A the beginning of the twentieth century, Vizcaya, at the peak of its industrial development, needed managers with good university training to lead the companies that were emerging: big banks, insurance companies, important iron and steel works, major shipbuilders, etc. The Aguirre brothers decided to create a centre in imitation of the American Business Schools.

In 1916, the Fundación Vizcaína Aguirre, which nowadays still has very close ties with the centre, set up the Universidad Comercial de Deusto run by the religious order Compañía de Jesús. Thus, La Comercial trained the first Economic graduates in Spain, 25 years before this qualification was officially created.

In 1971 it became part of the Universidad de Deusto as the Economics and Business Studies Faculty, and in 1973 its qualification was officially recognised. It was therefore the first private Faculty to obtain this accreditation.

For over 40 years, La Comercial has been increasing its postgraduate study activities. In 1963, recognising the importance of lifelong training for professionals, it set up INSIDE (Instituto Internacional de Dirección de Empresas, International Business Management Institute). This Institute aims to provide training to managers, who although performing managerial tasks, have not had the opportunity to receive general and systematic training at senior management level.

For over 85 years it has thus been adapting the training it offers to meet the ever-changing corporate needs. La Comercial is currently a business school:
With very close ties with the corporate community, the results of which are transferred to teaching and research in the centre.
With an important international focus (agreements with over 50 centres in Europe and America).
Incorporating the new teaching methodologies (modern technologies and management software).
Whose quality training is mirrored in the constant updating of knowledge, the rigorous teaching, and small groups of students.
Fostering the development of managerial and personal skills in its students.

La Comercial equips its students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary for managing companies in the new millennium, thanks to the ongoing renovation of its training programmes. Over 6,000 ex-alumni have put their trust in our management systems that can be easily applied and offer an accurate picture of the real situation.