Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Immerse yourself in the art and architecture of Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region!
Key information
Program details
The information below was last updated September 4, 2026
UAB's primary language of instruction is Spanish and Catalan. English courses are in high demand and very limited.
Course conversion: 6 ECTS credits = 3 units at UCalgary.
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Standard exchange at UAB
Exchange students must select a host faculty that corresponds to their degree major or minor. This means, for example, that science students must attend the UAB science faculty. 50% of your courses must be from your host faculty; the other 50% can come from other faculties, as long as there are seats available.
IMPORTANT! The UAB faculties have announced new language requirements for exchange students. Check your desired faculty on Page 5 of the 2026-2027 Factsheet and make sure you meet the requirements.
Click here for the list of English taught courses. Students can also take Spanish Language learning courses.
Restricted Faculties (not available for UCalgary exchange students): Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, and Faculty of Veterinary Sciences.
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International Tracks program
For students who only speak English, UAB has announced a brand-new program called International Tracks, which is open for exchange students.
Students apply for 1 specific track and take a package of courses, all taught in English. Please see the International Tracks website for more info.
Note, the website lists the current tracks. It is not yet known if these same tracks will be offered next year.
Also note, as this is a new opportunity, seats may be limited and exchange students may not always receive their first choice of track.
The academic year is divided into two semesters.
- First term is September to early February. It is not possible to leave early.
- Second term is February to early July.
Note: Students may attend exchange in Spain for one semester only. Due to extreme complexities with the student visa, UCalgary does not permit applications for full-year exchange. Students who hold EU passports or dual citizenship may be exempt. Please speak with the Global Learning Advisor for more information.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning. Please be aware that the Spanish student visa requires an in-person application in Toronto.
Approximate monthly cost of living:
- Accommodation: 300-500€
- Food: 250-350€
- Transport 50-70€
- Personal Leisure Activities: 160-220€
Note that UAB has a mandatory civil liability insurance fee, which is around 5€.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while studying abroad, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
The Julio Peris Scholarship is a generous award of up to $1350, granted to two outstanding full-time students, who have been accepted by us for an exchange or group study to Spain. This is a nominated award - students do not have to apply.
UAB offers on-campus accommodation through the student residence hall Vila Universitària. Vila Universitària also offers private accommodation options in shared appartments or host families.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level (prior to starting the exchange), with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
All students must have some knowledge of Spanish. It is generally not possible to achieve a full semester study in English at UAB.
Most UAB faculties require students to have a command of Spanish at the B1 or B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). This may be satisfied by completing at least two 300-level or higher Spanish courses at UCalgary. Certification of language proficiency may be required.
Students do have the opportunity to take Spanish language courses during their stay for an extra fee. Initial Catalan courses are free.
Canadian students need a study visa for a semester exchange to Spain. Students now need to travel to Toronto twice to get their visa processed at the Consulate General of Toronto. Students should incorporate the costs associated with this in their budget.
I’m a student with special needs. Do you have a support service?
UAB has a service called PIUNE from the FAS (Autonomous Solidary Foundation). It aims to help students with special needs, like a disability, to integrate in our community. They offer advice and support to students according to their individual needs and in coordination with teaching staff to enable them to enjoy a full and autonomous academic and social life at university. Students are welcome to contact them at fas.piune@uab.cat.
For information on accessibility and support services of campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.