Information for term Economics + Culture
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenDesigned for students with a background in economics, the Economics + Culture program offers students the unique opportunity to explore Barcelona's countless cultural wonders while earning college credits in one of Spain's most important economic centers.
Immerse yourself in Spanish university life and enroll in courses delivered in English or Spanish at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) 's Economics and Business school or Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS). UPF ranks as the top university in Spain in economics and business (Times Higher Education ranking, 2022), making it the ideal institution to study economics while learning abroad in Barcelona.
Outside the classroom, your courses will be complemented with co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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ANALYZE CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
and explore the differences between European and U.S. economic models.
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Get an insider’s look
on the impact of European integration on Spain’s economy.
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STRENGTHEN YOUR INTERCULTURAL SKILLS
by completing group projects with Spanish students.
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JOBS
1.1 M -
MILES OF BIKE LANES
143 K -
FOOD MARKETS
39
Location & Culture
Click to Open
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
- Get valuable international work experience with a for-credit internship. You might develop a marketing plan for the Museum of Chocolate in Barcelona or use market research to see how social responsibility affects startups at Associació Coworking de Catalunya (COWOCAT).
- Placements include startups, small- to medium-sized companies, and magazine and publishing houses, among others. Internships include a required weekly class to support the experience with academics.
- Students applying for an internship are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
LANGUAGE-LEARNING ENHANCEMENT
Lectures, films, discussion groups, and neighborhood tours are all possibilities that will expand your cultural knowledge while you practice speaking Spanish.
CIEE Local Mentors
Local university students help you get to know the city and meet new friends with small group activities like city tours, flamenco night, and more.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
All housing is within a 30-minute commute to CIEE.
Homestays: Live with a Spanish family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s language and culture. Each student has an individual room.
Apartments: Students can live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including kitchen and bathroom.
Residence Halls: Students usually live with a mix of CIEE students, local and international students. If local health and safety regulations permit, students live in single, double, or triple rooms. Students usually share kitchens and common areas.
Independent Housing is not permitted unless:
- You have a relative in the host city
- You have a medical condition that we are not able to support with our existing housing options
- Requested and approved by CIEE (even if these conditions are met)
Housing is tight in Barcelona. If we can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
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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.
Barcelona, Spain Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE BARCELONA
Near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza Catalunya.
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B
UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA
Ramblas campus, Olympic Village campus, port campus
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C
Getting Around
Students walk or take the bus or metro to get from their lodgings to CIEE and university classes
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
The CIEE Economics and Culture Program in Barcelona is designed for economics or business majors who want to increase their Spanish language skills while taking rigorous coursework. Students will take classes at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) Department of Economics & Business and/or through the UPF BaPIS program, and starting in the Spring of 2024, students will have the option to take courses at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Students will also choose from a selection of CIEE elective courses. Language courses are taught by experienced professors who specialize in teaching Spanish as a second language. All other courses are taught by experienced university faculty and business professionals.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a highly-ranked public university in Barcelona created in 1990 by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. It is known for its small class sizes and international outlook. The curriculum includes commercial management, labor economics, game theory, public policy analysis, international finance, social entrepreneurship, and more. CIEE students attend classes at the Ciutadella Vila Olímpica Campus.
CIEE Barcelona is located near Barcelona’s main square, Plaça de Catalunya.
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.
GPA
UPF Track: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required
UAB Track: A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
- Three semesters of college-level micro- or macroeconomics
- One semester of calculus recommended
- UPF Track: Students must have junior-level standing or higher by time of arrival in Barcelona to attend courses at UPF.
- UAB Track: Starting Spring of 2024, students with sophomore-level standing will be able to participate on the UAB Track (UAB only).
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Through Fall 2023, students are required to enroll in five courses for a total of 15 credits, including:
- One CIEE Spanish language course
- Two to three CIEE elective courses
- One to two UPF host institution courses
- UPF host institution (Department of Economics and Business)
- UPF Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS)
As of Spring 2024, the EC program will be composed of 2 tracks, with two different host institutions:
- UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)
- UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Students will need to choose one track (UPF or UAB) and they can’t combine courses from both host institutions.
In the rare case that a CIEE partner school has enrollments exceeding the UPF maximum per home institution, CIEE will work with any impacted students and our partner school to explore alternative tracks and/or programs
UPF Track
Students enroll in 4-5 courses inclusive of:
- One UPF or UPF BaPIS course
- Three to four CIEE elective courses
- At least one course must be in business, economics, management, or marketing.
UAB Track
Students enroll in four to five courses inclusive of:
- One UAB course
- Three to four CIEE elective courses
- At least one course must be in business, economics, management, or marketing.
PROGRAM CREDIT
Total credit (through Fall 2023): 15 U.S. semester/22.5 quarter credits
Total credit (as of Spring 2024): 12-15 U.S. semester/18-22.5 quarter credits (15 semester/18 quarter credits recommended)
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100 internship placement hours
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) or UPF BaPIS courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, unless otherwise noted
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) host institution courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, unless otherwise noted
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
Courses are academically challenging, and involve daily reading and homework assignments, and attendance at lectures and field trips. Students are responsible for knowing the dates of exams and assignments. Dates are firm and attendance is required.
Class Format
UPF courses are of two types: UPF and UPF-BaPIS. UPF courses meet twice a week for 1.5 hours, plus additional small-group seminar sessions, and include local and international students. Typical class size for direct enrollment courses is 70-100 students (20-30 for seminars). UPF-BaPIS (Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies) courses include other local and international students and meet twice a week for 2 hours. Typical class size for UPF-BaPIS courses is 15-30 students.
Courses at CIEE Barcelona are attended by CIEE students exclusively. Typical class sizes for CIEE courses are no more than 16 students in Spanish language courses, and 15-25 students in elective courses.
UAB content classes include no more than 30 students, and they are only for CIEE students.
Grading
In CIEE, UPF, and UAB courses, students are graded based on class participation, in-class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, and oral presentations. UPF and UAB professors grade on a 10-point scale, which CIEE converts to recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English and/or Spanish
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
- UPF courses are for local students
- UPF BaPIS courses are for local and international students
- Some courses on the UPF website are not available for international students. If in doubt, please contact your AA.
- Students with four to 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
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAcademic 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
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenUNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA (UPF) DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS COURSES in English
This is a sample list of courses. Not all of the following courses are available every year.
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Business Logistics
- Commercial Management II
- Consumer Behavior
- Cost Accounting I
- Econometrics II
- Econometrics III
- Economic Institutions and Markets
- Finance
- Financial Management I
- Financial Management II
- Forecasting Techniques
- Foreign Trade II
- Game Theory and Design of Institutions
- Human Resources I
- Human Resources II
- International Business History
- Industrial Organization
- International Economics I
- International Finance
- International Finance Economics
- International Marketing
- Macroeconomics
- Management of Non-Profit Organizations
- Marketing
- Markets and Derivatives
- Mathematics for Finance
- Modern Statistical Computing
- Multivariant Analysis
- Networks, Crowds, and Markets
- New Topics in Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Operations Research
- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Public Economics
- Psychology and Business
- Real Analysis
- Strategic Management I
- Topics in Macroeconomics
UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA (UPF) DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS COURSES in Spanish
This is a sample list of courses. Not all of the following courses are available every year.
- Dirección Comercial I / Commercial Management I
- Marketing de Servicios / Service Marketing
- Recursos Humanos I / Human Resources I
- Direccion Estrategica I / Strategic Management I
- Economia Internacional I / International Economics I
- Gestión de Instituciones Sanitarias / Management for Health Institutions
- Investigacion de Mercados / Market Research
UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) COURSES in English
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are 3 U.S. credits.
Syllabi for the courses listed below can be found online.
Here is a sample of BaPIS courses in English:
- Analytics for Social Good
- Anthropocene – How People Are Transforming the Planet
- Art, Mind and the Brain
- Barcelona the City and its History
- Building a Brain
- Contemporary Spanish Art
- Ethics in a Globalization and Sustainability Context
- From Hipocrates to Personalized Medicine: Healthcare Adapted to Societal Changes
- Gender-based Violence and International Protection of Human Rights
- Global Marketing and Culture of FC Barcelona
- Great Ideas that Have Shaped our World: From the Axial Age to the Robot Revolution
- Innovation and the Law. How Technology Changes the Legal System
- LGTB+: Exploring Identities and Diversity
- Stardom Wars: Controversies on Creativity and Authorship in Spanish Cinema
- The Collectivity Revolution
- The Jews in Spain: History, Heritage and Memory
UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) COURSES in Spanish
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are 3 U.S. credits.
Syllabi for the courses listed below can be found online.
Here is a sample of BaPIS courses in Spanish:
- Innovación e inteligencia artificial en el gobierno: la transformación creativa de la gobernanza urbana
- ¿Qué es noticia? verdad, desinformación y hegemonía
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB)
UAB Content Courses
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Courses are taught in English and are 3 U.S. credits.
- UAB Study Abroad Program sample courses in English (taken with other CIEE students only):
- The Seven Wonders of Spain: Spanish Architecture History
- Communication and Gender
- Mediterranean Culture and History
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
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 15 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 4, 2023 | Dec 21, 2023 |
$19,950
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,953 ** Housing = $4,500 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $19,950Estimated CostsStudents 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 Estimated Costs = $3,010Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * 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 |
| Academic year 2023-2024 32 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 4, 2023 | Apr 18, 2024 |
$38,900
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $29,153 ** Housing = $9,250 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $38,900Estimated CostsStudents 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 = $194 ††† Books & Supplies = $150 Visa Fees = $160 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 Personal expenses = $167 †††† Other = $0 ††††† Expenses during break = $695 †††††† Total Estimated Costs = $3,884Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * 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: 3 t-jove. T-jove (3 months) = 40€ ($43) †††† 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 †††††† 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. |
| Spring 2024 15 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 3, 2024 | Apr 18, 2024 |
$20,950
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $15,706 ** Housing = $4,750 *** Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $20,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,325 † International Airfare = $850 †† Local Transportation = $65 ††† Books & Supplies = $100 Visa Fees = $160 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 Personal expenses = $260 Total Estimated Costs = $4,260Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * 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 Apartment/Residence Hall. Students at Homestays should budget $1050 †† 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) |
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, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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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).
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José Luis Espinosa
Academic Director
José Luis holds a Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Gender Studies from the University of Salamanca (USAL).
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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
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
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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