About Barcelona
One of the most beautiful coastal cities of Spain, Barcelona is home to top universities and a rich culture. Barcelona is known for its Gaudí architecture, Mediterranean beaches, and vibrant student life. Thousands of students from around the world call this city home, and it thus has a warm and welcoming community of international students. Some of the most popular universities in Barcelona are the University of Barcelona, ESADE, and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
Beyond academics, students have a lot to do in Barcelona. From gothic architecture to modern art museums and a happening nightlife, students are sure to have a great life here. The weather in Barcelona is perfectly sunny for outdoor cafe hopping, music festivals, and outdoor activities. There are a lot of weekend escapes nearby, too, for students to enjoy their days off. Whatever it is that you like- beach days, mountain hikes, exploring a new culture, or football nights at Camp Nou, Barcelona has a little something to offer to everyone.
Best Student Accommodation in Barcelona
You’ll find some amazing Barcelona student accommodation options on Alphaway. From fully furnished shared rooms, premium en-suites, to luxurious private student studios in Barcelona with modern amenities- you'll find everything in this city. Here are some of the best options for student accommodation in Barcelona:
Why Choose Barcelona for Higher Education
Students from around the world choose Barcelona for its top universities and welcoming community. The city offers the perfect blend of top-quality education, great weather, and a rich culture. Universities here offer courses in English, Spanish, and Catalan, which makes it easy for international students to pursue degrees here. With exchange programs like Erasmus+, excellent public transport, and a vibrant, walkable city full of culture and community, Barcelona is a standout destination for international students.
Best Areas for Student Accommodation in Barcelona
Barcelona is filled with student-friendly areas that are close to major universities and offer affordable student housing options. Here are some of these areas:
- Eixample: This is a well-connected, central district known for its modernist architecture, lively social scene, and wide range of Barcelona, Spain accommodation- from shared flats to private student studios.
- Gràcia: A creative, bohemian neighborhood popular with UB and UAB students. It offers traditional shared student apartments in Barcelona and co-living spaces in a relaxed, artsy environment.
- El Raval: Budget-friendly and culturally diverse, El Raval is ideal for art and design students. It's close to UB and the city centre, with a vibrant, edgy vibe.
- Les Corts: Quiet and upscale, this area is near UPC and ESADE. Great for students seeking a peaceful place with good transport and university access.
- Sant Martí: A newer, beachside district near tech hubs and international universities, and perfect for business and tech majors.
- Sants: Sants is affordable and has great transport links, including Barcelona’s main train station.
Different Types of Student Accommodation in Barcelona
- Private Student Residences (PBSA): These Barcelona, Spain accommodation options are built specifically for university students. Purpose-built student housing in Barcelona offers fully furnished student rooms with different amenities like gyms, study rooms, laundry services, and social gathering areas. They are particularly popular amongst international students who want easy access to a comfortable living space with more flexibility and space. Rent is all-inclusive and includes electricity, water, and Wi-Fi bills. They also offer different types of rooms, like shared, en-suite, and studio.
- University Halls of Residence (Col·legis Majors): These options of student accommodation in Barcelona are usually located either on the campus or just a few minutes away, making it easy for students to make use of university facilities.
- Shared Student Apartments: These are Barcelona student accommodation options managed by individual homeowners. Shared accommodation operates when students rent a room in a shared flat and typically live with other students or young professionals. This gives them some independence while also integrating into local life. Unlike PBSAs, rent is not all-inclusive, and bills have to be paid separately.
Cost of Living in Barcelona
Here is a short distribution of the cost of living in Barcelona for students:
- Rent: Ranges from €400 to €1,000/month depending on room type and location.
- Utilities & Internet: €100/month approximately. If you opt to live in a PBSA, rent will include the utilities and internet bills.
- Groceries: Ranges from €150-€250 per month.
- Transport: A student metro/bus pass costs around €20-€40/month. Students also opt to walk or cycle to campus and around the city (which is free)
- Entertainment: Nights out, movies, or weekend trips typically add €50-€100/month, depending on your lifestyle.
Transportation in Barcelona
Barcelona is a safe city to get around in. It has great public transport options that are affordable and comfortable for students. Here are some of the best options:
- Metro & Bus: You can get around the city and access all campuses with ease with TMB’s metro and bus network.
- Student Discount: Under-30 students can use the T-Jove card for unlimited travel at a reduced rate.
- Airport Connectivity: The public transport in Barcelona connects the airport with Sants train station and ferry terminals. You can get around locally and even make use of the public transport system for weekend trips and holidays.
- Walking & Biking: Barcelona is walkable with scenic paths, and the city’s public bike system is ideal for daily commuting. You’ll find dedicated cycling paths and walkways all over the city.
Student Life in Barcelona
Student life in Barcelona is exciting, to say the least. The sunny weather, nightclubs, museums, and beaches make this city a delight to be in. Here’s everything you need to know about Barcelona to make the most of your student life here:
- Outdoor lifestyle: Enjoy bike rides along Barceloneta Beach, hiking at Montjuïc, and year-round sunshine.
- Cultural scene: Celebrate festivals like La Mercè, catch a flamenco show, or watch FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.
- Food & cafés: Explore tapas at El Xampanyet or grab budget bites at Mercat de Sant Antoni.
- Nightlife: Hang out at student-friendly spots like Nevermind Bar and Apolo.
- International community: Join Erasmus meetups, language exchanges, and events in Gràcia or El Raval.
Universities in Barcelona
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB): The city’s oldest and most prestigious public university, known for courses in Humanities, Law, and Sciences. It welcomes over 10,000 international students annually.
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB): This is an internationally ranked university and has a strong global focus. The university offers many bachelor’s and master’s programs in English, making it popular with international students.
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC): UPC is a leader in engineering, architecture, and tech innovation. It has strong links to global research ecosystems and is thus great for internships and job opportunities.
- ESADE Business School: This is one of Europe’s top private business schools. Some of the most popular courses here are MBAs and leadership-focused executive programs.
- EU Business School & EAE Business School: These are private institutions offering internationally oriented programs. It is specifically known for its programs in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Spanish Government Scholarships (Becas MEFP): These are scholarships provided by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MEFP). They cover tuition fees and grants for living costs and materials.
- Erasmus+ and EU Funding: These are scholarships for students to study in Europe (Erasmus+ scholarships). They cover travel, living expenses, and tuition in many cases. These scholarships are available to students from partner universities around the EU.
- University-Specific Scholarships: Other universities, including the Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, also provide merit-specific scholarships for international students. The awards are typically based on academic performance and potential for research or merit, or something else (sometimes financial).
Tips for International Students
- Apply early for your student visa and housing- student accommodation in Barcelona fills up fast.
- Learn basic Spanish or Catalan-this will help you navigate easily in Spain.
- The T-Jove travel card helps to save money and gives you unlimited rides on the metro and bus.
- The easiest way to make friends in Barcelona is to join Erasmus groups, student clubs, or language exchange groups.
- Open a local bank account and get a Spanish SIM card after arrival.
- Don’t hesitate to ask your university’s international office for help; they’re super responsive.
Health & Safety Tips & Student Well-Being Resources
- Barcelona is safe, but it is good practice to stay alert in crowded areas and late at night.
- Once you reach Barcelona, register with a local CAP (health centre) for NHS-style coverage.
- Universities offer free counselling, mental health support, and well-being workshops- make use of them if you’re in need.
- Save campus emergency contacts on your phone; they come in handy in times of need.
- Don’t ignore homesickness-reach out; support is always available.
