Barcelona, Spain
ESCI – Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), was created in 1993 through a joint initiative between the Government of Catalonia and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a public university located in Barcelona. The founding objective was to prepare students for the necessary internationalization of the Catalan economic and productive fabric. At ESCI classes are small and instruction is of a high quality, emphasizing practical application. The teaching staff consists of lecturers from ESCI and from UPF’s departments of Economics and Business and Humanities amongst others; as well as renowned professionals from the world of international business. The ESCI building, designed by the architect Rafael Cáceres Zurita, reflects the message of internationalism inherent in the school’s academic activity. It is centrally located in the Barcelona city center, near Passeig de Picasso, the Cataluña Parliament and the Barcelona Zoo.
Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!
The City
Barcelona is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city in the northern Catalonia region of Spain. It is the second largest city in Spain, with a population of over one and a half million inhabitants. The city is on the coast of the Mediterranean and the weather is warm and sunny most of the year, although it can be cold in the winter months of November through February. The city has excellent shopping, restaurants, clubs and public transportation. It is also strongly influenced by art, especially in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí.
Student Life
The International Relations Office at ESCI is active and available to exchange students. One service provided is the Language Volunteer Service which is a great way to participate in both language and cultural based activities. There are many discounts available to students at sports clubs, travel agencies and language schools. The city provides an endless amount of sights to see, cafes to sip at and restaurants to dine in. A direct metro link allows easy access to the social life, culture, beach, and dynamic business environment of one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.
ESCI Study and Internship Program
UF Students with an intermediate Spanish level or greater are invited to apply for the study and internship program offered through ESCI – Universitat Pompeu Fabra running in the spring and summer semester. Accepted students will first complete a full academic semester of business courses at ESCI over the spring semester. During the semester, students will apply and acquire an internship through the ESCI Career Services office which has partnerships with many companies in Barcelona. Upon completion of the semester in early April, students will begin their full time internship and work with their placement company through early August or otherwise determined end date. The internships are unpaid, but the ESCI Career Services office guarantees internship placement for accepted students.
Interested students should submit a resume and cover letter via email by October 1.
Term Dates
UF Fall Semester:
- ESCI 1st Trimester (10 weeks of classes + 1 week of exams): Mid-September to Mid-December
UF Spring Semester*:
- ESCI 2nd Trimester (10 weeks of classes + 1 week of exams): Early January to Mid-March
- ESCI 3rd Trimester (10 weeks of classes + 1 week of exams): Mid-March to Late June
*Student may attend ESCI the 2nd and 3rd trimesters back-to-back during their study abroad program.
Courses Available
ESCI offers a variety of business courses for students to choose from, mostly in international business and marketing. Use our course equivalency database to find out which courses at ESCI can apply to your UF degree. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies.
Language of Instruction
Courses are taught in English or Spanish. UF students are able to take a full load of business courses in English, however Spanish is the primary language university operations at ESCI. Intermediate knowledge of Spanish is expected. Spanish language courses can be taken for a fee.
Grade Conversion
| ESCI points from | ESCI points to | UF grade |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 | 10 | A |
| 7.0 | 7.4 | B+ |
| 6.0 | 6.9 | B |
| 5.5 | 5.9 | C+ |
| 5.0 | 5.4 | C |
| 0 | 4.9 | E |
Credit Conversion
| ESADE credits | UF credits |
|---|---|
| 4 ECTS credits | 3 UF credits |
| 6 ECTS credits | 4 UF credits |
Estimated Expenses
| Rough Expense Comparison | Semester at UF | Semester at UPF |
|---|---|---|
| UF Tuition | $3,190 | $3,190 |
| UFIC Admin. Fee | - | $425 |
| Health Insurance | - | $150 |
| Airfare | - | $1,500 |
| Housing / Utilities | $2,995 | $4,000 |
| Computer / Cell Phone | $585 | $250 |
| Food | $2,300 | $2,000 |
| Books | $445 | $200 |
| Transportation | $560 | $500 |
| Visa | - | $160 |
| Total | $10,075 | $12,375 |
- UF Cost of Attendance determined by Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- ESCI Cost of Attendance determined by UF International Center
- ESCI Fact Sheet for Incoming Exchange Students
Accommodation
The Barcelona Housing Service for Students (RESA Housing) offers advice and help in finding student accommodations in Barcelona. They offer apartments, rooms in shared apartments, home-stays, and residence halls that can be rented on a short term basis and meet the quality, safety and hygiene standards set by Barcelona universities. Students can search for options on their database in English and make reservations online for free. The service also provides free legal advice on rental contracts. It is strongly recommended that students make housing arrangements well in advance of their arrival in Barcelona.
Travel Opportunities
Positioned on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona embodies the Spaniard lifestyle through bright architecture, elegant coastlines, and traditional culture. An hour from Barcelona by train or cable car, Montserrat is a popular and beautiful destination for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Seville – known for the gorgeous Alcazar, cathedrals, and museums – is a beautiful destination for a day trip from Barcelona by train or bus. An ideal getaway from the fast-paced lifestyle in Barcelona is the region of Costa Brava, which is spotted with medieval towns and hidden coves. Home to the famous artist Salvador Dali, the city of Figueres is rich in culture and architecture. Other popular international weekend destinations from Barcelona include the French Riviera, Morocco, and Portugal, which are accessible by train, bus, or plane.