Information for term Global Architecture + Design
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenThe Global Architecture + Design program invites design, architecture, or sustainability majors or minors to create model cities that address climate change by reducing the environmental footprint of buildings. All courses are taught in English, and students take the required Future Cities Seminar; Future Cities Design Studio; and Science, Engineering, and Technology Workshop at CIEE Barcelona. Hands-on workshops with cutting-edge technology are led by experts from Barcelona’s architecture and design community. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Use FABLAB Facilities
at the cutting-edge Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia which is dedicated to developing architecture for 21st-century challenges
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Get to know the city
with guided tours to important historical sites and monuments
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Participate in a ground-breaking design project
and develop innovative, sustainable ideas that improve living conditions in the city
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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municipal parks
60 -
universities
8
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Culture, sport, fashion, finance, media, entertainment – Barcelona is brimming with all of it. 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. A walk through the city reveals 2,000 years of history at every turn, including Roman ruins, 19th-century modernista architecture, ultramodern showpieces, and the Gothic buildings of the Old Town.
Castilian Spanish and Catalan are both official languages. Catalan is regularly used in all aspects of life, but not imposed. Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, professors, host families – all speak clear Castilian when Spanish speakers are present. Students don’t need to speak Catalan, but learning a few words can open doors to making friends.
The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Get to know Spanish students with conversation exchanges.
- See Barcelona from new heights with a hike and excursion to Collserola.
- See for yourself why landmarks like Museu Picasso and Gaudi’s artworks engender awe from visitors around the world.
- Explore beyond Barcelona, with highlights that could include Roman ruins in the coastal city Tarragona, the medieval town of Girona, the Dalí museum in Figueres, among others.

CIEE Local Students
Local university students welcome our visiting students and help them get to know the city and meet new friends. You’ll join them in small groups for fun city tours, flamenco night, and more.

Projects
- Build on classwork with open lectures and design critique sessions conducted by IAAC professors, visiting lecturers, architects, historians, and researchers.
- Volunteering: Connect with Spaniards as you give your time. You might help kids with homework, assist kids with special needs, or collect food for community projects.
- Collaborate on design projects in small groups with people from diverse backgrounds.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays. Live with a Spanish-speaking family -with or without another CIEE student - and immerse yourself in the city’s language and culture. Each student has his/her own room and weekly laundry service. Homestays are located in Barcelona, no more than 30 minutes from CIEE by public transportation.
Residence Halls. Students live with other Spanish and international students. Residence halls include single rooms with shared kitchens and common areas.
Apartments. Apartments may have double or single rooms. They have shared kitchens and laundry facilities. Students live with other CIEE students.
Housing is tight in Barcelona. If we can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive. All housing is within a 30-minute commute to CIEE Barcelona. -
MEALS
Homestay students have breakfast and dinner with their host families, and are responsible for lunch. Meals are not included at residence halls or apartments.
Barcelona, Spain Where You'll Study
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CIEE BARCELONA
Near Barcelona’s main square, Plaza Catalunya.
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INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE OF CATALONIA (IAAC)
In the innovative 22@ area, known for urban regeneration.
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C
Getting Around
Students walk or use public transportation.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
CIEE designed this program with Maria Aiolova, award-winning educator, architect, urban designer, co-founder of Terreform ONE, and chair of the ONE Lab NY School for Design and Science. It is designed to develop a language of technological design that links individual responsibility and the global environmental crisis through study of places, cities, and cultures. The program includes the Future Cities Design Studio; a Future Cities seminar; science, engineering, and technology workshops; and an elective class. Students have access to cutting-edge facilities at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) This international center applies research and development to architecture and urbanism, welcoming students and investigators from more than 60 countries. IAAC collaborates with the City Council of Barcelona, Collserola Natural Park, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Centre for Information Technology and Architecture, Southern California Institute of Architecture, and companies like CISCO, Endesa, and Kuka Robotics. Together they develop research programs that bring together experts in architecture, engineering, biology, sociology, anthropology, and other fields. Read more information on IAAC.
Architecture, design courses, and workshops are taught in English by CIEE-contracted IAAC faculty members. Elective courses are taught by CIEE faculty.
View projects made by students on this program.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Students must be pursuing a major or minor in architecture, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, sustainability studies, or urban design with 2-3 semesters of design studio or project-based courses in their major.
Program Requirements
Students take three required courses plus a CIEE elective:
- Future Cities Design Studio
- Future Cities Seminar
- Science, Engineering, and Technology Workshop
- CIEE elective
Program Credit
Total credit: 15 U.S. semester/22.5 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- Future Cities Design Studio: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits, 90 contact hours
Academic Culture
Students are encouraged to inquire, debate, collaborate, conduct experiments, and consider the role of today’s architects and designers. Students need an open mind, a readiness to collaborate and exchange ideas, and motivation. At IAAC, students will work mostly in small groups.
Class Format
All courses are customized for and open only to CIEE students. Classes include a combination of lectures, group work, presentations, and discussions.
Language of Instruction
English and Spanish
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
- The three required courses are independently taught but the content is interconnected. Work developed in the Future Cities Seminar and the Science, Engineering, and Technology Workshop will inform and feed the main project developed in the Future Cities Design Studio.
- If students would like to select a Spanish language course as an elective, their official proficiency level and final class placement will be determined on-site.
Fall 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenArchitecture
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in 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 |
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Fall 2021 15 weeks | Apr 1, 2021 | Sep 4, 2021 | Dec 19, 2021 |
$19,450
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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 = $14,783 ** Housing = $4,200 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,450Estimated 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 = $2,800 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $450 Books & Supplies = $250 Visa Fees = $160 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 Personal expenses = $2,000 Other = $125 ††† Total Estimated Costs = $7,535Financial 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 students in residencia or shared apartment; homestay students should budget $ 1400 for meals not included in fees †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† Covid test fees for entry to the US |
Spring 2022 14 weeks | Oct 1, 2021 | Jan 3, 2022* | Apr 10, 2022* |
*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, 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
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. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.