What UPF - Barcelona School of Management does

UPF Barcelona School of Management (Fundació Institut d'Educació Contínua) is a private non-profit higher-education foundation established in 1994 and affiliated with the public Universitat Pompeu Fabra. It delivers postgraduate management education across two Barcelona campuses (Balmes 132 and Ciutadella), with programs spanning Executive and Full-Time MBAs, MSc tracks in Finance, International Business, Management (with four specializations), Marketing, and Sustainability, and specialized masters in Sports Management and Pharmaceutical Marketing. The institution reports 33,000+ alumni across 100+ nationalities, 550+ corporate partnerships, and 40+ alumni clubs worldwide, and holds EQUIS, AMBA, and BGA accreditations alongside a renewed BSIS sustainability seal.

The core product is structured classroom- and project-based postgraduate education, delivered in English and Spanish, with a growing online layer (e.g., MSc in Sustainability Management Online). Technology infrastructure is mostly standard LMS-based; the Innovation, Sustainability, and Data Lab (ISDaLab) is referenced as a faculty-adjacent research asset but no proprietary AI products are evidenced. Recent product activity includes a May 2025 launch of an online Sustainability MSc and a planned September 2026 launch of a Master in Pharmaceutical Marketing.

The business model is tuition-funded, with published program fees in the €13,500-€18,500 range. Revenue comes from individual student tuition, executive-format corporate training, and selective industry-funded chairs (e.g., the Sustainable Finance Chair with Triodos Bank). Go-to-market relies on the parent UPF brand, global alumni referral, QS and EdUniversal rankings, and the corporate partner network for placements and pipeline. As a non-profit foundation, UPF-BSM does not disclose revenue, headcount, or fundraising activity.

Name

UPF - Barcelona School of Management

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN INSTITUTO DE EDUCACIÓN CONTINUA

Website

https://bsm.upf.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UPF Barcelona School of Management is a non-profit postgraduate education foundation affiliated with Universitat Pompeu Fabra, offering MBAs, MScs, and specialized masters to internationally diverse students and corporate clients across its two Barcelona campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business School Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hospitality, Tourism & Sports Management Schools (within Business Schools) (EDAHAHAL), Marketing, Sales & Brand Management Schools (EDAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Business school
• Postgraduate education
• MBA programs
• Executive education
• Corporate training

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and program fees: Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees charged for master's programs, MBAs, postgraduate diplomas, and specialized courses. Programs have distinct price points (e.g., €18,500 for MSc programs, €13,500 for the Sports Management master's). Additional fees apply for official degree issuance.
2. Corporate training and in-company programs: Customized training programs for companies, institutions, and organizations, co-designed to align with specific strategic needs of client organizations.
3. Admission fees: Admission rights fees charged during the application process. These are deductible from total tuition upon enrollment but non-refundable if the applicant is not admitted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UPF Barcelona School of Management is a private business school that delivers postgraduate and executive education programs, including MBAs (Executive, Full Time in Spanish and English), Master of Science degrees (Finance and Banking, International Business, Management with specializations, Marketing, Sustainability Management), specialized university master's degrees (Sports Management, Pharmaceutical Marketing), and customized corporate training solutions. Programs are delivered in-person in Barcelona and online via the e-Campus platform, supported by the e-Secretaría student portal for admissions and administration.

Product overview

UPF Barcelona School of Management is a private foundation affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University, offering a comprehensive portfolio of postgraduate and executive education programs. The portfolio comprises three main program types: MBA programs (Executive MBA in online and in-person formats, Full Time MBA in Spanish and English), Master of Science programs spanning Finance and Banking, International Business, Management with four specializations (Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain), Marketing, and Sustainability Management, plus specialized university master's degrees including Sports Management and Pharmaceutical Marketing. Supporting the academic offerings are three digital platforms: e-Campus for virtual learning, e-Secretaria for administrative processes, and the Alumni Portal for ongoing career support. Additional value-added services include the QTEM international exchange network, UPF-BSM Inside interdisciplinary courses, corporate training solutions, and dedicated Career Services. Programs are available in Barcelona and online formats, with select programs offering international mobility options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• E-Campus: Virtual campus platform for students to follow academic activities in programs
• E-Secretaria
• Micromégas
• Patrimonia

Products and services

• Executive MBA (EMBA) Executive MBA program designed for professionals seeking to advance their leadership and strategic management capabilities, available in both online and in-person formats.
• Full Time MBA Intensive full-time MBA program delivered in Spanish, targeting career changers and professionals seeking comprehensive business education.
• Full Time MBA (English) English-language intensive full-time MBA program for international professionals seeking comprehensive business education in Barcelona.
• Master of Science in Finance and Banking Ten-month full-time postgraduate program providing advanced knowledge in finance and banking, delivered in English at the Ciutadella campus.
• Master of Science in International Business Fifteen-month postgraduate program focused on international business strategy, management, and cross-cultural commerce, delivered in English.
• Master of Science in Management Ten-month postgraduate program providing comprehensive management education with specializations in Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management.
• Master of Science in Marketing Ten-month postgraduate program providing analytical marketing expertise with a focus on consumer insights, brand management, and digital marketing, ranked among the top 4 marketing master's programs in Spain by QS.
• Master of Science in Sustainability Management Ten-month postgraduate program providing technical and strategic skills for managing sustainability across environmental, economic, and social dimensions in organizations; also offered online.
• Máster en Marketing Farmacéutico Specialized postgraduate program in pharmaceutical marketing focused on one of the fastest-growing markets, delivered in-person starting September 2026.
• Máster Universitario en Gestión Deportiva University master's program in sports management ranked 11th globally by EdUniversal, providing transversal knowledge of the sports industry for careers in clubs, federations, and sports enterprises.
• Corporate Training Programs Customized corporate learning solutions co-created with organizations to address their strategic challenges and develop team talent.
• e-Campus Virtual Learning Platform Virtual campus platform providing online access to academic content, course materials, and learning resources for program participants.
• Alumni Portal Online platform connecting over 33,000 alumni providing networking opportunities, job portal access, career services, and lifelong learning resources.
• Career Services Professional development services including employability support, job portal access, career coaching, and networking events connecting students with over 550 partner companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 4 in Spain for MSc in Marketing (QS Business Masters Ranking 2023)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• ESCI-UPF (Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESCI-UPF is a co-delivery partner for the MSc in Sustainability Management program, contributing faculty from the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change. The partnership combines ESCI-UPF's environmental expertise with UPF-BSM's management education to deliver a comprehensive sustainability program.
• Triodos Bank NV (Spain branch)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriodos Bank NV supports the Cátedra Internacional de Finanzas Sostenibles (International Chair on Sustainable Finance) at UPF-BSM. The chair is a center for research, experience exchange, dissemination, and training in sustainable finance, aiming to position human dignity and planetary conservation at the center of economic activity.
• QTEM (Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Management) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQTEM is an international academic network of 20+ universities specialized in economics, finance, and management. UPF-BSM is the first and only Spanish institution in the network. MSc in Marketing students can access QTEM exchange programs to study abroad at partner institutions as part of their degree.
• Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF-BSM is a private foundation and an affiliated center of Universidad Pompeu Fabra, a public university ranked 1st in Iberoamerica and 15th globally (under 50 years) by Times Higher Education. UPF-BSM delivers both official university master's degrees and own postgraduate programs under the UPF brand.
• UPF Sports LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Sports Lab is a co-delivery partner for the Másters Universitarios en Gestión Deportiva (Sports Management), providing research and academic support for the sports management curriculum.
• UFEC (Unió de Federacions Esportives de Catalunya)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUFEC is a collaborator on the Sports Management program, providing industry connections and practical expertise from Catalonia's sports federation ecosystem.
• FCF (Federació Catalana de Futbol)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCF is a collaborator on the Sports Management program, offering student exposure to football federation management and sports governance.
• Real Federación Española de PatinajeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Royal Spanish Skating Federation collaborates with UPF-BSM on the Sports Management program, providing access to federation governance and roller sports industry expertise.
• COPELECFC (Col·legi de Professionals de l'Educació Física i l'Esport de Catalunya)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOPELECFC collaborates with the Sports Management program, providing professional accreditation pathways and industry connections for graduates.
• 550+ Corporate PartnersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUPF-BSM collaborates with more than 550 companies including Fundació La Caixa, ETL Global, Senior Talent, The Skeye, Comertia, ACM (Associació Catalana de Municipis), Eugin, and Asobanca. These partnerships generate professional opportunities, company visits, guest lectures, case studies, and recruitment channels for students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IE Business School: Madrid-based elite business school offering MBAs, master's, and executive education. Competes directly with UPF-BSM for Spanish and international postgraduate students, with strong online and global brand presence.
• ESCP Business School: Pan-European business school with multiple campuses including Madrid. Offers MBAs, MSc, and executive education with similar EQUIS/AMBA accreditation stack, competing for international and Spanish students.
• ESADE Business School: Barcelona-based business school with EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB triple accreditation. Direct competitor for Spanish postgraduate management students and corporate training, operating in the same geography with overlapping MBA, MSc, and executive education offerings.
• EAE Business School: Barcelona-based business school with broad portfolio of MBAs, master's, and double degrees. Competes in the same Spanish postgraduate market with stronger online program offering and price-competitive positioning.
• OBS Business School: Online-focused business school affiliated with Universidad de Barcelona, offering MBAs and master's in Spanish. Competes directly with UPF-BSM's online programs in Spanish-language markets.
• EADA Business School: Barcelona-based business school offering MBAs and master's programs with EQUIS accreditation. Direct local competitor targeting similar postgraduate student segments and corporate training clients in Catalonia.
• IESE Business School: University of Navarra's business school, ranked among the world's top MBA programs. Barcelona campus provides direct head-to-head competition for executive education and MBA students in the same city.

Regional players

• CUNEF Universidad: Madrid-based private university specializing in business, finance, and law postgraduate education. Competes for Spanish-speaking postgraduate students in finance and management master's programs.
• TBS Education: French business school with campuses in Toulouse, Barcelona, and Casablanca. Operates Barcelona campus offering MSc programs and competes for international students in the same Southern European market.

Others

• ESCI-UPF: Sister school under the same parent university (UPF), specializing in international business and sustainability. Already a partner for the MSc in Sustainability Management, but also a potential competitor for sustainability-focused postgraduate students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bsm_upf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BSMUPF
• Facebookfacebook.com/BarcelonaSchoolOfManagement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/upf-barcelona-school-of-management
• Instagraminstagram.com/bsm_upf

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UPF - Barcelona School of Management