Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Let Barcelona captivate you

Our Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) program situates you in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage site at a young, entrepreneurial university. Practice your Spanish as you stroll down the tree-lined La Rambla, take a cooking class to perfect delicious tapas, and lose an afternoon (or many) to Gaudi’s whimsical architecture. Studying at UAB offers the ideal experience of lively campuses, supportive staff, and close proximity to commercial centers, cultural sites, and the beautiful Barceloneta beach!

What to Expect

Language(s):

English, Spanish

Average Courseload:

4-5 classes (12-15 U.S. credits)

GPA Requirement:

2.75

Visa Requirement:

YES - Pre-departure

Highlights:

Study at an UNESCO World Heritage site

Enjoy exceptional support, including a comprehensive on-site orientation and guided tours of the city

Choose from a wide range of courses taught in English, including Art, Business, Communication, Culture, Economics, History, Politics and more

Participate in frequent social and cultural activities

Study Spanish language at any level for 3 or 6 credits

CIS Abroad really helped me to become a part of the culture in Barcelona. Their cultural activities gave me a hands on experience of what life is like in Barcelona. This has changed my life because I will always reflect on my time in Barcelona, and how I grew as a person.

Maleesha Ebanks

West Virginia University

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Little did I know that I would learn more about myself and the world than anything I could ever learn in a classroom. Being abroad for four months gives you the chance to not only see the touristy places, but also the small details of life that make up the culture in Barcelona.

Lillian Redpath

University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

I was recommended CIS Abroad over any other program by my school's Office of International Education because of the high regard students from the past decade had for their programs. I went into CIS Abroad's program not knowing a soul and they made the transition unbelievably easy for me. If the other programs are anything like CIS Abroad Barcelona, you can be sure to expect a team that genuinely desires for you to have a safe, fun, eye-opening, memorable, and life-changing experience.

Joel Kearney

Grove City College

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

I was super nervous about living in another country, but CIS Abroad calmed my nerves right away! They picked me up from the airport, helped me get settled into my apartment, and they were always available for help and advice.

Katy Zborowski

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Throughout my experience, things happened unexpectedly quite frequently, which created situations where we had to adapt on the fly. Something that I had the opportunity to work on was keeping my cool and learning to adapt in these new situations, especially when traveling and navigating new public transportations. I was able to lead my group and navigate ourselves through new cities.

Katie Conner

Ohio University

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

I learned to navigate and eventually remembered directions without needing my phone. This skill transitioned into my travels and I was navigating international transportation systems in different languages. It was a challenge, but I loved it! I got a sense of accomplishment when I was able to navigate myself and my group from one location to another based off what I'd learned.

Katie Conner

Ohio University

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Program Details

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is one of the top universities in Spain, ranking #3 in the country. An academic powerhouse, UAB is a young, entrepreneurial university in an exciting city. Business students flock to UAB, where you can take a wide array of courses in business, international relations, and economics. Not to be overshadowed, the art and humanities courses at UAB are equally strong. You have the option to take classes in either Spanish or English. Luckily, UAB accommodates Spanish-language speakers of all levels.

The Sant Pau campus is housed within an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site called the Hospital de la Santa Creu. Wander fifteen minutes down the block and you'll stumble upon the world-renowned la Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's iconic cathedral. You'll attend all of your courses on this campus, and you'll meet other U.S. and international students.

Founded in 1968, UAB is ranked as #190 in the world by QS.

Accreditation(s): Ministry of Education and Science.

Course Information

Browse Courses

Course listings are for exploratory purposes, final course availability is determined during the enrollment process.

Filters

Life in Barcelona

It’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of the top tourist and study abroad destinations in the world. This incredible location on the shores of the Mediterranean has a delightfully mild climate year round. Plus, Barcelona is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities to live in! The second-largest city in Spain has two official languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan. It’s the perfect place to challenge yourself and practice your own Spanish skills, while also learning more about the unique Catalan history and culture.

The city is bustling, and you'll be in awe of the architecture, including Gaudi's towering Sagrada Familia basilica. When you're ready to immerse yourself in nature, you can easily reach beaches and hiking sites just outside of Barcelona. The efficient public transportation system allows you to quickly travel to the many beaches to both the north and south of Barcelona. It also means you can easily navigate campus and the many amazing sites located throughout the city.

The city’s diverse international population, colorful flair, exciting nightlife, and vast array of cultural, historical, and modern attractions makes Barcelona an unparalleled place to study abroad!

Live the Local Life

Barrio Gótico

Enjoy a guided walking tour around the Barrio Gótico, the oldest neighborhood in Barcelona, while learning all about the history of the city.

Spanish Wine Tour and Tasting

Learn all about the importance of the production of wine and cava in Catalunya at a beautiful vineyard that ends with an optional wine tasting paired with delicious local cheeses.

Around Catalunya

Visit a local beach town in Catalunya and amaze in the wonders of hidden coves while soaking up the beach culture in Spain.

Tibidabo Hike

This outdoor activity gets students out and about and a chance to hike up to some of the best views of the city.

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence

Overview

Enjoy upscale, shared accommodations in a residence designed for visiting students just like you! The student residence boasts a whole suite of modern amenities that ensure you're living in complete comfort. The double rooms have twin beds, an ensuite shared bathroom, storage space, and two desk and chair sets. Step out of your bedroom into a shared apartment environment, with living and lounging spaces, dining areas, and a kitchen. Share a meal or conversation with your apartment mates, find a quiet nook of your own, or head for one of the residence's communal spaces.

Among the residence's abundant shared amenities, you'll find a gym, pool, terrace, lounges, kitchens, study areas, and cinema room. You'll be supported by 24/7 on-site staff and friendly reception.

The residence is located on Carrer Pallars, bordering Poblenou in the 22@, Barcelona’s innovation district. The major thoroughfare, Avenida Diagonal, is just around the corner, providing easy access to the rest of Barcelona. The beach is about 15 minutes' walk.

Meals

You'll have access to a kitchen shared among your apartment mates stocked with basic cooking supplies.

Inclusions and Amenities

24-Hour Security Bathroom - Ensuite Bathroom - Shared Bed Linens Cleaning Service Desk Double Room Fitness Center Kitchen Equipment Laundry Laundry - Onsite Maintenance Service Pool Study Areas Towels Wi-Fi

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence 2

Overview

Enjoy single room accommodations in a modern residence designed for international students! The property has a full suite of modern amenities, ensuring your stay is as comfortable as possible. Have your own private bedroom and bathroom. There are some bedrooms in a shared apartments with communal living, dining, and kitchen areas, and some studios with their own kitchenette. All of these rooms features an ensuite bathroom, ample storage, and a desk. You'll also have access to a gym, laundry facilities, study rooms, and a rooftop swimming pool.

Situated just 15 minutes east of Barcelona’s center by Metro and a short 15 minute walk from the beach, the residence is at the edge of the vibrant Poblenou neighborhood in the 22@ innovation district, with Avenida Diagonal providing easy access to the rest of the city.

Inclusions and Amenities

24-Hour Security Air Conditioning Bathroom - Ensuite Bed Linens Cleaning Service Desk Fitness Center Kitchen Equipment Laundry - Onsite Pool Single Room Study Areas Towels Wi-Fi

What's Included

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

Airport pickup during pickup window
Excursions and frequent cultural and social activities
Full-time tuition and fees
Housing
Medical and accident insurance
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
On-site support
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Pre-departure orientation
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona orientation
Official Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona digital transcript
The Local Life cultural program
CIS Abroad Micro-credential

Welcome & Orientation

Upon arrival in Barcelona, you’ll be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. In the first few days you’ll take part in orientation programs that will introduce you to this vibrant and cosmopolitan city you will come to call home. You’ll learn practical tips for living in Barcelona, you'll get a lay of the land by visiting some of Barcelona's top neighborhoods, and we'll share advice about where to go out, how to stay safe, where to shop, and plenty more. We'll also enjoy a welcome meal together.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

As the program draws to a close, you'll go home with the tools you need to make the most of your experience. In our re-entry workshop, learn how to cope with cultural differences you'll experience as you go home, how to put your abroad experience on your resume (and talk about it in job interviews), as well as how to keep traveling in the future. End the trip with a farewell meal with all your new CIS Abroad amigos and the staff, for a chance to say "hasta luego" to your new city!

Program Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Day Trips Around Catalonia

A day trip around Catalonia typically includes guided tours, some museum entrance fees, a group ...

Learn More

Weekend Trip from Barcelona

During weekend trips, you might experience Flamenco and tour the beautiful Alhambra in Granada; eat ...

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Barcelona Cooking Class

During this Spanish Cuisine Workshop students learn a variety of traditional Spanish dishes from ...

Learn More

Site Directors

Alexander Dorsey

Site Director - Barcelona

I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan and I came to Barcelona years ago for what I thought would be a short stay, but I quickly fell in love with the city and its culture and I decided to make it my home. With a background in finance and a Master's of Education, I've spent the past 10 years working with students here, helping them connect across cultures and explore new perspectives. I've also had the chance to travel to several different countries and have amazing experiences, which has only deepened my passion for global education. Outside work, you'll find me spending time with my family, trying new recipes or diving into a good book. I'm excited to support students in an unforgettable experience in Barcelona.

Travel Tip! Plan ahead, but embrace spontaneity. Stay curious and open and definitely don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself. It's all part of the adventure.

Sophia Ventura

Assistant Site Director - Barcelona

Sophia grew up in southeastern Massachusetts and earned her degree in economics with a focus on Labor and Policy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During this time, she studied abroad in Alicante, Spain. This would eventually lead her to her current venture of pursuing her Master of Science in Economics at the University of Barcelona. Sophia has a passion for people and has fallen in love with Barcelona for its vibrant social culture and ease of meeting people. She believes that, beyond academics, some of the most valuable knowledge comes from the genuine connections made with people you meet and the experiences you have.

Sophia looks forward to welcoming students to Barcelona and showing them all that the city has to offer. She hopes to connect new students with the city through sport, creativity, and immersive cultural experiences.

Travel Tip! When I land in a new country, the first thing I do is explore the grocery store bakery section. It is my favorite way to explore the everyday food of an area. It is also a great way to find out which kinds of pastries you want to look for in a local artisan bakery!

Nicolás Livon-Navarro

Assistant Site Director - Barcelona

Nico was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts and studied Neurobiology and Linguistics at Tufts University. His parents are from Argentina and therefore grew up bilingual in Spanish and English. He was able to deepen his love for languages by spending two years in Brazil and two years in France working and studying. These experiences had a long lasting impact on Nico and how he chooses to live his life. He is passionate about meeting new people and cross-cultural engagement. He now heads to Barcelona as the Assistant Site Director with the goal of building relationships and having a positive impact on students and staff!

Travel Tip! Always try to engage with locals in their language. Even if you only learn a couple words or phrases, it goes a long way! Remember, making mistakes is part of the process!

Your Support Staff

Syd O'Wesney

Program Enrollment Coordinator - England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain

Syd received a BA in Geography and in Anthropology from Miami University. Wanting to get out there in the world when he entered college, Syd went off on a January term program to Costa Rica studying Spanish. A year later, he studied abroad for a full semester in Pune, India, only a few hours from the Bollywood capital of Mumbai. The travel bug has taken them to 7 other countries as well, with many places planned for the future. After working as an Education Abroad Ambassador for his university, they realized that the world of study abroad was where he wanted to be! In addition to traveling, he loves a variety of hobbies, including indoor gardening, video games, and fiction writing.

Travel Tip! Make sure to explore the city that you're in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they're studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens' so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don't neglect what you have right in front of you!

Nicole Baumgartner

International Operations Assistant Director

Nicole was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Washington, and studied Political Science, Law Societies and Justice, and Human Rights at the University of Washington. Nicole has always had the travel bug so after graduating she moved to Spain to work as an English Assistant and fell in love with the country of tapas, flamenco, and constant sunshine! She lived in Granada, Spain for 9 years and is lucky to now call Barcelona home. She has always worked in education and loves seeing the profound benefits of students immersing themselves in another language and culture. She also loves to spend time at the beach, wandering around neighborhoods, and grabbing tapas with friends.

Travel Tip! When traveling always make friends with the locals! They will help really immerse you into the culture and give you a different perspective of your destination. They have the best recommendations for the most authentic restaurants and show you places that you would never find in a guidebook or on a blog. Not only will you have a great experience while traveling, but you also have the chance to make new, lifelong friends from around the world!

Marina Weinstein

International Operations Director - UK, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Costa Rica

I am an Actress, a Health Coach, a Yoga & Ayurveda teacher, and a Bachelor of Communication Sciences. Additionally, I have extensive experience in the field of international education. I played a key role in launching the study and internship programs in Buenos Aires, where I served as a Site Director for nearly 10 years. During my tenure, I supervised the LATAM region as a Site Director's Manager, and had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, I transitioned to the Marketing & Communications department, where I have been actively contributing. Currently, I am also involved in overseeing the Spain and Costa Rica programs as part of my role in the International Operations Management team.

Travel Tip! Walk, walk, walk, whenever you can! And take your time. You might find the most special surprises on your way to destination.

Kaylee Klinger

Advising & Alumni Relations Manager

Received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Business Administration from Ohio University. It was there where I discovered CIS Abroad and got the opportunity to study abroad twice; in Paris, France and Stirling Scotland as well as become an Alumni Ambassador. It was during my time in the Scottish Highlands where I discovered my passion for travel. On top of studying in Paris and Stirling, I've been blessed to have traveled to Australia, Canada, Ireland, England and Italy as well! I have a passion for hiking and visiting all of the National Parks in the United States. Also enjoy spending time with my cat, Mumford.

Travel Tip! The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!

Serenah Quiroga

Advising & Communications Coordinator

I am the daughter of an Argentinean immigrant so all of my dad's family still lives in Argentina. I grew up in South Dakota but attended high school and undergrad in the northern Chicago suburbs. I graduated in 2023 from Lake Forest College with a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. I balanced life as a women's soccer student-athlete, dance team captain, president of the Neuroscience club and working as a medical assistant and babysitter. I studied abroad in Sorrento, Italy and traveled all throughout Europe during my time there. I also frequent Argentina to visit family but my dream destinations are Tokyo, Spain, Seychelles and sooo many more! I feel inspired to work in international education because I want to share the impact that international travels have had on my life and help provide resources for others to travel and gain a world perspective. Outside of work, I love going to concerts, dancing, reading and meeting new people. I am an empathetic and social butterfly that has a lot of compassion for others. At the same time, I value my 'me-time' and am extremely determined to be the best version of myself.

Travel Tip! Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.

Dates & Prices

Additional Information:

Price Range

SPRING 2025

12 credit option - Double Rooms in Aparto / Single Rooms in Micampus (limited availability): $14,590
15 credit option - Double Rooms in Aparto / Single Rooms in Micampus (limited availability): $15,490

Program Deposit

There is a non-refundable program deposit for all CIS Abroad programs. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program! The deposit deadline and amount can be seen above in the Dates & Prices section.

Please note: As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

ADVISOR TIP:

Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Let Barcelona captivate you

What to Expect

Highlights:

Learn More About This and Other Programs

Program Details

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Course Information

Life in Barcelona

Live the Local Life

Barrio Gótico

Spanish Wine Tour and Tasting

Around Catalunya

Tibidabo Hike

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence

Overview

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

Barcelona - Sample Student Residence 2

Overview

Inclusions and Amenities

What's Included

Inclusions

Welcome & Orientation

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Dates & Prices

ADVISOR TIP:

Semester in Barcelona -
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona