Liberal Arts
The enchanting and historic city of Barcelona is calling your name. Are you listening? Known as the cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region, Barcelona is renowned for its stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, and vibrant cultural heritage, making it the ideal destination for students in our Liberal Arts program.
During this exciting program, students from multiple areas of study experience the city's countless cultural wonders – all while earning college credit. When class is in session at CIEE Barcelona and CIEE's partner school, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), you'll take your advanced Spanish language skills to the next level in Spanish classes relevant to your degree. Choose from a range of courses, including history, politics, literature, and culture. You'll quickly advance your language skills while building a broad understanding of Spain's history and culture.
Outside the classroom, you'll have plenty of time to explore everything Barcelona has to offer. From indulging in mouth-watering tapas at one of the city's 19 Michelin-starred restaurants to marveling at world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí's 20+ sites to participating in traditional Catalan dances (like the native Sardana dance), your time in Spain's most famous city will be nothing short of life-changing!
Unique Experiences
GAIN FLUENCY FAST
by chatting with Spanish peers in language exchanges, hanging out with your host family, or working on a group project with classmates.
LIVE LIKE A NATIVE BARCELONAN
in a cosmopolitan university city that’s rooted in ancient tradition and committed to the future.
GET WORK EXPERIENCE
and a behind-the-scenes look at publishing, marketing, business, school, or NGO with an internship.
2,000
YEARS OF HISTORY
1,728
CONVENTIONS YEARLY
8,000
RESTAURANTS
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
The for-credit CIEE internships provide students with practical, real-world work experience at NGOs, schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, businesses, and more. Internships include required weekly classroom components that enrich the experience. Students applying for an internship are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
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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
Our Liberal Arts program gives students the opportunity to increase language proficiency and learn about Spanish history, politics, literature, and culture. All courses are taught in Spanish. Students can take courses designed for U.S. students at CIEE and courses with local and international students at Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
CIEE Barcelona courses are taught in adjoining historic buildings near the city’s main square. CIEE language courses are taught by professors who specialize in teaching Spanish as a second language and CIEE content courses are taught by experienced local faculty.
The Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) was founded in 1990 and it is known for its international outlook and emphasis on technology. It offers degrees in fields ranging from business to social sciences. UPF courses – both regular courses and courses from the Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) –, are taught at the UPF campus, near the Olympic Village, Poblenou, and the port. UPF courses are taught by UPF faculty. Internship seminars are taught by a professor with cross-cultural and business expertise.
Fall 2023: Students taking Direct Enrollment courses may need to remain onsite until December 21, 2023, due to an extended course schedule.
Course Information
- Once internship hours are started, students may not drop the internship and take another CIEE course.
- UPF courses are regular UPF classes taught with local students with a different academic system.
- UPF BaPIS courses are for both local and international students.
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
UPF 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 on the BaPIS website.
Here is a sample of BaPIS courses in Spanish:
- Activismo y defensa de los animales en Cataluña, Europa y el mundo
- Emergencia climática, ecologismo y transición energética
- ¿Qué es noticia? verdad, desinformación y hegemonía
UPF Regular courses
The following list is a general selection of regular UPF courses available to international students and is subject to change:
- Introduction to Literary Studies / Introducción a los estudios literarios (UPF - Humanities)
- Contemporary Art/Arte Contemporáneo (UPF - Humanities)
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 | Application Due Deadline Passed | 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, 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.
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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