Language of instruction
Limited places available. Potentially available as a second of third preference..
Universitat Pompeu Fabra is a modern, high-quality public university that was founded in 1990. Despite its youth, UPF is ranked within the Top 150 universities worldwide. The University focuses on social sciences and humanities, communication and information technologies, and life sciences.
UPF is located in the very centre of Barcelona. Its excellent location on the shores of the Mediterranean, its gentle climate, world-famous architecture and its open, cosmopolitan character make the Catalan capital an extraordinary place to live.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Trimester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Term/quarter 2 (Winter) Term/quarter 3 (Spring) | January–March/April April–June |
| Semester 2 | Term/quarter 1 (Autumn) Term/quarter 2 (Winter) | September–December January–March/April |
iew the UPF academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UPF has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
- Exchange student guidebook
- UPF fact sheet (PDF, 391.3 KB)
- University services, including sporting and social activities
Campuses
UPF has multiple campus locations around Barcelona:
- Poblenou campus
- Ciutadella campus
- Mar campus
The Poblenou campus is generally better suited to exchange students than the Ciutadella campus.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Student testimonials
- Bachelor of Business ManagementSemester 1, 2024
- B International StudiesSemester 1, 2019
Exchange in Barcelona was a dream come true, and an exciting, thrilling, amazing experience that I'll cherish for life!
Full-time study load
Full year exchange: 60 ECTS credits per year at UPF is equivalent to 16 UQ units.
2 Trimester exchange: 30 ECTS credits over 2 term/quarter at UPF is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UPF.
Language
Students are encouraged to have a B2 Spanish language level to apply to UPF.
UPF's statutes recognise Catalan as the University's language and as its normal vehicle for communication. In Catalonia, it is an official language, along with Spanish. While the percentage of teaching carried out through Catalan varies from area to area, in general around 70% of classes are in this language.
International students can sit exams/write papers in English under the "multilingual plan".
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. However, you will usually be expected to take the majority of courses (60%) within a single faculty.
Semester Restrictions
Due to the timing of UPF's trimesters, UQ exchange students must take courses in the following term/quarters depending on their semester of exchange:
- UQ Semester 2 Exchange: Term/quarter 1 + Term/quarter 2 (September to March)
NOTE: This option will affect your ability to study back at UQ in semester 1 - UQ Semester 1 Exchange: Term/quarter 2 + Term/quarter 3 (January to June)
Students are permitted to enrol in a maximum of 20 ECTS per term/quarter
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the UPF course catalogue.
Students can find an overview of courses for each faculty under "course offer", and search for full course profiles using the "course syllabus query system".
Crosscheck the courses you found in the host course catalogue with the Credit Precedent Database to see if UQ credit has previously been granted. The database should be used as a general guide only. Few courses from each host will be in the database and many course precedents in the database may have expired. Note, the credit precedent database does not replace the host course catalogue. If a course is not listed in the CPD, you can still ask for it to be assessed on your study plan.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Accommodation
UPF operates two residence halls, however, students staying for the full academic year are given priority in the allocation of rooms. UPF advises single-semester students to find private accommodation and provides a number of resources to assist in this search.
Cost of living
Alongside other practical information, UPF provides an estimate of monthly expenses for students in Barcelona to help you prepare for your exchange.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All students at UPF must have health care insurance. All international students, including Erasmus, are required to have full coverage of eventual risks during their stay in Spain and UPF will check that at least an accidents and travel insurance has been contracted to complement the EHIC.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UPF provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Spanish Consulate for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)