Barcelona, Spain

IFSA Barcelona Universities Program: UAB

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Program Overview

FULL-ON IMMERSION IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY

With a campus in the heart of Barcelona, the outstanding Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) offers international business, STEM, economics and politics, Mediterranean studies, communication, psychology, art and architecture, and Spanish and Catalan language. Join this vibrant international community for classes, available in English and Spanish, plus a range of activities and campus clubs for a rich immersive experience while surrounded by the stunning modernist architecture of its World Heritage Site international campus.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: May 1
Spring: Oct. 1

Minimum GPA

2.75

Credit load

12–15

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English, Spanish

Language prerequisites

None. Four semesters of university-level Spanish or equivalent for some internship placements.

Visa required?

Yes. Learn more.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

Build your own curriculum with a combination of four to five Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) classes for a total of 12–15 U.S. semester credit hours. You may choose the IFSA International Internship Seminar as one of your electives.

IFSA CLASS

International Internship Seminar
Language of Instruction: English
All internships include participation in the International Internship Seminar, which covers 15 hours of online asynchronous Canvas modules to provide structured opportunities to reflect on the practical experience of the internship, learn more about your host country’s business culture, and further develop the professional skills needed for a successful transition from undergraduate coursework into a career or graduate school. Plus, you will engage with an online global cohort of IFSA internship participants, gaining exposure to business cultures around the world.  (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA CLASSES

Classes at UAB are available in art and architecture, business, communication, economics and politics, Mediterranean studies, and Spanish language. Most classes are taught in English, while some classes can be taken in Spanish for students with level B2 language proficiency. See the UAB class catalog for up-to-date offerings. Most classes are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours each.

UAB FEATURED CLASSES

  • Cultures Without State: the Case of Catalonia
  • Digital Photography
  • Doing Business in Emerging Markets
  • E-Commerce and Online Businesses
  • Human Resources Management
  • Inequality, Poverty, and Globalization
  • Lengua Española
  • Mediterranean Politics
  • Modernisme: Art Nouveau Architecture
  • New Tendencies in Spanish Contemporary Art
  • Spanish Civilization and Culture
  • Spanish History and Politics: 1936 to the Present
  • Strategic Behaviour in Business and Economics
  • The Creative Economy
  • The Image of Barcelona in Literature

 

Can I take my classes in Spanish?
To enroll in Spanish-taught classes at this program, you must have a specific language level. Please visit our Language Requirements page for more details. If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor.

INTERNSHIPS
IFSA internships include real-world work experience, along with developing intercultural skills and experiences that are key to personal, academic, and professional success. Expect to devote a total of 120 hours working with your host organization, with supervision from your seminar instructor, coordinated by on-site IFSA team members. In addition, interns complete the International Internship Seminar for 3 U.S. semester credit hours. Internships are not remunerated.

There are nearly 10,000 multinational companies operating in Catalonia with Barcelona being the hub and capital city.  The leading industries include chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturing.  Barcelona is the second most popular startup hub in the European Union. Among our internship partners are local start-ups in Barcelona.

With IFSA, your goals are carefully considered, tailoring the placement process to ensure the best possible fit. Keep in mind that final placements depend on your skills, prior experience, and availability. Although every effort is made to match your placement with your preferred field or area of business, it can’t be guaranteed. Most internships are conducted in English. If you have had at least four semesters of Spanish language instruction, ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor about opportunities to conduct your internship in Spanish.

Application. After you submit your application, resume, and IFSA Internship Interest Form, an IFSA Enrollment Counselor and an on-site IFSA Team member will work with you to identify your professional strengths, review your goals, and refine your internship interests to establish a match. From there, you’ll have an interview with your potential internship host. You will be provided with tips and resources to prepare for your interview. Note: Multinational or global organizations often require a formal internal internship application process that is very competitive, in addition to the IFSA process.

Sample Placements. The following are examples of internship areas and types of roles available for IFSA students in Barcelona. Placement options vary from term to term.

  • Arts: Administration, Market Research, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content
  • Education: Administration, Policy Making/Processes, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content Writing
  • Healthtech: Business Development Planning, Client Outreach, Database Development, Market Research, Social Media Marketing, Trade Show Support, Web Design/Content
  • Human Resources Management: Administration (Interviews/Postings/Contracts), Application Review/Hiring Process Support, Database Design/Maintenance, Document Filing, Policy/Procedure Process/Improvements/Communications, Social Media Marketing, Support Design of Individual Development/Teamwork Activities/Events
  • Marketing: Brand Management/Design, Content Writing, CRM Analysis, Event Management, Market Research, Public Relations, SEO, Social Media
  • Non-Profit Organizations: Administration Support, Competitive Market Basket Research, Data Analysis/Reporting, Economic Analysis, Fundraising Campaigns, Human Resources, Social Media Development/Marketing, Web Design/Content Management
  • Sustainable Energy: Data Analysis/Statistical Analysis for Business Decision Making, Market Research, Project Development/Management, Social Media Marketing, Web Resources
  • Tourism and Hospitality: Business Management, Client Advisor, Customer Service, Events Assistance, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing, Sustainability Strategies, Web Design/Content

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona:

  • UAB prioritizes interaction and engagement, even in lecture-based classes. Maximum class size is 30 students.
  • In most classes, 20% of your overall grade comes from participation. (And of course, taking part in class and completing assignments also advances your understanding of the subject.) To determine the remaining 80%, expect at least two larger, weighted grades—a mid-term assessment and a final assessment. These could be papers, tests, individual or group presentations, case studies, journal entries, blog entries, projects, or exams.
  • Professors do not hold formal office hours but are available for support before and after class, or by appointment. Some also offer virtual academic support.
  • Art classes include many hands-on activities and field trips. Classes like Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Managerial Skills for International Business or E-commerce and Online Business are project-based and student-led, and might include activities outside the classroom.
  • UAB strives to replicate all academic accommodations offered by your home university. Present official documentation within the first two weeks of the program.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least two (2) full-time years of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
  • Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Not required. An internship site may request a reference letter before placement is finalized.

 

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

  • City-as-Text: These activities (museum visits, street art tour, visiting different neighborhoods) will use the city of Barcelona as the frame to understand socioeconomic, artistic, and cultural aspects of the city.
  • Architecture and Design: Barcelona’s colorful, distinctive, and unique architecture successfully blends the traditional with the modern. Visit iconic buildings such as Gaudi’s masterpiece Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Predrera, and Park Güell, while also understanding how Barcelona’s support of innovation, creative talent, and design makes it a special city in which to live.
  • Food and Local Culture: Gastronomy in Catalonia and Spain is about more than just food. It is a way of life and an essential part of the culture and history. Visit a local market and also participate in cooking a traditional Catalan-style meal where an expert will discuss central issues surrounding the importance of food culture and the Mediterranean diet.
  • Folklore: Through organized activities as well as local festivities, learn more about the Catalan traditions such as dancing sardanes or rumba catalana, the building of human towers or castellers, and other local customs.
  • Barcelona as a Business Hub: As Spain’s start-up capital, the city of Barcelona is the center of an emerging economic Eurozone and an international business center for companies and organizations working worldwide. By visiting local global businesses, learn more about the entrepreneurial spirit of Barcelona.
  • Learning about the Catalan Autonomous Region: Throughout program activities, discover how history and politics have shaped the region’s current society, economics, and politics.

Excursions

  • Girona, Figueras, and Costa Brava Day Trips: On these day trips, visit different parts of northern Catalonia: the Dali museum in Figueras, an incredible museum showcasing the life and work of the surrealist genius Salvador Dalí; the city of Girona, whose medieval center boasts the most important Jewish Quarter on the Iberian Peninsula as well as some iconic Game of Thrones filming locations; one of the picturesque coastal towns of Costa Brava.
  • Montserrat Day Trip: On this day trip, explore the stunning, unique, and spiritual mountain of Montserrat by hiking among its breathtaking peaks and visiting the Basilica of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat.
  • Sitges Day Trip: With a stroll through Sitges old town and walk along its sandy beaches, you will realize immediately why Sitges is one of the most popular beach towns in Catalonia. A guide will explain its history of wealthy “indianos” who made fortunes in America (Cuba/Barcardí) and returned to build palaces, in addition to an introduction to the town’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community tradition.
  • Seville Weekend Excursion: From the largest gothic cathedral in the world to the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use, the Royal Alcazar, you will explore a completely different urban landscape from that of Barcelona. Seville’s rich architectural and historical legacy, as well as its tapas and Flamenco traditions will broaden your understanding of Spanish culture.
  • Madrid Weekend Excursion: Madrid, the capital of Spain, has endless cultural and gastronomic experiences to offer. Visit its world-class museums, El Prado and Reina Sofía, learn more about the city’s history on a walking tour through its most iconic spaces, and visit the beautiful park “El Retiro.” Free time to explore the tapas scene and the Rastro flea market.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Barcelona students typically live in apartments shared by four to six IFSA students, or in single rooms in student residence halls. Locations vary but are generally in residential neighborhoods with plenty of local charm, no more than 30 minutes from the IFSA Program Center via public transportation. With either option, students are responsible for their own meals, either cooking in their kitchen or eating out—in Barcelona, there are delicious options at every turn.

Shared apartments tend to be situated in residential buildings populated by locals. Roommates in student apartments could include all genders, while bedrooms in apartments are shared by same gender students.
Single rooms in student residences are for students who are seeking more privacy, while at the same time wish to be part of a social environment made for global students with common space and amenities. Student residences are limited in availability and come with a supplemental fee.

Sample apartment housing 

Explore Carrer Córsega 528 to see what your Barcelona apartment might be like:  

  • Location: Barcelona’s Eixample district.  
  • Commute: A 30-minute or less ride by metro or bus to the UAB Campus.
  • Living space: Apartments include shared bedrooms with single beds and storage, living space, a kitchen and eating area, and a bathroom. Sometimes two students share one desk. Complete bedding and towels provided at program start. Kitchens are equipped with stovetop, oven, refrigerator, and basic dishes and kitchenware for all residents. 
  • Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare or purchase meals, and often tell us cooking together is a fun, social part of the day.  
  • Other details: Internet included. Washing machine and drying rack in each apartment. 
  • Nearby: Cafes, fresh markets, supermarkets, public transportation, and galleries. La Sagrada Familia. Casa Batlló. Casa Milà. Passeig de Gràcia. 

Sample student residence housing 

Explore what your Barcelona student residence, available at a supplemental fee, might be like:  

  • Location:Barcelona’s  Poblenou district.
  • Commute: A 30-minute or less ride by metro or bus to the UAB Campus.    
  • Living space: Student residence hall single studio rooms have a kitchen, double-bed, desk, and bathroom. Room cleaning every two weeks with linens and towels. Kitchens are equipped with stovetop, oven, refrigerator, and basic dishes and kitchenware. 
  • Meals: No meal plan, but a buffet breakfast is included Monday through Friday. Students prepare or purchase meals, and often tell us cooking together is a fun, social part of the day.  
  • Other details: Internet included. Laundry room in building with dedicated app. In addition, students have access to amenities such as study rooms, a 24/7 indoor gym, outdoor pool, game and cinema rooms, and activities such as yoga, crossfit, and cooking classes.
  • Nearby: Cafes, fresh markets, supermarkets, public transportation, and galleries. La Sagrada Familia. Casa Batlló. Casa Milà. Passeig de Gràcia. 

Dates and Fees

Term
Term begins
Term ends
Program costs
Application deadline
Fall 2024
Sept. 4, 2024
Dec. 14, 2024
$18,775
Passed
Spring 2025
Jan. 8, 2025
April 11, 2025
$19,995
Oct. 1, 2024
Fall 2025
Early Sept. 2025
Mid-Dec. 2025
$18,775 (estimated)
May 1, 2025

Get Started

Eleni Katsarelas

Eleni Katsarelas

Enrollment Counselor