University of Hong Kong (HKU) chooses Barcelona’s 22@ district for first European campus

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has announced the opening of its first European campus in the city of Barcelona. The institution has acquired a newly constructed building with nearly 8,500 square metres in the Catalan capital’s 22@  district. The transaction was facilitated by the Barcelona City Council through its investor support office, the Barcelona Investment Office. The purchase price has not been disclosed.

The arrival of HKU strengthens Barcelona’s position on the higher education map and as a hub for talent and investment, consolidating this positive moment for Barcelona’s 22@ district and highlighting the growing vibrancy and demand within Spain’s private higher education sector.

According to the Barcelona City Council, initial contact with the University of Hong Kong was made during Mobile World Congress 2025. The university ultimately opted for Barcelona and received ongoing support from the municipal office in areas such as urban planning procedures, licence applications and business implementation.

HKU was founded in 1887 by the London Missionary Society. HKU is the oldest university in Hong Kong, established in 1911 as a public university initially specialising in Medicine. It is currently ranked 35th globally by Times Higher Education and 13th worldwide on the Financial Times Business School Rankings.