CATStudies Diploma

UPF Diploma in Catalan Language and Cultural Studies (CATStudies)

Catalan is the official and institutional language of Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), alongside Spanish, which is also an official language, and English, which serves as a working language. Accordingly, Catalan is the primary language used in the University's institutional activities, while Catalan, Spanish and English are all used, to varying degrees, in teaching and research, together with other languages used mainly in language and humanities programmes.

UPF is also a university with a strong international outlook, welcoming a significant number of international students every year. It is therefore essential to provide "a solid framework for linguistic and cultural integration that enables members of the university community from outside the Catalan-speaking territories to become fully integrated into academic life" (Pla d’enfortiment de la llengua catalana, p. 48).

To recognise the commitment and effort of students from outside the Catalan-speaking territories who undertake additional training in Catalan language and culture beyond their main academic programme, UPF offers the UPF Diploma in Catalan Language and Cultural Studies (CATStudies). The diploma aims, on the one hand, to foster the integration of students who are not initially Catalan speakers into the local student community and, on the other, to promote knowledge of the Catalan language and culture among members of the UPF Community.

Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, exchange students (Erasmus+) who obtain the CATStudies Diploma will, in addition to the certificates corresponding to each course or activity completed, receive an official UPF academic certificate confirming the award of the diploma.