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Granada - Study in Granada
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer a variety of courses at the IES Abroad Center that help you explore and better understand Spanish language, history, and culture, through an in-depth and hands-on approach.
In addition to the courses you take with IES Abroad faculty, professors and course options at the prestigious Universidad de Granada can enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. Meet one of these professors, Hala Jadid al Kash, in this faculty spotlight interview.
Create your own academic experience according to the program in which you enroll by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–16 credits per semester (up to 19 upon request).
Intermediate Program (2 semesters of college-level Spanish)
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 6 credits)
- IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (required, 3 credits each)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies course (optional - pending language placement results, 3 credits)
- Universidad de Granada English-taught courses (optional, 3 credits each, maximum 2 courses)
Advanced Program (4 semesters of college-level Spanish)
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (required, 3 credits each)
- Universidad de Granada Spanish-taught courses (optional, 3 credits each, maximum 2 courses)
- Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
Courses
These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 331 - Islamic Art and Architecture of Spain and its Impact | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| AH 335 - Islamic Art and Architecture of Spain and its Impact | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| IB/AH 369 - Management of Cultural Heritage | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN 362 - The Spanish Experience of the Other | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| HL/AN 357 - Health, Culture and Global Society | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL/ES 325 - Mediterranean Ecosystems | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM 367 - The Role of Social and Mass Media in Political Change in the Arab World | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| CM/IF 275 - Management of Digital Identities and Technologies | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/CU 389 - Special Topics: Granada, City of Arts and Urban Culture | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC 332 - Spain and the European Union | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| IR/EC 356 - Spain and the International Economic Institutions | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL/ES 325 - Mediterranean Ecosystems | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/ES 360 - Designing the Sustainable City | Fall | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FA 218 - Watercolor Workshop: Landscape in Granada | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB/FI 355 - International Finance Management | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 348 - History of Spanish Cinema | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| WS/FS 321 - Images of Women in Mediterranean Film | Fall | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL/AN 357 - Health, Culture and Global Society | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RL/HS 344 - Islamic Civilization in Spain Until 1492 | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| RL/HS 372 - Memory and Identity of Sephardic Jews | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB/AH 369 - Management of Cultural Heritage | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| IB/FI 355 - International Finance Management | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM/IF 275 - Management of Digital Identities and Technologies | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR 330 - The Arab World and the West | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IR/EC 356 - Spain and the International Economic Institutions | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR 384 - Democracy, Populism and Public Opinion in the European Union | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT 359 - Lorca and the Andalusian Literary Tradition | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 360 - Contemporary Spanish Theatre | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| WS/LT 362 - Women in Mediterranean Literature | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS 361 - Flamenco: History and Dance | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 328 - Understanding Photography: Decoding the Still Image | Fall, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 331 - Mediterranean Policy of Spain and the European Union | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR 384 - Democracy, Populism and Public Opinion in the European Union | Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/PO 385 - Democracy, Gender and Multiculturalism | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS 343 - Psychology of Health and Well-Being: Moving Beyond Just Treating Mental Disorders | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PS 360 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RL/HS 344 - Islamic Civilization in Spain Until 1492 | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| RL/HS 372 - Memory and Identity of Sephardic Jews | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/ES 360 - Designing the Sustainable City | Fall | English | 3 |
| SO/PO 385 - Democracy, Gender and Multiculturalism | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 301 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Emergent I | Spring | Spanish | 6 |
| SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 6 |
| SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 352 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 353 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad III | Spanish | 4 | |
| SP 401 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 403 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/CU 389 - Special Topics: Granada, City of Arts and Urban Culture | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS/FS 321 - Images of Women in Mediterranean Film | Fall | English | 3 |
| WS/LT 362 - Women in Mediterranean Literature | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Partner Institution(s)
Universidad de Granada
The Universidad de Granada (UGR), Spain’s third-largest university, is consistently ranked among the top schools in the country. It was founded by Charles V in the early 16th century and evolved from the Quaranic Madrasah, founded in 1349. It is a dynamic and forward-thinking institution, offering diverse opportunities that attract the highest number of European exchange students of any European university. The new Campus de la Salud, created by the Andalusian government and UGR, brings together the private sector and university faculties for health care research. The University sponsors many programs, sports clubs, and cultural activities, such as concerts and film series.
All IES Abroad Granada students are registered as students of UGR. The Center staff provides extensive advising and support to all students.
If placed in the Intermediate Program, you are eligible to take at least one course in English. Course offering vary from semester to semester and are limited.
If placed in the Advanced Program, you may be eligible to take at least one course in Spanish. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and are available, among others, in the following disciplines:
- Anthropology
- Arabic Language
- Art History
- Biology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Health Sciences
- History
- Language
- Literature
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
To get an idea of what courses may be available, search courses by grado (degree) on the University's Grados site.
Location & Commute Time
The UGR has seven campuses; the Central Campus, The Health Campus and the Campuses of Cartuja, Fuentenueva, and Aynadamar in Granada, plus two additional campuses in the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla. All local Granada campuses are 10-15 minutes walking from the IES Abroad Granada Center, except the Cartuja Campus which is 15 minutes by bus.
Internships
Did you know that, while in Granada, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
- Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
- Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
- Experience what working in Granada is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
- Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers.
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Personalized Job Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal placement that satisfies your interests and goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently offer placements in your field of interest, we will look for one that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always looking for new internship opportunities for our students.
- Applied Economics
- Cultural Management
- Education
- Health Sciences
- International Relations
- Social Services
- Tourism
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Granada, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of the Western Mediterranean. Unless noted below, all trips are included in your program cost.
Morocco*
5 days | Fall & Spring
Cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco. Travel to Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, the Rif Mountains, and Chefchaouen. While in Morocco, you will experience authentic Moroccan culture by staying with local families and interacting with local university students and professors.
*Partially subsidized by IES Abroad; student pays co-pay
Seville
2 days | Fall & Spring
Explore this magnificent city, and visit the Cathedral, the Reales Alcazares, and the medieval quarter.
Cabo de Gata
2 days | Fall & Spring
Hike through this scenic national park, characterized by its volcanic rock formations and beaches.
Córdoba
1 day | Fall & Spring
Visit the great Mosque of Córdoba, the House of Sepharad, and other local sites.
Ronda & Setenil
1 day | Fall & Spring
Take in the rich history and architecture of Ronda and Setenil—two extraordinarily beautiful towns known as paradises for photographers and painters.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related trips are academic excursions associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Spanish culture and society. Participation is based on course registration. Past course-related trips have included visits to:
- The Alhambra and other famous sites throughout Granada
- Fuente Vaqueros and the birth house of poet Federico García Lorca
- The Andalusian countryside to paint the changing colors of the landscape as part of our painting course
- The ruins of the medieval city of Madinat-al Zahra, outside of Córdoba
- The dunes in the Strait of Gibraltar
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Granada is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience.
On-site orientation begins in the southern city of Málaga, Spain, before heading to Granada for a mandatory 10-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Granada staff, your fellow students, and your host city. Local university students join as orientation leaders and will support your linguistic and cultural immersion. Detailed information about academics, housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
In addition to the program's start in Málaga, the IES Abroad Granada Center staff organizes local tours around Granada and other day trips throughout Spain. During this time, you also receive intensive Spanish language instruction.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Granada, it will feel like home.
Homestays – With locations throughout Granada, homestays offer you the opportunity to live like a local with a Spanish host family. Students in homestays receive two home-cooked meals per day (14 meals/week). Homestays offer single rooms, and private or shared bathrooms. In some cases, more than one IES Abroad student may be placed in the same home.
Residence Hall - Several co-ed Residence Halls located in the heart of the city offer you the chance to live with fellow Spanish university students. Each has a different meal plan (ranging from 17 to 21 meals per week). Most rooms are single occupancy, but some are double. Some have private bathrooms, and some shared. These placements offer a cafe-style dining hall for meals.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Granada, such as:
- Participating in cooking, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, leather, and ceramics workshops
- Joining the local youth center and clubs
- Attending open mic nights
University Clubs & Events
The University of Granada (UGR) sponsors many programs, sports clubs, and cultural activities, such as concerts and film series. All IES Abroad Granada students, even those who do not register for courses at UGR, receive a UGR student identity card. This entitles you not only to enroll in courses at UGR, but also allows you to participate in university clubs and sports programs, and all other activities appropriate to your period of study in Spain.
Volunteer Abroad
When you volunteer in Granada, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term. Past volunteer opportunities in Granada include:
- Volunteering at a children’s hospital or soup kitchen
- Teaching English to young students
- Organizing food drives at local supermarkets
- Providing lunch for the elderly without family
- Participating in refugee work, such as preparing aid or care boxes
- Taking part in environmentally focused opportunities, such as reforestation
Get to Know Your New City
Take in a 360° View
Get a bird’s eye view of the city and surrounding area (including spectacular views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada), while listening to musicians play guitar at the Mirador de San Nicolás.
Gain a New Perspective
Get involved with the small community through volunteer work.
Trek Sierra Nevada
Granada is at the foothills of this iconic mountain range, making it the perfect place to set off from on a hike.
Practice Your Language Skills
Befriend a local university student through your intercambio language partner.
Just Explore
The sunny Andalusia region has so much to offer. Outside of beautiful Granada, Seville, Málaga, and Gibraltar are all worth exploring.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship
These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.
Kathleen Kervin Diamond Endowed Scholarship
Kathleen Diamond is a consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader in the language services industry. In 1979, she founded Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE®), a full-service language company based in Washington, D.C. She is recognized as an early pioneer in Telephone Interpreting, launching LLE-LINK in the early 1990s. Over the next 20 years, under her leadership, the company grew into a dynamic, multimillion dollar corporation, serving a wide range of clients, in both the private and public sectors, across the United States, and worldwide. In 2009, Ms.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Granada Center is ideally located in the heart of Granada on Plaza Nueva, a central point in the city. It has a spectacular view of the Alhambra and is close to several schools of the Universidad de Granada.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Study in the library
- Meet up with friends in the student lounge
- Soak in the sun and incredible view of the Alhambra from the terrace
Other features include Wi-Fi, printing facilities, and a traditional Andalusian patio and fountain.
Our Staff
Javier Martínez de Velasco, Ph.D.
Center Director
Dr. Javier Martínez de Velasco has been the Center Director of the IES Abroad Granada Center since 2005. He received his doctorate in Hispanic Literature from the University of Kansas with a concentration in International Theater, and his Bachelor’s in English Philology from Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. He was a professor at Central Washington University, including the William O. Douglas Honors College, from 1994 to 2002, teaching Hispanic and Latin American Literature and Spanish. He developed a Spanish language program for Spanish Speakers at CWU and directed CWU’s Summer Program with the University of La Coruña in Galicia, Spain. As a complement to his academic work, he is an accomplished theater director.
IES Abroad Granada Staff
Alba Medialdea
Coordinator of Student Affairs and Intercultural Development
Eva Martín García
Office Manager and Internship Coordinator
Patricia Molina Molina
Student Life Associate & Customized Programs Specialist
Elvira Rosales Escabias
Senior Academic Coordinator
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Latest from Granada
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
