Studying for a postgraduate qualification in Barcelona does not always mean putting your professional life on hold. For many students, classes take place alongside online meetings, internships, personal projects, international collaborations or a remote working schedule.
In this context, choosing where to live involves more than simply finding accommodation. It also means having the privacy to study and rest, access to a professional environment when work requires it and a community that helps you build an everyday life in the city.
This is why people looking for coliving in Barcelona increasingly value spaces that connect these different dimensions without completely blending them together.
In Poblenou, La Fabrica &Co offers coliving designed for postgraduate students. The same building also houses a professional coworking space open to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers and teams. The two services operate independently and are booked separately.
Studying for a postgraduate qualification without putting your career on hold
The postgraduate experience has changed. Many students continue working for a company in another country, develop a business idea, complete an internship or use their time in Barcelona to build a new professional network.
Working exclusively from your studio may be convenient for a few days, but not necessarily throughout an entire academic year. Over time, separating spaces for concentration, rest and work can help create a clearer routine.
Rather than simply placing accommodation and work under the same roof, La Fabrica &Co allows postgraduate students to develop a more flexible routine: privacy when they need to study or rest, community when they want to connect and the option to book a professional workspace just a few steps from their studio.
The proximity between the two spaces makes it easier to move between the different rhythms of the day. Finishing a video call, returning to your studio, having coffee with other residents or taking a walk through the neighbourhood can all form part of the same day without having to travel across Barcelona.
What might a postgraduate student who also works need?
Not every student arrives in the city with the same routine. Some continue working full-time, while others only need a professional workspace a few days a week. Some combine their academic programme with internships, consultancy work, research or entrepreneurship.
| Need | How La Fabrica &Co can respond |
| Accommodation during the academic programme | Private coliving studios designed for postgraduate students |
| Continuing to work remotely | Professional coworking available through a separate membership |
| Preparing assignments and academic submissions | Privacy within the studio and different environments throughout the building |
| Separating study, work and rest | Distinct residential and professional spaces |
| Meeting people in Barcelona | An international community, activities and shared areas |
| Maintaining a connection with the professional world | A location in Poblenou, close to the 22@ ecosystem |
| Building a balanced routine | Proximity to the sea, neighbourhood life and different spaces for different moments |
The option to choose coliving, coworking or both allows each person to adapt their stay to the intensity of their academic programme and their individual professional requirements.
Options for living, studying and working in Barcelona in 2026
There are different ways to organise an academic and professional stay in the city. Some alternatives provide accommodation only. Others offer a place to work but require residents to find housing in another part of Barcelona.
| Option | Accommodation | Professional workspace | Community | Experience |
| La Fabrica &Co | Private studios for postgraduate students | Coworking in the same building, booked separately | Residential, academic and professional | Privacy, connection and a more seamless routine |
| Airbnb + coworking | Room or apartment | External coworking space | Divided between home and work | Flexible, although more fragmented |
| Conventional coliving | Room or studio | Desk or shared areas, depending on the operator | Primarily residential | Community-focused, but may require an external coworking space |
| Traditional rental + coworking | Apartment or room | Independent coworking space | Depends on the spaces selected | Greater independence, with more arrangements to manage |
| Student residence | Room or studio | Study areas, depending on the residence | Primarily academic | Practical, although not always designed for professionally active profiles |
| Hotel or extended stay + coworking | Room or temporary apartment | In-house or external coworking | Generally more temporary | Suitable for shorter programmes |
The difference is not determined solely by the distance between the bed and the desk. It also depends on how easily someone can create a routine, integrate into the city and maintain a degree of separation between their personal, academic and professional time.
La Fabrica &Co compared with Airbnb plus a coworking space
Airbnb can be a practical option for a short stay or for people who prefer a conventional apartment. However, the quality of the workspace, internet connection, cleaning and included services varies considerably between properties.
When a coworking space in Barcelona is added, it is also necessary to consider its location, commuting time and the management of two separate bookings with different providers.
| Criteria | La Fabrica &Co | Airbnb + external coworking |
| Accommodation profile | Postgraduate students | General public |
| Type of stay | Private studio within a coliving environment | Room or apartment, depending on the listing |
| Workspace | Professional coworking available within the building | Must be found in another location |
| Booking | Coliving and coworking offered as independent services | Two separate providers |
| Commuting | Can be reduced to just a few steps | Depends on the distance between the two locations |
| Community | Students and professionals connected through spaces and activities | Separate networks for accommodation and work |
| Integration into the city | An environment that encourages connections and shared experiences | Depends on the accommodation and coworking selected |
| Daily routine | Makes it possible to alternate between study, work, rest and social life | Requires coordination between different spaces |
For an international student arriving in Barcelona for the first time, having a community and a degree of structure in their everyday life can be just as important as having a reliable internet connection.
Coworking spaces in Poblenou: different ways to work near 22@
Poblenou has become one of the main reference points within Barcelona’s coworking market, thanks to its connection with the 22@ district, its concentration of technology and creative companies and its proximity to the Mediterranean.
The neighbourhood brings together international operators, spaces designed for startups and concepts that combine coworking with community, hospitality or accommodation.
| Space | Main proposition | Does it offer accommodation? | Community | Type of experience |
| La Fabrica &Co | Coworking, offices and coliving for postgraduate students | Yes, booked independently | Academic, residential, professional and social | Boutique, international and community-focused |
| Cloudworks 22@ | Coworking, offices and spaces for companies | No | Professional and entrepreneurial | Technology-focused and designed for teams |
| WeWork Pallars 194 | Coworking, meeting rooms and private offices | No | Primarily professional | Flexible and corporate |
| The Social Hub Barcelona Poblenou | Coworking, hotel and student accommodation | Yes, through separate products | International and social | Lifestyle and community-focused |
| OneCoWork Poblenou | Flexible desks, private offices and spaces for companies | No | Professional and business-focused | Premium and designed for teams |
Although all these options make it possible to work from Poblenou, they do not address exactly the same needs. Some operate exclusively as professional workspaces, while others include accommodation through separate products.
At La Fabrica &Co, the coliving space is designed for postgraduate students. The coworking space, by contrast, is open to a broader community of professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers and teams, whether or not they live in the building.
How is it different from an independent coworking space?
An independent coworking space is a natural solution for someone who already has accommodation in Barcelona and only needs a place to work.
The experience is different for a postgraduate student who has recently arrived in the city and is still establishing a routine. In this case, the proximity between accommodation, professional workspace and community can bring a greater sense of continuity to a period defined by considerable change.
| Need | La Fabrica &Co | Independent coworking |
| Accommodation for postgraduate students | Available through the coliving space | No |
| Professional workspace | Available through a separate membership | Yes |
| Living and working in the same building | Yes, when both services are booked | Not usually |
| Academic community | Yes | Not usually |
| Professional community | Yes | Yes |
| Activities and events | Integrated into the life of the space | Depends on the operator |
| Main profile | Postgraduate students with active academic and professional lives | Professionals, freelancers, startups and companies |
The difference can be felt in simple moments: finishing a meeting and returning to your studio without crossing the city, working for a few hours when a new idea emerges or meeting other students and professionals in the shared spaces.
Community: beyond classes and work
Studying for a postgraduate qualification in another country also means building a new everyday life. The relationships formed outside the classroom can help students discover the city, find collaborators, exchange professional experiences or simply feel supported during a period of change.
At La Fabrica &Co, the community brings together postgraduate students with different backgrounds, nationalities and ambitions, alongside professionals and entrepreneurs connected to the coworking space and the wider life of the building.
Events, activities and shared areas allow connections to develop spontaneously. It might be a conversation after class, a professional recommendation, an unexpected collaboration or a plan by the sea.
The concept does not require residents to socialise constantly. It is about having the freedom to choose: privacy within the studio, concentration in the coworking space and community when they feel like connecting.
Through the Membership, this shared life is also open to people who already live in Barcelona and would like to participate in selected activities, spaces and experiences without having to live or work there regularly.
Poblenou: between the energy of 22@ and the rhythm of the sea
Within Barcelona’s coliving landscape, Poblenou stands out for bringing together two dimensions that are particularly attractive to postgraduate students: the professional energy of the 22@ district and the proximity of the Mediterranean.
During the day, the neighbourhood is home to startups, technology companies, universities, design schools, creative studios and professional workspaces. This environment can be especially valuable for people looking to expand their network, find an internship, develop a project or continue working while they study.
At the end of the day, the rhythm changes. A walk along Rambla del Poblenou, dinner with other students or a few moments by Bogatell or Nova Icària beach can all become part of a more open and balanced routine.
Choosing a coworking space in Barcelona is not only about finding a good desk, a stable internet connection or meeting rooms. The surrounding environment also influences how people study, work, connect with others and experience the city.
La Fabrica &Co forms part of this landscape through a location close to both the sea and the academic, business and creative ecosystem of 22@. For people looking for a coliving experience in Barcelona, Poblenou makes it possible to connect university life, professional development and a Mediterranean lifestyle.
Which postgraduate students could benefit from this model?
This way of living may be particularly suitable for:
- International students completing a master’s degree, MBA, doctorate or executive programme.
- Professionals who continue working remotely while studying.
- Entrepreneurs combining their education with the development of a startup.
- Students completing internships or collaborating with companies in Barcelona.
- Researchers who need access to an additional professional environment.
- People who want to maintain a clear separation between study, work and rest.
- Students who value an international community without sacrificing privacy.
- Individuals who want to be close to both the professional ecosystem of 22@ and the sea.
It is not about spending the entire day inside the same building. It is about having the freedom to decide when to study, work, connect, rest or go out and experience Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions about coliving and coworking for postgraduate students
The La Fabrica &Co coliving space is designed for postgraduate students, including those enrolled in master’s degrees, MBAs, doctorates, executive programmes or specialist courses.
No. Coliving and coworking are independent services with separate rates and conditions.
The coworking space is open to students, entrepreneurs, freelancers, professionals, startups and teams, even when they do not live in the coliving space.
Yes. A postgraduate student can reserve a private studio and, when required, separately book a professional coworking option within the same building.
The studio offers privacy for studying, resting or completing occasional tasks. The coworking space provides a professional environment designed for concentration, meetings and video calls, while also allowing residents to separate the working day from their residential space.
It depends on the type of experience someone is looking for. Airbnb offers a wide variety of accommodation, while a coliving environment designed for postgraduate students can provide greater continuity, residential services and a community connected to the academic experience.
Options include La Fabrica &Co, Cloudworks 22@, WeWork Pallars 194, The Social Hub Barcelona Poblenou and OneCoWork Poblenou.
Not necessarily. Through the Membership, some people who already live in Barcelona can participate in selected community spaces, activities and experiences without regularly living or working there.
Yes. The neighbourhood combines proximity to the 22@ innovation district, universities and creative institutions with coworking options, local neighbourhood life and access to the seafront.
A new academic chapter without leaving professional life behind
Studying for a postgraduate qualification in Barcelona can be an opportunity to learn, gain a new perspective and progress professionally at the same time.
For people who continue working, are developing a project or want to build new connections, their choice of accommodation directly influences how they experience this period.
At La Fabrica &Co, postgraduate students can have a private studio, become part of an international community and, when their routine requires it, book a professional workspace within the same building.
All of this in Poblenou, between the energy of 22@ and the rhythm of the Mediterranean.
One address for studying, working and building the next chapter.
Author
About Ferran Tramuns
Ferran, Director of Marketing and Business Development at La Fabrica &Co, leads the growth and brand positioning for the community of entrepreneurs, professionals and postgraduate students of La Fabrica &Co.
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