The Barcelona Winter School

Leading change in strategy and policy – Internationalisation

March 23-28, 2025

Hosted by UPF-BSM

Barcelona School of Management, University Pompeu Fabra

Specific goals 

The Winter School develops the leadership capability of senior managers on the core theme of managing changes in strategy and policy.  The case material focusses on internationalisation strategy and policy choices and approaches, and their implications for professional services across faculties, schools and central support departments.   

Programme Pillars

Programme themes 

• Global sector trends and the implications of globalisation for higher education institutions   
• Governance, leadership and management models in higher education
  • Strategic and Change Management
  • Communication: Leadership and followership
  • Financial Management
  • Digitalisation

Programme delivery 

These themes are developed through strategic conversations with highly experienced leaders and managers in higher education, practical casework and highly interactive team building sessions. Click on the tab below to view the full programme.

The first part of the programme will involve an online session, with a significant emphasis on working in teams. By the time participants arrive at the Barcelona School of Management, UPF, on March 23, 2025 for the residential component of the programme, your multi-national teams will be fully functional.

Throughout the week of the residential programme, participants will continue to work on the case studies in their teams, as well as attending plenary sessions delivered by experienced, senior higher education leaders.

Target Group

The target audience for these programmes is fast-rising senior university managers with real potential for future leadership and the capacity to become influential senior managers.  

The Schools are particularly valuable for managers who are keen to break out of being labelled as “specialists”, and who want to broaden their exposure to new and different ways of solving strategic challenges. 

School Fee

The fee for the week-long programme in 2026 will be announced shortly. It includes fees for tuition, all documentation and accommodation in a central Barcelona hotel but excludes travel costs. Non HUMANE Members may apply if they meet the following criteria: they are from a higher education institution that delivers degree programmes in at least two of the three Bologna cycles (BA, MA, doctorate). The Secretariat will apply the correct rate.

Erasmus+ offers travel support for higher education administrative staff. Further information is available here.
Applications are managed through the institutions Erasmus + Coordinator, usually attached to the international office. The Winter School regularly has participants making use of this opportunity.

2026 Edition – keep me informed

You can sign up to be kept informed about the 2026 Winter School edition here.