Institutes / Universities
Sant Pol Hospitality & Culinary Business School - Barcelona
Established in
1966Famous For
Hospitality and Culinary Education
- Overview
- Services
- Rankings
- Accommodation
- Courses
- Scholarships
Overview
Sant Pol Hospitality & Culinary Business School - Barcelona is Europe's pioneering university hotel school, established in 1966 as the first institution of its kind to train students within a genuine, fully operational hotel serving real guests.
Affiliated with the University of Girona, St.Pol HC was the first centre in Spain to be granted the official Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, approved by the Ministry of Education, and remains the country's most specialised institution in hospitality and tourism management.
What sets St.Pol HC apart is its uniquely hands-on learning model: from their very first year, students work with real guests at the school's own Gastronomic Hotel and on-campus restaurant, progressing through departments under the direct supervision of expert faculty. Facilities span 6,600 m², including six professional kitchens, a sensory analysis lab, a specialised hospitality library and modern conference facilities. The school offers Bachelor's, Master's and specialisation programmes across Hospitality Management, Restaurant and Events Management, and Gastronomy and Kitchen Management, with teaching delivered by a mix of doctorate-holding academics and active industry professionals, including consultants, hotel managers and internationally renowned chefs.
This approach delivers exceptional outcomes: St.Pol HC reports a 100% graduate employability rate, ranks 14th in the world for Hospitality & Leisure Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and welcomes around 250 students from more than 45 nationalities each year to its Mediterranean coastal campus.
Services
Sant Pol publishes guidance for international students covering study-related requirements and practical arrangements for living in Spain. Bachelor’s students can also access Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, while the school offers scholarships and financial-aid options subject to eligibility.
Career support is a key part of the student experience. The school provides a Job Placement Service and organises Professional Development Days (PDD), where hospitality companies meet and interview graduating students.
Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Sant Pol was ranked #1 in Spain and #14 worldwide for Hospitality & Leisure Management.
Accommodation
Sant Pol's student residence is integrated into the Hotel Gran Sol. Students can choose individual or shared rooms, with facilities including private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, desks and balconies.
Location
St.Pol HC's campus sits directly on the Mediterranean coast in Sant Pol de Mar, around 50 minutes from Barcelona, offering students a peaceful, scenic alternative to city-centre study while remaining close to one of Europe's most vibrant cultural capitals. Students can easily take excursions into Barcelona to explore landmarks such as the Mercat de la Boqueria and enjoy the city's renowned gastronomic scene, including historic restaurants dating back generations.
The coastal setting supports a genuinely international, close-knit community, ideal for building lasting friendships alongside academic and professional development, while the town's small-scale charm complements the hands-on nature of hospitality study.
Courses offered at Sant Pol Hospitality & Culinary Business School - Barcelona
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