We welcome you to Pompeu Fabra University, a young, modern and innovative university that was created in 1990 by the Generalitat (governament) of Catalonia. Pompeu Fabra University is a Catalan university open to the world, which every year welcomes a large number of international students and has 25% of professors who are international. Below we provide you with some information both about the Catalan language in general and about the linguistic uses you can expect to find at UPF in particular. It is very important that you take this information into account.

About the Catalan language
Catalan is the national and official language of Catalonia. It is a Romance language, derived from Latin, which is also spoken in the Balearic Islands, in the Valencian Country (where it is also called Valencian), in Northern or French Catalonia, in Andorra, in the Western or Aragon Fringe and in the Sardinian city of L’Alguer. The first documents in Catalan date from the 11th century. For centuries, Catalan was the only language in all these territories, but due to the historical events that took place from the 18th century, Castilian was gaining presence and uses in Catalonia, and is currently co-official.

On linguistic uses at Pompeu Fabra University
Catalan is the own and 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 in language or humanistic studies, mainly. It is up to the teacher or to the corresponding academic unit to choose the language or languages ​​of the teaching activities, but regardless of the language or languages ​​of teaching, the student has the right to use either Catalan, Spanish or English (in the latter case, with prior agreement with the teacher), both orally and in writing  –except in language subjects or in linguistically profiled subjects, that is, in those in which language is a requirement to pass the subject– in their academic relationship with the teacher.

(Video with subtitles in English, Catalan and Spanish)

The concept of linguistic security: the language of classes cannot be changed
Under the regulatory framework in force at UPF, the language or languages in which a subject must be taught is public (the student knows before deciding whether to enrol) and binding information, since it binds both the teacher (who cannot change it) and the student (who cannot ask for it to be changed). Therefore, it is very important that before registering for any subject, you check the language or languages in which it will be taught, to ensure that you will be able to follow the classes. And remember that, in application of the principle of linguistic security, you cannot request a change of language in a subject, as this would generate linguistic insecurity in both the teacher and the rest of the students in the subject, who would see their linguistic rights affected.

Language courses
So that you can enjoy to the fullest the teaching offer of Pompeu Fabra University, Idiomes UPF, the UPF language school, makes available to you both a wide range of Catalan courses (at a very reduced price) and a wide offer of courses in other languages.

The Voluntariat Lingüístic programme: language tandems and cultural activities to get to know Catalonia and the Catalan culture
Apart from the language courses, UPF offers you the Voluntariat Lingüístic, a linguistic and cultural support programme that will allow you to get to know other local or international students at the University and to learn or improve your knowledge of languages (Catalan or Spanish if you are an international student, and any other language in the case of Catalan students) in an informal way, with a linguistic partner, and that offers you at the same time, if you are an international student, a wide range of visits and cultural and leisure activities for you to discover Catalonia and its rich landscape, architecture, culture and gastronomy.

We encourage you therefore to fully enjoy your stay at UPF, in Barcelona and in Catalonia and to make the most of everything within your reach! And to this end, what better than to learn (at least a little bit of) Catalan if you still don't know any, and also to improve your knowledge of both Catalan and other languages! This way you will be able to enjoy not only the entire academic offer of UPF, but also broaden your skills, add value to your CV and, if you are from elsewhere, really live like a local during your stay in Barcelona and Catalonia!