History

We are a pioneering university center in Catalonia. Of Christian inspiration, La Salle Campus Barcelona was founded by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. 

La Salle has been, since its beginnings, an institution dedicated to the human and Christian education of children and young people, especially the poorest. La Salle was created by Saint John Baptist de La Salle in 1680 in Reims, France. The Brothers of the Christian Schools introduced a whole series of innovations that revolutionized the pedagogy of the time and worked so that children from the most disadvantaged social classes could have an education. In 1900, John Baptist de La Salle was canonized and in 1950, he was proclaimed patron saint of Christian educators. 

The first university studies at La Salle date back to 1903, when the electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering specialties began. 

• 1903: The Brothers of the Christian Schools, based in Barcelona at La Salle Bonanova School, launch the first industrial technical training programs in Mechanics, Chemistry and Electrical Engineering under the direction of Brother Director Adolf Alfred, preparing the first students to sit their examinations at the Industrial School of Terrassa.
• 1959: After a hiatus of several years, the leadership of La Salle Bonanova School decides to resume its industrial technical training programs to offer an alternative educational pathway for students who have not chosen to pursue the baccalaureate.
• 1965: The first group of around twenty students enrols in the Electronic Equipment specialisation. This marks the creation of the La Salle School of Technical Telecommunications Engineering, the only university-level telecommunications school in Catalonia. Brother Mateo Estaban becomes the Director of the centre.
• 1976: The EUETT receives ministerial authorisation to begin offering the specialisation in Image and Sound, becoming the first institution in Catalonia and the second in Spain to teach this field.
• 1979: La Salle University School of Telecommunications Engineering receives ministerial authorization to start teaching the specialty in Image and Sound, becoming the first center in Catalonia and the second in the State to teach this speciality.

• 1985: The La Salle Master’s Programme is launched with the La Salle International MBA, drawing on La Salle’s experience in the United States, its long-standing presence among the most prestigious business schools and the contribution of educators with proven business expertise.
• 1991: Law 12/1991 of the Parliament of Catalonia (DOGC No. 1445, 22/05/1991) recognises the first private university in Spain, Universitat Ramon Llull, of which La Salle is a founding member with two schools: the La Salle University School of Technical Telecommunications Engineering and the newly created La Salle Higher Technical School of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
• 1997: The Academic Board of URL approves the creation of the La Salle Higher Technical School of Architecture and Building (ETSALS), which welcomes its first 130 students. La Salle Campus Barcelona also introduces new academic programs in Management, Multimedia Engineering and Architecture.
• 2001: La Salle Technova Barcelona, the innovation park of La Salle Campus Barcelona, is established. La Salle-URL introduces its own e-learning methodology
• 2015: The Degree in Animation & VFX is launched, the first officially recognised degree of its kind in Catalonia. The programme introduces a stronger artistic dimension to the curriculum, responding to the needs of a rapidly growing sector both nationally and internationally. Since its second edition, in the 2016-17 academic year, it has also been taught entirely in English.

• 2020: The creation of the La Salle International School of Commerce and Digital Economy (FICEDLS) is approved. The Internet of Things Institute of Catalonia is inaugurated.
• 2022: The Faculty of Philosophy joins the knowledge ecosystem of La Salle Campus Barcelona, becoming its fourth centre. A new Degree in Health Engineering is launched jointly with Blanquerna-URL.
• 2023: Executive Education is inaugurated — a dedicated executive training space for companies and senior professionals located in the Santa María de la Estrella building.
• 2024: The Interactive Arts & Science Laboratory, the first digital arts and technology research laboratory in Spain, is inaugurated. Brooder Lab, a campus-based incubator for emerging talent and content specialising in animation, VFX and digital arts, is launched.