Seville
Seville, Spain

Advanced Liberal Arts

Study Program

Dates

-

21 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Tentative Dates

-

17 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Tentative Dates

-

42 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Tentative Dates

-

22 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Ever dreamt about living in the south of Spain? Known for its fantastic weather, tapas culture, Flamenco, winding narrow streets, picturesque plazas, and majestic monuments, Seville is a city cherished for its cultural past, making it an ideal destination for students in the Advanced Liberal Arts program.

At CIEE Seville, students from all areas of study are invited to experience the city's countless socio-cultural wonders – all while earning academic credits. When class is in session, you will enroll in an engaging combination of courses alongside other international students at Seville's different host universities (University of Seville, University of Pablo de Olavide, and EUSA School of Communications). In addition to advancing your Spanish language skills, you can choose to study topics in business, economics, marketing, journalism, history, psychology, biology, chemistry, literature, linguistics, and more. All your courses will be complemented by co-curricular activities, excursions, day trips, and overnight trips organized by CIEE beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and intercultural understanding.

Outside the classroom, you will have every opportunity to stroll along the city's magical streets and explore charming plazas that will leave you speechless! The incredible, historic city of Seville is unlike any other. Meet "Sevillians" and discover a relaxed lifestyle that will make you fall in love with the local way of life.

Unique Experiences

Explore a New Place, Taste or Experience

every week, with activities and excursions that augment your learning.

Become Immersed in Seville

with courses alongside local Spanish peers at local Spanish universities.

Make Lasting Friendships With Local Students

while taking courses with locals in our three partner universities

3

Unesco World Heritage Sites in Old Town

2

Soccer Teams in the City (La Liga)

300

Number of Sunny Days in the Year

Experience
  • Seville Plaza de Espana bridges
  • Seville students walking with backpacks
  • Seville group of students in the street

The Destination

Seeking a life-changing experience in Spain? Then Seville is your destination. Advanced Spanish language students will have a transformative experience by living in Seville and exploring its colorful streets, becoming captivated by the immemorial culture surrounding you, and falling in love with the heart of Andalucia. Discover a city brimming with life and history and learn how it has evolved through the centuries and inspired the rest of the world.  

Seville is a welcoming city that will captivate you immediately. Enjoy its tranquility and wander the streets during the day, taking in the Guadalquivir River, followed by tapas and flamenco, the highest form of art and expression in Southern Spain. The cuisine of Seville is an art form itself and boasts very special regional artisan dishes that you cannot miss. And don’t forget about the vibrant nightlife and incredible weather all year round.  

CIEE Seville is in the historic downtown neighborhood of “Santa Cruz”, very close to the University of Seville’s main campus. Study and make local friends in an 18th-century palace while enjoying a large variety of weekly cultural activities and events. No better way to improve your intercultural skills and abilities.

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 Seville.

Are you ready to capture your Seville experience? Come and join us! 

The Culture

Seville student in garden

Other Excursions & Activities

  • Get to know local Spanish students through fun and engaging activities  
  • Explore beyond Seville and participate in day trips and excursions to discover other Spanish cities in the region of Andalucía. Past destinations included the cities of Córdoba, Cádiz, Málaga, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda, Aracena, and many others. 
  • Engage in fun sports activities and workshops such as bike tours, wine tastings, cooking, flamenco, ceramics classes, and many more. Try kayaking at the Guadalquivir River at sunset or hiking in the “Sierra Norte.” 
  • Become a Sevillano and see Seville’s social fabric for yourself while engaging with the local community. Seville’s lifestyle will make you fall in love with Spain’s traditions and customs.  
  • Soak up Spanish culture through neighborhood visits to some of the most emblematic locations such as Triana and Santa Cruz. Get ready for the unexpected, you’ll love it!  
seville ciee mural phone

Internship & Volunteering Opportunities

  • Tandem Project: Team up with a Spanish student from the University of Seville for peer-to-peer language-related activities. Your Spanish language skills and abilities will improve by leaps and bounds.  
  • Volunteering: Give back and create a deeper connection to Seville’s local community.  Collaborate with local associations, NGOs, and other minority communities in Seville.  
  • Internships: There are plenty of options to earn credit and beef up your resume with international experience in the Spanish working market. Help improve logistics and customer relations, build finance reports in Excel, analyze competitors, develop marketing plans, audit local Andalusian companies, and more.  


 

Seville student teaching in classroom

Local Engagement

  • Cultural Language Assistant: Become an ambassador of the US at local public schools in Seville. You will be collaborating with local teachers facilitating fun and engaging intercultural activities with children and/or teenagers.   
  • Language Immersion Weekend: a weekend in the countryside, with Spanish university students, and only speaking Spanish. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

In the Plazas Arms

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Joseph Decilos Since its erection in 1928, the Plaza De España has acted as an epicenter of relational mingling. It’s an introduction at the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 inviting... keep reading

From CIEE

Intercultural Growth: Trials and Tribulations of Adjusting to Life Abroad

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Joseph Decilos Upon arrival in Sevilla , one is overwhelmed with the traditional culture, and the myriad of history in every inch of the city. Surrounded by fragments of... keep reading

From CIEE

Is Uber in Spain? Top 5 Travel Apps to Use in Spain

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

You’ re already doing something right if you’re considering a study abroad program in Spain . Now for the fun part: planning your adventures while you’re there. Unfortunately, sorting through... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "Going abroad is one of the best experiences a person can have in their lifetime. CIEE provides so much structure, organization, and support for their students, making it a mostly stress free and super fun experience."

    Mireya V., Santa Clara University

  • "I felt that the program was extremely well-organized and I enjoyed my experience"

    Olivia D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Housing
Academics

Academics

This program is designed for students with advanced Spanish language skills and strong academic backgrounds. Students take most classes with Spanish students at our partner institutions: the Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, and EUSA, as well as from CIEE Seville where a variety of specialized electives are offered. Whether you are interested in business, engineering, language, arts, humanities, or social sciences, you can explore your interests and earn credit toward your degree in Seville.  

Universidad de Sevilla has been one of Spain’s leading institutions of higher learning since the 16th century and now hosts some 75,000 students. Its many schools, departments, and institutes serve the educational needs of Spain’s most populous region.  

EUSA (Estudios Universitarios Superiores de Andalucía) University Centre is a private university center founded in 1961 and affiliated with the University of Seville since 1996. Their official undergraduate degrees include Audiovisual Communication, Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations, and Tourism. EUSA is one of the educational components that constitute the Campus Formativo of the Chamber of Commerce of Seville, a unique configuration located in the heart of Seville which has catered to the learning needs of over 55,000 national and international students.  

Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) – With nearly 11,000 students, UPO is the second-largest state university in Seville. Its 345-acre campus is 30 minutes from the city center. UPO offers undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional majors, as well as other areas, from biotechnology to translation. Modern facilities include campus-wide Internet access, sports facilities, science labs, and more.  

CIEE Seville – Our home is a beautifully renovated palace, originally built in 1725. It is close to the Royal Alcazar Palace and a 10-minute walk from the Universidad de Sevilla. The site includes classrooms, a computer room, student services, the Center for Linguistic Resources, and the Advanced Liberal Arts team.  

Note for students taking courses directly from Host Institution(s): Students are required to stay in Seville until they have completed their exams. Official host institutions’ fall exams are in January, and official host institutions’ spring exams are in June. However, early exams in December and May may be possible, and they should be confirmed on an individual basis with the professor at the start of the regular semester session, during the add/drop period. Please note that it is up to the discretion of each professor to allow the taking of final exams before the start of the official examination period. As it is impossible to confirm your exam schedule prior to your arrival, if your priority is to leave Seville as soon as your university finals are finished, please book an airline ticket with a low change fee or a flexible departure date. 

Language placement – Prior to departure for Seville, all students take an online placement exam. Results determine appropriate placement in language courses. Placement in many upper-level courses depends on a high score.

Language support – Our Language Resource Center is staffed by language professors and Spanish students majoring in Spanish philology, who help students with reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking. Tutorials on university course content are also offered. Students agree to speak only Spanish to encourage language and cultural acquisition.

Internship Placement – Participate in our “Internship Fair” and practice your interview skills. Placement is determined by language ability, job skills, and background. Because Spanish firms make final selections, internships in a particular company are not guaranteed. Students have interned for organizations like Marketing Publicidad, Simetrycal, Mail Boxes, CLIC, CyO Arquitectos as well as smaller firms and companies. 

Students agree to speak only Spanish to encourage language and cultural acquisition.  

GPA

The GPA for students who want to take classes at University of Seville is 2.5.  

For students who want to take classes at University Pablo de Olavide, the GPA is 2.9.  

Language Requirements

Six semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent).  

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

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.

Requirements

Students must take five to six courses, for a total of 15-18 semester credits, including:  

  • One two-week intensive Spanish language or culture course  
    • HISP 3501 CSCS Social History of Contemporary Spain, SPAN 3503 CSCS Intensive Spanish for Students of Business and Economics, or SPAN 4502 CSCS Intensive Advanced Spanish Grammar, depending on results from placement exam.   
  • Four to five semester elective courses  
    • One to two CIEE course from any of the areas listed below  
    • Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing  
    • Communication, Journalism, and Media  
    • Health Professions and Related Programs  
    • History, Philosophy, Religion  
    • Languages and Cultural Studies  
    • Literature, Linguistics, and Writing  
    • Psychology  
    • Social Sciences  
    • Visual and Performing Arts  
    • Independent Research Project  
    • Business Internship   
  • Through Fall 2023, a minimum of three host institution courses. As of Spring 2024, two host institution courses are required.  
    • University of Seville  
    • University Pablo de Olavide  
    • EUSA School of Communications   

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits

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 contact hours, 100 placement hours  
  • CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/ quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100 research hours  
  • University of Seville: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, unless otherwise noted  
  • University Pablo de Olavide: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, unless otherwise noted  
  • EUSA School of Communications: 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

Spanish students begin to study in their area of concentration from day one. They are specialists, not generalists. Spain does not have a liberal arts educational tradition and different degrees do not include survey-type classes. Class attendance is mandatory, and students are expected to complete work and exams as scheduled. Dates of official university exams are published early in the semester. Academic and exam schedules vary between academic institutions, so plan accordingly. All students are required to review their exams with their professors before leaving Seville, so they know how they performed and what grade to expect.  

Class Format

CIEE courses are open only to CIEE students. University courses are open to Spanish and international students. Courses in law, geography, history, and philology meet in the Universidad de Sevilla’s main building, Tabacalera. Classes from the other schools meet at different campuses around the city. Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) classes are held on the UPO campus, a 30-minute commute from the city center. EUSA classes are taught on the EUSA campus, about 20 minutes walking from the center of the city.  

Grading

In CIEE courses, students are graded on midterm and final examinations, assignments, class participation, and attendance. In direct enrollment classes, professors give oral or written final exams, and sometimes term papers, too. Numerical grades are given on a 10-point scale and converted to the U.S. scale

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

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

Course Information

  • First-year courses at the University of Seville are not available to international students.  
  • Advanced Liberal Arts students may not take classes from the Cursos Concertados at University of Seville.  
  • Courses in Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing are held at the University of Seville’s School of Economics and Business.  

First-year courses at the University of Seville are not available for international students. 

All students who take direct matriculation courses must stay to complete their classes and exams. Exact final exam dates will not be available until the beginning of the semester. CIEE Seville staff will be able to help students enroll in courses with early exams if necessary. 

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Literature, Linguistics, and Writing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Literature, Linguistics, and Writing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Host Institution courses are available from the UNIVERSITY OF SEVILLE, UNIVERSITY PABLO DE OLAVIDE COURSES, and EUSA School of Communications.  

Students may refer to the Universidad de Sevilla website at www.us.es, the Universidad Pablo de Olavide website at www.upo.es, and EUSA website at www.eusa.es for more information. 

All syllabi are posted on the universities´ websites. 

CIEE cannot guarantee host institution offerings or that the courses on the websites will not change. 

UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA (US)

First-year courses at the University of Seville are not available to international students.  

Academic departments include: 

  • Arabic Language, Literature, and Area Studies  
  • Art History  
  • Biology  
  • Business Studies  
  • Chemistry  
  • Communication  
  • Computer Science  
  • Economics/Business  
  • Education  
  • Engineering  
  • Geography  
  • History  
  • Labor Sciences  
  • Law  
  • Mathematics  
  • Modern/Classical Languages and Literature  
  • Philosophy  
  • Philology  
  • Physics  
  • Psychology  
  • Social Anthropology  
  • Spanish Language and Literature  
  • Studies of East Asia  
  • Tourism  

UNIVERSIDAD PABLO DE OLAVIDE (UPO)

Academic departments include:

  • Business Studies  
  • Chemistry  
  • Communications  
  • Economics/Business  
  • Education  
  • Experimental Sciences  
  • Geography/ History  
  • Humanities  
  • Labor Relations  
  • Law  
  • Mathematics  
  • Psychology  
  • Philology  
  • Social Education  
  • Social Sciences  
  • Social Work  
  • Sports Sciences  
  • Translation and Interpretation  

EUSA

Academic departments include:

  • Advertising and Public Relations 
  • Audiovisual Communication 
  • Journalism 
  • Tourism 

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

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
  • Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

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 21 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $18,950
Program Fall 2024 17 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $18,950
Program Academic year 2024-2025 42 weeks Start Date * End Date *
Program Spring 2025 22 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*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 = $13,956**

Housing = $4,500

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $18,950

Estimated 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 = $0

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $160†††

Books & Supplies = $60

Visa Fees = $160

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500

Personal expenses = $300††††

Total Costs = $2,430

Optional 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^

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.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For students in residence halls/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

†††40 dollars/month

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^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 = $13,956**

Housing = $4,500

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $18,950

Estimated 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 = $0

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $160†††

Books & Supplies = $60

Visa Fees = $160

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500

Personal expenses = $260††††

Other = $40†††††

Total Costs = $2,430

Optional 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^

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.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For students in residence halls/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

†††Transportation card $40 per month.

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

†††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required

^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.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

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.

See Scholarships

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.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

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.

See Scholarships

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

Staff

Our Staff

Salvador Parra

Center Director

Salvador has been working at CIEE since 2000 and is passionate about international exchange. He holds a degree in History and Geography from the University of Seville, and a Master of Business Administration.

José Luis Martinez

Academic Director

José Luis Martinez (Juli) has a B.A. in Hispanic Philology and an M.A. in Spanish Literature (Theater) from the Universidad de Seville. He has been working with CIEE since 2002.

María Montes de Oca

Director of Student Life

María has been working at CIEE since 2007. She studied Journalism and Translation Studies (French and Italian) at University of Granada, and obtained a Masters degree in European Studies. Having...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

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.

Request Info