Barcelona is a dynamic, international city with an unrivalled cultural and fun atmosphere. A cosmopolitan city that is committed to innovation and entrepreneurship. Living in Barcelona is one of those things that you have to do at least once in your life, and what better time to do it than when you’re a student!
Reasons to study in Barcelona and its advantages
Barcelona, the city at the top of the rankings! In addition to ranking as the eighth best city in the world, according to the World’s Best Cities 2021 report and The 100 Best Urban Destinations in 2019, it is also in the top twenty of the world’s best cities for university students, as published by the QS Best Cities for Students global ranking.
The city of Barcelona boasts one of the most attractive atmospheres in Europe for living and studying. Here are some of the advantages of studying in Barcelona:
- Multiculturalism: any foreign student arriving in Barcelona will easily fit in thanks to the city’ s diverse range of nationalities.
- University prestige: Barcelona is home to some of the most renowned universities and business schools in Spain and Europe.
- Location: if you love a sunny climate, Mediterranean cuisine and being able to live in a city with a rich artistic and cultural legacy, you will love this city!
- Economy: While Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Europe, the cost of living is still reasonable compared to other big cities.
Studying abroad in Barcelona
The requirements for entry into Catalonia will depend directly on the student’s nationality, the reasons for their trip and the length of their stay. Once you have been accepted to the university, we advise you to go to the Spanish Embassy in your country. So that they can brief you and gather all the necessary legal documentation.
It is essential that you have a valid passport or visa, documents justifying the reasons for your trip, medical insurance and, in most cases, a reservation for accommodation, such as university halls of residence in Barcelona. We recommend you take a look at our university halls of residence in Barcelona, in Ciutat Vella, where you will have the opportunity to meet and share experiences with fellow international students. If you are looking for Erasmus accommodation in Barcelona to enjoy your international experience, Unihabit has plenty to offer you.
Procedures and requirements for foreign students
As we have previously mentioned, foreign students who want to study in Barcelona and who do not come from European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA) member states, will require a student visa. Depending on the length of your stay in the country, the documents you must provide may vary:
- Stay longer than six months: you must apply for a foreigner identification card (TIE) within a month of entering the country.
- Stay of less than three months: in this case, you will need a visitor visa, have medical insurance and prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies.
- Erasmus exchange: for stays longer than three months, students will have to register in the Central Register of Foreigners, at National Police Stations, which will allow them to prove their right of residence in the Spanish territory.
What to study in Barcelona and where
It is important to be very clear about what you want to study in Barcelona in order to choose the university that best suits you. The first thing you should take into account when choosing your studies are your interests, tastes and, also, the career opportunities that they will allow you to pursue. We recommend that you study something based on your skills, taking into account your strengths and weaknesses, which will help you to visualise possible obstacles and opportunities.
As for where to study, some of the leading universities in Barcelona are: the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). You will also find business schools such as IESE Business School or ESADE. These are just a few examples, there are many more in Barcelona depending on what you want to study.
Do you have to know Catalan to study in Barcelona?
The majority of classes on postgraduate, Master’s and doctorate courses are taught in Spanish and English, although Catalan tends to be more common on undergraduate courses. Generally, the teaching material can be found in all three languages.
As a result of increased international mobility, English is becoming more widespread, and many teachers and administrative staff use it day-to-day. In the case of Catalan, as we have already mentioned, depending on the degree you are going to take, there may be subjects where it is required. Don’t worry! In these cases, the teachers can help you by providing a summary in Spanish at the end of the class or even doing private tutorials to clarify any doubts you may have.
Let Barcelona sweep you off your feet and create unforgettable memories during this extremely important time as a student. Consider the pros and cons of studying in Barcelona and get ready for adventure!
