Study in Barcelona (CIEE)
The Program
Immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture in Barcelona, a cosmopolitan city deeply rooted in ancient tradition.
Spend your semester living and learning in the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona! Designed for students from all academic backgrounds, the Semester in Barcelona program is the perfect chance to earn credits toward your degree while immersing yourself in Spanish culture.
When class is in session, you'll choose from a unique mix of flexible and diverse courses (in English or Spanish) at CIEE Barcelona and one of CIEE's renowned partner institutions: Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Universitat de Vic (UVic), or Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). You may also enroll in courses with a local flavor, like language, politics, photography, cuisine, or sustainability initiatives.
Outside the classroom, you'll have every opportunity to participate actively in the Barcelona community. Immerse yourself in the local culture with optional credit-bearing internships, volunteering opportunities, or language programs. Don't stop there; round out your study abroad adventure by participating in co-curricular and extracurricular activities and off-the-beaten-path trips organized by CIEE to appreciate Spain’s impressive cultural attractions and landmarks.
Program Location
Spain
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region of Spain that has its own distinct language and culture. It began as a Roman settlement and evidence of its Roman past can still be found in the oldest part of Barcelona. The city is one of the busiest port cities in Europe. Located right on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is a colorful city by every means. The modern architect, Antoni Gaudi’s spiraling buildings, playful sculptures and vibrant mosaic tiles are an accurate reflection of the city’s character. Walking through the city, you will see 2,000 years of history in Roman ruins, 19th-century modernista architecture, ultramodern showpieces, and the Gothic buildings of the Old Town. Barcelona’s culture highlights include the Picasso Museum and Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia (which began in 1883 and is still under construction!)
Academics
The CIEE “Semester in” Barcelona program offers students the opportunity to combine CIEE classes with one of three universities in Barcelona: UPF, UAB, UVic. Each university offers a range of courses with an interdisciplinary approach. Students are encouraged to actively participate in activities, seminars, and projects. In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the CIEE website.
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, international outlook, and degrees in fields ranging from business to social sciences. CIEE students attend classes at the Ciutadella Vila Olímpica Campus. At UPF, students are offered courses from the Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) for local and international students.
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. For CIEE students, the UAB offers selected courses from their study abroad program.
Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic) is an independent state-supported institution committed to the economic and social development of the region. The university offers a Business, Design, and Innovation program for international students on their Barcelona campus (at BAU Design College), just 15 minutes from CIEE by bus or metro.
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to CIEE and Rutgers University. That means you will need to take at least 12-15 credits per semester. The credit translation system between CIEE and Rutgers University is 1:1, meaning a 3-credit course at CIEE will also be a 3-credit course on your Rutgers University transcript. You will receive 3-4 credits per class taken with CIEE. It is not possible to take classes as not-for-credit or pass/fail.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
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.
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.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Residents | Non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $22,000 | $25,900 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Some meals (for homestay option)
• Excursions
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,500 |
| Meals | $1,120 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $160 |
| Spanish Insurance (required) | $500 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $100 |
| Local Transportation | $65 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 |
| CIEE Deposit | $300 |
| Total | $4,745.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| NJ Residents | Non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $22,000 | $25,900 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Housing
• Some meals (for homestay option)
• Excursions
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,500 |
| Meals | $1,120 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $160 |
| Spanish Insurance (required) | $500 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $100 |
| Local Transportation | $65 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 |
| CIEE Deposit | $300 |
| Total | $4,745.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.