Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering

If you’re looking for an international experience, the International Summer School program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) is an ideal choice. In this compact, six-week session, you can complete two courses while living and studying with students from all over the world.

Unique study opportunities

  • Access exciting courses taught in English from several UAB departments.
  • Take an interdisciplinary course that is team taught by Spanish professors.
  • Participate in the UAB Buddy Programme to meet local students, get to know Spanish culture, and get the most out of university activities.
  • Choose classes from a specially curated list that reflects current student interests.

Language

Language of Instruction: English, Spanish

Spanish Language Study: available at various proficiency levels

All instruction is in English. On occasion, Spanish-taught courses may be available if you have the necessary language skills.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program: 

  • Take two courses for a total of 10 quarter/6.7 semester UC units. All courses are 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units.
  • Take all courses for a letter grade; the pass/no pass credit is not available on this program.

Current Program Courses

Many course offerings have remained consistent over the past few years, but they may change depending on student interest and the availability of professors in the summer months.

The summer session is divided into two three-week periods.  You’ll complete one course per teaching period.

First Teaching Period (June 23 to July 11, 2025)
  • Beeology: Honeybee Science from Theory to Practice
  • Contemporary Challenges in International Relations
  • Contemporary Spain through the Eye of the Movie Camera (taught in Spanish)
  • Data Protection, Legislation & Ethics
  • Español como Lengua Extranjera (A1 MCER)/Spanish as a Foreign Language (level A1 CEFR)
  • From Fieldwork to Project: Mediterranean Biodiversity Research 
  • Geography of Global Change
  • How the Brain Works
  • Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Navigating the New Frontier of Fertility Control (NEW)
  • Leadership, Negotiation Techniques
  • Operations Management (NEW)
  • Resources for Teaching and Learning English in Infant and Primary Education (online)
  • Solving Socio-Educational Challenges through Research: Hands-on Experience
  • The Global Energy Problem: The Scientific Basis of Energy Management
Second Teaching Period (July 14 to August 1, 2025)
  • Advanced Programming
  • Bioethics
  • Contemporary Italy through the Eye of the Movie Camera (taught in Spanish)
  • Critical Thinking
  • Digital Education and Socioemotional Education (NEW)
  • Diseases of Marine Mammals (only recommended for students with significant upper division coursework in Biology or Veterinary Science)
  • Environment Economics (NEW)
  • Español como Lengua Extranjera (A2 MCER)/Spanish as a Foreign Language (level A2 CEFR)
  • Game Theory
  • Good Journalism is Alive
  • International Relations of East Asia
  • Psychological First Aid
  • Spanish Politics
  • Urban Performing Arts
  • Video Games and Storytelling (NEW)
  • Women's Rights Protection: A Pathway to International and European Mechanism Against Discrimination

Research and independent study for academic credit are not available.

Catalogs and resources

  • UAB Summer Course Listings: Scroll to the middle of the page to see the most up-to-date course list.
  • 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 taught in English and designed specifically for short summer terms. They are offered from several departments, many of which are interdisciplinary and team taught by UAB professors. The program is available to local Spanish students from UAB as well as students from other countries. The courses are intensive and consist of at least 55 contact hours each teaching period. Classes are in the mornings and afternoons are reserved for self-guided study (2-3 hours recommended).   

Before departure, you’ll receive a survey regarding course selection. If there is an initial lack of interest from students for any one or more courses, these may be canceled before the program starts. Registration is then finalized after arrival. 

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for the summer term are typically available in late September. They may not arrive in time to accommodate summer degree verification deadlines. 

Please be aware that UCEAP uses a grade conversion scale that is different from the UAB recommended grade conversion as their recommendations do not reflect the full UC letter grade scale.