Art and Design Studies in Barcelona

Spain Barcelona Sagrada Familia 3252139
What's Included

We invite you to study art and design in English with API in Barcelona through the prestigious Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria (ELISAVA). This exciting program offers students with or without a background in design the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment from among the top design minds in Catalonia and Spain.

Enroll in design classes with student from around the world, earn valuable academic credit, experience life in this cosmopolitan and vibrant city, and explore al that Spain has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

API Alumni Network

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

On-Site Orientation

Excursions

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry with host families)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.75 G.P.A.
  • Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Additional application forms (including a housing form, a course form, and visa form)
  • One (electronic) passport-sized photo
  • Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Spring Jan 3, 2024 - Apr 27, 2024 $17,900 Oct 10, 2023 No Extension Nov 9, 2023
Fall Aug, 2024 - Dec, 2024 $17,900 May 15, 2024 No Extension Jun 14, 2024
Academic Year Aug, 2024 - Apr, 2025 $33,500 May 15, 2024 No Extension Jun 14, 2024

Students adding a fifth course for 15 total credits will be subject to an additional fee.

Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Barcelona programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Dalí and Girona Tour

    Girona is a jewel of culture and rich history that dates back to Roman times. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall which is preserved almost in its entirety. The iconic architecture of the city is often in popular TV shows and movies. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow, and often steeply sloping streets. Students will also get to visit the Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí to discover the inner world of the artist.

  • Winery and Spanish Bites

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). Students will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in winter time.

  • Montserrat and Tarragona

    Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona and one of the most popular natural spots in Catalunya. It is the site of a Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified by some with the location of the Holy Grail in the Arthurian myth. After visiting this astonishing mountain, we will learn about the Roman Empire in Tarragona.

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf, a natural environment outside the noise of Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional Catalan meal.

  • Puigcerdà & the Pyrenées

    Puigcerdà is the largest town in the valley; in Catalan, puig means "hill," and cerdà derives from "Cerdanya." From the promontory upon which it stands, the views down across the meadows of the valley floor and up into the craggy peaks of the surrounding Pyrenees are dramatic. La Cerdanya is a region of the Pyrenees in Europe which spans both France and Spain, and is home to towering mountains, stunning medieval towns, a gorgeous open valley, and even beautiful animals. Not to mention everything else you would expect from this part of the world – great food and warm & friendly people!

  • Tarragona and Costa Daurada

    With almost 60 miles of golden sandy beaches, la Costa Daurada stretches from the north of Tarragona to the Ebro delta. Tarragona’s biggest lure is the wealth of ruins in Spain’s second most important Roman site, including mosaic-packed museums and a seaside amphitheater. Les Cases d’Alcanar or Altafulla conjure up a mix of Mediterranean essences. The towns alternate between flat alluvial land and craggy coast depicting the terrain; between mud and rocks; olive trees and rice fields; marl rocky banks and lagoons.

  • Winery and Spanish Bites

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). Students will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in winter time.

  • Girona and Costa Brava

    Girona is a jewel of culture and history acquired over 2,000 years. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall, which is preserved almost in its entirety. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow, and often steeply sloping streets. After the historical visit, students will stop in Costa Brava to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.

  • Seville

    Seville, capital of the Andalucía region of southern Spain, is a unique example where history, tradition, and modernity merge in an incomparable city. The core of Islamic Seville includes the area on the East bank of the Guadalquivir where the Cathedral, the Christian Alcázar, and the medieval quarter is known as the Barrio Santa Cruz is located today. To explore the city’s narrow streets and smell the orange blossoms in Spring while mingling with people at a cafe is definitely an unforgettable experience.

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf, a natural environment outside the noise of Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional Catalan meal.

  • Puigcerdà & the Pyrenées

    Puigcerdà is the largest town in the valley; in Catalan, puig means "hill," and cerdà derives from "Cerdanya." From the promontory upon which it stands, the views down across the meadows of the valley floor and up into the craggy peaks of the surrounding Pyrenees are dramatic. La Cerdanya is a region of the Pyrenees in Europe which spans both France and Spain, and is home to towering mountains, stunning medieval towns, a gorgeous open valley, and even beautiful animals. Not to mention everything else you would expect from this part of the world – great food and warm & friendly people!

  • Tarragona and Costa Daurada

    With almost 60 miles of golden sandy beaches, la Costa Daurada stretches from the north of Tarragona to the Ebro delta. Tarragona’s biggest lure is the wealth of ruins in Spain’s second most important Roman site, including mosaic-packed museums and a seaside amphitheater. Les Cases d’Alcanar or Altafulla conjure up a mix of Mediterranean essences. The towns alternate between flat alluvial land and craggy coast depicting the terrain; between mud and rocks; olive trees and rice fields; marl rocky banks and lagoons.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12-15 credits per semester

Founded in 1961, Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria was the first School of Design to open in Spain, and as a pioneer set the methodological guidelines that have served as a starting point for other similar schools. Throughout its history, ELISAVA has been instrumental in shaping the culture of design in Catalonia and Spain. ELISAVA is a college of Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya.

The Free Elective program at ELISAVA offers students with or without a background in design the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment from among the top design minds in Catalonia and Spain.

This program features two tracks:

Track A (12 credits): This track is for students without a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • 3 mandatory courses with 1 optional course (1 elective or 1 Spanish language course)

Track B (12 credits): This track is for students with a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • A combination of 3 elective courses plus 1 Spanish language course
  • or 4 elective courses

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria/Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya upon completion of their program.

  • Headshot

    Kayla Cole

    Kayla Cole will be your Program Manager and will help prepare you for your API program.

    (she/her/hers)

  • Alicia Castillo

    Alicia Castillo

    Alicia Castillo will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site in Spain.

    (she/her/hers)

  • Mireia Pujol

    Mireia Pujol

    Mireia Pujol will be your Student Services Director in Barcelona and will assist you in adjusting to the Spanish culture!

    (she/her/hers)

  • Arnau Roma Sansa headshot

    Arnau Roma

    Arnau Roma will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site in Spain.

    (he/him/his)

  • Susana Chorda

    Susana Chordà

    Susana Chordà will be your Housing Director in Barcelona and is ready to assist students on-site!

    (she/her/hers)

  • Angela Garcia

    Ángela García

    Ángela García will be your Academics Director in Barcelona and is ready to assist students on-site!

    (she/her/hers)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

This program offers two possible Tracks (A and B), each offered for a total of 12 credits.

Students are eligible to enroll in a fifth class for a total of 15 credits for an additional fee. Please contact the API team for details.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Most API partner universities in Spain operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Courses at Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • Classes: taught in English
  • Oldest design school in Spain
Housing

We can’t wait to welcome you to Barcelona! We know you’re excited to get out and start exploring, but at the end of long days, you’ll want a cozy place to study, socialize, rest, and relax.

Check out all available housing options for Barcelona by clicking here!

API’s housing options have been curated with you in mind. We offer housing that has been Visited & Verified™ by API, with a focus on student comfort, safety, and location.