Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations Exchange
Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations Exchange
Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Europe, Spain
GPA: 2.75
Program Overview
In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations at Ramon Llull University, located in the center of Barcelona. The university specializes in International Relations and educating and training journalists, publicists, public relations professionals, and professionals in the fields of cinema and television. As an exchange student, you will be able to take classes in Communication, International Relations, or Global Communication Management, and there are classes available in English, Spanish, and Catalan.
There are approximately 2,000 students enrolled in the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, so you can expect to experience a smaller campus environment at Blanquerna. Classes are small, which facilitates faculty-student engagement and helps you get to know your classmates. In addition, there are a variety of extracurricular activities that are offered, including sports and music, and Blanquerna has a range of student services designed to support diverse students.
Barcelona is a vibrant city in Catalonia and sits on the coast of northeastern Spain. With a population of around 1.6 million, it is the second most populous municipality in Spain. Barcelona has a rich heritage and remains a popular destination for study abroad students. You can spend plenty of time soaking up the sun on the city’s beaches, visiting the renowned architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudi, or engaging in the many opportunities to experience arts and culture.
Dates and Deadlines
| Term | Year | Deadline | Arrival Date | Departure Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | 2024 | 02/01/2024 | Early September | Late December |
| Spring Semester | 2025 | 02/01/2024 | Early February | Late June |
| Academic Year | 2024-25 | 02/01/2024 | Mid September | Late June |
Academic Details
Blanquerna prides itself on its ability to combine theory with practice, which encourages students’ creativity, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary work. Classes are generally small, at around 12 students, and most classes will focus on seminars and group discussions. The small class sizes promote personalized learning, and most instructors both teach and practice their craft.
Depending on the department you intend to take classes in, the primary language of instruction may vary. Most classes in Blanquerna’s Communication degrees are taught in Catalan or Spanish, and most classes in Blanquerna’s International Relations or Global Communication Management degrees are taught in English. Not all courses are open to exchange students. Each May, Blanquerna will share a list of courses that are open to exchange students and details about the language of instruction for each class.
A particularly highly recommended class for exchange students is Seminar III for exchange students, which is worth 8 ECTS credits. In addition, Blanquerna offers free Catalan and Spanish courses for exchange students each semester. These courses are credit-bearing, allowing you to earn 2 ECTS credits for each course.
Though Blanquerna does not require any evidence of Catalan or Spanish proficiency, if you do not have the minimum recommended level of proficiency (B1 within the Common European Framework), you may experience challenges participating in your courses successfully.
Students attending Blanquerna for the fall semester are required to take their final exams in December during Blanquerna's Special Session Exam. You will need to confirm with Blanquerna early in the fall semester that you wish to take your exams in December.
Blanquerna uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is a workload-based system for measuring and comparing study results. ECTS credits are transferred to the UO at the rate of 1 ECTS credit = .75 quarter credits. Most courses are worth 3 or 4 ECTS.
- Students attending Blanquerna must register for 15-30 ECTS in the fall semester and for 30 ECTS in the spring semester.
- Spring semester students: the courseload required to reach 30 ECTS is extremely rigorous (you may be required to take 8-12 classes). You are encouraged to consider applying for the fall semester or academic year.
Note: Students should consult with their UO academic advisor before submitting their course enrollment to Blanquerna.
Course Equivalencies
UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.
Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.
Additional requirements
Though Catalan or Spanish language proficiency is not required, one year of experience is recommended in order to facilitate daily life in Spain. In addition, the minimum level of proficiency that is recommended in order to take courses in Spanish or Catalan is B1 within the Common European Framework.
Application process
The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.
Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.
Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.
Housing Description
Though Blanquerna can share some general recommendations about housing, you will be responsible for arranging your own housing. The main options that are available are residence halls or apartments. You are encouraged to look for accommodation well in advance, as it can be difficult to find available housing in Barcelona.
When searching for housing, it is recommended that you use a service dedicated to student housing. Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU) is the official hosting service for universities in Barcelona. They help you to get accommodation in Barcelona, either in a hall of residence or a flat. You can browse what is available at this link.