Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers in Barcelona

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What's Included

We invite you to study abroad with API in beautiful Barcelona at the prestigious Universitat Pompeu Fabra! This exciting program offers you the opportunity to enroll in a wide array of courses across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including business, communications, humanities, social sciences, and more!

Earn valuable academic credit from one of Spain's top universities, enroll in classes alongside students from Spain and around the world, experience life in one of Europe's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, and explore all 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 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Open to juniors and seniors
  • Open to advanced and superior-level Spanish speakers
  • University Approval Form
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official transcript
  • One (electronic) passport-sized photo
  • Entry requirements: valid passport
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Spring Jan 3, 2024 - Mar 23, 2024 $14,900 Oct 10, 2023 No Extension Nov 9, 2023
Fall Sep, 2024 - Dec, 2024 $14,900 May 15, 2024 No Extension Jun 14, 2024
Academic Year Sep, 2024 - Mar, 2025 $29,900 May 15, 2024 No Extension Jun 14, 2024

*Students who complete their applications by the priority deadline will be registered for classes and assigned API housing first. As such, students applying early have a better chance of getting their desired courses and their first-choice housing assignment.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 U.S. semester credits

Advanced and superior-level Spanish speakers can enroll in advanced language courses, as well as a wide variety of course offerings in other disciplines. The language course is equivalent to 6 U.S. semester credits, whereas elective courses are typically equivalent to 3 U.S. semester credits. Many courses with other international students are available, but all students must select at least one course with Spaniards. Students are welcome to complete up to 15 credits per semester and can add additional courses for an extra fee.

Students must have completed at least one upper-division course of college-level Spanish or have the equivalent linguistic competency for admission. Students complete a placement exam upon arrival and are placed into a Spanish course based on the results of that exam.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra 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

CLASSES WITH SPANIARDS

Students enroll directly in at least 1 course with Spanish students. Most courses are conducted in Spanish.

COURSES AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING FACULTIES AT UPF

  • Faculty of Communication
  • Faculty of Economic and Business Science (Classes in this faculty may not be available to API students due to date conflicts. Students may be able to adjust their program dates in order to accommodate these classes.)
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Translation and Interpretation
  • Polytechnic School

To supplement the 1-2 courses taken with Spaniards, students will also select 2-3 course electives from the Hispanic and European Studies Program.

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 Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers)

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

Find Courses

Courses at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers)

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

Find Courses

Courses at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers)

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

Find Courses

Highlights
  • Classes: taught in Spanish
  • Students enroll in a minimum of one class with Spaniards
  • FORUM on Education Abroad QUIP certified
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.