picturesque harbor towns such as Marsaxlokk to centuries-old archaeological sites like the Seven Megalithic Temples and Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Malta is full of hidden treasures that offer a unique glimpse into the country’s fascinating history and captivating culture.

Alongside its rich cultural and historical attractions, Malta also offers excellent educational standards. With both English and Maltese as official languages, students from all over the world come to Malta to study high-quality English-taught degree programs.

Graduates are highly valued in Malta, and those who choose to stay or move there can benefit from tax relief, fast-track visas, and free support to help launch a new business. Add to that exciting career opportunities in emerging industries such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and gaming, plus an affordable yet high-quality standard of living, and it is no surprise that more and more graduates and expatriates are making Malta their new home.

If we have sparked your interest in studying business in Barcelona, Madrid, or Malta, GBSB Global Business School offers a wide range of English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including MBAs across its three campuses.

All three GBSB Global Business School campuses are deeply connected to, and integrated with, their local economies, enabling students to take advantage of extensive industry experience opportunities to build professional connections, gain relevant insights, and develop an impressive business mindset. Combined with the international study experience available in some of Europe’s most dynamic industrial centers, this helps GBSB Global Business School graduates stand out to employers and international organizations.