Study in Barcelona: A Global Hub for Innovation

WHY CHOOSE BARCELONA?

Barcelona is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city where creativity, culture, and innovation converge to form a global hub of possibility. Known for its rich history, architectural beauty, and Mediterranean lifestyle, it offers a unique environment to learn, experiment, and grow—blending old-world charm with modern innovation to shape the future of architecture, design, and urbanism.

A Playground for Architectural Visionaries

Architectural Excellence
Barcelona is a masterpiece in itself—a fusion of Gothic elegance, Modernist creativity, and avant-garde innovation. Walking through its streets means stepping into the legacy of Antoni Gaudí and exploring world-renowned landmarks like the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló.

Pioneering Urban Design
Barcelona is known as the cradle of urbanism, starting with the grid layout of the Eixample district, envisioned by Ildefons Cerdà in 1867. Barcelona continues to set global standards with transformative projects like the “Superilles” (superblocks). These reimagined neighborhoods prioritize green spaces, pedestrian areas, and sustainable living. The city’s dedication to forward-thinking projects continues to influence global urban planning. Additionally, Barcelona leads the way in sustainability with ambitious goals and innovative solutions like aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and initiatives like the Green Roofs Plan to transform urban rooftops into biodiverse and ecological spaces, adding a fresh layer of productivity to the cityscape.

Fun fact! Barcelona has been officially designated as the World Capital of Architecture for 2026 by UNESCO.

A Global Platform for Innovation & Creativity

Barcelona is home to a thriving innovation and design ecosystem, with more than 20 studios per square kilometer. This vibrant creative community spans fields like the arts, industrial design, maker spaces, architecture studios, FinTech and social impact incubators, and sustainable building solutions, the city is a hub for groundbreaking ideas.

A Calendar Full of Inspiration
Barcelona’s dynamic events scene offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with global leaders in architecture, design, and urbanism:

  • Barcelona Design Week
  • Smart City Expo World Congress
  • Manifesta – Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism
  • Open House Barcelona
  • Swab Art Fair
  • Mobile World Congress

IAAC & THE CITY

IAAC is located in the 22@Barcelona district, a global benchmark for innovation and technology. The 22@ district integrates cutting-edge companies, universities, research centers, and technology transfer hubs, creating a dynamic innovation ecosystem. This environment fosters interaction and collaboration among various stakeholders, driving progress and creativity.

In addition to its unique location, IAAC offers its students the opportunity to participate in local projects and initiatives designed to spark creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement. Some of these initiatives include the ReCITYing project where students from the Masters in Advanced Architecture (MAA) and Master in City & Technology (MaCT) and international researchers join forces with local farmers and landscape artists to co-create a land art installation and plant it in the Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat in Barcelona.

Students of the Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) collaborated on the FURNISH project, designing a participatory architectural installation with the support of the educational community. The installation enhances the surroundings of a new school located within a former prison in Barcelona using ecological materials sourced from the Collserola Park.

Since 2013, IAAC students from the Masters in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) and the Masters in Advanced Architecture (MAA) have worked on interactive light installations at the BCN Llum Festival. Llum is a leading lighting arts festival in Europe bringing together interventions by creators from all areas of the visual arts, including contemporary art, design, architecture, technology, and lighting design.

LIVING IN BARCELONA

Housing

Barcelona offers a wide range of housing options to suit different budgets and lifestyles. These options include shared apartments, rented rooms, and student residences located throughout the city.

IAAC does not offer accommodations in the city. However, students can review the resources below to start their search. We encourage potential students to start researching options as early as possible.

Students participating in the Masters in Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) will reside during their first year of studies at the Valldaura Campus located in the Collserola Natural Park.

Housing Resources:
Every academic year, enrolled students are added to a closed Facebook group to help them connect with incoming and current IAAC students, offering a virtual community where many find flatmates or resources from seasoned students.

Additional resources:

  • BCU STUDENT HOUSING is the accommodation service offered by the Barcelona University community to their students. This housing service offers complete accommodation services for international students and researchers. There are different options: apartments to share, rooms in shared apartments, and/or short stays.
    • www.bcuhousing.cat
    • +34 932 389 072
  • HABITATGE JOVE is a private apartment and room rental platform exclusively for students in Barcelona. Their portfolio includes residence halls, short-term apartment rentals, shared rooms, and homestays.

 

 

Getting Around

Barcelona boasts an extensive public transport network, including metro, buses, and trams, as well as a bike-friendly infrastructure.

TMB is the main public transport operator in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Its unified services include metro lines, day and night buses, trams, and short-distance trains.
If you are planning to move by bus or metro, we recommend you purchase the monthly T-Usual card. Students under 30 years of age can also benefit from special prices with the T-Jove card.
Check out the TBM Website
Check out the city’s metro map

Bicing (bike-sharing): Affordable annual membership for cycling enthusiasts
Check out the Bicing website for bike path maps and membership costs

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Barcelona can vary depending on lifestyle choices. Below is an estimated illustrative monthly breakdown:

Accommodation:

  • Room in shared apartment: 450–700€
  • Private studio or private room in student dorm: 700–900€

Food:

  • Groceries: 200–300€
  • Eating out: The most affordable options start at around 6-7€, there are lunch menu options between 10-15€ and other restaurants with higher price ranges.

Public Transportation:

  • Monthly transport pass (T-usual): 43€
  • 3-month transport pass (under 30 years old): 83€
  • Bicing bike-sharing system: 4€ (50€ annual subscription)

Utilities

  • Electricity, water, internet): 60–80€
  • Mobile phone: 20–40€

Leisure and Entertainment:

  • Gym membership: 30–50€
  • Monthly going out budget: 50–100€ (depending on preferences)

Studio materials (when needed): 200€