Thinking about studying abroad in Barcelona, but wondering how it fits with your major? You’ve got options.
Barcelona is more than an incredible place to spend a semester, summer, or January Term. The city is a classroom in and of itself, but while you’re there, you can also take immersive courses in business, marketing, finance, art, design, communications, Spanish language, humanities, social sciences and more — or take your career goals abroad with an international internship.
Here are a few of the many academic paths you can explore in Barcelona.
Business, Marketing & Finance
If you’re studying business, Barcelona gives you the chance to take what you’re learning and put it in a global context.
Explore subjects like:
- Business and International Business
- Marketing
- Management
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
Whether you’re interested in global markets, building brands, or what it takes to launch and lead a business, studying abroad can introduce you to new perspectives on subjects you’re already exploring at home.
And you’ll be doing it in one of Europe’s most exciting international cities.
Studying Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics or Management? Barcelona deserves a spot on your list.
Art, Design & Creative Fields
For creative majors, inspiration is pretty much everywhere in Barcelona.
Gaudí’s unmistakable architecture is woven throughout the city. Centuries of art fill its museums and galleries. Historic neighborhoods sit alongside contemporary design, fashion and creative spaces.
Depending on your program, you can explore subjects like:
- Art and Art History
- Architecture
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Interior Design
- Fashion and Fashion Marketing
- Visual Arts
You can even choose a program specifically focused on visual arts and design.
The best part? What you’re studying doesn’t have to be limited to the classroom. In Barcelona, you can experience art, architecture, and design simply by stepping outside.
Communications, Marketing & Digital Fields
Interested in how people, brands, and ideas connect? Take that interest international.
Barcelona offers opportunities for students interested in academic areas like:
- Communications
- Marketing
- Digital Media
- Web Design
- Event Management
- Other creative and digital fields
Studying these subjects abroad gives you the chance to consider how communication and consumer behavior can change across countries and cultures — something that’s increasingly important in a connected world.
And if you’d rather take your skills into a professional setting, Barcelona also offers international internship opportunities in communications, marketing and related fields.
Spanish Language, Culture & Social Sciences
Want to improve your Spanish? Dive deeper into Spanish and Catalan culture? Explore history, society, or international issues from a different perspective?
A study abroad program in Barcelona gives you plenty of ways to do it.
Depending on your program, areas of study can include:
- Spanish Language
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Sociology
- Psychology
- International Relations
- Gender Studies
- Literature
- Cultural Studies
You don’t need to arrive speaking fluent Spanish, either. Spanish language courses are available at different levels, and many courses are taught in English.
Living as a student abroad in Barcelona adds another dimension to what you’re learning. As the capital of Catalonia, the city has its own history, traditions, identity and language — giving you the opportunity to experience another side of Spain while you study.
Don’t See Your Major on the List?
That doesn’t mean Barcelona needs to be off the table.
Your study abroad program doesn’t necessarily need to have your exact major in its name. You may be able to take courses toward your major or minor, knock out electives or general education requirements, work on your language skills, or explore a subject you’ve always wanted to try.
Interdisciplinary programs can give you even more flexibility.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at what you still need to complete for your degree and talk with your academic or study abroad advisor about what you may be able to take abroad.
You might have more flexibility than you think.
Want to Build Your Résumé While You’re There?
Your major or academic goals can shape more than what you study in Barcelona. It can also help guide the professional experience you gain.
With an international internship in Barcelona, you can build hands-on experience while learning what it’s like to be part of a professional environment in another country.
Internship opportunities may be available in career fields including:
- Business and Finance
- Marketing and Communications
- Design
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Law
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Hospitality and Tourism
So, if you’re studying marketing, for example, you might choose to take marketing courses as a student abroad — or apply to intern abroad and spend your time in Barcelona gaining experience through a marketing internship.
Two different ways to take your goals abroad!
How Do You Choose the Right Barcelona Program?
Start with what matters most to you.
- Your academics: What courses or credits do you need?
- Your goals: Do you want to focus on classes, language learning, creative study, career experience — or a combination?
- Your timeline: Would a semester work best, or is a summer or shorter-term program easier to fit into your schedule?
- Your experience: What do you want your everyday life in Barcelona to look like?
Once you know your priorities, it becomes much easier to narrow down your options.
And remember: don’t choose a study abroad program based on the destination alone. Barcelona may get your attention, but finding a program that moves your academic and personal goals forward is what can make the experience really impactful.
FAQs About Studying Abroad in Barcelona
What majors can study abroad in Barcelona?
Lots! AIFS Abroad offers Barcelona study abroad opportunities across areas including business, marketing, finance, art, design, communications, Spanish language, humanities and social sciences. Interdisciplinary programs can open up even more possibilities.
Can business majors study abroad in Barcelona?
Yes. Depending on the program and term, business students can find courses in areas like international business, marketing, management, finance, economics, accounting, and entrepreneurship.
Can art and design majors study abroad in Barcelona?
Yes. Students interested in creative fields can explore subjects like visual arts, graphic design, photography, interior design, architecture and more — all while living in a city internationally known for its art, architecture, and design.
Do I need to speak Spanish to study abroad in Barcelona?
No! Many courses are taught in English, and Spanish language courses are available at different levels. You’ll also encounter Catalan throughout your time in Barcelona, giving you another opportunity to experience the local culture.
Can I intern in Barcelona in a field related to my major?
Possibly! Barcelona internship opportunities span a range of career fields, including business, marketing, communications, finance, design, education, tourism, and more. Your placement will depend on factors like your background, skills, and interests.
Can I earn academic credit while studying or interning in Barcelona?
Yes, academic credit is available through study abroad programs, and credit options are also available for international internships. Your home university determines how credits transfer and apply toward your degree, so be sure to talk with your academic or study abroad advisor as soon as you’re ready to learn more.
Your Major. Your Goals. Your Barcelona.
There’s no one way to experience Barcelona.
Take business courses in an international city. Find creative inspiration around every corner. Build your Spanish skills. Explore a familiar subject from a completely new perspective. Or gain experience in your field through an international internship.
Whatever direction you take, your time abroad can be about more than where you go—it can be about where you’re headed next.
Ready to find your fit? Explore AIFS Abroad study abroad and international internship programs in Barcelona.
