Who Studies at UB IL3?

IL3 — the Institut de Formació Contínua of the Universitat de Barcelona — is one of Spain's leading institutions for continuing education and professional development. Its programs include postgraduate degrees, master's programs, expert certificates and specialized training across fields including business, law, health, technology, education and the humanities.

IL3's student profile is distinct. Rather than recent graduates, most students are working professionals, career changers and experienced practitioners looking to deepen their expertise or move into a new field. Many are in their thirties or older. Many are balancing their program with professional responsibilities, family commitments or remote work.

For this profile, the choice of accommodation in Barcelona is not a casual decision. It reflects a broader set of priorities: quality of life, productive infrastructure, privacy and a living environment that supports serious work alongside genuine enjoyment of the city.

How Far Is Blau from IL3 Barcelona?

Blau's location in Poblenou makes it one of the most conveniently positioned premium residences for IL3 students in Barcelona. The commute is short, simple and comfortable by any mode of transport.

For IL3 professionals who travel regularly across the city for work or research, Blau's underground parking removes one of the most common daily frustrations of living in Barcelona. The bike route through Poblenou's flat streets is the fastest and most flexible option for daily use.

For a full overview of commute times from Blau to all Barcelona universities, read the Barcelona universities commute guide.

Why Blau Is the Right Residence for IL3 Students

Most student accommodation in Barcelona is designed around the needs of younger undergraduate students. Blau takes a different approach — one that is much better aligned with the profile, priorities and expectations of IL3's professional student body.

Private Studios With Everything Included

Every studio at Blau is fully private — private bathroom, private kitchen, dedicated study desk, climate control, high-speed Wi-Fi and storage space. There are no shared bathrooms, no common kitchens and no unpredictable flatmate dynamics. For professionals who value their privacy and need a stable, self-contained environment to work and rest, this is the standard that matters.

All utilities are included in the accommodation cost — no variable bills, no setup delays and no administrative friction from the moment you arrive. Find out why more postgraduate students and professionals are choosing private studios in Barcelona.

A Managed Residence That Works Reliably

Blau is a fully managed premium residence. Maintenance is handled promptly, building access is secure, and reception support is available on-site. For IL3 students who are already managing complex professional and academic schedules, the last thing they need is housing logistics adding friction to their day. A well-run managed residence removes that friction entirely. Compare student residences and shared apartments in Barcelona.

Wellness Facilities and Quality of Life

Blau includes access to wellness facilities — gym, rooftop and outdoor spaces — that support the kind of balanced routine that professionals in intensive programs value. The ability to exercise, decompress and reset within the same building, without needing to budget extra time or money for external facilities, is a practical quality-of-life advantage that compounds over a full academic year.

A Community of Ambitious International Students

The international community at Blau brings together students from business schools, design programs, technology institutions and postgraduate programs across the city. For IL3 students — many of whom are looking to build professional networks as much as academic ones — this environment offers organic opportunities to connect with driven, internationally minded people from a range of fields and backgrounds. Read how international students build meaningful connections in Barcelona.

Why Poblenou Is the Right Neighborhood for IL3 Students

For professionals studying in Barcelona, neighborhood matters as much as the residence itself. Poblenou offers a combination of qualities that are particularly well suited to IL3's student profile.

Barcelona's Innovation and Professional Hub

Poblenou's 22@ district is home to hundreds of startups, tech companies, creative agencies and innovation institutions. The neighborhood has a culture of professional ambition and focused work — one that resonates naturally with IL3 students who are in Barcelona to advance their careers, not just their credentials. Living here means being surrounded by the kind of professional energy that complements rather than distracts from serious academic work. Discover why so many international professionals and students choose Poblenou in Barcelona.

Calm, Residential Quality Without Sacrificing the City

Poblenou is calmer and more residential than the tourist center of Barcelona — quieter streets, less noise and a more settled daily rhythm. At the same time, it is well connected to the rest of the city, with the beach, the city center and Barcelona's main cultural and professional venues all within easy reach. For professionals who want to enjoy Barcelona meaningfully without the intensity of central tourist areas, it is one of the most well-balanced neighborhoods in the city.

Study Cafés, Coworking and Professional Infrastructure

The neighborhood has a strong culture of productive cafés and coworking spaces — well suited to IL3 students who often need to work outside their studio, prepare presentations or hold informal meetings in a professional but relaxed setting. The local infrastructure supports a working lifestyle in a way that few other Barcelona neighborhoods do as consistently.

What IL3 Students Often Discover About Housing in Barcelona

Professionals coming to Barcelona for a postgraduate or continuing education program sometimes underestimate how much the accommodation choice shapes the overall experience. Some later discover that:

• privately rented apartments require significantly more time and energy to manage than expected
• internet quality and workspace setup in standard rentals vary widely and are slow to fix
• the social isolation of living alone in an unfamiliar city is more significant than anticipated
• the neighborhood environment affects daily mood, motivation and productivity in ways that are easy to overlook in advance
• the gap between a well-managed premium residence and a standard rental becomes apparent within the first weeks

For professionals who are investing significantly in their education and their time in Barcelona, choosing accommodation that actively supports that investment — rather than complicating it — is worth prioritizing from the start. Read why even experienced professionals feel lonely after moving abroad — and what actually helps. For parents of international students, read the guide to safe student housing in Barcelona for parents.

Life at Blau for IL3 Students

Blau Student Housing is located in Can Ricart — a restored historic industrial complex in Poblenou's 22@ district, 5 minutes by bike from IL3's Barcelona facilities. The setting combines the aesthetic character of one of Barcelona's most distinctive neighborhoods with the infrastructure and management quality of a premium student residence.

Throughout the academic year, Blau hosts community events that bring together its international residents — creating a social environment that is active without being intrusive, and that gives IL3 students access to a network of ambitious, internationally minded people from the first week of their stay. Check what's coming up below:

Follow @blaustudenthousing on Instagram to get a genuine sense of what daily life looks like.

For professionals also considering remote or hybrid work arrangements during their stay, discover the best student accommodation options for remote learners in Barcelona. For a broader view of how housing choices shape the international student experience, read the full comparison of student residences and shared apartments in Barcelona. For students at similar professional schools nearby, read the housing guides for ESADE students and ESERP students.

For more information about IL3's programs and professional development offerings, visit the IL3 — Universitat de Barcelona official website.