The UPF Barcelona School of Management's Executive MBA is the management development program with an international focus that will boost your professional career and prepare you to lead companies with a sustainable, impactful, global, and innovative vision.
The Executive MBA is an official master's degree, accredited by AMBA, and endorsed by the excellence of Pompeu Fabra University.
It is a part-time program, lasting 18 months, aimed at executives and managers with extensive professional experience. Our Executive MBA will make you a global leader, capable of transforming organizations, dealing with uncertain environments, and providing new responses to the challenges that companies and their managers face.
With our Executive MBA you will:
- Improve your ability to manage companies and provide transformative solutions to society, the economy, and understanding.
- Acquire new skills, through the challenge of developing a business plan from the first day of the course.
- Update your professional skills to quickly adapt them to a changing and competitive reality.
- Improve your teamwork and leadership skills.
We have 24 years of experience training managers capable of leading projects with a global vision. People who seek to add value and transform society through innovation and a commitment to planetary well-being.
The Executive MBA is endorsed by Pompeu Fabra University, the 1st Spanish university and the 15th best university in the world (of those with less than 50 years), according to the Times Higher Education ranking. In addition, UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally.
Collaborators:
Why choose this program
Accredited School
Do your Executive MBA with the backing of a prestigious and recognized educational institution, ensuring the quality and relevance of your business management education. AQU, AMBA, and EQUIS accreditations endorse the academic excellence of our program.
Personalized Program
Benefit from a syllabus tailored to your needs, meticulously designed to hone your skills and enhance your leadership in the executive field. Additionally, you will have the support of a mentor and academic direction throughout the program.
Learn from the best
Take advantage of the experience and knowledge of prominent professionals and business experts, ensuring rigorous and highly practical training.
Networking
Establish meaningful connections with professionals from various industries and geographic areas, expanding your international network, an essential factor for professional development.
Electives and Complementary Activities
Personalize your educational experience by selecting elective courses and activities aligned with your goals, providing a specialized personalized focus for your Executive MBA. Participate in practical activities for personal and professional growth, such as the MBA Challenge and Outdoor Training.
International Focus
Immerse yourself in an educational environment that highlights the importance of globalization, business internationalization, and the strategic preparation necessary to lead in global markets. Gain a global view of business and discover other business realities through International Study Trips.
Who is it for?
The recommended entry profile for the Master is university graduates interested in the field of business administration and management. This Master is designed for graduates from various disciplines in the social sciences (such as Sociology, Law, Economics and Business), as well as Science and Engineering in their various specialties, with a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience.
Accreditations
The UPF Barcelona School of Management is the management school of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), the 3rd best public university in Spain according to the Times Higher Education ranking. It is the best Spanish university, 10th in Europe, and in the Top 20 worldwide in its 2023 ranking of the best young universities.
UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally, and places itself among the top business schools in the world.
The Executive MBA has AMBA accreditation from the Association of MBAs, which recognizes UPF-BSM for its academic quality and reputation.
The Executive MBA is an official master's degree and has the academic recognition of the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. The Quality Agency of the University System of Catalonia (AQU) has also institutionally accredited UPF-BSM. This accreditation certifies all the official master's degrees that we teach and recognizes the quality of our educational model in accordance with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
QS Business Masters ranking 2024 For the second consecutive year, the "Executive MBA 2024" ranking published by QS, one of the most consulted rankings in the higher education sector worldwide, includes UPF-BSM among the best selected business schools.
Curriculum
The Executive MBA is structured over 18 months in which students will participate in core and optional subjects.
We have identified a set of key competencies that favour the professional development of the participants: leadership, communication, co-operation, adaptive thinking, decision-making, and autonomous learning. You will work on these competencies in an integrated and transversal way throughout the Executive MBA.
The MBA is taught in Spanish, but subjects in English can be chosen from among the electives.
The program also consists of an individual project that is defined in the intensive initial week (from 9 am to 7 pm) and is developed throughout the Executive MBA.
Mandatory subjects
You will learn and understand the economic fundamentals of business activity through the analysis of business approaches, decisions, and evolution from an economic perspective, as well as the exchange and contractual relationships among all involved agents.
This subject focuses on analyzing the global and specific aspects of product, market, and channel strategies in consumer, industrial, and service markets. You will analyze comprehensive marketing strategies and plans of different companies, sectors, and environments, and their relationship with the organization's overall strategy.
You will understand business management by integrating all functional areas, connecting short-term perspective with long-term goals. You will analyze how companies adapt to their environment by proposing solutions to interpret competitive situations and market trends. You will understand the impact of organizational change and examine strategic implementation.
This subject offers an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with international expansion and organizational growth. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will explore strategies for entering new global markets, establishing operations abroad, and effectively managing organizational growth. Successful case studies of companies that have expanded globally will be examined, along with common mistakes and lessons learned.
The purpose is to engage in business decision-making considering the positive impact through Corporate Social Responsibility and business ethics. You will decide on the future trajectory of the organization by managing resource allocation in various scenarios to achieve its business objectives. You will take on managerial roles and develop leadership skills and teamwork abilities in uncertain environments.
The aim is to master various planning tools and project feasibility analysis techniques, as well as analytical techniques for financial statement analysis in the study of annual accounts. You will diagnose the company's economic and financial situation and prepare and interpret provisional balances, generated cash flows, and cash budgets. Alternative sources of financial resources will also be studied, and various investment options available to top management will be examined: stock market, financial futures, financial options, fixed income investment alternatives
This subject refers to quantitative techniques that help make business decisions in complex situations. Among other topics, it covers complete linear programming, multicriteria models, queue and network management, and decision models.
Tools for analyzing a company's operations are used to align its outputs with top management's strategic options. Different levers available to Production Management for process improvement are analyzed. Specific topics such as operations in service companies, purchasing systems, and international operations are covered. You will understand the strategy and methods of aggregate planning, short-term scheduling, project planning and control, distribution network logistics, transportation planning, information systems, applications for operations management, interaction with other functional areas, and integration into the strategy.
Referring to product design and process selection in production and service companies, this subject delves into total quality management (TQM), capacity planning, location methods, inventory management, forecasting, time series analysis, independent demand, economic batch and dependent demand: MRP and JIT, among other topics.
The "New Technologies - Artificial Intelligence" subject is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of how artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis are reshaping the current technological landscape. Students will acquire fundamental knowledge and practical skills in data acquisition, analysis, visualization, classification, and use for decision-making. Starting from the basics defining the use of data for decision-making, it delves into the relevant applications of different branches of artificial intelligence in business management.
You will learn to calculate the costs of products, services, departments, activities, and processes of any company, as well as develop budgetary and management control.
Recognizing the competitive advantage that people currently have in companies, you will delve into planning and organization, selection, training and promotion, job analysis and evaluation, and compensation systems. Elements that allow understanding the functioning of this area and designing a policy tailored to the needs of the company.
This subject improves public speaking skills through a combination of theory and practice, emphasizing effective structure, nonverbal communication, and confidence development through real-time feedback.
Elective subjects
You will delve into the keys to investment and financing and their relationship with macroeconomic aspects, as well as the criteria for integrating financial concepts into business strategy and planning.
Through a study trip, participants immerse themselves in an innovation center, examining real case studies and exchanging ideas about the international business landscape.
You will learn about Open Innovation or open innovation and Corporate Venture or corporate collaboration models with startups (theory and practical examples) when launching an innovative growth strategy within the company. Intrapreneurship and how to initiate and develop an entrepreneurship initiative within the company will also be addressed. You will learn about the types of events, forums, and contests for startups, among others.
This subject provides the knowledge and tools necessary to evaluate business opportunities from legal, financial, and business perspectives. Topics such as partnership agreements, statutes, financing, and critical business aspects are addressed, supported by examples and case studies. From conceptualization of an idea to its sale, closure, or consolidation, this subject guides entrepreneurs throughout the business process.
This subject provides a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance principles, regulatory compliance, and managerial legal responsibility. Students will explore the legal and ethical frameworks governing business conduct, as well as best practices for ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability in corporate decision-making. Case studies of corporate scandals will be analyzed, and lessons learned will be discussed to avoid similar issues in the future.
The Business Design and Agile subject introduces students to the principles and practices of business design and agile methodology. Students will explore how these tools can be used to foster innovation, flexibility, and responsiveness in organizations. User-centered design approaches will be analyzed, as well as strategies for agile implementation of projects and business processes.
The Digital Transformation subject focuses on the transformative role of digital technology in today's business environment. Students will explore how companies can leverage the latest digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, to improve operational efficiency, drive innovation, and create value for customers. Strategies for successfully leading and managing digital transformation in organizations of various sizes and industrial sectors will be examined.
The Talent and Diversity subject explores the importance of human talent and diversity in business success. You will examine strategies for recruiting, developing, and retaining the best talents in a diverse and globalized work environment. The implications of diversity in decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational creativity will be analyzed. In addition, approaches to managing cultural, generational, and gender diversity in the workplace will be explored.
Professionalizing negotiation processes in international projects is essential. This subjcet prepares leaders for developing sustainable negotiations in a global context.
The Communication and Crisis Management subject focuses on the crucial role of effective communication in managing corporate crises. Students will explore strategies for anticipating, preventing, and managing potential crises that could affect the reputation, financial viability, and operational continuity of an organization. Case studies of real corporate crises will be analyzed, and best practices for internal and external communication during emergency situations will be discussed.
This subject addresses the growing importance of business sustainability in a world characterized by environmental, social, and economic challenges. Students will explore how companies can integrate sustainability considerations into all areas of their activity, from the supply chain to product strategy and organizational culture. Holistic approaches to sustainable management will be examined, including life cycle assessment, eco-efficiency, environmental design, extended producer responsibility, and stakeholder engagement
Analyzing 3.0 companies, this subject emphasizes their role in defining corporate DNA to mitigate strategic risks. Participants take on the role of board members to analyze strategic risks using expert methodologies.
TFM
Note on the Curriculum
Complementary activities
The Executive MBA also includes the possibility of participating in practical, and personal and professional growth activities such as:
- The Outdoor Training is a weekend of disconnection in a mountain hotel, in which team building activities are carried out with the aim of identifying roles and leaders, and improving managerial and team management skills.
- The International Study Trips which are work trips in which you will visit the stock market and companies with the aim of learning about new international markets. We have previously visited Shanghai (China) or London (United Kingdom), among others.
- The MBA Challenge is a four-day competition in which you will have the opportunity to work on a real challenge from a large corporation. Companies such as La Fageda, the Oncological Foundation of Catalonia, the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, or the Josep Carreres Foundation have already entrusted their cases to UPF-BSM participants.
- International mobility: The UPF Barcelona School of Management offers you the possibility of expanding your training and international vision through the International Mobility Programme. Extend your studies extracurricularly, during the academic year following the completion of your Master's, at a top-level institution. Limited places.
- UPF-BSM Inside: is a group of interdisciplinary subjects (applied data, communication, creativity, innovation and project management, sustainability and leadership among others) that, if you take this program, you can access at no additional cost. They are 100% online and you can take them throughout the academic year at your own pace, as they have been designed as self-study subjects.
Qualification obtained
Once students have completed the course they will obtain the Màster Universitari en Administració i Direcció d'Empreses / Master in Business Administration (MBA) - Máster Universitario en Administración y Dirección de Empresas / Master in Business Administration (MBA) official Master's Degree, issued by the Pompeu Fabra University.
Issuance of official Master's Degrees: The amount stipulated in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia) must be paid for the rights to issue the degree. This rate varies annually and the rate in force at the time of application for the degree will be applied.
Faculty
The Executive MBA is taught by management professionals from leading companies, and professors of recognized international prestige from UPF-BSM and the Department of Economics and Business at UPF.
Academic directors
Coordinator
Faculty
Collaborating faculty
- Borja Breña
Principal at Nauta Capital
Telecom engineer, Universitat de Sevilla. MBA, London Business School. - Jeffrey Breyer
Director, Effective Coaching.
Bachelor's in Anthropology , University of California, Berkeley. - Valentí Camps
PADE-Top Management Program from IESE Businesss School
Adjunct professor at ESCI-UPF - Jordi Damià
Partner at Setesca.
Telecommunications Engineer at the UPC. - Guillem Domingo
Co-founder and CEO at Harboury Legal and Business Services
PhD in Tax Law, Universitat de Barcelona - Joaquim López Caussa
COO at Dozen Investments
MBA, Asian Institute of Technology - August Mabilon Puig
Associate of SDG Group.
Management Development Program from IESE. - Marc Antoni Macia
Co-founder and COO at NoviCap
MBA, IESE Business School - Bet Matoses
Expert in Service Design and Design Thinking, specialized in the design of brand, product and service strategies with a completely digital approach. Bachelor's Degree in Political Sciences and Administration from Pompeu Fabra University and Degree in Industrial Design from IED. - Josep Maria Raya
PhD in Economics from the University of Barcelona. - Christian Rodriguez Fornos
Founder of BYHOURS, Urban Secretsm Netip Consulting, Chocolate Studio, among others.
Board Member in Barcelona Tech City and Hawkers Group. Professor and university mentor on innovation and digital ecosystem issues. - Carlos Ribera
Partner, SDG Group
Telecommunications Engineer at the UPV.
Methodology
The Executive MBA combines fundamental contents essential for any professional aspiring to take on a management role with specific contents personalized with the support of a mentor based on personal competencies and professional projects.
The program also includes the opportunity to participate in practical and personal and professional growth activities, such as Outdoor Training, International Study Trips, and the MBA Challenge.
The EMBA employs various practical educational activities where the student is at the center of the learning process:
- Project or Problem-Based Learning
- Case Studies
- Flipped Learning
- Solving Real Company Challenges
- Professional Simulations
These methodologies, combined with lectures, enable students to bridge theory and practice, acquire advanced skills, and gain directly applicable insights to their professional practice.
Project-Based Learning as an Integrative Element of Knowledge
Through the Final Master's Project (TFM), a project linked to the business world and/or organizations, students will work on throughout the course, allowing them to:
- Bridge theory and practice
- Integrate competencies from multiple disciplines
- Apply their learning to professional practice
- Design, manage, develop, and defend a professional project connected to the student's purpose and interests.
Personalized Approach and Active Mentoring
The EMBA adapts specific contents according to each participant’s competencies and professional projects, personalizing the learning experience with the active guidance of expert mentors and the selection of elective courses based on their needs or preferences.
Innovative Learning Methodologies
We use methods such as project-oriented learning, case studies, flipped learning, and professional simulations, providing an interactive and practical approach that effectively connects theory and practice.
Practical Professional Growth Activities
The program goes beyond the classroom with activities like Outdoor Training, International Study Trips, and the MBA Challenge, offering practical experiences that enhance the personal and professional growth of participants.
Integrated Learning through the Master's Thesis
Related to the business environment, the Master’s Thesis gives participants the opportunity to connect theory and practice, integrating multidisciplinary competencies, and transferring the knowledge and skills acquired to professional practice, culminating in the development and defense of a professionalizing project. The Thesis is developed individually by the participants with the support of the mentor and the Program Directors.
Connection between Theory and Practice
Combined with practical activities, sessions allow students to acquire advanced competencies directly applicable to their professional field, achieving an effective link between academic theory and the reality of the business world, which is strengthened by company visits and masterclasses with executives.
Evaluation
The Executive MBA program includes various evaluation systems for each course: examinations, group projects, and individual assignments. Class attendance is a mandatory requirement to ensure a comprehensive experience and maximize the benefits of the program.
Tools
Project-oriented learning and the combination of lectures and active methodologies such as case studies, flipped learning, solving real problems and professional simulations allow the student to connect theory and practice, acquire advanced skills and achieve learning which is transferable to work.
You will have:
- Master's Final Project (TFM) or Postgrad Final Project (TFP)
- A personal mentor to monitor your final project (TFM or TFP)
- Digital resources to achieve transversal skills
- Interdisciplinary activities and workshops
Professional Future
On the Executive MBA, professional and corporate profiles come together with visionary entrepreneurs, all sharing a common goal of professional and personal growth. We provide a learning journey tailored to each profile, preparing participants for future professional challenges.
In the classroom, our approach is defined by interaction. Each session is an opportunity to blend theory and practice. Outdoor Training and Professional Simulations challenge participants to apply management skills in real time, creating leaders ready to tackle any business scenario.
Through innovative methodologies such as project-oriented learning and the individual Master’s Thesis linked to the business world, participants integrate knowledge, develop multidisciplinary competencies, and design transformative projects.
On completion of the program, the participants gain access to a range of professional opportunities, from executive positions to the option of developing their own project. The Executive MBA paves the way to new and diverse business areas. Global networking, personalized mentorship, and a practical approach ensure participants benefit from individualized learning focusing on tackling new challenges in an increasingly uncertain environment. Immersing themselves in this unique experience is the beginning of professional transformation.
Student profile
The Executive MBA ecosystem consists of national and international professionals with successful careers and active managers and executives with extensive experience who want to make a qualitative leap forward in their careers. Their typical education background is in Business Administration, Economics, Law, Engineering, or Public Accounting. The diversity of profiles sharing this experience (entrepreneurs, managers, consultants, engineers, etc.) adds significant value to your education.
Average age
Average experience
International students
Holding management positions
Recommendation for the program
Career opportunities
The Executive MBA has become an essential tool for the participant's professional projection, enabling them to transform organizations and lead in uncertain environments. The combination of theoretical and practical sessions, applied projects, and activities equips the participants with the required to tackle new challenges.
This practical and results-oriented approach not only strengthens the student's professional position but also enables them to tackle business challenges with innovative solutions and lead in VUCA environments. At the end of the program, they will be equipped to embrace the dynamic challenges of the business world and lead transformations.
Participants have the full support of our Career Department and coaches who will accompany them throughout the program.
- CEO, Board of Directors, or General Management of companies and organizations of any kind.
- Venture Capital Manager, Private Equity Manager, and Strategic Consultant.
- Management positions in any of the functional areas of a company: marketing, finance, human resources, production, etc.
- Entrepreneur
- Intrapreneur: undertake projects within your organization.