This engaging semester study abroad program places you at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), a young and dynamic public university. UPF offers a globally-minded approach to teaching and learning while staying true to its roots in Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain. The UPF urban multi-school campus is concentrated near Barcelona’s beautiful coast and among some of the city’s top attractions and most desirable neighborhoods. Share a classroom with students from Barcelona, elsewhere in Spain, and other visiting students from dozens of countries. And of course you’ll also share a beautiful and vibrant city with its lively inhabitants, extending your academic and personal learning setting to wherever you find yourself in any given moment.
-Sophomore
-Junior for business
Spring: October 15
- Learn from top professors - the highest percentage of international faculty in Spain
- Study on an urban campus, with most buildings just blocks from the beach
- Choose from dozens of courses in both Spanish language & culture and a variety of courses in English
- Abundant program inclusions and exceptional staff support to show you Barcelona's best
- Attend an authentic Spanish university, studying and socializing alongside students from both near and far
- Connect with your friendly Global Advisor to ask questions and find the best fit program. Start planning for on campus processes, and apply by the application deadline.
- Meet your Program Enrollment Coordinator to finalize acceptance paperwork, housing, courses, flights, visas, and payments. Attend one our our LIVE pre-departure orientations.
- Fly away! You'll be greeted at the airport (comforting after a long flight!) and experience a robust On-site Orientation and La Vida Local Curriculum with your Site Director.
Academics
WHY THIS UNIVERSITY?
Established in 1990, the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a young and dynamic Spanish public university. UPF places itself uniquely as a Catalonian-rooted institution with an impressively global reach, boasting more faculty from abroad than any other Spanish university and hosting students from around the world studying a variety of disciplines in Spanish and English.
Self-described as having “its feet in Barcelona and its head in the world,” the UPF achieved a designation of International Campus of Excellence from the Spanish Ministry of Education just 20 years after its founding. The campus is comprised of remodeled historic buildings, nestled among some of the city’s most desirable areas and/or just blocks from beautiful Mediterranean coastline and some of Barcelona’s best beaches.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR COURSES
Now the fun part! You get to pick the courses you will take abroad. Review the course information on this page. Once you’ve decided which courses you want to take, fill out the CISabroad Course Selection Worksheet in your online portal.COURSE APPROVAL
Make sure to talk with your home university about course approval and get additional classes approved before you go abroad. For example, if you are taking 4 classes abroad, we recommend getting 8 approved. This gives you some flexibility in setting up your class schedule. Think about courses required for your major, but also courses that fulfill your elective requirements.GPA REQUIREMENT
If you find your GPA is lower than the requirement listed at the top of this page, do not despair! Get in touch to let us know your situation. In many cases, there are additional application materials that you can submit to make your case for acceptance.8+ CLASSES IN
3-7 CLASSES IN
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Choose your courses, making sure to get them approved by your home university and then fill out the Course Selection Worksheet in your portal.
Program Excursions
While participating on a CISabroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.
Zaragoza
Visit a city filled with unique architecture and a rich history. Enjoy guided tours of theaters, civil war battlefields, and the Aljaferia Moorish Palace. You also will have a chance to try the best migas – dishes featuring fried bread crumbs – a tasty local specialty!
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.
4 Days in Morocco
Fall and Spring semester students also have the opportunity to join a four-day trip to Morocco with a non-profit organization dedicated to helping travelers jump off the beaten path and understand the local culture.
Your Support Staff
Travel Tip: We love what we do and want to talk to you! The Global Advising Center is here to help you decide on a program, and complete the Online Application. From the moment you first hear from us be it through a phone call, email or personal visit, you will find that our passion for international education is contagious. We’re ready to launch you abroad.
Travel Tip: Start walking and don’t be afraid to get lost, that is how you begin to understand your surroundings. If the culture is slow – be slow! Take hours to enjoy a coffee and connect with a friend. If the pace is fast, jump in! Be patient with yourself as you adjust. Start a journal and write everything down. It’s incredible to look back and remind yourself of who you were at a time of growth and discovery!
Travel Tip: When traveling make sure to use humour and start conversations with local people, they are the experts of the places you visit and you can learn so much from them; particularly the older generation can be a wealth of information. Try to enjoy every single minute of your travels!
Program Fees & Dates
Advisor Tip: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
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Spring 2020
Application DeadlineOctober 15ArrivalJanuary 2DepartureMarch 25 or March 29 (Varies by track)PRICE$12,490 - $13,590
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Fall 2020
Application DeadlineMay 15ArrivalSeptember 12 (Estimated)DepartureMid December (varies by track) (Estimated)PRICE$12,490 - $13,590 (Estimated)
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.
Program Inclusions
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
Program fees are in US dollars and include the following:
- Cultural and recreational excursions and activities in Barcelona
- One guided weekend excursion outside of Barcelona
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Meal plan available with a homestay
- 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
- Predeparture orientation
- Airport pickup
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra orientation
- Official Universitat Pompeu Fabra transcript
- Onsite mentorship program
- La Vida Local cultural program