UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA
SPAIN EXCHANGE PROGRAM
PROGRAM DATES & ELIGIBILITY
FALL SEMESTER DATES: September – December
SPRING SEMESTER DATES: 2 Trimesters = 1 Semester:
January – March + April – June
(Each term consists of 10 weeks of classes and 2 weeks for the exams.)

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT REMOVED.
UPF’s Recommendation:
It is recommended that students applying to UPF have an intermediate level of Spanish (Spanish 1-3 or the equivalent level), as in terms of integration to the University and the city, it is helpful.
-Spanish Classes at UPF:
FOUR semesters of Spanish language (Elementary I, Elementary II, Intermediate I, Intermediate II)
For classes taught in Spanish, the requirement is 4 semesters of Spanish and more than 4 semesters for literature classes, or the equivalent level.
-> You can apply when you are taking Intermediate Spanish II
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
CLASSES & CREDITS
Course Load: 12 credits—MANDATORY!
-Students are guaranteed elective credits.
You may receive major electives upon consulting with your department.
-> 6 ECTS (European Credits) = 3 American Credits
-> You cannot take a class that is less than 5 ECTS, unless your courses will add up to 12 credits (24 ECTS) total and you are okay with getting Elective Credits.
Types of Courses:
It is recommended that students take Elective Credits.
UPF International Program Options:
- BaPIS* (Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies) – Most of our students enroll in this program, which is specifically for study abroad students. See below.
- IBP at ESCI (International Business Program).
- UPF Regular Course offerings**. (Please specify which faculty).
- Combination between two or all from the above (Please specify).
*BaPIS PROGRAM
The Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) is the flagship of UPF’s strategy for internationalization and innovation.
BaPIS consists of a wide range of courses with a multi-focal and interdisciplinary approach which break down the traditional knowledge areas. Their common focus is CREATIVITY.
Most of our students enroll in this program (see full program info. here and an FAQ here).
List of BaPIS courses here.
You also have the option to take classes at the following departments:
**UPF Regular Course Offerings in English:
(Some courses in English may be limited in certain subjects)
-Business & Economics
-Media Studies (Communications, Journalism, Advertising, etc.)
-Political Science
-Humanities (Literature, Geography, Art History, etc.)
The subjects above also have (more) courses taught in Spanish & Catalan.
More technical courses, such as Science, Math, Computer Science, etc. cannot be taken
Subjects in Spanish & Catalan:
-Spanish Language, Literature & Culture
-Translation & Interpretation
+ All of the below
For more detailed course information see “Course Offer” on UPF’s Website HERE.
HOUSING
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST WITHOUT TUITION
~$7,000+/SEMESTER + CUNY Tuition
-UPF Website “Cost of Life” HERE
Email bzahran@qc.cuny.edu for a breakdown of these costs.
HOW TO APPLY & DEADLINE
SPRING 2026 PRIMARY INTEREST FORM DEADLINE:
Friday, September 5th
Exceptions:
- Nanzan: Friday, August 8th
- CUNY-Italy: October 1st
- CUNY-Paris Exchange, Sorrento Semester Program & Greece Hellenic American University Semester Program: October 15th
-After researching your program of interest, do the following.
-You can only apply to one program (you can list your 2nd and 3rd choices).
NOTE: Program availability depends on exchange balances. Programs are first-come, first-served, and some programs have a limited number of spots.
APPLICATION STEPS:
QUICK VIEW: (Order of 3-6 subject to change)
1. Primary Interest Google Form
2. Confirmation of Interest Google Form
3. Queens College Commitment Paperwork
4. Interview
5. Nomination to Host University
6. Host Campus Application
7. Visa Process
(Other CUNY students: ePermit Process)
DETAILED STEPS:
STEP 1: Primary Interest Form (linked here)
To express an interest in one of our Queens College Semester Programs, fill out Primary Interest Form by deadline above.
STEP 2: Confirmation of Interest Form
This form is first-come, first-served, and confirms that you would definitely like to study abroad.
(Will be sent to those who complete the Primary Interest Google Form the week after the Primary Interest Form Deadline)
STEP 3: Queens College Commitment Paperwork
-Sent to those who complete the Confirmation of Interest Google Form
-You will be emailed a PDF with Commitment Paperwork; it is basically an application with basic information.
-Gather the necessary documents and then email your completed paperwork back to us by the deadline.
STEP 4: Interview
Every student participating in a Queens College Semester Program will be interviewed by Blanche.
STEP 5: Nomination to Host University
We will nominate your to your program of interest. Once our partner university confirms your nomination, you will receive an email with “Next Steps.”
STEP 6: Host Campus Application
-Each of our partner universities have their own application processes. You will be emailed information about this.
-Submit this application by our Queens College deadline (which is earlier than our partner’s deadline)
STEP 7: Visa Process
-After you are officially accepted to your semester program, you will be emailed information regarding the visa process for that country
-Follow all of the steps carefully and apply for a visa ASAP
OTHER CUNY STUDENTS: ePermit Process
-If you are a student at another CUNY campus who is participating in one of our Queens College Exchange Programs, you will have to apply for an ePermit so that your study abroad classes and credits will be transferred back to your home college.
-You must inform your home campus that you will be participating in a Queens College Program ASAP, as they have paperwork that you must fill out with them.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT COMMITMENT PAPERWORK:
–Physician’s Statement:
Make sure that there is a Doctor’s Stamp on it.
Your doctor can fax this to us: 718-997-5055 (FAX)
–Health Care Proxy: If something were to happen to you, who would you want to make medical decisions on your behalf?
The witness on the bottom of the page should not be this person.
–Passport: Should be valid until at least 6 months after the end date of your program.
Renew your passport right away if it is expired or will expire!
FINANCIAL AID
Yes, in general, tuition may be covered, depending on your package. Sometimes, TAP is not guaranteed. For exchange programs, students pay CUNY tuition, so it is as if you are still at Queens College.
You must submit a Course Approval Form to the Financial Aid Office.
—> Information on Course Approval Forms can be found HERE.
See our “Financial Aid for Study Abroad” Page HERE for more details.
SCHOLARSHIPS
-See our Scholarships Page HERE
Look for:
-Queens College Internal Scholarships
-Gillman Scholarship
-Etc.
TRANSFERRING CREDITS
See our “How to Transfer Study Abroad Credits” Page HERE for more information.
UPF LINKS
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GRADUATION
If your semester abroad is your last semester of college, you will not be able to graduate until one semester later.
For example, if you study abroad in the Fall, you will not be able to graduate until the Spring because it takes us a while to receive your transcript.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I take Major/Minor Classes Abroad?
It is highly recommended that you take Elective Credits abroad, since you will not know exactly which classes you will take until you are abroad.
It may be possible to take Major/Minor credits abroad if those classes are offered abroad and if your department approves of those classes on a Course Approval Form. It is up to your Major/Minor Department’s discretion.
2. Can I take General Education classes abroad?
You will have to ask Advising about this.
Study Abroad Office
King Hall, Room 203
Queens College, CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd. Flushing, New York 11367-1597
718-997-5050
718-997-5055 (FAX)
Email: studyabroad@qc.cuny.edu