Summer in Barcelona (in English, Spanish) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Live near the beach while studying in Spanish or English in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
• Study at a top university in Spain, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and take interdisciplinary honors coursework in political science, gender studies, social justice, health, and more.
• Take a Spanish course, included in the program, from beginner to intermediate.
• ISEP’s On-Site Program Director, Maria Mateu, and two ISEP Program Assistants, will facilitate cultural experiences and support you throughout your time in Barcelona.
LIFE ABROAD
There’s just something undeniably special about Barcelona. Live within walking distance of sandy Mediterranean beaches, study at one of the best universities in Europe, and enjoy spectacular architecture, art, music, and food on your way to class!
Excursions & Cultural Experiences
Take part in faculty guided activities related to your courses and participate in orientation and cultural activities offered throughout the program, designed to help you get to know other participants and immerse yourself in the culture of the region. Get involved with ESN (Erasmus Student Network) at UPF if you want to join additional cultural activities and exchanges.
Housing & Meals
Live close to UPF with other ISEP participants in one of two student residences, with easy access to the city center by public transportation and amenities like a rooftop pool, study rooms, fitness spaces, and game rooms. Share a furnished two-person apartment with an en-suite bathroom, small kitchen, and Wi-Fi, or live in a shared residence with a double room and bathroom plus communal kitchen, living, and dining space shared with up to 8 ISEP participants. Purchase groceries from nearby markets and grocery stores to cook, or enjoy the flexibility of dining out or purchasing affordable meals on-campus. Expect to spend about 300 euros per month on groceries and meals out.
Explore Barcelona
Explore a city unlike any other, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and famous for its colorful architecture, amazing food, and welcoming people. Take in iconic designs by famed architects like Antoni Gaudí, spend time along sandy beaches, and experience the Spanish culture of living life to the fullest in an international city where you can meet people from all over the world. With its unique characteristics, it is no surprise that Barcelona is consistently ranked as one of the world's top 10 tourist destinations.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
Content courses are offered in English or Spanish in an international classroom environment, and are structured in modules (blocks) of different duration and intensity of one to four weeks. This allows students to mix and match different courses during the program.
ISEP students enroll in a combination of four, two and one-week courses during their month in Barcelona for a minimum of 6 ECTS and a maximum of 12 ECTS, generally equivalent to 3-6 U.S. credits. Students are required to be enrolled in coursework all four weeks of the program.
Summer 2026 Course Schedule and Syllabi
Sample Classes Available:
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AI & Data Science |
Business |
Media & Culture |
Global Politics |
Health & Wellbeing |
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Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, and Society |
International Dynamics and Intercultural Negotiation: The Global Environment |
El poder de las imágenes: representaciones visuales del poder y la esfera pública |
The EU and Spain in the Global World: Policies to Transform our Societies in the Context of 2030 Agenda |
From Bench to Bedside: Drug Development, Clinical Trials, and Publishing in Biomedical Sciences |
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From Data to AI: Social, Ethical and Legal Dimensions |
Finance for a Sustainable Economy |
First-Person Cinema: Narratives of the Self |
Exploring Catalonia: History, Politics, and Society |
Health Inequalities: Understanding our Worst Epidemic |
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Artificial Intelligence, Digital Markets and Consumers |
Culture and Business: Spain’s Top Brands |
Power and Passions: Barcelona through the Lens of History |
Gender, Power and Violence |
Humanism in Medicine |
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Modern Statistical Computing |
Getting to know the Economies of the European Union |
Barcelona on Stage: Documentary Workshop |
Justicia global y desarrollo sostenible |
Nanomedicine Principles |
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Critical Approaches to Artificial Intelligence and Network Society |
Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Business Opportunities in Europe |
Art and the Law: How Aesthetic Concepts Shape Legal Disputes about Arts |
Shifting Grounds in the Middle East and North Africa?: Understanding International Relations and Foreign Policy in the Region |
Contemporary Discourses and Narratives of Ageing |
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Academic Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at their school of origin.
- Applicants must have at least an intermediate level in the language(s) of instruction for their chosen courses.
- Applicants must have completed two years of undergraduate study by the start of the program.
- UPF is only able to issue digital student transcripts.
Enrollment Requirements:
Students are required to be enrolled in at least one course each of the four weeks of the program.
Please note: Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Students interested in a cancelled course will be given the option to select an alternative course.
Passport:
All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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