Granada, Spain

Study in Granada

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Experiential Learning, Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Homestay, Residence Hall

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, Spanish

Language Prerequisites:

2 semesters of college-level Spanish (Intermediate Program) or 4 semesters of college-level Spanish (Advanced Program); both programs require enrollment in a Spanish course within the last year

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

In Granada you can dive into the Spanish language at an intermediate or advanced level through coursework, housing opportunities, and cultural events that surround you with the language. Area Studies courses at the IES Abroad Center round out your studies and are taught by local faculty in a variety of disciplines—from Art History to Political Science. This holistic academic experience introduces you to Spain’s Moorish heritage, Jewish past, and its continuing links to North Africa.

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Immerse Yourself in Spanish

Select students will be placed in an Advanced Spanish Immersion focus.

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Gain Hands-On Experience

Participate in an optional (and free!) internship placement and seminar.

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Study at a Local University

Take courses at one of Spain’s top-ranked and largest universities.

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Travel Throughout Spain and Morocco

Our field trips take you to the Western Mediterranean.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

September 02 - December 18

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
16,552

Program Dates:

Late January - Mid May

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Kayti Everette

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Granada hilltops and skies before sunset

Why Granada?

Imagine being fully immersed in Spanish culture as you study abroad on a program designed to take learning out of the classroom and into everyday life.

Now picture it in a city many travelers insist is the must-see in all of Spain, with one of the clearest windows into the country’s unique, multicultural history, and a youthful, vibrant city life where roughly a third of residents are university students.

This is what it’s like to study abroad on our Study in Granada Program.

Learn More About Granada

Get to Know Your New City

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Take in a 360° View

Get a bird’s eye view of the city and surrounding area.

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Gain a New Perspective

Get involved with the small community through volunteer work.

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Trek Sierra Nevada

Granada sits at the foothills of this iconic mountain range.

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Practice Your Language Skills

Befriend a local student through your intercambio language partner.

The Student Experience

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Housing

A student and their host mother sit in a brightly lit, orange room enjoying churros.
  • Homestay
  • Residence Hall

Homestay

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 or double rooms, and private or shared bathrooms. In most cases, more than one IES Abroad student may be placed in the same home.

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. 

Partner Institution

An overview of the University from the Psychology building. There is lush vegetation across campus.
  • Universidad de Granada

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. 

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.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience according to the program in which you enroll by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester. 

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) 

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

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (24)

Anthropology (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
HL/AN 357 - Health, Culture and Global Society Fall Spanish 3

Partner Institution Courses

Universidad de Granada

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. 

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Granada, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

The Plaza de Espana photographed at night. A building with a tower and multiple spires sits in the background, with streetlights lighting up the square.

Seville

2 Days Fall & Spring

Explore this magnificent city, and visit the Cathedral, the Reales Alcazares, and the medieval quarter.

Students hike through the cabo de gata beach

Cabo de Gata

2 Days Fall & Spring

Hike through this scenic national park, characterized by its volcanic rock formations and beaches.

Three students stand on a bridge in Cordoba

Córdoba

1 Day Fall & Spring

Visit the great Mosque of Córdoba, the House of Sepharad, and other local sites.

A student stands underneath a large tan arch in Setenil, Spain. The background includes trees and houses.

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.

Part-Time 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. 

Placement Examples

a business student walking in Milan

Applied Economics

tourists visiting an art museum in Rome

Cultural Management

health students in santiago

Health Sciences

Volunteer Opportunities

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: 

English Tutor

Teach English to young students

Food Distribution

Provide lunch for the elderly without family, organize food drives at local supermarkets, or volunteer at a soup kitchen

Support the Community

Take part in environmentally focused opportunities, such as reforestation or participate in refugee work, such as preparing aid or care boxes

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
12,494
Housing
$
3,503
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
16,227

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
12,734
Housing
$
3,573
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
16,552

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
22,910
Housing
$
7,145
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
30,545

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Granada Center is at the heart of the city on Plaza Nueva, happening central point of this destination. With a view of the Alhambra, and walking distance to several schools of the Universidad de Granada, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Granada
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Granada. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first week of the program, you will begin your Spanish language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore Granada before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

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 which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" 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.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 23 - May 18

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

September 02 - December 18

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Early September - Late May

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Late January - Mid May

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • 2 semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent for the Intermediate Program 
  • 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent for the Advanced Program 
  • Enrolled in a Spanish course within the year prior to the program start date 
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins 
  • Some local university courses may not be available to students of sophomore standing 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
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