The core of each student’s academic program is the course Catalan Labyrinth: An Introduction to Catalan Studies. This course will provide many opportunities to learn about the recently nominated Capital of the Mediterranean Union, from Catalan language to the compelling culture, history, economy, and politics of Catalonia. Participants will engage in lectures, seminars, and field studies that highlight the dynamic nature of the region and its people.

In addition to the four-credit core course offering, advanced Spanish language, students studying for the full year or spring semester may enroll directly in courses at the university. The Universitat de Barcelona (UB), founded in 1450, is the oldest and largest of the six universities in Barcelona. UB has a rich academic tradition and a diverse student body, welcoming over 1,500 international students every year.

UB consists of 20 university schools, offering courses in just about every subject imaginable, from biology, to literature, international relations, business, philosophy, political science and sociology and everything in-between. The schools are spread out over four campuses around the city. Most students attend classes at the central campus located in Plaça de la Universitat, in the city center, just a short walk from Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous boulevard.

Classes at the University of Barcelona are taught in either Catalan or Spanish, depending on the specific discipline.