Coastline of Barcelona

View of the coast of Barcelona

Barcelona Summer Program for Undergraduates

Barcelona sits on Spain’s southern coast 90 miles from the French border. The city is a center of Spanish and Catalan culture and has been called the “Paris of Spain.” The Barcelona Summer Program provides undergraduate students of all disciplines with an opportunity to spend 11 weeks in a vibrant, cosmopolitan, Mediterranean port city while earning 12 hours of GT credit with GT faculty. Running for more than 20 years, this program has been a popular favorite among students!

Join us for an information session with program faculty and alumni to learn more! Information sessions are generally scheduled throughout the early fall semester. 

Please note that the information below is general, and that you can find more detailed information on the program's Atlas brochure page. For questions, upcoming dates, and other details, email barcelona@cc.gatech.edu.

Application Information

The program accepts approximately 60 students for participation for each summer – and applications will be reviewed in the order they are received – so we recommend applying early to ensure a spot! The application cycle opens on the first day of the preceding Fall semester (August) and runs through the application deadline (November 15) or until the program is filled. Applications are considered complete when a student has submitted the application and deposit through Atlas, Georgia Tech’s online application portal for education abroad programs. Once the Barcelona program fills, students with continued interest can remain on a wait list, which will be updated throughout the fall and spring. Application deposits may be refunded if a student is not accepted into the program or chooses to be removed from the wait list. The program’s full policy on cancellations and refunds can be viewed on the program’s application page in Atlas.

Courses

The courses offered through the Barcelona Summer Program are open to all majors and are taught in English by Georgia Tech faculty for GT resident credit. Classes are held on campus at the Universitat Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC). The course offerings vary slightly each summer, but they are typically offered in architecture, computer science, and design, and are intended to fulfill CS and CM degree requirements and integrate with the Threads curricula. Generally the courses can fulfill credit for Institute Humanities, Ethics, and/or Social Science electives. All courses are typically scheduled to avoid any overlap or conflict in students’ selection, and students are required to register for 12 credit hours (4 courses). The courses often draw on interdisciplinary themes and exploit the unique learning setting of Barcelona to optimize students’ academic experience abroad.

Costs

Students spending their summer studying in Barcelona can expect to pay an application deposit ($500), program charge, in-state tuition for 12 credit hours, and any GT mandatory student fees. These costs are charged and paid through the Bursar’s Office via student accounts. The program charge includes housing, supplemental health insurance, public transportation in Barcelona, program activities, and a few group meals. Students should budget additional money for roundtrip airfare, daily meals (no meal plan), leisure activities, and independent travel. Most Georgia Tech financial aid is applicable to study abroad costs in Barcelona, and scholarships including Zell Miller and HOPE are applicable to summer tuition. Additional scholarships are available.

Cancellation Policy

Please view the program’s brochure page on Atlas for the most up-to-date information on the program’s cancellation policy (Click on the Cost/Scholarships tab). Email barcelona@cc.gatech.edu for questions.

Housing

Students stay at the modern, fully furnished Residencia Onix during their time in Barcelona. This international student residence boasts a number of amenities, including: a 24-hour, English-speaking concierge; Internet access; air-conditioning; weekly room cleaning; common areas such as a roof-top pool, fitness room, computer lab, and study and reading lounges. Double rooms with well-equipped in-suite kitchens and bathrooms are included in the program charge (note that a meal plan is not included or provided in the program); however, single rooms with a shared kitchen may be obtained upon request, subject to availability, and with a supplemental fee. A housing deposit is required prior to check-in at Onix, which is refundable less any damage deductions or replacement charges.

About Barcelona

Located on the Mediterranean Sea and offering a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a unique region of Spain. Known for its cultural and artistic heritage, Catalonia’s contribution to 20th century art includes the architect Gaudí and painters such as Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. Catalonia is a world-recognized model for blending art, culture, urban planning, and industry; the region combines a rich mixture of high-tech industries, culture, medical centers, and institutions of higher learning (numerous U.S. companies have a strong presence in Catalonia, and there are several colleges and universities serving the area). Both a major attraction and economically important aspect of Catalonia is its Mediterranean cuisine and its production of wines (such as Freixenet and Codorníu).