If you're passionate about design, visual communication, or creative arts, this semester or academic year program at Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering (part of Universitat de Vic) places you at the center of one of Europe's most visually dynamic cities. Located just off Las Ramblas in the heart of Barcelona, Elisava is a small, design-dedicated campus known for its cutting-edge facilities, innovative teaching, and strong professional connections in graphic design, visual communication, and product design. All courses are taught in English, making this program accessible to students regardless of their Spanish language background.

The program offers two tailored tracks to match your experience level. If you're new to design, Track A enrolls you in three foundational courses — Advanced Principles in Design, Design Contexts: Culture, History, Art and Architecture, and Digital Representation Principles — plus one elective in visual arts or Spanish. If you already have a design background, Track B allows you to build a flexible schedule from the full curriculum, which includes courses such as Branding and Brand Communication, Food Design, Biomaterials, Furniture and Product Design, Interior Spaces, Design for Packaging, and more. You'll work with industry-standard software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign throughout your coursework.

Beyond the studio, Barcelona itself becomes your classroom. The Design Contexts course, for example, takes you on visits to the MNAC, MACBA, the Joan Miró Foundation, and Picasso Museum, as well as iconic buildings by Gaudí and Mies van der Rohe. Excursions and cultural activities are woven into the program — from a coastal escape to Valencia, a day trip to medieval Girona and the Dalí Theatre-Museum, cava cellar tours in Sitges, and language exchange meetups with local students. A welcome orientation helps you navigate the city, academic culture, and your new home from day one.

Your program fee includes tuition, an official transcript, housing, internet, cultural activities and excursions, airport reception, in-country orientation, international insurance, 24/7 emergency assistance, mental health support, and career resources. You are responsible for flights, meals, books, personal spending, travel insurance, and your international cell phone plan. Housing options include city apartments, homestays, student residences, and independent housing, giving you flexibility to choose the living situation that best fits your style and budget.

The program is available for Fall Semester (September–December), Spring Semester (early January–early May), or a full Academic Year for the most immersive experience. Credits are awarded as ECTS (6 ECTS = 3 U.S. semester credits), and your transcript will include transfer credit recommendations. You must maintain full-time enrollment as required by your home institution. Eligibility requires you to be at least 18 years old, hold sophomore or junior status, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA (exceptions possible with a letter of recommendation). No language requirement applies, though Spanish language courses are strongly encouraged.