UPF has a strong technical school that offers a wide range of courses taught in English. This specialized program is specifically tailored to the needs and profiles of ICT students, allowing them to combine courses at the UPF Polytechnic School with independent research projects in technology, tutored by UPF faculty, while they are abroad.

With this program, ICT students will be integrated into UPF not only through their classes but also through their participation in research projects alongside local students. Such sharing of different approaches to problem-solving is vital in an ever-growing, collaborative field, in which experiential learning is key.

This program offers ICT students the opportunity to take advantage of UPF's world-class facilities and research groups to hone their communication and technical skills at one of Spain's top universities. In addition to the benefits of studying abroad in terms of personal growth and development, an international learning and research experience adds considerable value with regard to ICT students' future careers, as the related fields are increasingly global.

Who is it for?

This semester-long (or full-year) program may be of interest to students majoring in ICT (computer science, telematics engineering, audiovisual systems engineering...). In a global world, an increasing number of such students are seeking to include an international experience in their studies. This can be achieved by working with faculty and students at the UPF's renowned Polytechnic School.

Key Areas

• Artificial Intelligence
• Audiovisual Systems
• Communication Technologies
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Vision
• Digital Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Music Technology
• Robotics
• Telecomunication Networks
• Video Art

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Program Requirements

• Applicants should have a 2.7 GPA minimum at their schools of origin.
• The program is suitable for both students with a strong command of Spanish and beginners, as courses at the UPF Polytechnic School are taught in English.
• Applicants should come from a university or study abroad provider that has a study abroad agreement with UPF

Deadline for Applications

Fall: May 30 | Winter and Spring: October 30

Academic Structure and Course Offerings

The program requires a full semester courseload (normally 4-5 courses, equivalent to 20-25 ECTS credits) chosen from among the following options: (A) ICT courses, (B) experiential learning and (C) language and culture courses.

(A) ICT Track courses

A selection of regular courses taught in English at the Polytechnic School  from the following degrees: Audiovisual Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telematics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering. The courses are in the areas of Multimedia Networks, Network and Service Management, Wireless Networks and Protocols, Business Management and Innovation, Audio and Image Processing, Software Engineering, Programming, Interactivity. Computer Graphics, Intelligent Systems, Business Management and Innovation, Signal Processing and Audiovisual Systems, Sound and Music, Image and Video, Synthetic and Systems Biology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Science and Cross-disciplinary Computational Technologies

The list of selected courses for Academic Year 2023-24 will be published soon.

(B) Experimental learning and research

   Students may carry out a for-credit research project tutored by UPF faculty and conducted within the framework of one of the following Polytechnic School research groups:

• Cognitive & Intelligent Systems
• Audiovisual Technologies
• Networks & Communications
• Computational Biology & Biomedical Systems

Please, check further information about Research projects here.

Additionally, students attending the program during the 1st term can take a Technical Project Management Course, which introduces students to the world of information and communication technology (ICT) project management, offering an overview of the fundamentals of project management and allowing students to put them into practice using special simulation tools. The course entails a major change in methodology due to its use of intensive projectbased learning, to which it adds a practical component covering time management, work planning, risk and resource management, and budgets, among other topics.

Finally, students attending the program during the 3rd term may take a for-credit Internship at the Barcelona 22@ Project and Media & ICT Clusters. For-credit academic internships include engineering, telematics, and audiovisual systems placements.

The UPF Polytechnic School is located on the UPF Communications Campus in Barcelona's growing 22@ district. The area features a concentration of tech companies, universities, technology centers, and public authorities. Internships stand at the crossroads of academic and professional training.

With a view to bridging the gap between higher education and hands-on professional experience, the program also offers project internships to provide ICT Program students with experiential learning opportunities based on both action and observation to help them hone their intercultural competence skills and allow them to gain firsthand knowledge of a Spanish workplace. 

Please check complete information about Internships here

(C) Language and culture electives:

ICT Students may complete their course load with the Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies and Spanish Language courses (available during the Fall and Winter)