Overview
Although the University of Barcelona (UB) has outgrown its historic campus in the center of Barcelona, the EAP Study Center remains in this location amid the swirl of captivating Barcelona. The central location makes it easy for you to check in with the EAP Study Center Director and staff, no matter where the facultad for your classes is actually located. The EAP Study Center also is active in organizing academic and cultural activities to help you take advantage of all that Catalonia has to offer.
If you attend the year program, you are eligible for EAP's summer Pre-Intensive Language Program (pre-ILP), Cádiz, where you can receive extra academic preparation while experiencing a different region of the country. If you attend the spring option, be prepared to hit the ground running; you can expect support from both the Study Center staff and the students participating in the year option to help you meet the challenge.
Students attend classes with Spanish and international students.
Course Opportunities
Regular university courses in most academic disciplines are available, as well as a selection of core courses specially organized by the EAP Study Center that focus primarily on Spanish literature.
The Faculty of Fine Arts in Barcelona is an inspirational place to pursue studio art, but space is extremely limited and admission is competitive. Art majors interested in admission to the Faculty of Fine Arts need to submit a portfolio well in advance. Contact your campus advisor for more details.
Use the following resources to learn about courses on EAP:
- EAP Program Search provides information on general areas of study.
- Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
- MyEAP Course Catalog lists courses previously taken by UC students. Additional courses may be available and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
Units
Semester: 18 UC quarter units per semester
Summer ILP: up to 6 UC quarter units
Spring ILP: 3 UC quarter units
All students are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad. Students generally enroll in four courses during the semester to meet the minimum unit requirement.
Language of Instruction
Spanish and Catalan
Language Study
The year option begins with a four-week Spanish intensive language program (ILP) that includes an introduction to Catalan. The spring option begins with a more intensive two-week Spanish ILP. During the semester, Spanish language study is available but not required. Catalan language study is available and highly recommended.
Internships, Research, and Independent Study
Independent study and internships for academic credit are possible in this program. Arrangements are made at the EAP Study Center after arrival.
Find Out More.
Duration
Go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.
Pre-ILP + Year: mid-July to early July
Year: mid-August to early July
Spring: mid-January to early July
Housing
Participants in the year option are housed during the ILP at the Colegio Mayor Sant Jordi. During this month, you find your housing for the remainder of the year in either an apartment, private home, boarding house, or colegio mayor (university residence). You may live with international students, other UC students, or Spanish students. Barcelona has a variety of distinctive neighborhoods, and staff at the EAP Study Center can advise you about which area might suit you best.
Participants in the spring option will live in prearranged homestays in order to accelerate language review and adjustment to Catalan society. The homestay lasts for one week longer than the spring ILP to allow enough time for you to search for housing for the semester.
On-site Support
EAP students are supported by UC's network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. EAP programs in Barcelona are administered by a faculty member from the University of Illinois who serves as Study Center Director. The Study Center Director and on-site staff help students integrate into Spanish culture and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.
See the EAP Program Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).
Host Institutions
Although you submit an EAP application for the Barcelona university of your choice, the Barcelona Study Center Director may recommend one university over the other as a better fit, depending on your major field of study or academic interests, before final placement is made.
University of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona (UB) is the principal university of Catalonia and has played an important political role in the province as Catalan society has grown and changed. Reflecting the culture of the city, some of UB’s several campuses have been designed by the city’s most prestigious architects, whether in the 15th, 19th, or 20th centuries. In recent years, UB’s attention to infrastructure and information technology has worked to unify this dynamic and diverse institution. Students of literature or math will find their courses in the Campus Central; the three satellite campuses in Pedralbes, Vall d’Hebron, and Bellvitge are all accessible by bus and metro within 30 minutes from downtown.
Visit the University of Barcelona website
Estimated Cost
Participation in EAP is a great value! The cost of EAP programs is typically less than that of non-UC study abroad programs. The dollar figures listed in the chart represent: 1) the amount of the fees that are paid directly to EAP in the current year, and 2) an estimate of the amount needed to cover personal living expenses in this location. Personal travel and entertainment are not included here.
Don't forget that you take your financial aid with you and the amount of your financial aid package will be based on the estimated TOTAL COST of this experience, as it is estimated below.
These expenses are estimated for 2009-10. Amounts will vary for 2010-11 participation due to proposed changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. For a more detailed breakdown of 2009-10 payment information, visit the
Participants Portal and select the appropriate program.
Here’s what is included in the estimate:
- Predeparture expenses (health clearance, student visa, etc.)
- Round-trip airfare from California
- UC fees
- Tuition at University of Barcelona
- Accident and medical insurance
- On-site orientation at the Colegio Mayor Sant Jordi or Study Center
- Intensive language program instruction and housing
- Estimated room and board expenses for the year or semester
- Tour of "modernist" Barcelona featuring Miró and Gaudì (year option only)
- Excursion to Montserrat and Codorníu (year option only)
- Excursion to Figueres and Girona (year option only)
- Tour of "medieval" Barcelona and entrance to festivals
- Entrance fees to Catalan Parliament, theater production
- Books and other incidental expenses
- Thanksgiving dinner (year option only)
- Year end dinner
Estimated EAP Costs*
| Option |
Cost |
| * Based on most recent costs for 2009-2010 to the nearest $100. |
| Pre-ILP + Year |
$31,400 |
| Spring |
$14,600 |
| Year |
$27,700 |
Application Requirements
Class Level
Junior, senior, graduate
Language Prerequisite
Minimum two years of university-level Spanish are required by the end of the last term before departure (or earlier if required by the Campus EAP Office), or five quarters/three semesters Spanish plus enrollment in the Pre-Intensive Language Program (pre-ILP), Cádiz. If at the time the program starts it will have been a year or more since you last took a Spanish course, it is recommended that you refresh your proficiency. Students in the year option are eligible for the Pre-Intensive Language Program (pre-ILP), Cádiz. Contact your Campus Advisor for details.
Spring option participants are required to take an additional term of Spanish (total 7 quarters or 5 semesters) before departure. If you are participating solely in the spring option, you cannot use the pre-ILP to meet the language requirement for the program.
GPA
2.85 cumulative and 2.85 language GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure.
Minimum Criteria
All applicants must also have:
- Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into
the student’s UC degree program
- Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully
to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and
exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
- A willingness to abide by program regulations
- An endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all
campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)
These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection and final admission.
Deadlines
Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office. Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.
For participation in the program, you must meet all deadlines and submit complete application materials.
Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:
