Training
The number of life sciences degrees in Catalonia has grown significantly over the past years, both at universities and business schools, in order to meet the needs of a sector that is becoming one of the main driving forces of the economy. Of the 12 universities in Catalonia, ten offer degrees in this field, although nearly 60% of all these degrees are concentrated at the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). Biotechnology degrees are offered at six of the ten universities.
Increase of bio sciences at Catalan universities
For the 2009-2010 school year, Catalan universities have doubled the number of bachelors degrees offered in biological sciences, from three to six. In total they have inaugurated 26 completely new degrees, an increase not seen in any other field. Of these new degrees, the ones with the most applications were: the UPC’s degree in biomedical engineering, the UB’s degrees in biomedical science and biotechnology, the UAB’s degrees in environmental biology, biomedical science and genetics. This trend also directly affects social sciences and legal studies, where the number of degrees related to technological innovation management is growing.
Currently degrees that follow the format of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and those that follow the previous format coexist at Catalan universities, although both have the same academic and professional ramifications. Approximately 20% of the degrees, or 157 EHEA degrees, are related to biotechnology, biomedicine and medical technology.
In addition to the diversification, the quality of the Catalan university system is remarkable. Three of the Catalan public universities –the UB, UAB and UPF– are among the top 500 universities in the world.
Business schools that attract international talent
Regarding business schools, Catalonia has taken on an important weight in the international panorama and Barcelona attracts more international MBA students than any European city except Paris and London, according to the 2008 Financial Times ranking. Catalan business schools were among the first in Europe to offer MBAs, in the 1960s, and are once again pioneers with their Masters of Science in Management and other technology innovation management degrees –including the Master in Leadership and Management in Science and Innovation offered at IDEC (UPF)–, which could lead to the consolidation of a new international standard in postgraduate business administration degrees. The Association for Quality in Training (ForQ) was created in 2002 and is made up of five private schools –BES La Salle, EADA, EAE, ESADE and IESE– and the life-long learning institutes of three public universities –UB (IL3), UPC and UPF (IDEC).
One of Biocat’s key focal points is to drive and promote training. Our aim is for Catalonia to offer the preparation professionals in the biotechnology, biomedicine and medical technology sector need to face growth of their companies, research centers and other bodies, and to compete in a dynamic global environment.
Study biological and health sciences in Catalonia:
- Bachelors degrees
- Masters and postgraduate degrees
- Biocat's Biocàpsules training program
- Events in the sector (including courses, symposiums, etc.)
- Foreigners studying in Catalonia
- Catalan universities' housing services
- Grants and scholarships:
Study biological and health sciences abroad