Undergraduate Research Abroad

Barcelona, Spain

Available with an Internship

Undergraduate Research Abroad

About the Program

Engage with a local faculty through the Independent Study Project seminar to develop a research question relevant to your field of study and a research plan that takes full advantage as of the unique human and material resources in the host city and country. Considered a High-Impact Educational Practice (HIP), the Undergraduate Research Abroad program is ideal for students looking to develop the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes necessary for professional success and lifelong learning.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Barcelona

Dates:

9/3/25 - 12/20/25

Price:

$21,295

Credits:

12 - 15

Deadlines

Apply By:

5/15/25

Withdraw By:

6/15/25

Requirements

Complete Application
Research Interest Form
Program Participation Agreement
Letter of Recommendation
Transcript - Unofficial
$95 Online Application Fee

Eligibility

Minimum
GPA:

2.5

Education
Completed:

1 year as a registered college student by the time of application

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $1,000 when you apply with code* by January 1, 2025

Where You'll Study

CEA CAPA Barcelona Center

The CEA CAPA Barcelona Center provides an interdisciplinary liberal arts education in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. Courses are offered in both Spanish and English and give you the opportunity to ...

Student Center
Student Center
Student Lounge
Student Lounge
Study Room
Study Room
Counseling Services
Counseling Services
12-15

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

CEA’s undergraduate research program includes a personalized research opportunity, an Independent Study Project course and additional courses.

The required Independent Study Project (ISP) course is a variable credit course, providing you the flexibility to earn between 1-3 semester credits and has been designed to help you make the most of your research abroad. You will identify the credit option that works best for you during the pre-departure process.

In addition to your ISP course, you will choose 1 CEA core course and 2-4 additional CEA course to take from the catalog of course options available to you. The ISP course meets 15-45 contact hours/1-3 credits, and elective courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. Overall, you may earn 12-15 credits.

The ISP course will meet once weekly for 1 hour each session. Elective courses generally meet 2 times per week, Monday-Thursday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays.

Academic Disciplines & Placement Process
You will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or faculty and complete a Research Interest Form that will be used in the initial planning for your research placement. We’ll then identify a local faculty member who will provide oversight and guidance in developing a research plan and a set of research questions relevant to your field of study.  

In Barcelona, the following academic disciplines are available:

  • Art History
  • Business
  • Catalan Literature
  • Communication
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Film Studies
  • Finance
  • History
  • International Relations
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Literature

You will automatically be enrolled in the Independent Study Project course upon acceptance into the program. Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and take an online language placement exam. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home college or university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, we ask that you have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Spain. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home institution on credit pre-approval guidelines.

All Levels Course Structure

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Independent Study Project 400 En 45 3
Independent Study Project 400 En 15 1
Independent Study Project 400 En 30 2
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Cross-Cultural Management * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Catalan Language & Culture * 100 Ot 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Communication & Global Competence 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Spain as Seen Through Its Movies: 1980s to Today * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Cultural History of Spain: From Dictatorship to the Digital Era * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Contemporary Spain: History, Politics & Society * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Intercultural Interactions: Psychological Perspectives * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
International Service Learning: Society, Inequality & Social Exclusion * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Spanish 300 Sp 45 3
Beginning Spanish I 100 Sp 45 3
Beginning Spanish II 100 Sp 45 3
Cultural Visions through Spanish Cinema * 300 Sp 45 3
Intermediate Spanish I 200 Sp 45 3
Intermediate Spanish II 200 Sp 45 3
Spanish Civilization & Culture * 300 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Financial Statement Analysis * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Architecture & Painting in Barcelona * 400 En 45 3
Public Art in the Global City 300 En 45 3
Spanish Art 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Catalan Language & Culture * 100 Ot 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Communication & Global Competence 300 En 45 3
Social Media: Digital Identity & the Virtual Community * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Comparative Economic Systems * 300 En 45 3
Intermediate Macroeconomics * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Introduction to Global Climate Change 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Spain as Seen Through Its Movies: 1980s to Today * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Financial Statement Analysis * 300 En 45 3
International Finance 300 En 45 3
Investments 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Cultural History of Spain: From Dictatorship to the Digital Era * 300 En 45 3
The Making of the Mediterranean World * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Basic Operations Management * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Digital Marketing 300 En 45 3
International Marketing * 300 En 45 3
Sport Marketing 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Media & Politics in Western Europe: Spain * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Photography in Barcelona 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Abnormal Psychology 300 En 45 3
Health Psychology * 300 En 45 3
Intercultural Interactions: Psychological Perspectives * 300 En 45 3
Social Psychology 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
World Religions * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
International Service Learning: Society, Inequality & Social Exclusion * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Spanish 300 Sp 45 3
Beginning Spanish I 100 Sp 45 3
Beginning Spanish II 100 Sp 45 3
Cultural Visions through Spanish Cinema * 300 Sp 45 3
Intermediate Spanish I 200 Sp 45 3
Intermediate Spanish II 200 Sp 45 3
Spanish Civilization & Culture * 300 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Studio Barcelona: The Artist's Perspective 200 En 45 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Barcelona. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

The calendar for this program is coming soon; please check back later.


Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$21,295
$21,295
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$500
$1,500
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$365
$365
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$91
$238
Meals

Includes the average expected cost for meals in housing option without a meal plan, such as daily groceries and eating out at restaurants. 
$3,479
$6,003
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$2,058
$2,818
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$2,058
$3,871
TOTAL EXPENSES $29,846 $36,090