IES Barcelona
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Language of Instruction: English, Spanish
- Class Eligibility: Juniors
Introduction
Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and capital of the autonomous province of Catalonia, one of the most prosperous areas in contemporary Spain. Barcelona was once home to prominent 20th-century artists like Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. The experimental works of Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi are one of the city’s unique attractions. His Templo do la Sagrada Familia, still unfinished but strikingly original, is a landmark symbol of the city of Barcelona.
The IES Barcelona Center is ideally located in downtown Barcelona, just one block from the Plaza Catalunya and minutes from the city’s main pedestrian strip, Las Ramblas. The center has a colorful and inviting ambiance that students can enjoy for both academic and social use. The Center includes high-speed wireless Internet access, multimedia classrooms, study lounges with printers, and a library with research materials.
There are 4 IES Barcelona Programs for you to choose from. They are listed below (click the program name for a link to the IES program page).
Political Science & International Relations
- Visa:
Required. Non-US citizens should consult with IES and the Office of International Student Support before applying to the program.
- Fees: Students pay Haverford directly to Haverford. Haverford will then be responsible for submitting tuition payment to IES. Students pay all room and board costs directly to IES.
Academic Overview
Requirements
There is no language requirement for this program. All students are required to enroll in a Spanish language class at their level of proficiency.
Students with the equivalent of 4 semesters of college-level Spanish can take courses in Spanish at the IES center and at the local partner universities.
Academic Credit
Students are not permitted to take less than 15 semester credits unless they have the permission of their dean or advisor in advance. Major, minor, and concentration transfer credit will only be granted for courses in which students received a grade of a C or above.
Curriculum
Students should know that Catalan is spoken in Barcelona as well as Castilian. The program offers courses in Spanish and English. Students are able to take courses at partner universities. All universities have some courses taught in English, and students should check the IES website for course offerings in English.
Local partner institutions include:
- Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) (English & Spanish)
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (English & Spanish)
- Universitat de Barcelona (English & Spanish)
- Universitat Ramon Llull (English)
- Universitat de Vic (English)
Course Highlights
Archaeology, Art History, Anthropology, Art, Architecture, Communications, Criminal Studies, Catalan language, Cultural Studies, Economics, Education, Environmental Studies, Finance, Film Studies, Geography, Global Studies, Hispanic Studies, History, International Business, Intercultural Communication, Internship Seminar, International Relations, Literature, Law, Management, Music, Photography, Political Science, Psychology, Research Seminar, Religious Studies, Service Learning, Sociology, Spanish, Urban Studies
Note: Changes occur frequently. Students are responsible for finding the classes they need and consulting the official site of the institution.
Non-Academic Overview
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces students to the IES Abroad Barcelona staff and the city of Barcelona. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during this time.
Number of Students
About 300-500 American students enroll in the program each semester.
Housing/Meal Plans
Homestay – Students live in a Spanish home with one or two other IES Abroad students in a double room. Students are provided breakfast and dinner by their host families. Laundry and Wi-Fi are included.
Apartments – Live with other IES Abroad students in a single or double room in a shared apartment. Apartments have fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi is included, and meals are not included but optional meal plans are available for purchase onsite. Laundry is coin-operated and an additional fee applies to this housing option.
Haverford students may not opt for housing not arranged by the program.
Notes
Additional Resources
- Support for LGTBQIA+ Students
- IES Abroad Student Diversity & Access
- Mental Health & Self Care While Abroad
- Diversity Abroad
View Scholarship Information
Options
- Semester
Dates
- Semester I: Early September-mid-December
- Semester II: Early January-End of April
Application Deadlines
- Semester I: March 1
- Semester II: September 15