Academics

Field of Study: Humanities

Study Spanish in Spain—why not? In just seven weeks, you’ll receive accelerated first-year Spanish language training while encountering the cultural riches of Spain. It’s a fast-track for introductory students, and a fantastic way for those with some background to build language qualifications for UC foreign language degree requirements and compete in today's job market. This program also opens prospects for even more study abroad experiences in Spanish-speaking countries.

Unique study opportunities

  • Learn Spanish alongside UC students from across California.
  • Take a culture course that includes tours of Madrid’s world-class museums, a weekend excursion to Galicia, and other educational trips in and around the city.
  • Achieve language proficiency on this program to qualify for an adjacent fall or year program in Spain.

Language

Language of Instruction: Spanish, English

Spanish Language Study: Required

In addition to an elementary or intermediate level Spanish language course, you’ll take a culture course. The culture course is typically taught in English, although one section may be taught in Spanish depending on the interest and size of the student group. 

Language Placement

Before you leave California, you’ll complete a short survey and placement test to establish your placement level. Placement results are final. In rare, exceptional cases, it may be possible to improve your placement level after arrival. You’d need to demonstrate that you took Spanish coursework during the winter or spring quarters—or the spring semester—prior to participation and complete a secondary evaluation. 

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program: 

  • Take two courses for a total of 13 quarter/8.7 semester UC units.
  • You must take language courses for a letter grade.
  • You may take the culture course pass/no pass or letter grade.

Current Program Courses

Spanish Language is offered at the beginner, elementary, and intermediate level depending on your placement:

  • Spanish 32 (10 quarter/6.7 semester UC units, lower division)
    This course introduces Spanish grammar and the development of the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing while introducing cultural information about Spain and Spanish America. 
    Subject area: Spanish
  • Spanish 33 (10 quarter/6.7 semester UC units, lower division)
    This course continues the study of Spanish grammar and further develops the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing while offering greater familiarity with the culture of Spain and Spanish America.
    Subject area: Spanish
  • Spanish 34 (10 quarter/6.7 semester UC units, lower division)
    This intensive intermediate Spanish course aims to improve the oral and writing skills of students who have already acquired an introduction to essential grammar and vocabulary, while further introducing them to Spanish culture and society. 
    Subject area: Spanish

Spanish Civilization 

  • Spanish 45 (3 quarter/2 semester UC units, lower division)
    This course offers a panoramic vision of the history and culture of Spain through the presentation of short texts and significant works of architecture and painting. It covers fundamental concepts and ideas that are key to the historical, sociological and anthropological development of all layers of Spanish population and helped construct contemporary Spanish society. Instruction is divided between the classroom and the various museums of Madrid.
    Subject area: Spanish

Major/minor/GE or foreign language requirements and course equivalencies are all determined differently at each campus. Discuss these questions with your UC academic advisor.

Additional or optional coursework, internships, and research for academic credit are not possible on this program.

Catalogs and resources

  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses UC students have taken on this program.
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Classes are planned with activities and excursions outside of the classroom to enhance the four skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each activity is coordinated and works together with the curriculum. Whenever possible, elements of the madrileño surroundings are incorporated to lend authenticity to class instruction. In effect, you’ll have intense instruction within the classroom and will be using Madrid as your “language lab.”

The intensity of this program requires active participation to maintain the pace. To avoid falling behind and to succeed up to the final weeks of the program, attend all classes and complete all assignments. Given that there is ample time allowed for more informal experiences of Spain, your academic studies should have your full attention during the short span of the program.

You will take class alongside other UC students. Regular classes are typically held Monday through Thursday until 4 pm. Additional activities are scheduled on some weekends.

Attendance and class participation are mandatory. You are allowed a total of two absences during the program. Each absence beyond the limit will result in a deduction of 3 percentage points from your raw total. An absence occurring on a day a quiz or exam is scheduled or an assignment is due will result in a zero for that quiz/exam or assignment. Make-up exams are permitted on a case-by-case basis for medical reasons or religious observance. Pertinent documentation must be provided.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for this program are usually available in early October. They may not arrive in time to accommodate the summer degree verification deadline.