20 years of the double bachelor’s degree between UIC Barcelona and Politecnico di Torino: a forward-looking partnership
On 31 May 2025, UIC Barcelona and Politecnico di Torino celebrated the 20th anniversary of their double degree programme with a gathering that brought together more than 100 former students. The event marked two decades of academic collaboration between two institutions that have successfully established an international pathway for students with both technical and business-oriented profiles.
UIC Barcelona and Politecnico di Torino celebrated 20 years of the Double Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and Engineering and Industrial Management. Organised by UIC Barcelona’s Alumni & Careers Department, the event took place on 31 May in Barcelona and welcomed over 100 attendees, including graduates, lecturers, and collaborators who have contributed to the programme over the years.
The origins of a unique project
It all began in the early 2000s with an unexpected proposal, as recalled by Dr Miquel Bastons, then the vice-rector of UIC Barcelona: “The rector at the time, Josep Argemí, told me that some professors from Politecnico di Torino were interested in meeting to explore a potential collaboration.”
The Italian representatives were looking for a university in Barcelona that offered business training to complement their engineering studies. The recommendation came from a member of UIC Barcelona’s Advisory Council at the time, who was also connected to the Metalworkers’ Employers’ Association of Turin, and suggested UIC Barcelona as a suitable partner. The first meeting was arranged quickly and went very smoothly: “We felt comfortable from the very beginning. The personal rapport was smooth, and there was strong willingness to collaborate on their part,” Bastons recalls.
Although UIC Barcelona was still a young university, the meeting was efficient and harmonious. The “providential nature” of the agreement continues to stand out even today: “Politecnico di Torino is one of the most prestigious technical institutions in Europe. That they chose to place their trust in us back then, when we were still just getting started, is a milestone we continue to value,” says Dr Bastons.
A double degree with an international vision
This joint academic programme is structured from a multidisciplinary and cross-functional perspective. Students complete part of their studies in Barcelona and part in Turin, combining business management subjects with technical training in industrial production systems. They also have the opportunity to undertake six-month internships in companies based in either Spain or Italy.
Another major asset of the programme is its multilingual and international component: by the end of the course, students are proficient in at least three languages (Catalan/Spanish, English and Italian) and hold a double degree recognised by two European universities.
The programme may culminate in a fifth year in Turin, leading to the Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria della Produzione Industriale e dell’Innovazione Tecnologica, the official master’s degree awarded by Politecnico di Torino.
Overcoming challenges to move forward
Designing the curriculum was no easy task. As Miquel Bastons recalls, Spain at the time was still using the 4+1 bachelor and master’s model, whereas most of Europe had already adopted the 3+2 structure. This structural difference posed a significant challenge. However, thanks to the strong spirit of cooperation, a suitable solution was found.
Over the years, the programme has proven to be both solid and appealing. As Marta Mas, dean of the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, confirms, “It is highly demanding. Both the Italian and Spanish students who join the programme have outstanding profiles. This enriches the learning experience and fosters a high-performing academic community.