Business + Culture
Known for its stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, and vibrant cultural heritage, Barcelona is one of Europe's crown jewels. The city is also considered one of the region's most dynamic startup ecosystems and leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship. For these reasons, Barcelona has become an ideal destination for international students interested in studying business and culture.
Designed for students with a background in business, CIEE Barcelona's Business + Culture program offers students access to countless cultural wonders – all while earning college credit. From indulging in mouth-watering tapas to marveling at world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí's 20+ sites (like his masterpieces La Sagrada Família and Park Güell) to participating in traditional Catalan dances (like the native Sardana dance), you'll discover all Barcelona has to offer during your semester abroad with CIEE in Spain's most popular city.
Unique Experiences
DISCOVER
one of Europe’s most dynamic startup ecosystems.
EXPLORE
Barcelona’s “District 22@”, a hub for innovative companies.
LIVE
with a Spanish family and immerse yourself in local culture.
2,048
STARTUPS
12 M
VISITORS YEARLY
150
BUS LINES
Your Destination
Culture, sport, fashion, finance, media, and entertainment – Barcelona is brimming with it all. The largest city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is home to 1.6 million in the city proper and 4.5 million in the broader metro area. It is edged with a river on either side and backed by the Serra de Collserola mountains to the west.
Castilian Spanish and Catalan are the official languages. Both are regularly used in all aspects of life, and Catalan is not imposed. Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, professors, and host families all speak clear Castilian when Spanish speakers are present. Spanish is widely used at the university. Students don’t need to speak Catalan but learning a few words can open doors to making new friends.
CIEE Barcelona is conveniently located in a historical pedestrian passageway in the heart of the city. In it, students will find staff offices, classrooms and open-air terraces. It is close to the host universities and to the city’s main attractions.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Barcelona.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- One of our popular day trips takes you to Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery retreat high atop one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Catalunya. Not only is its history of significant religious importance but the surrounding natural beauty is nothing short of breathtaking. There you can visit the monastery to see La Moreneta (the black Madonna), listen to the world-renowned Boys’ Choir (whose history dates back to the 14th century), and trek any of the numerous mountain trails where you’ll take in incredible countryside views and see the most unusual rock formations in all of Catalonia. Are you ready? Let’s go!
- Discover the Gràcia neighborhood, famous for its bohemian and artistic style and streets filled with color and culture.
- Visit the oldest preserved garden, reflecting both Neoclassical and Romantic styles – and try your luck in the park’s labyrinth maze!
- Eat like a local and try popular traditional dishes like churros, patatas bravas, tortilla de patata, tapas, and pinchos.
- See a flamenco show!
- Hike the Carretera de les Aigües for amazing views over the city.
INTERNSHIP
Complement your studies with an internship in English or Spanish. You might help a company like Naru Sport market its international products; work with a team on real estate and investment options; or help a firm such as Audiconsultores with finance and accounting. Internships include required weekly class sessions to support and enhance the internship experience with academic grounding. Students applying for an internship are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
VOLUNTEERING
Get to know the people of the city and their language as you give back. Here are some of the ways you might serve:
- Help children with homework after school
- Assist kids with special needs during school breaks
- Collect food for people in need
Program Blogs
10 Best Places to Study Abroad in the Spring
Considering a spring study abroad program? You’re in the right place. Earmark this piece as we tackle the 10 best places to study abroad in the spring. These locations include... keep reading
Studying abroad as a female student: Barcelona gender norms and safety tips
Studying abroad as a female student was a bit daunting at first! I was worried about my safety as a female foreigner, and I was unsure how I would fit... keep reading
Your Guide to the Ultimate Barcelona Study Abroad Experience
Barcelona reign s in Spain as one of Europe’s most happening cities. That according to QS Best Student Cities 2023 ; not to mention anyone who’s ever been there! Of... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Barcelona offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments, your accommodation preferences will be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room at a shared apartment located under 45 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. Apartments boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
Select Housing: Includes a single room at a residence hall located under 45 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room at a residence hall located under 25 minutes from CIEE Barcelona. Residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: Housing is on a first-come, first-served basis. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
MEALS
Homestay students have breakfast and dinner with their host families, and they are responsible for lunch. Meals are not included at residence halls or apartments.
Academics
CIEE’s Business + Culture program invites business students to improve their Spanish language skills and earn credits toward their degree with courses at CIEE Barcelona and Universitat Pompeu Fabra’s Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (School of International Studies, or ESCI) or the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic). Beginning in Spring 2024, students will also have the option to take courses at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Students in this program in fall of 2023 are required to take one Spanish language course tailored to their skill level. Beginning in spring 2024, the Spanish language course will no longer be required, though highly recommended by CIEE.
Escola Superior de Comerc Internacional (ESCI) offers bachelor’s degrees in business and marketing, as well as an International Business Program (IBP) for international students. ESCI hosts 500 students and is located 15 minutes from CIEE by bus or metro.
Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic) is an independent state-supported institution committed to the economic and social development of the region. The university offers a Business, Design, and Innovation program for international students on their Barcelona campus (at BAU Design College), just 15 minutes from CIEE by bus or metro.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a public University with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students. It was founded in 1968 under the principles of autonomy, participation, and social commitment. Today, it is the second highest-ranking Spanish University according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Course Information
- Students who choose to take courses at a host institution are only allowed to take courses at one host institution [either ESCI, UVic, or UAB (starting spring 2024)].
- Students who choose to take all their courses at CIEE are responsible for confirming with their home schools that this is an approved option.
- Courses at CIEE and at ESCI are offered in both Spanish and English. Courses at UVic and UAB are only offered in English.
- At ESCI, students can take local courses and/or courses for international students in ESCI’s International Business Program (ESCI IBP).
- At UVic, all courses are for international students only.
- Students with four or five semesters of college-level Spanish are encouraged to take two courses in Spanish.
- Students with six or more semesters of college-level Spanish are encouraged to take all their classes in Spanish.
The following is a sample list of courses; not all are available every year.
THE ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE COMERÇ INTERNACIONAL (SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, or ESCI) BUSINESS COURSES
ESCI courses in English (3 U.S. credits)
- Culture and Business in Europe
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Culture and Business in America
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Culture and Business in Middle East and Africa
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Industrial and Services Marketing
- (Prerequisite: previous marketing knowledge recommended)
- International Product Management
- (Prerequisite: previous coursework in marketing, market research, and strategic marketing knowledge recommended)
- International Project Management
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization / Finance)
- International Strategic Management
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization/Marketing)
- International Marketing
- (Prerequisite: Marketing / Business Organization)
- International Expansion
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- International Team Management
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Market Research Analytics
- (Prerequisite: Business marketing, Market Research, Statistics)
- People Management
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization.)
- Market Research I
- (Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Marketing / Introductory Statistics)
- Public Relations and Consumer Relations Management
- (Prerequisite: Marketing)
- Pricing Policies
- (Prerequisite: Intermediate Microeconomics required)
ESCI courses in Spanish (3 U.S. credits)
- Auditoria
- (Prerequisite: Contabilidad de Costes)
- Compras Internacionales
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas)
- Contabilidad de Costes
- (Prerequisite: prior knowledge of accounting required)
- Cultura & Negocios en Asia
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas)
- Direccion de Ventas
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas/Marketing)
- Economia y Globalización
- (Prerequisite: Macroeconomía/ Economía Internacional)
- Gestion de la Sostenibilidad
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas)
- Innovación y Emprendimiento
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas)
- Logística Internacional
- (Prerequisite: Gestión de Operaciones / Distribución Comercial)
- Marketing Digital Internacional
- (Prerequisite: Marketing)
- Negociación Internacional
- (Prerequisite: Organización de Empresas)
- Retail Internacional
- (Prerequisite: Marketing)
- Técnicas de Previsión
ESCI International Business Program Courses in English (4 U.S. credits)
- Applied Marketing Research in the Digital Era
- (Prerequisite: Introduction to Marketing)
- Consumer Behavior
- (Prerequisite: Introduction to Marketing)
- Corporate Finance
- (Prerequisite: Accounting)
- Cross Cultural Management and Intercultural Communication
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Doing Business in Europe
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- Economic Global Order
- (Prerequisite: Introductory Economics)
- Financial Risk Management
- (Prerequisite: Corporate Finance)
- International Management
- (Prerequisite: Business Organization)
- International Economics
- (Prerequisite: Introductory Micro and Macro Economics)
- New Trends in International Marketing
- (Prerequisite: Introduction to Marketing)
- Strategic Brand Management
- (Prerequisite: Marketing Management)
- Strategic Consumer Insight
- (Prerequisite: Introduction to Marketing)
UNIVERSITAT DE VIC – UNIVERSITAT CENTRAL DE CATALUNYA (UVIC) BUSINESS, DESIGN, AND INNOVATION COURSES
Spring 2024: Students taking courses at UVic may need to remain onsite until April 19, 2024 due to an extended course schedule.
Syllabi for the courses listed below can be found on the UVic website under the ‘Programme’ tab.
UVic courses in English (3 credits)
- Brand Design
- Design Thinking
- Digital Business
- Global Marketing
- Marketing and Fashion
- Leadership, Business, and Society
- Luxury Marketing
- Psychology of Communication and Publicity
- Retail Management
- Start-up Creation
AVAILABLE SPRING 2024
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB)
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are 3 U.S. credits.
Syllabi for the courses listed below can be found online.
UAB courses in English
- The Seven Wonders of Spain: Spanish Architecture History
- Communication and Gender
- Mediterranean Culture and History
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Agriculture
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2024 15 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 | |
| Program Fall 2024 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $20,950 | |
| Program Fall 2023 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Academic year 2023-2024 33 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $39,850 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,706**
Housing = $4,750
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,455Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:
Select Housing Fee = $750^
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / Local transportation: t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,706**
Housing = $4,750***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,120†
International Airfare = $1,250††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $260††††
Total Costs = $3,455Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia option
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,953**
Housing = $4,500***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,168†
International Airfare = $850††
Local Transportation = $65†††
Books & Supplies = $100
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $167††††
Other = $0†††††
Total Costs = $3,010Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia option
†Homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia and Shared apartments options. Homestay students should budget $600 for meals not included in fees.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: t-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) / t-usual (1 month) = 20€ ($21)
††††Personal expenses: $100 emergency fund and cell phone expense + estimated cost of toiletries for one month
†††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $30,103**
Housing = $9,250***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $39,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $2,288†
International Airfare = $850††
Local Transportation = $130†††
Books & Supplies = $200
Visa Fees = $160
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500
Personal expenses = $427††††
Other = $0†††††
Expenses during break = $695††††††
Total Costs = $5,250Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:
Select Housing Fee = $750^
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay includes two meals daily; no meals are included for students in the Residencia option
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local transportation: 3 t-jove. T-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43)
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
†††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
††††††Academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break. This amount can vary greatly.
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Andrés Tabárez
Center Director
Andrés Tabárez is Center Director at CIEE Barcelona. Andrés holds a Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Barcelona (UB).
José Luis Espinosa
Academic Director
José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).
Fernando Janeiro
Senior Program Manager
Nando holds a Master's Degree in Humanities from Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) and is certified as a Spanish as a Second Language instructor (International House/ Universitat de Barcelona).
Get Started
1
Start an Application
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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