Subjects

Creating mindsets, providing tools

The curriculum of the Bachelor of Business Administration & Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence for Business follows the natural cycle of an AI-based project within a company. You will start by exploring the societal, economic, and legal factors that influence the business landscape. In parallel, you'll acquire proficiency in mathematics, statistics, and programming. This knowledge will give you a solid conceptual framework and nurture a mindset for data-driven modeling. As you progress, you will delve into the essentials of management. You will be introduced to the different functional areas of a company such as finance, accounting, marketing or operations. This understanding will enable you to identify the needs that emerge and translate them into opportunities. You will do so by leveraging AI-based tools. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and acquire the knowledge and skills to develop your own machine learning and deep learning models. You'll also learn how to deploy these models within a production infrastructure, ensuring the delivery of solutions to end-users. The next step will be to evaluate the impact of these solutions from the economic, social, and environmental perspectives. This will be crucial in preparing you to lead data-driven companies, a task that demands constant reevaluation and adaptation of the business strategy for enduring success.

This program is designed to guide you into cultivating a solid mindset, while providing you with the necessary tools to anticipate and adapt to the current and future trends of this dynamic sector.

Subjects year by year

First year

DISCOVER · Laying the foundations

In the first year, you will explore and discover. You will be introduced to the main societal and economic factors that shape the context where businesses grow and develop. At the same time, you will also build a solid background in mathematics and programming, the foundations for data science and artificial intelligence. This will be a year full of new challenges and experiences. You will meet your new classmates, be introduced to innovative methodologies and learn alongside inspiring teachers. Outside the classroom, you will have the chance to join student associations and immerse yourself in the intense university life of Esade.

COMPULSORY · 1st Term

Applied Mathematics for Management

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Mathematics is an essential tool for quantitative information analysis, for the creation and interpretation of models to explain the economic and financial reality of the business environment and for the development of structured reasoning processes. We are living presently in a digital revolution where the management, transformation, and analysis of data have become not only an asset but an absolute necessity within any business field.

The topics and concepts that will be learned in this course will lay the foundation for students to reason logically through real-world problems requiring the application of mathematical methods, to assess critically the practical usefulness and interpretation of mathematical results, and to connect these with applications in economics and statistics.

MORE INFO

Computing Foundations

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Computers are powerful tools issued from basic principles. As we move toward the Artificial Intelligence Era, humanity is achieving disruptive advances through the use of computers. However, the principles of computation have not changed. To understand and apply the most advanced computing techniques, the knowledge of such basics makes the difference. In this course, we will learn what a computer is, what it is made of, and how to interact with it. We will cover the fundamental principles, concepts, and skills forming the basis of computer science and serving as the building blocks of technological education.

More info

Sociology

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Companies operate in markets, and the markets, in turn, are part of increasingly interrelated societies. Understanding what a society is, how it stays united and how it changes is an essential part of the training future business management and administration professionals require.

This subject examines the relationship between individuals, social groups, and society as a whole and helps future executives to look critically at the social conditioning factors which influence their own lives. The aim is to instill awareness in students about how the actions they take as citizens and professionals can change society on the basis of the values they freely choose to live by.

The course thus examines ways of analyzing social reality, it encourages critical thought and tries to put events into a historical and global/local vision of society.

MORE INFO

Microeconomics

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The objective of this course is to provide the students with analytical tools from the Economic analysis that can be applied to understand the market mechanism, the challenge from the existence of market failures and the consequence of some government interventions in particular markets.

This course will provide students with a framework for economic analysis of particular markets. Students will be able to think critically about the consequences of changes in a particular market have on the firms that participate in the market. They will also gain an understanding of how government decisions over a particular market change the status quo of the different market participants. Finally, the course will promote the debate about sustainability and the challenges that arise from the existence of market failures.

MORE INFO

Basics of Financial Accounting

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course is an introduction to corporate economic-financial reality. The course covers basic business financial statements through the study of accounting events or simple situations often based on personal experience, thereby making them easier to understand. Upon completing this subject, students will have attained a solid grounding in the subject, enabling them to study more complex situations affecting financial statements as well as undertake subsequent analyses and decision-making.

MORE INFO

COMPULSORY · 2nd Term

Advanced Mathematics

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This is a course that aims to introduce students to advanced topics in mathematics for Artificial Intelligence. It covers discrete mathematics, advanced linear algebra, approximation methods and advanced calculus. It is strongly motivated by applications in data analytics, cryptography and finance, and focuses on using mathematical software for practical problem solving. It will further develop and solidify the connections between concepts that students have previously learned in their introductory Applied Mathematics for Management course. It will prepare students for future study in the fields of data science, machine learning, cryptography and quantitative finance.

More info

Programming with Data

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The course explores the fundamental principles of object-oriented programming (OOP) using the Python programming language. With a strong emphasis on leveraging Python for efficient problem-solving, students will acquire essential skills to design and implement scalable programs that address complex challenges.

Throughout this course, participants will thoroughly investigate the principles of object-oriented programming and their relevance in developing effective solutions. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and other key concepts, students will be well-prepared to create robust Python-based solutions.

More info

Business Law

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Upon completing this course, students will have acquired the competencies needed to make decisions regarding legal questions in the business realm. They will also develop the basic criteria to understand assess advice from and actions taken by legal professionals.

MORE INFO

Macroeconomics

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course contributes to students’ economics training by developing their ability for analysis, their mental acumen and critical outlook in relation to problems and economic relationships between companies and their environments. The course also provides the highest level of professional training and the information necessary for those going on to a career in business or management. In particular, this subject will expand on the knowledge acquired in Microeconomics: You will learn how to critically assess microeconomic approaches, decisions, and policies. Among other topics, we will cover macroeconomic variables, fiscal policy, the financial industry, recessions, and crises.

MORE INFO

Advanced Financial Accounting

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course consolidates and expand knowledge students have of corporate financial statements. It is based on the knowledge acquired in the Introduction to Financial Accounting class (Accounting and Financial Analysis I) as well as their knowledge of corporate economic-financial reality. It further explores the complexities that arise and affect corporate financial statements while also exploring companies' internal accounting and cost accounting processes.

MORE INFO

Language I (Spanish)

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Your curriculum will also include compulsory Spanish courses, ranging in level from beginner to advanced. Before beginning the BBA, students are required to take the Spanish Language Level Test set by Esade and/or with official accreditation recognized by Esade. You’ll start with the Language I course and learn to understand, speak, read and write basic Spanish that’s applicable both in business environments, and in daily life. On completion of this subject, your level of Spanish will reach level A2 (MCER system).

More info

ELECTIVES

Liberal Arts track

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

BBA Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

You will be able to choose electives from the Bachelor of Business Administration

BAIB Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This is just a small list of the BAIB electives offered

Second year

INTERPRET · Understanding management principles

In the second year, you will learn how to interpret the context by consolidating your analytical toolset and incorporating a managerial perspective. You will delve deeper into statistics and learn algorithmic and computational strategies for problem-solving. You will also understand the principles and frameworks that drive successful businesses and be introduced to the main functional areas of any company. You will combine this knowledge to identify needs and opportunities.

COMPULSORY · 1st Term

Descriptive Statistics and Probability

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Statistics is an essential tool for decision-making in environments where the amount of data and the level of uncertainty do not allow directly extracting the information contained. This subject provides some of the theoretical and practical foundations needed for decision-making in the face of randomness.

MORE INFO

Data Structures and Algorithm Design

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Transforming big data into unique and proprietary business algorithms translates into transforming the entire enterprise. The only way to process data into actionable insight is to create algorithm-based software. Making sense of large amounts of data via algorithms will improve business decision-making, which translates into significant improvements in business performance. We understand algorithmic business as the industrialized use of complex mathematical algorithms pivotal to driving improved business decisions or process automation for competitive differentiation. The algorithmic business provides the speed and scale to accelerate digital business to deliver even greater impact.

Managerial Economics

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The topics covered in this subject include market power, imperfect competition, pricing policies, market segmentation and competitive strategies. You will also learn about exchange rates and short- and long-run theories.

MORE INFO

Financial Analysis

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The Financial Analysis course focuses on the use and interpretation of financial statements in order to diagnose the financial and economic situation of companies or groups of companies and, based on the latter, to be able to make decisions for the near future. To this end, participants will employ a set of tools and indicators that will allow them to form a judgement on the situation of the company analyzed. In addition, the course introduces financial statement forecasting and consolidation basics, adding to the previous analysis of financial statements and allowing participants to develop comprehensive diagnoses and provide recommendations. Sustainability reporting will be also considered in the analysis.

This is a fundamental course to understand the usefulness of financial reporting and the decision-making processes that take place in business.

More info

Leadership & Organizational Behavior

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course is designed to empower students to cultivate self-awareness and embrace their roles as responsible individuals, collaborative team members, and future inspirational leaders. Through the exploration of theories and concepts on human behavior in organizations, students will gain invaluable insights that they will apply in researching and analyzing the behaviors of leaders and team members in organizations of their choosing.

Emphasizing the significance of teamwork, the course goes beyond mere group assignments. It challenges students to actively develop their teamwork skills and demonstrate unwavering commitment and integrity as team players. By immersing themselves in collaborative projects, students will foster essential qualities that are highly valued in professional settings, preparing them to thrive in dynamic team environments.

This course serves as a catalyst for personal growth, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to navigate the complexities of organizational behavior. As students embark on their professional journeys, they will possess a deep understanding of themselves and the ability to positively influence others, making a lasting impact as effective leaders and contributors within their teams and organizations.

MORE INFO

COMPULSORY · 2nd Term

Statistical Inference and Data Analysis

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Statistics is a fundamental tool to make decisions in settings in which the quantity of data and/or the level of uncertainty does not allow us to extract information directly. In this class, we will explore some of the theoretical and practical principles that constitute the basis for predictions, estimates and testing hypotheses, all of which are used to transform the information we have into knowledge and valuable insights. In addition to the most common univariate and bivariate inferential techniques, in this course we will also examine some useful multivariate techniques to resolve important problems in other contexts such as Marketing and Human Resources.

More info

Computational Problem Solving

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of optimization and modeling approaches to effectively tackle complex economic, social and environmental challenges. By integrating optimization methods and simulations, the course bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering students with computational problem-solving skills. In the context of business administration and artificial intelligence, these techniques are highly relevant and applicable across various domains, including operations management, finance, marketing, and strategic planning. Students will be well-equipped to analyze data, optimize processes, and devise innovative solutions, which are essential competencies in the evolving landscape of business and technology.

The course will focus on two main areas: optimization methods and simulations. Optimization methods play a crucial role in enhancing decision-making processes and maximizing outcomes. By exploring various techniques such as hill-climbing search, simulated annealing, and tabu search. The hill-climbing search involves iteratively improving a solution by making small changes, while simulated annealing mimics the process of annealing to find global optima. Tabu search utilizes a memory mechanism to avoid revisiting previously explored solutions. Combined, these methods will equip students with tools to identify the most optimal solution, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and competitive advantage.

The second part of the course will delve into simulations, starting with Monte Carlo simulations that utilize random sampling to estimate outcomes. We will then introduce evolutionary algorithms that involve iterative selection, recombination, and mutation to find optimal solutions. Finally, we describe ant algorithms, a kind of algorithm that is inspired by the behavior of ants and their pheromone trails to solve complex problems. The course will end by explaining the basis of agent-based simulations, which will allow students to explore emergent properties and simulate the behavior of individual agents within a system, providing insights into the dynamics of emergent social, environmental, and economic phenomena.

More info

Tax Law

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The Tax Law course enables students to gain insights into the fiscal reality of the business world. During the course basic taxation concepts will be introduced so that students can appreciate the importance of companies adopting the appropriate tax policy. Once the course is completed, students will be in a position to study the Spanish taxation system in greater depth.

Financial Economics

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Financial markets serve as the framework to balance the supply and demand of the economy's available financial resources. Given that any economic activity requires financing, knowing how those financial markets as well as the assets negotiated within them work is a cornerstone of the education of any Business Administration undergraduate degree program.

More info

Organization Theory

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Being successful within an organization, whether as a newly hired employee or a CEO, requires an understanding of the human side of management and an in-depth understanding of how organizations work.

To be effective in your work you not only need technical skills in operations, finance, accounting, marketing and developing winning strategies, but also knowledge of how to implement them with the help of other people. Your own personal traits, abilities, skills, and knowledge will be valuable tools throughout your career. However, as you move up through any organization it is increasingly critical that you develop your ability to work with a multicultural diverse group people and understand and leverage the organization's dynamics. The concepts and models studied in this course have applications to a variety of organizations, not only businesses, but also governments, non-profits, athletic teams, social clubs, and religious groups. We will encourage you to explore a diversity of organizational form and purposes beyond the corporate realm.

More info

Language II (Spanish)

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

On completion of this subject, your level of Spanish will reach level B1 (MCER system).

More info

ELECTIVES

BBA Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

You will be able to choose electives from the Bachelor of Business Administration

Third year

UNFOLD · Harnessing artificial intelligence

In the third year, you will unfold your skills to address the needs and harness opportunities. The third year marks a significant shift towards artificial intelligence and its applications in business. You will learn the fundamentals of machine learning to solve real-world problems. In addition, you will also gain deeper insights into how AI tools can be leveraged in various business contexts, including those related to finance, marketing and operations.

COMPULSORY · 1st Term

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

"How do machines learn on their own? How do they accumulate expert knowledge?" These questions form the basis of the course "Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence." The primary objective of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills to tackle complex problems where guiding principles or governing equations are unknown, but datasets are available for inferring potential outputs.

Throughout the course, students will delve into various techniques of machine learning, including supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised learning. They will gain a theoretical understanding of these techniques, exploring their underlying principles, algorithms, and applications. By the end of the course, participants will not only possess a solid theoretical foundation in artificial intelligence but also the practical skills to implement and customize machine learning techniques. They will learn how to preprocess data, select appropriate models, train, and evaluate them, and fine-tune their performance.

From Idea to Execution: Strategic Software Development

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the various elements involved in the software engineering process. Students will gain a deep understanding of key concepts and practices necessary for successfully transforming ideas into fully functional software applications.

Throughout the course, participants will learn about version control systems and the importance of effective version handling. They will delve into design protocols, understanding how to create robust and scalable software architectures. Additionally, the course will cover essential techniques such as pull requesting, continuous delivery, branching, and merging, enabling students to collaborate efficiently within development teams.

By engaging in practical exercises and real-world projects, students will have hands-on experience in applying software engineering principles. They will learn how to effectively manage code repositories, utilize industry-standard tools, and implement best practices for quality assurance and testing. Ultimately, participants will emerge from the course equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to strategically develop software, from initial concept to successful execution.

Corporate Finance

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

It is essential for the students of this program to be able to identify threats to and opportunities for value creation in companies; know the different value measurement models and understand their advantages and limitations; and be able to apply them when selecting investments and resources for a company, while also identifying the contribution made by Financial Management to value creation for the shareholder.

More info

Marketing Foundations

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The course introduces students to the fundamental Marketing concepts and the methodologies and knowledge they need, representing a solid base upon which to make appropriate decisions.

We have designed this course for students to be able to experience situations which not only serve to acquire knowledge but to also develop their social and personal skills.

This course thus helps students to primarily develop the following personal traits: creativity and innovation as well as professional social responsibility.

more info

Designing Operations Systems

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The course aims to ensure that students master the basic language related to the business world, introducing the fundamental concepts and tools for Operations management. Through this course students will develop the necessary skills that enable them to form both a comprehensive and general vision of organizations and the environment in which they operate beyond their functional aspects. Finally, they will also develop an analytical capacity and systemic vision of complex organizations in order to undertake business modelling and search for the best solution for an organization when understood as a whole.

More info

COMPULSORY · 2nd Term

Machine Learning

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course is designed as a continuation of the foundational knowledge acquired in the "Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence" course. This course aims to delve deeper into the techniques of supervised, unsupervised, and semisupervised learning. Students will explore advanced topics in data modeling, clustering, and analysis.

The course will cover advanced topics in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Students will gain practical experience in implementing and fine-tuning machine learning models using popular frameworks and libraries. They will also learn how to evaluate model performance, interpret results, and address challenges specific to real-world applications.

By the end of the course, participants will be well-equipped to tackle complex problems in industrial and financial settings using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. They will have the skills to analyze and model data, derive valuable insights, and make informed decisions based on the outcomes. This course serves as a stepping stone for students to become proficient in machine learning and contribute effectively to the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Database Management and Design

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course provides students with a practical understanding of relational and non-relational databases. Through hands-on exercises, students learn to design efficient database structures, build queries using SQL and NoSQL, and manage database systems in companies. Upon completion, students will be equipped to handle data effectively and contribute to the efficient management of databases in various organizational settings.

Crafting Compelling Narratives through Visualization and Storytelling

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

In today's complex data landscape, it's not enough to extract insights from data; it's equally crucial to effectively communicate that value. This course aims to bridge the gap between data and the rest of the organization by creating relevant narratives that bring the knowledge stored within the data to life.

Throughout the course, students will learn how to construct compelling stories around data, visualize it effectively, and communicate its insights with impact. Gain proficiency in data visualization techniques and explore the power of storytelling as a means to engage and influence stakeholders. By leveraging data visualization and storytelling techniques, students will become adept at conveying complex information to diverse audiences.

Financial Strategy

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course aims to frame corporate financial decisions and dividend policies within companies' global strategies, market conditions and types of stakeholders. Examining business reality is easier when using publicly-listed companies. Based on the Modigliani and Miller paradigm, this course introduces the concepts and situations which can harm market efficiency: asymmetric information, conflicts of interest and irrational economic agents. With these distortions, prices are not the result of objective valuations.

In previous finance courses, students studied basic financial instruments: accounting, analysis, investment selection, financial planning, financial and corporate and financial instrument appraisal models, etc. We will use these instruments to analyze decision-making within firms.

We begin with the assumption that corporate financial decisions are closely linked to the type of business. On the other hand, the varying interests of the different agents involved in the companies and the general economic conditions are also important. Within this framework, the subject will focus on long-term financial decisions: capital structure, dividend policy, going public, M&As and start-ups. As part of these long-term decisions, we will study the dynamics between companies and financial markets and how asymmetric information and conflicts of interest condition the possibilities of surviving and creating value.

The economic-financial setting also conditions companies' possibilities and determines the relative importance of the different economic agents and institutions. In this course we will study to what extent various investor groups (private equity firms, venture capital firms, hedge funds, etc.) can influence the economic setting and the financial decisions of the companies in which they participate.

More info

Foundations of Operations Excellence

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The term "operations” is widely used around the world to describe the corporate function that produces goods and services. Operations encompasses all those activities needed to create and deliver a given product or service - from sourcing to distribution. How companies group these different activities defines their different processes. The fundamental object of operations is the study of processes. The definition of these processes is the basis of its future digitization.

Among the various areas within companies, operations requires the largest number of personnel and assets. Operations is also the area mainly responsible for the quality of what a company sells. Operational innovation offers a meaningful and sustainable way to get ahead - and stay ahead - of the pack.

Consequently, many increasingly see operations as a mean to gain competitive advantage. Correctly managing operations is key to making company strategy a reality. Without considering the contribution of operations, any attempt to define corporate strategy runs the risk of becoming a mere theoretical exercise.

An excellent company is one that stands out in its sector by performing better than competitors. Operational Excellence is the implementation of corporate strategy in a way that is more reliable and consistent than the competition. This is achieved through the design and implementation of excellent processes and their continuous improvement. Operational excellence is evidenced by company results.

The course will develop the foundations of Operational Excellence that coincide with infrastructural elements - also called Software - of Operations Strategy. These are Innovation, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Industry 4.0 & Digitalization, Quality Management, and Environmental Quality. Additionally, we will work on Processes improvement through the Lean and Six Sigma approaches.

The Covid -19 Pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have increased the importance of Operations for companies and for society in general while introducing important changes in their management. Thus, it has forced the redesign of Supply Chain processes seeking to minimize risk, a review of "Make or Buy" decisions, an enhancement of digitization in service and industrial operations, etc. As stated by the CEO of the biotechnology company Moderna, manufacturer of a vaccine against Covid-19, Stéphane Bancel "Manufacturing was also a key enabler. If you have great science but cannot make a product, there's no business."

More info

Decisions in Marketing

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Decisions in Marketing further develops the educational content learned in Marketing Foundations. Having mastered the basic marketing tools and concepts in the first course, students will now go on to learn marketing strategies. To illustrate this in terms of chess, Marketing Foundations teaches how each piece can move, while Decisions in Marketing teaches students the most typical moves (checkmate, openings, etc.).

More info

Language III (Spanish)

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

On completion of this subject, your level of Spanish will reach level B2 (MCER system). Over the course of the program, you’ll progress to Español 5, which focuses on becoming fluent and understanding the cultural context of the language.

ELECTIVES

BBA Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

You will be able to choose electives from the Bachelor of Business Administration

BAIB Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This is just a small list of the BAIB electives offered

  • Introduction to Quantum Information
  • Advanced Computing for Business
  • Tech Dialogue
  • AI, Science and the Cutting Edge
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Recommender Systems
  • Computational Social Science
  • Quantum Algorithms

Fourth year

TRANSFORM · Integrating AI into business strategy

In the fourth year, you will learn to integrate artificial intelligence into business strategy. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence in the socio-political and economic environment of business. You will learn to adapt accordingly, by transforming and aligning talent, infrastructure and strategy. By the end of this year, you will have gained the skills necessary to drive AI adoption and ensure its ethical, sustainable deployment to maximize business outcomes.

COMPULSORY · 1st Term

Deep Neural Networks

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course offers students a comprehensive introduction to the principles of deep learning. Students will delve into the intricacies of deep neural networks, exploring advanced techniques such as convolutional networks for image analysis and recurrent networks for sequential data processing. Throughout the course, students will gain practical experience in designing, training, and fine-tuning deep neural networks using industry-standard frameworks. They will learn how to preprocess data, implement various layers and activation functions, and optimize models for improved performance.

This course will allow students to progress to more specific course where they will explore the applications of deep learning in computer vision and natural language processing, among others. 

Integrating Devices and Systems

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course will discuss the main architectures and protocols that underlie the communication between devices and web systems. Through this course, students will explore the history, evolution, and impact of internet-based systems. They will gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles behind web protocols, with a particular focus on HTTP and web programming. Additionally, the course will delve into the design and optimization strategies for web architectures. Students will examine various web architectures and learn how to optimize them for enhanced performance and efficiency.  

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to integrate devices and systems effectively within web-based environments, enabling seamless communication and efficient data exchange.

People Management

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of the criteria and processes involved in people management. The course's contribution to the programme is establishing the foundations for people management which future executives will have to be familiar with. In this respect, the course is aimed at future managers, regardless of the functional area in which they work.

More info

Competitive Strategy

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This subject is divided into an intensive theoretical part, which will provide an overview of a company and key concepts in strategic decision-making, and a practical part comprising a simulation in which you will apply tools and concepts covered in class.

More info

Economic Environmental Analysis

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This subject combines elements from Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Managerial Economics. You will study applied economics, which projects the fundamentals of economic analysis onto the economic situation from a geographical and sector-oriented perspective.

MORE INFO

Competing from Operations

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course aims to train student into being capable of contributing to a company's global strategy from Operations. This requires facilitating the company's implementation and execution of its business strategy in a global environment. Students will learn to design and manage the value chain from Operations.

More info

COMPULSORY · 2nd Term

Leading Data-driven Organizations

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This course equips students with the knowledge and skills required to successfully transform business decision-making using data science and artificial intelligence. This course explores the cultural changes, people management strategies, and organizational adaptations necessary to create a data-driven mindset. You will learn to implement agile and lean methodologies, create new roles, and foster innovation within your organization. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to effectively lead data-driven organizations, harnessing the power of data for informed decision-making and driving growth and success.

Designing for Ethics and Sustainability

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to contribute to our wellbeing in several fields. However, it also poses challenges in terms of data privacy, model transparency or fairness. Leveraging artificial intelligence responsibly requires understanding its impact on user autonomy, being critical about its impact and evaluating costs and benefits equally. In this course we will discuss not just how to design machine learning models for sustainability, but how to do so sustainably.

Cloud Solutions

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

In this course students will gain a deep understanding of cloud technologies and how they can revolutionize businesses across industries.

Throughout the course, we will explore the foundational concepts of cloud computing, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). We will learn how to leverage cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform to build scalable, reliable, and secure solutions.

The course will cover various cloud deployment models, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, allowing you to determine the best approach for your organization's unique needs. You will dive into cloud architecture design, understanding how to optimize resources, ensure high availability, and implement robust security measures.

Socio-Political Environment Analysis

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a global perspective on the social and political context in which organizations operate, so that, when they analyze any issue, whether professional, economic, social or human, they can automatically situate these problems within a local and global interaction framework.

To achieve this, the course applies a multidisciplinary methodology to analyze globalization, seeing the latter not as a simple economic process but, rather, as a major social transformation involving social, political and cultural elements. This transformation is not predetermined, and its results stem from multiple decisions which imply specific ways of understanding the world around us, seeing reality and putting human values into play.

This course's perspective is fundamentally cultural. First, this focus has to help students to understand the social impact of individual and collective decision-making and, second, it has to allow them to develop the criteria to assess the political and social consequences of their own decisions.

This course thus raises questions that underpin Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and allow future executives to address the major social issues that coexist alongside their professional endeavors.

More info

Corporate Strategy

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

The course focuses mainly on the topics related to growth in the corporate strategy area. It expands and deepens students' knowledge of growth options such as international expansion, business diversification (horizontal or vertical) and different growth strategies, comparing M&As, strategic alliances and organic growth. Students in this class will further examine different strategizing contexts, including listed firms, family-owned businesses and not-for-profits. The course also provides a more in-depth examination of governance, exploring international differences, how new technologies affect strategic management and the challenges associated to strategy execution.

More info

Marketing Trends

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Marketing Foundations introduced the conceptual and analytical foundations of marketing, whilst Decisions in Marketing facilitated a deeper understanding of marketing strategies. In Marketing Trends, we will focus on the main trends directly influencing the marketing decision-making process.

The democratization of technology and new digital media is radically changing the behavior of customers and users, who have begun to react, understand and accept companies, their products or services, and even their advertising in a completely different way than the one they did themselves a few years ago.

This fact, together with the appearance of new disruptive business models in the digital field (some of them, even, counter-intuitive) causes all market players to transform, thus, for example, companies, in general, must start and/or consolidate their Digital Transformation programs, cities must become Smart cities, the health sector converts to eHealth, or the insurance sector to Insurance Tech, among others. That is why all these actors must question the traditional methods of marketing and advertising, to adapt to this new environment, which some experts do not hesitate, even, to classify as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA).

From the point of view of the customer "empowered” by technology, the competition is just one click away. The new increasingly complex products require storytelling or influencer marketing to be correctly understood and not receive rejection from the clients. The excess of competition requires a very fine adjustment to the customer and the capture of their attention through the correct generation or purchase, from different sources, of quality traffic. Advertising requires the redesign and monitoring of the number of customer impacts (or touchpoints) through "attribution models" and personalized advertising through programmatic advertising techniques or marketing automation.

In this course, the student is introduced to disruptive marketing and the need to change the established rules of classic marketing; It delves into the techniques of generation, purchase, and capture of quality traffic; The need for maximum personalization in terms of products, services, and campaigns is detailed; It delves into the urgency of designing the "Customer Journey" (or Customer Journey), and finally, one of the key points of this new marketing is exploited: the exhaustive digital measurement of all events and decision-making based on data using Data Science and Artificial Intelligence techniques

More info

Fifth year

CREATE · Gaining a global perspective, crafting your path

In the final year, you will create your own path at the intersection of business and artificial intelligence. You will broaden your understanding and gain a global perspective through the international exchange program with leading universities. You will also undertake an internships with top technology companies to act on your learnings. The year will culminate with the completion of your final degree projects in both business administration and artificial intelligence for business, allowing you to showcase your specialization and readiness for your future professional career.

COMPULSORY · 1st Term

International Exchange Programme

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

During the fifth year, you will spend a semester abroad at one of the 80+ universities worldwide with which Esade has exchange agreements. In turn, students from those universities will spend their semester abroad at Esade, bringing an even more international vision to our classrooms.

COMPULSORY · 2nd Term

Internship

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

In the fifth year, you will complete a compulsory semester-long professional internship. During the internship, you will hold a real job at a top-tier Spanish or international company. You will have the chance to apply everything you have learned during the program and acquire skills and competencies that can only be developed on the job.

More info

Capstone Module: Imagine the Future of Business in 2030

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

During the Capstone Module, you will do a consulting job for a real company. You will work with your colleagues as a team to define the market trends and possible future scenarios for its industry. You will then propose the best strategy for the company to continue to thrive in those new scenarios.

More info

Final Degree Project: Bachelor in Business Administration

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

As a fifth-year student, you will work on an individual project due at the end of the year. The project will allow you to put the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program into practice. For the project, you may choose to develop a business plan, carry out an in-company business project related to your internship, or complete a Final Thesis.

  1. Business Plan
  2. In-Company Business Project
  3. Tesina Final de Grado

Final Degree Project: Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence for Business

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

Electives

As a student at the Bachelor in Business Administration and the Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence for Business, you will have the opportunity to enroll in elective courses from both programs. This will give you the flexibility to design your unique learning path, according to your own interests.

As part of the graduation requirements for the BBA you will need to complete the Liberal Arts track. This will require that you complete one of the Liberal Arts electives during the January elective period in your first year of studies.

BBA Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

You will be able to choose electives from the Bachelor of Business Administration

BAIB Electives

Path 4 Copy 5 Created with Sketch.

This is just a small list of the BAIB electives offered

  • Marketing Analytics
  • Recommender Systems
  • Computational Social Science
  • Quantum Algorithms
  • Computer Vision
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Deep Dive into Research
  • Reinforcement Learning