On this page prospective exchange students and visiting students will find all the necessary information to proceed with their application.
INFORMATION FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS AND VISITING STUDENTS
GBSB Global Business School is a top international European business school with study programs in English located in Barcelona and Madrid, in Spain, Birkirkara in Malta, and Online.
Our business school welcomes applications from exchange students and visiting students who study at other business schools, universities and colleges based in Europe or overseas, and seek to spend a semester or a year abroad.
Student exchange programs are a chance of a lifetime. An adventure and simultaneously an investment in your future. Leaving the comfort zone and going to the unfamiliar will provide you with a unique learning experience accelerating your personal and professional development. Student exchange programs can enhance your language skills, broaden your mindset and academic knowledge, boost your independence and help you prepare for the challenges of the global employment market.
Exchange students and visiting students are a vital part of the GBSB Global Business School community as we encourage a flow of talent, aiming to provide opportunities for networking with peers from different parts of the world representing different backgrounds.
GBSB Global Business School follows the Bologna Process, which facilitates the mobility of students within Europe. Under the Bologna Process and a point system, known as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), students are able to study at different European universities without the need of interrupting their undergraduate or graduate studies. However, we also have extensive experience in validating transcripts and processing applications of exchange students comimg from non-European Universities, or universities that do not follow ECTS.
WHO IS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT/VISITING STUDENT?
You can become an exchange student or a visiting student if you want to take credit courses at GBSB Global Business School but are not seeking to obtain a full degree course.
Exchange students are those who participate in student exchange programs within an agreement established between GBSB Global Business School and our partner universities around the world.
Visiting students are those attending our business school either under a Letter of Permission from their home university, or those taking on our courses independently for personal or professional reasons.
Any student wishing to receive academic credit for work completed as part of our programs will receive an official transcript indicating the number of completed class hours, obtained ECTS points (academic credits), and an overall grade for academic performance. The appropriate administrator at the student’s home university must agree to one’s participation in the visiting program at GBSB Global Business School prior to one’s arrival.
STUDY IN BARCELONA
Being one of the most popular tourist cities in Europe, Barcelona is naturally one of the top destinations for exchange students and visiting students. As the second largest city in Spain, sunny Barcelona is home to world’s leading arts and sports arenas, making it an ideal location for creative minds and sports devotees. It also offers a generous climate with access to large beaches at the Mediterranean Sea and mountains surrounding the city. Aside from its distinctive history and culture, Barcelona is known for its business ambitions and entrepreneurial spirit, home to over 1500 start-ups and growing.
STUDY IN MADRID
Live and study in the capital of Spain. As the largest city, Madrid is very vibrant, cosmopolitan, sophisticated, and historically has had a large role in shaping European culture, politics, and business. Home to many multinational corporations, Madrid takes its position as a major international financial hub. Home to hundreds of promising startups and recognized business angels, Madrid offers an extensive number of business accelerators, tech events, expos and incubators for ambitious entrepreneurs. A great scene to take on business education, develop professionally and transfer knowledge into practice as you go along.
STUDY IN MALTA
Beautiful Malta is undeniably one of the most stunning countries in the world. Offering its Mediterranean island charm, it attracts over two million visitors annually, from tourists and business travelers to students, seeking to study abroad in an English spoken environment. Malta is home to a dynamic startup ecosystem, especially across AI, Gaming and Blockchain industries, showcasing the fastest growing economy in the EU. And of course the low cost of living is ideal for student life. If you are a tech lover with an entrepreneurial spirit, Malta should be at the top of your list.
STUDY ONLINE
Digital education allows students to engage in learning with much greater freedom and mobility, hence why it’s becoming the driving force of the educational business industry today. As a Microsoft Showcase School, GBSB Global utilizes Microsoft Office 365 for Education, to provide total ed-tech support. Access our online learning platform whenever convenient, to easily combine your studies with your everyday commitments, professional endeavors, family or travel - distance learning offers the required flexibility needed to achieve the perfect work-life balance.
BECOME AN EXCHANGE STUDENT/VISITING STUDENT AT GBSB GLOBAL
WHERE DO I START?
As an exchange student you must first obtain permission from your university to apply to GBSB Global Business School under the international student exchange program. Please ask the appropriate office at your university if we have an exchange agreement with your university.
If your university does not have an agreement with GBSB Global Business School, you may still apply as a visiting student. In this case you need to obtain a Letter of Permission from your University authorizing you to participate in our programs.
If you would like to take courses independently for personal or professional reasons, you do not need to submit a Letter of Permission. Taking individual courses can be an excellent way to hone your skills, train for employment, earn credentials and increase your marketability.
ARE MY STUDIES CREDITED TO MY DEGREE?
Your home university must determine whether you receive any credits towards your home degree for studying at GBSB Global Business School. This decision is typically based on the equivalence between the courses under your home degree and the courses you study at GBSB Global Business School.
You will be enrolled as a non-award student at GBSB Global Business School making you eligible to receive an official transcript without obtaining an actual degree.
WHAT IS A LETTER OF PERMISSION?
If you are a student attending another university, you may apply to take courses at GBSB Global Business School for credit at your own institution.
A Letter of Permission is a document that permits an exchange student or a visiting student to take courses at GBSB Global Business School, in Spain or Malta, for credit toward the student’s home university. It should indicate the permitted length of your studies at GBSB Global and the recommended number of ECTS credits you should take.
HOW LONG CAN I STUDY ON STUDENT EXCHANGE?
As an exchange student/visiting student you can study at our educational institution for one term (three months), two terms (six months) or three terms (nine month or one academic year).
If you are interested in taking individual courses with GBSB Global Business School, there is no time limit and you can take different courses from different terms.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- A copy of your valid passport or an EU identity card;
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Résumé;
- A Letter of Permission from your University (if relevant);
- Digital photo;
- An official transcript from a previous school, college or university.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications are accepted all year round. Exchange students may start their studies in October, January and April. Students who are not the citizens of European Union are encouraged to apply earlier in order to allow time for student visa processing.
