Semester in Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona
Study at a 500-year-old top university in Spain
Spend a semester or year studying Spanish, culture, or politics while experiencing all that the unique Catalonian-Spanish-European city of Barcelona has to offer. Your academic base will be the 500-year-old Universitat de Barcelona, which has a large community of both Spanish and international students on its multi-campus institution. Culture around every corner, superb shopping, blissful beaches, and unmatched academic quality and support throughout your program are just a few of the countless reasons to shortlist this one!
What to Expect:
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Language: English and Spanish
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Average Courseload: 4-5 courses (12-15 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.5
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- A curriculum that focuses strongly on the language and culture of Spain
- Beautiful campus close to the city center
- Two-day trips to places like the Dalí museum, Tarragona, or Sitges
- Multiple levels of Spanish language courses
- Fun social and cultural activities, like a cooking class, Flamenco dance class, barrio tours, and language intercambios.
Program Details
University of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona (UB) ranks as the #1 university in Spain. It’s famous for its cutting-edge university research and has become a benchmark for research activity in Europe. Over 80,000 students attend the UB, spread out over six different campuses located throughout Barcelona. The UB is ideal for the independent student who is eager to become immersed in Spanish culture.
The UB’s beautiful international student campus is located in a bustling area known as Plaza Universitat. This plaza is alive with young people, cafes, shops, and innovative businesses, and it’s only a ten-minute walk from the city center. The campus itself is filled with beautiful architecture, indoor courtyards, and plenty of classroom and study space.
During your studies at University of Barcelona, you’ll take unique and diverse courses that help you become familiar with Spanish culture and society. You’ll study alongside fellow international students from the U.S. and around the world.
If you’re looking to strengthen your Spanish, the UB has a program for you. The Estudios Hispánicos program is taught mostly in Spanish. Additionally, it’s based on Spanish and Latin-American culture, and Spanish language and comprehension. This program is specifically recommended for students who are majoring or minoring in Spanish and have a background with the Spanish language. It’s also a great opportunity for students who are working toward Spanish fluency.
The UB was established in 1450 and is one of the top schools in Catalonia. The University is ranked 166th in the world by QS.
Accreditation(s): Ministry of Education and Science.
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Art & Design
- Communications
- Humanities
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Business
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
You’ll take the following assortment of classes:
- OPTION 1) 12 credits: Spanish Language class (110 hrs) + 2 elective classes
- OPTION 2) 15 credits: Spanish Language class (110 hrs) + 3 electives classes.
Electives are Spanish Culture subjects, taught in English or Spanish (45 contact hours each)
(15 contact hours = 1 semester credit).
Course Description and Catalogue:
Spanish Courses
- Spanish Language – A1
- Spanish Language – A1.2
- Spanish Language – A2
- Spanish Language – B1
- Spanish Language – B2
- Spanish Language – C1-C2
Elective Courses
- Art in Spain I
- Barcelona and Its Creative Industries I
- Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Hispanic Literature Arts I
- Consumer Behaviour
- Conversation & Pronunciation in Spanish I
- Corporate Finance
- Critical Skills for Managers of the Future
- Everyday Spoken Spanish
- International Business and Management
- International Financial Management
- International Marketing
- International Operations Management
- New Topics on Spanish Media
- Spain and Europe Origins and Evolutions
- Spain’s Economy Highlights
- Spanish Cinema I
- Spanish Politics
- Sustainable Business Management
- Understanding & Writing in Spanish I
- Barcelona Mediterranean Metropolis
- Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society
- Contemporary Spain- Geography, Society and Institutions
- Spanish for Economics and Business
Why Life in Barcelona
It’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of the top tourist and study abroad destinations in the world. This incredible location on the shores of the Mediterranean has a delightfully mild climate year round. Plus, Barcelona is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities to live in! The second-largest city in Spain has two official languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan. It’s the perfect place to challenge yourself and practice your own Spanish skills, while also learning more about the unique Catalan history and culture.
The city is bustling, and you’ll be in awe of the architecture, including Gaudi’s towering Sagrada Familia basilica. When you’re ready to immerse yourself in nature, you can easily reach beaches and hiking sites just outside of Barcelona. The efficient public transportation system allows you to quickly travel to the many beaches to both the north and south of Barcelona. It also means you can easily navigate campus and the many amazing sites located throughout the city.
The city’s diverse international population, colorful flair, exciting nightlife, and vast array of cultural, historical, and modern attractions makes Barcelona an unparalleled place to study abroad!
Live The Local Life
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Barrio tours
Staff will take you on a tour of a neighborhood in Barcelona, showing you the history but also where locals hang out. Each tour includes a chance to try some local treats.
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Human Towers
Go to the practice space of the local Castells, a sport where teams compete to make the tallest tower possible.
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Cooking classes
Cooking classes with a professional chef.
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Intercambio night
A language exchange with local students.
Residence Hall in Barcelona
Location
Live with other international students in a student residence hall. The residence halls are, on average, about a 30-45 minute commute to your classes or internship. A student residence normally means a double room, unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available, and then shared kitchen areas and common areas including study areas with other students.
Meals
You’ll get to put your CIS Abroad Barcelona cooking class skills to the test and cook your own delicious meals in the Residence Hall’s shared and well-equipped kitchens.
Inclusions and Amenities
- BathroomShared
- CommutePublic Transportation
- Double Room
- Kitchen Equipment
- LaundryOn-site
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Airport Pickup
- Cultural and recreational excursions and activities in Barcelona
- One guided weekend excursion outside of Barcelona
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Medical and accident insurance
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- On-site support
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Pre-departure orientation
- Official University of Barcelona transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival in Barcelona, you’ll be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. In the first few days you’ll take part in orientation programs that will introduce you to this vibrant and cosmopolitan city you will come to call home. You’ll learn practical tips for living in Barcelona, you’ll get a lay of the land by visiting some of Barcelona’s top neighborhoods, and we’ll share advice about where to go out, how to stay safe, where to shop, and plenty more. We’ll also enjoy a welcome meal together.
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
As the program draws to a close, you’ll go home with the tools you need to make the most of your experience. In our re-entry workshop, learn how to cope with cultural differences you’ll experience as you go home, how to put your abroad experience on your resume (and talk about it in job interviews), as well as how to keep traveling in the future. End the trip with a farewell meal with all your new CIS Abroad “amigos” and the staff, for a chance to say “hasta luego” to your new city!
Program Excursions
Day Trip around Catalonia
This day trip around Catalonia typically includes guided tours, some museum entrance fees, a group meal, and some free time. For example, you might visit the Salvador Dalí Museum in Figueres, explore the vibrant coastal town of Sitges, and wander the old Jewish Quarter in beautiful Girona.
Weekend in the Basque Country
Enjoy a weekend trip to the rustic, historic, and vibrant Basque Country. Situated along the northern coast of Spain, País Vasco offers an enchanting mix of rugged seashore, rolling hills, delectable seafood, and a unique and rich culture. This excursion may include a trip to the Guggenheim Museum, an outing to a traditional “pincho” (skewer) tapas bar, a winemaking lesson, and tours of historical sites.
Trip to Valencia
Spend the weekend in the vibrant city of Valencia – the birthplace of paella! We’ll learn all about the famous Fallas festival, explore the world famous City of Arts and Sciences, and even go on a boat ride in the Albufera National Park
Trip to Seville
Spend the weekend in Seville, the heart of Andalucia. Known for its hot and sunny weather, it has more orange trees than any other city in the world. We’ll explore the famous Plaza España, tour La Mezquita, and of course, enjoy a professional flamenco show!
Site Director
Travel Tip:
When traveling always make friends with the locals! They will help really immerse you into the culture and give you a different perspective of your destination. They have the best recommendations for the most authentic restaurants and show you places that you would never find in a guidebook or on a blog. Not only will you have a great experience while traveling, but you also have the chance to make new, lifelong friends from around the world!
Travel Tip:
When traveling always make friends with the locals! They will help really immerse you into the culture and give you a different perspective of your destination. They have the best recommendations for the most authentic restaurants and show you places that you would never find in a guidebook or on a blog. Not only will you have a great experience while traveling, but you also have the chance to make new, lifelong friends from around the world!
About:
Nicole was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Washington, and studied Political Science, Law Societies and Justice, and Human Rights at the University of Washington. Nicole has always had the travel bug so after graduating she moved to Spain to work as an English Assistant and fell in love with the country of tapas, flamenco, and constant sunshine! She lived in Granada, Spain for 9 years and is lucky to now call Barcelona home. She has always worked in education and loves seeing the profound benefits of students immersing themselves in another language and culture. As site director in Barcelona Nicole is looking forward to welcoming students to the most desired and exciting city in Spain and giving them the most local experience to help deepen student understanding of the Spanish culture and language. In her free time, Nicole is studying for a Global MBA at IE University and uses the skills from this degree in her daily life and job. She also loves to spend time at the beach, wandering around neighborhoods, and grabbing a few tapas and cañas with friends.
Your Support Staff
Make sure to explore the city that you’re in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they’re studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens’ so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don’t neglect what you have right in front of you!
You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Our advising team can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Oct 15
- Arrival: January 11
- Departure: April 29
- Price: $12,990 - $13,990
- Application Deadline: May 15
- Arrival: September 9
- Departure: December 21
- Price: $12,990 - $13,990
- Application Deadline: Oct 15 (Estimated)
- Arrival: January 10 (Estimated)
- Departure: April 27 (Estimated)
- Price: $12,990 - $13,990 (Estimated)
Price range
Lower price: 12 credits
Higher price: 15 credits
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.