New UPF-specific qualification: CATStudies

UPF Diploma in Catalan Language and Cultural Studies (CATStudies)

Description

Catalan is the official language of Pompeu Fabra University, together with Spanish, which is co-official, and with English, which has the status of a working language. Therefore, Catalan is the language that is preferably used in the institutional sphere, while in academic and research activities all three languages are present, to varying degrees, along with other languages that can be used mainly in language or humanistic studies. On the other hand, UPF stands out as a university with a distinct international reach, as it receives a significant number of international students annually. Therefore, it is necessary to offer a solid linguistic and cultural welcome framework that allows for UPF community members from outside the Catalan linguistic domain to fully participate in the academic life (as established in the Pla d’enfortiment de la llengua catalana, page 48).

With the aim of recognising the effort and dedication that students from outside the Catalan language domain have devoted to learning Catalan language and culture during their studies and beyond the subjects included in their main programs, the UPF offers a new UPF-specific qualification: UPF Diploma in Catalan Language and Cultural Studies (CATStudies). Through this qualification, on the one hand, the integration of non-Catalan-speaking students with local students is enhanced, and, on the other, the knowledge of the Catalan language and culture among UPF community members is also promoted.

  • Internacional students who are doing an exchange at UPF.
  • Students from outside the Catalan linguistic domain who are doing a stay at UPF.
  • Undergraduate, master’s and graduate students from outside the Catalan linguistic domain who have completed their secondary studies in Spain in centres located in territories where Catalan is not an official language.
  • Undergraduate, master’s and graduate students from outside the Catalan linguistic domain who have completed their secondary studies in a language that is not Catalan in centres located outside of Spain in countries where Catalan is not an official language.

In order to obtain this UPF-specific qualification, students must obtain a minimum of 7 ECTS credits, divided in 6 credits corresponding to mandatory activities and 1 credit corresponding to elective activities. These activities must exclusively belong to CATStudies’ activity catalogue (detailed below).

However, regulations also contemplate the possibility to obtain this UPF-specific qualification in cases where students stay at UPF for only one term, and, therefore, due to calendar issues, cannot complete the two mandatory language courses. In these cases, students will only need to obtain 3 credits from mandatory activities (corresponding to one language course) and they will have to obtain a minimum of 4 credits through elective activities.

Mandatory activities (total: 6 credits*)

Activities Credits Term Centre or unit in charge
Welcome&Benvinguts - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF
A1 Catalan course 3 ECTS credits september, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF
A2 Catalan course 3 ECTS credits 1st, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF

 
*In order to obtain the UPF-specific qualification, students must pass these activities. Exceptions:

  • Due to calendar issues, students with no previous knowledge of Catalan who are staying at UPF for one term can only complete the A1 Catalan course (3 ECTS). Therefore, in these cases, students must obtain the remaining 4 ECTS credits through elective activities, in order to reach the minimum of 7 ECTS credits needed to apply for the qualification.
  • Studients who have a previous knowledge of Catalan (and therefore do not need to start at level A1) can adapt their learning itinerary: they will start at level A2 (3 credits) and, as the most recommended option and as long as the length of their stay allows for it, they will continue with level B1 (3 credits).

General elective activities (minimum: 1 credit*)

Activities Credits Term Centre or unit in charge Notes
B1 Catalan course 3 ECTS credits 1st, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF  
Catalan Culture&Language Survival Kit 1 ECTS credit september, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF  
A Quick Glance at Catalonia (culture course) 1 ECTS credit september and 2nd Idiomes UPF  
What Else Should I Know about Catalonia? (culture course) 1 ECTS credit 1st and 3rd Idiomes UPF  
MOOC Catalan for Beginners 2 ECTS credits 1st, 2nd and 3rd Idiomes UPF  
Language tandems 1 ECTS credit 1st, 2nd and 3rd Voluntariat Lingüístic Students must complete a report and an interview with the VL.
Participation in 5 activities and cultural visits 1 ECTS credit 1st, 2nd and 3rd Voluntariat Lingüístic The VL will monitor the attendance and participation to these 5 activities.

 
*Except in the case of students who complete Faculty- or programme- specific activities.

Faculty- or programme-specific elective activities

Activities Credits Term Centre or unit in charge Notes
Lengua y cultura catalanas (51857) 6 ECTS credits 2nd BaPIS Programme (Internacional Relations) This course is offered exclusively to BaPIS students.
Llengua i cultura catalanes I (3349-1-55006) 4 ECTS credits 2nd Programa Llengües i Cultures en l’Espanya Actual (Faculty of Translation and Language Sciences) These courses are offered exclusively top students who are enroled in this programme.
Llengua i cultura catalanes II (3349-1-55023) 4 ECTS credits 3r

 
*Students who complete both one of these activities and the mandatory activities have already surpassed the minimum of 7 credits required to apply for the certificate, and can therefore submit the application.

In order to apply for this UPF-specific qualification, students must obtain a minimum of 7 ECTS credits from the activity catalogue, although students can obtain more credits if they wish.

Academic year 2023-2024. The catalogue will be updated annually.

Students must apply for the UPF Diploma in Catalan Language and Cultural Studies through the corresponding form, where they will be asked to upload all the necessary documentation (course certificates, reports, subject marks, etc.) in order to prove that they have carried out the necessary activities and obtained a minimum of 7 ECTS credits.

Application form

Obtain 7 credits and apply for your degree!

Application form