Barcelona is a dynamic, international city with an unbeatable cultural and leisure atmosphere. It also offers a wide range of academic options, so it is normal that many university students consider studying in Barcelona. However, there is so much academic offer that it is difficult to decide what to study in Barcelona and where. That is why Unihabit provides you with all the information you need to enjoy the process of choosing your university degree and your university.
Reasons to study in Barcelona and its advantages
Barcelona, the city of Barcelona, offers one of the most attractive environments in Europe for living and studying. Here are some of the advantages of studying in Barcelona:
- Multiculturalism: any foreign student arriving in Barcelona will be able to integrate easily thanks to the diversity of nationalities in the city.
- University prestige: Barcelona is home to some of the most renowned universities and business schools in Spain and Europe.
- Location: if you are interested in a sunny climate, Mediterranean cuisine and living in a city with a rich artistic and cultural heritage, 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 in Barcelona as a foreigner
The requirements to enter Catalonia depend directly on the student’s nationality, the reasons for their trip and the length of their stay. Once you have gained admission to the university, we advise you to go to the Spanish Embassy in your country. This will provide you with all the necessary information and documentation regarding legal matters.
It is essential to have a valid passport or visa, documents justifying the reasons for the trip, medical insurance and, in most cases, the reservation of accommodation, such as the university residences in Barcelona. We recommend that you take a look at our university residence in Barcelona, in Ciutat Vella, where you will have the opportunity to meet and share experiences with students of different nationalities. If you are looking for a residence for your Erasmus in Barcelona and enjoy your international experience, Unihabit has a lot to offer you.
Procedures and requirements for studying in Barcelona if you are a foreigner
As mentioned in the previous point, foreign students who wish to study in Barcelona and who are not from member countries of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA) will require a student visa. Depending on the length of your stay in the country, the documents you will need to provide may vary:
- Stay of less than three months: in this case you will need a visitor’s visa, health insurance and proof of sufficient funds to pay for your studies.
- Stay longer than six months: a foreigner’s identity card (TIE) must be applied for within one month of entering the country.
- Erasmus exchange: for stays longer than three months, students will have to register in the Central Register of Foreigners, in the National Police Stations, which will allow them to prove their right of residence in the territory.
What to study in Barcelona and where?
Now that you know how and why to study in Barcelona, it is important to be very clear about what to study in order to choose the university that best suits you. The first thing you should take into account when choosing your studies are your motivations, tastes and, also, the career opportunities they will allow you to access. It is advisable to carry out a study of your aptitudes, taking into account your weaknesses and abilities, which will help you to visualise the possible obstacles and opportunities.
If you already have a clear idea of what you want to study, the next step is to choose the university or school of higher education. Some of the city’s leading universities 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 and ESADE. These are just a few examples, in Barcelona you can find many more 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 doctoral courses are taught in Spanish and English, although Catalan tends to be more widely spoken on undergraduate courses. In general, teaching material is available in all three languages.
As a result of the increase in international mobility, English is becoming increasingly widespread and many lecturers and administrative staff use it in their daily work. In the case of Catalan, as we have already mentioned, depending on the degree you are going to study, there may be subjects where it is required. Don’t worry! In these cases, the lecturers will be able to help you by providing a summary in Spanish at the end of the class or even by holding private tutorials to clarify any doubts you may have.
Where to live to study in Barcelona?
Once you have decided what and where to study in Barcelona, it is important to take one last step, but not the least important. If you need to move to Barcelona, it is important that you know where to live in Barcelona. Our Unihabit Ciutat Vella and Unihabit Gràcia halls of residence are the best solution to your problem of living in the Catalan capital. Find out everything you need to know about our university residence halls, you’re sure to fall in love with their space and their people!
