Semester in Barcelona
Business & Creative Industries
Make your dreams come true in Barcelona
Between its impressive architecture, inspiring art, vibrant culture, and wondrous landscapes, Barcelona can feel like a dream. Add to the mix an academic program that encourages creativity and innovation, and you can quite easily make your dreams come true! Choose from an abundance of courses taught in English across art, business, communications, design, and more. Enjoy attentive and interactive instruction in a relatively small campus setting, where students and instructors from diverse backgrounds inspire engaging thought exchange.
What to Expect:
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Language: English & Spanish
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Average Courseload: 4-5 courses (12-16 US credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.6
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Visa Requirements: NONE Required!
Highlights:
- Engaging courses taught in English, with subjects including art, business, communications, design, and more
- Small and attentive campus setting, with passionate instructors
- Barcelona provides the perfect backdrop for all things creative
- Variety of Spanish language and culture courses available
- Campus in the iconic Eixample neighborhood, among shops, cafes, restaurants, plazas, and many of Gaudí's works
Program Details
LCI Barcelona
CIS Abroad has partnered with LCI Barcelona to offer unique academic offerings, many of which focus on the arts, creative industries, and innovation. Being itself such a creative and innovative city, Barcelona provides the perfect setting for such a program!
The LCI Barcelona campus offers personalized attention and instruction. Students learn about trends and acquire creative skills to manage the relationship between people and their space. Academic offerings rely on the competencies-based pedagogical model to educate competitive designers aware of the current and future challenges in the creative industries. Coursework and evaluation emphasizes research processes, creativity, technology, sustainability, and cultural projects.
LCI Barcelona is part of the LCI Education Network. Founded in Canada in 1959, LCI Education provides exceptional academic programming across 23 campuses around the world.
LCI Barcelona is accredited by the Education Department in Spain. During the last reaccreditation process done by AQU Catalunya (Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari de Catalunya), LCI Barcelona was accredited obtaining a rating of outstanding in its Occupational Quality Index thanks to its high rates of labor insertion in Art Higher Education.
Areas of study with at least 2 classes available
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Business
- Communications
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
- Art & Design
- Humanities
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
CIS Abroad’s academic partner, LCI Barcelona, offers a variety of courses between content courses instructed in English and Spanish language, literature, and linguistics.
You’ll take a full semester course load, typically 4 or 5 courses for 12 – 16 credits, depending on your assortment of courses and their credit hours (3 or 4).
Courses are subject to change; please check back here or contact us for specifics. As with any study abroad program, you’ll want to get approval for more courses than you plan to take so you can easily adapt as needed.
Course Offerings
The following are expected to be offered for Fall 2023. You can choose any combination from the categories below.
Business and Creative Industries (taught in English)
These courses are offered for the duration of the 12 week academic program. You will choose between 4-5 courses, all at 3 credit hours:
Art and Society
Cultural Photography
Artistic Photography
Gastronomy Photography
Fashion Photography
Barcelona: The Cosmopolitan City
Understanding Contemporary Spain: Politics, Society, History
Past and Present in Barcelona
Business and Creative Industries
Creative Business Leadership
Brand Marketing and Social Media
Intercultural Communication
Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation
Creative Industries Journalism
International Marketing
Communication for Development and Social Leaders
Visual Communication and Design
Urban Sketching: Barcelona
Animation, Film, and Cinematography
Trend Forecasting: Coolhunting
Spanish as a Foreign Language
These courses are offered during 4 week intensive sessions, awarding 4 US credits each.
SPN-104 ESPAÑOL BASICO PARA NEGOCIOS
SPN-201 INTERMEDIO 1: Gramática y Conversación
SPN-204 ESPAÑOL INTERMEDIO PARA NEGOCIOS
SPN-304 ESPAÑOL AVANZADO PARA NEGOCIOS
SPN-102 BASICO 2: Gramática y Conversación
SPN-101 BASICO 1: Gramática y Conversación
SPN-202 INTERMEDIO 2: Gramática y Conversación
SPN-301 AVANZADO 1: Gramática y Conversación
SPN-310 Español Conversacional Avanzado
Course Descriptions
Here you’ll find course descriptions for most courses on offer during the semester. Please note that this document also includes summer courses not available during the semester; please reference the course offerings list above.
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.
The Social Hub - Poblenou
Location
Enjoy a full range of modern amenities and convenient services in The Social Hub – housing designed for students like you! A fully-furnished room, private bathroom, spaces to work and relax, a gym, free bikes, laundry, and 24-hour security are just some highlights of this exceptional student residence.
The most dynamic, modern, avant-garde neighborhood of the city, Poblenou makes a great home base for studying abroad in Barcelona. Just around the corner from Avenida Diagonal and a 20 minute walk from the beach, you’re well placed for excursions both near and far!
With a private bathroom, climate control, bed linen and towels, cleaning and maintenance, study desk, TV, and high-speed Wi-Fi, you’ll enjoy quiet and comfort when you need to rest. There’s also access to a fully equipped community kitchen.
When you want to soak up the communal vibes, you’ll find a community of fellow international students among the study rooms, co-working spaces, café, lounges, and workshops
Inclusions and Amenities
- 24-hour security
- Air conditioning
- BathroomEnsuite
- Bed linens
- Cleaning Service
- Desk
- Fitness Center
- LaundryOn-siteService Available
- Maintenance Service
- Pool
- Single Room
- Study Areas
- Wi-Fi
Beyoo - Marina
Location
Beyoo – Marina boasts a prime location in a modern building purpose-built for visiting students. You’ll enjoy a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom, plus abundant communal spaces like a gym, study areas, cinema, games room, and a rooftop with a pool and an exceptional view. The property is located in a vibrant neighborhood of Barcelona, centrally located and within walking distance of numerous parks, beaches, and shopping centers.
Inclusions and Amenities
- 24-hour security
- Air conditioning
- BathroomEnsuite
- Bed linens
- Desk
- Fitness Center
- LaundryOn-site
- Pool
- Single Room
- Study Areas
- Wi-Fi
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- Airport Pickups
- 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 transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Upon arrival you’ll be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. In the first few days you’ll take part in an LCI and/or CIS Abroad orientation program. You’ll learn how to get around campus and how to make the most of your time in Barcelona.
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. We’ll gather everybody together for a farewell meal. We’ll help you reflect on your experience during your time abroad and prepare you for cultural differences you’ll experience as you return home (reverse culture shock is no joke!).
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 Trips
During weekend trips, you might experience Flamenco and tour the beautiful Alhambra in Granada; eat Spain’s best tapas and visit wineries in Basque Country; or hike coastal trails and tour medieval villages in Costa Brava. Trips change each semester.

Besalú and Museum Dali
One of Catalonia’s best preserved medieval towns, Besalú is an historic gem, full to the brim with character. Cobbled streets and facades and a wonderful bridge are the trademarks of Besalú and have been there for hundreds of years — the impressive architecture draws visitors from far and wide. Situated in the La Garrotxa region in the province of Girona, Besalú is a haven for history buffs, who flock in huge numbers to admire the many constructions and facades representing Romanesque, Gothic, and medieval influences. Explore the Dalí Theatre and Museum in the artist’s hometown of Figueres.
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
Kaylee Klinger, our student advisor and 2x CIS Abroad alum, 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: May 1
- Arrival: September 2
- Departure: November 25
- Price: $13,690
- Application Deadline: Oct 1
- Arrival: February 17
- Departure: May 18
- Price: $13,690 (Estimated)
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.