About the university
Esade was set up in Barcelona in 1958 by local business leaders together with the Jesuits, with the aim of training managers for a fast-modernising Spain. It has since grown into one of Europe's best-known business schools and also runs a law school. Its degrees are awarded through Ramon Llull University, a private Catalan university federation.
Esade's strengths are management, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship. Its full-time MBA and master's courses appear regularly in Financial Times rankings, and it is the only Spanish member of the CEMS alliance, which offers a joint Master's in International Management with partner schools around the world. Classes mix lectures with case studies, consulting projects and team work.
Most master's students study at the Sant Cugat campus, a modern site in a quiet, well-off town about 25 minutes from central Barcelona by train. Bachelor's and law students are mainly at Pedralbes in the city's university district. Barcelona itself is a large, international city with a strong start-up, design and tech scene, though rents are high.
For Indian students Esade is mainly a destination for one-year business master's degrees and the MBA. Fees are lower than at IE for most master's but still premium, and admission needs a test (Esade's own TAE, the GMAT or the GRE), recommendations and an interview. Master's classes are about 90% international, so the community is global rather than Spanish, and teaching is fully in English.
- Founded
- 1958 in Barcelona by a group of business people and the Jesuits
- Type
- Private, not-for-profit business and law school; its degrees are awarded through Ramon Llull University
- Schools
- Esade Business School and Esade Law School
- Campuses
- Barcelona (Pedralbes), Sant Cugat del Vallès (just outside Barcelona) and a smaller centre in Madrid
- MSc graduates employed within 3 months
- 91% (Class of 2025, all MSc programmes)
- Language of teaching
- English for the MSc, MBA and several bachelor's programmes on this page
- Main intake
- September
Rankings
Financial Times Full-Time MBA As listed by Esade
7th worldwide, 5th in Europe
Financial Times Masters in Finance 2026
12th worldwide, 10th in Europe (MSc in Finance)
Financial Times Executive Education, open programmes 2026
5th worldwide
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Business As listed by Esade
8th in Europe
QS World University Rankings (overall) 2027
Not ranked separately (Esade is a specialist business and law school)
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €39,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €39,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
MSc in International Management
- Fee / year
- €39,000
- Duration
- 1 year (2 years with the CEMS MIM)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €39,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €82,500
- Duration
- 12 months
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- Proof of English; check the MBA admissions page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €43,200
- Duration
- 1 year plus a global immersion
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
Global Master's in International Management
- Fee / year
- €43,200
- Duration
- 1 year plus a global immersion
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
- Postgraduate
MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Fee / year
- €39,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68 or Duolingo 130
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc in Business Analytics | 1 year | €39,000 | ≈ ₹41.3 lakh |
| MSc in Finance | 1 year | €39,000 | ≈ ₹41.3 lakh |
| MSc in International Management | 1 year (2 years with the CEMS MIM) | €39,000 | ≈ ₹41.3 lakh |
| MSc in Marketing | 1 year | €39,000 | ≈ ₹41.3 lakh |
| Full-Time MBA | 12 months | €82,500 | ≈ ₹87.5 lakh |
| Global Master's in Finance | 1 year plus a global immersion | €43,200 | ≈ ₹45.8 lakh |
| Global Master's in International Management | 1 year plus a global immersion | €43,200 | ≈ ₹45.8 lakh |
| MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 1 year | €39,000 | ≈ ₹41.3 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Esade with similar universities in Spain.
Scholarships
- MSc programmes
Esade MSc Excellence Awards
Value: 10% to 50% of tuition (the average award in the last intake was 26%)
Eligibility: Regional talent awards (including an Asian Talent Award) and subject awards, judged on academic record and profile. You can apply for one award; it cannot be combined with other Esade awards.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - MSc programmes
Women in Management Award
Value: Part of the 10%–50% Excellence Awards range
Eligibility: Women applicants with a strong academic record and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - MSc in Business Analytics
Esade Big Data Award
Value: Part of the 10%–50% Excellence Awards range
Eligibility: Business Analytics applicants with strong analytical and quantitative skills.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-Time MBA
Esade MBA Excellence Awards
Value: Partial tuition awards; values are in Esade's MBA scholarships brochure
Eligibility: Merit-based, considered alongside the MBA application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-Time MBA
Forté Foundation Fellowship
Value: At least US$10,000
Eligibility: Women MBA applicants selected by the school.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 completed; Esade reviews your school record, a personal interview and its own admission tests.
- Indian school certificates must be recognised for entry to a Spanish university degree (homologation or UNEDasiss accreditation), so begin this early.
- After an offer you pay 25% of the first-year fee as a reservation by the date in your acceptance letter. It is refundable only if you fail your final school year or entrance exam.
- The remaining 75% and enrolment (matriculation) are due by early July, or the place and deposit are lost.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree that allows postgraduate study in India. Final-year students can apply with a partial transcript.
- Esade Admission Test (TAE, included in the application fee), GMAT or GRE. Recent class averages were around GMAT 615 (Focus edition) or GRE 160–162.
- Online application with a non-refundable €150 fee, two recommendation letters, CV and passport.
- An interview if you are shortlisted. Decisions take about a month after the file is complete.
- Rolling deadlines for 2027 entry: 30 September 2026, 18 November 2026, 13 January 2027, 17 February 2027, 17 March 2027, 21 April 2027, 12 May 2027, 2 June 2027 and 30 June 2027. Apply early: non-EU students need time for the Spanish student visa.
Documents
- Passport
- Bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate, with official translations if not in English, Spanish or Catalan
- Two recommendation letters
- CV
- English test score (taken within the last 2 years), or a certificate that your degree was taught in English
- TAE, GMAT or GRE score
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets for bachelor's applicants
- Funds and health insurance documents for the Spanish student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 (new 1–6 scale: 5.0 with 4.5 in each section) |
| PTE Academic | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 |
| Exemption | Native speakers, or applicants whose bachelor's was taught in English for at least 3 years (120 ECTS), with a university certificate stating the language of instruction. |
Accommodation and living costs
Esade has no halls of its own. Most master's students rent a room in Sant Cugat or in Barcelona and commute; private student residences are available in both. Barcelona is one of Spain's most expensive cities for rent, so the figures below are our estimates for Barcelona based on rental market data, not Esade prices.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat, Barcelona or Sant CugatOur estimate; Sant Cugat is often pricier than outer Barcelona districts | €550–900per month | ≈ ₹58,300 – ₹95,400 |
| Private student residence roomUsually includes bills; some include meals | €850–1,500per month | ≈ ₹90,100 – ₹1.6 lakh |
| Food and groceries | €220–350per month | ≈ ₹23,320 – ₹37,100 |
| Utilities and internet (your share) | €40–90per month | ≈ ₹4,240 – ₹9,540 |
| Public transport (T-jove youth pass, cost per month)Train between Barcelona and Sant Cugat is covered by the regional pass | €20–40per month | ≈ ₹2,120 – ₹4,240 |
| Private health insuranceNeeded for the student visa | €35–60per month | ≈ ₹3,710 – ₹6,360 |
Campus and location
Esade's campuses are in and around Barcelona, Spain's second city, on the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona has a big international student population, a lively tech and start-up scene and good public transport.
- Sant Cugat campus, about 25 minutes from central Barcelona by FGC train, is home to most MSc and MBA students.
- Pedralbes campus, in Barcelona's upper university district, hosts bachelor's and law students.
- Esade also has a centre in Madrid for executive and some other programmes.
- The MSc career service runs company presentations, coaching and a career fair with more than 400 professionals from national and international firms.
- Students in higher education in Spain can work up to 30 hours a week alongside their studies.
- Living in Barcelona is easier with some Spanish; Catalan is also widely used in the city.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Esade publishes combined outcomes for its MSc graduates. The figures cover all MSc students, not only Indian students. Spain allows graduates a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work or start a business.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MSc graduates employed within three months (Class of 2025) | 91% | Esade MSc career services |
| MSc graduates working outside their home country | 41% | Esade MSc career services |
| MSc graduates placed outside Spain | 62% | Esade MSc career services |
| MSc in Finance, Financial Times Masters in Finance 2026 | 12th worldwide | Esade rankings page |
Studying in Spain
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Spain. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at Esade cost?
For the 2027–28 intake, the one-year MSc courses cost €39,000 and the Global Master's €43,200. The Full-Time MBA costs €82,500 for September 2027. Living costs in Barcelona are extra.
Do I need the GMAT for Esade?
You need one of the Esade Admission Test (TAE), GMAT or GRE. The TAE is included in the €150 application fee.
What IELTS score does Esade ask for?
IELTS 7.0 for the MSc programmes. TOEFL iBT 100, PTE 68, Duolingo 130 or Cambridge Advanced/Proficiency are alternatives. A degree taught in English for at least three years can exempt you.
When are the application deadlines?
Esade runs rolling rounds from September 2026 to June 2027 for the 2027 intake. Indian students should aim for the autumn or winter rounds to leave time for scholarships and the visa.
Is Esade the same as Ramon Llull University?
Esade is part of Ramon Llull University, a private university federation in Catalonia, which awards its official degrees. Esade has its own campuses, admissions and fees.
Can I stay in Spain to work after Esade?
Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for a job or start a business, then switch to a work permit once they have a qualifying offer.
Sources
- Esade: MSc tuition fees and financing 2027–28 (opens in a new tab)
- Esade: MSc admissions (opens in a new tab)
- Esade: Full-Time MBA fees and financing (opens in a new tab)
- Esade: bachelor's tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- Esade: rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Esade: MSc career services (Class of 2025 outcomes) (opens in a new tab)
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion: job-search residence authorisation (opens in a new tab)
- idealista: rental price reports (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.esade.edu/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details