European College for Liberal Studies

Dedicated to cross-cultural education with a global perspective, the European College for Liberal Studies (ECLS) is an independent private higher education institution with campuses in Europe and Asia. ECLS offers flexible liberal and global studies at the Undergraduate/Bachelor/BA, Graduate/Master/MA and Postgraduate/Doctor/ Ph.D. level. The Barcelona Business School is an accredited private educational institution that forms an integral part of the International University of Southern Europe that groups the business, management, language and cultural studies at its main campus in Barcelona and its satellite campus in Madrid into one international university dedicated to cross-cultural education with a global perspective. Operating under the authority of the coordinating United International Business Schools organization, our study programs and courses are regularly reviewed and modernized in cooperation with the Global Council for Management Education, the organization's academic council. Partnerships and links with other schools, colleges and universities are developed and maintained through the International Student Mobility Initiative. Committed to offering quality business and management education at the undergraduate, graduate and executive level, we strive to continuously improve our career-oriented academic study programs in accordance with the demands of the global marketplace as well as with the guidelines received from reputable American, European and international educational organizations.

Discover ECLS

Coming from around the world, our students are part of a vibrant and truly international community, showing great appreciation for cultural diversity, and developing a lasting understanding of different views, beliefs, and values. Student activities are organized on a regular basis through the student and alumni network, Entrepreneurs United. Students are encouraged to participate in events and to make the most out of their study experience.

Mission Statement

The European College for Liberal Studies aspires to be acknowledged as a private and independent liberal arts college of the first choice for the quality of its undergraduate, graduate and executive programs and courses. We strive to provide students the inspiring excellence of a private college, combined with the stimulating advantage of a small-scale, cross-cultural and English-speaking environment. Our study programs and teaching methods are in line with international standards in higher education and are undergoing a continuous process of self-evaluation and self-improvement by means of internal and external quality validation. Among our faculty and staff, we give emphasis to such qualities as innovation, flexibility and a continuous sense of advancement. Our organization, being internationally commended for its academic contributions to professional business and management education, serves a highly unique and culturally diverse student body and endorses both academic advancement and personal growth among its students. Our mission is accomplished through academic excellence, ingenious extra-curricular activities, and distinguishing cultural alliances. We are dedicated to the following educational resolutions:

• To offer highly-competitive career-oriented academic study programs at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels in a full-time, part-time and online format;
• To offer a range of flexible non-degree programs to meet the needs of individual students, companies, and organizations in the framework of lifelong learning;
• To uphold excellent quality standards in our academic curricula, pragmatic teaching methods, and personalized student services;
• To welcome qualified students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds, nationalities, and religions;
• To equip students with well-developed analytical, conceptual, quantitative and interpersonal skills;
• To provide an opportunity to develop specific skills in accordance with one’s interests and talents;
• To develop among students an understanding of cross-cultural management, global leadership, and business ethics;
• To increase students’ competence in global thinking by offering a dynamic and truly international study environment.

Why ECLS?

Our study programs and courses are career-oriented in nature and provide students with a high level of flexibility throughout their studies. Focusing on a broad range of specialized subject matters, students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in today’s global economy, and are prepared for a wide variety of professional development and career opportunities. Our programs are an excellent choice for recent high school graduates as well as for college and university transfer students who would like to see their employability in today’s job market increase by engaging in rigorous and academically challenging studies to obtain a relevant academic qualification in the field liberal arts. Upon graduation, students mainly start or advance their careers with entry-level management positions in national and multinational companies and organizations in various economic sectors. Others decide to launch a new business venture or join an existing family business. Students can also choose to continue their studies without interruption in almost any of our other undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs to further enhance their career prospects.

21st Century Liberal Arts Education

Through close student-lecturer contact and classes in relatively small groups, ECLS provides for a professional academic atmosphere to meet students’ individual needs in a truly international environment. Permanent interaction is ensured so that students obtain a firm grasp of the course materials offered. In small groups (up to approximately 24 students) students are discussing issues, sharing ideas, testing theories and benefitting from our rigorous academic standards. Faculty members are drawn from around the world, are highly qualified in their field(s) of expertise and combine a solid academic background and ample professional experience as business leaders, industrialists, entrepreneurs and/or consultants. To prevent business theory from remaining abstract and inapplicable, most courses are based on the case method and provide students with a practical, hands-on problem-solving approach to contemporary business and management issues. Students are taught in a pragmatic way with the use of simulation techniques, up-to-date case studies and the required theoretical background. They also learn to think strategically when making decisions, to empathize with their peers, to inspire teamwork and team building, and to contribute to the success of a project. Thinking creatively and independently by questioning, rather than blindly accepting subject material is strongly encouraged. Throughout the academic year, students are regularly assessed through an ideal mix of individual and team projects, presentations, papers, mid-terms and final exams so that their progress can be closely monitored. This highly practical skills and knowledge-based approach to learning involves the continuous monitoring and adaptation of courses to the demands of the global marketplace with the assistance of an Academic Council composed of prominent personalities from the business community.