
You are here
Granada - Study in Granada
$5 Million in Financial 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 that help you explore and better understand Spanish language, history, and culture, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. World-class professors and course options at the prestigious Universidad de Granada 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.
While in Granada, you take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Craft your own academic experience according to the program in which you enroll by selecting from the following required and optional components:
Intermediate Program (2 semesters of college-level Spanish)
- IES Abroad Spanish course (required, 6 credits)
- IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (9–12 credits)
Advanced Program (4 semesters of college-level Spanish)
- IES Abroad Spanish course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (3–15 credits)
- Universidad de Granada courses (3–6 credits)
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
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 |
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 | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
BL/ES 325 - Mediterranean Ecosystems | Spring | English | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
CM 367 - The Role of Social and Mass media in Revolution and 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 |
---|---|---|---|
EC 330 - Spain and the European Union | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
EC 332 - Spain and the European Union | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
EC 340 - The Challenges Of Regional Development And The Eu Response | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
IR/EC 356 - Spain and the International Economic Institutions | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
BL/ES 325 - Mediterranean Ecosystems | Spring | English | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
FA 218 - Watercolor Workshop: Landscape in Granada | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
FS 399 - Special Topics: History of Spanish Cinema | 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 | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
RL/HS 344 - Islamic Civilization in Spain and North Africa until 1492 | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
RL/HS 372 - Memory and Identity of Sephardic Jews | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 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 216 - Imagining Andalusia | Fall | English | 3 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
PO 331 - The 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 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
PS 360 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
RL/HS 344 - Islamic Civilization in Spain and North Africa until 1492 | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
RL/HS 372 - Memory and Identity of Sephardic Jews | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SP 301 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 6 |
SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad Level II | 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 | Fall, Spring | 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 II | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
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)
About Universidad de Granada
www.ugr.es
The Universidad de Granada is the third largest university in Spain. It was founded by Charles V in the early 16th century and evolved from the Quaramic Madrasah, founded in 1349. It is a dynamic and forward-thinking institution, offering diverse opportunities that attract the highest number of exchange students from universities all over Europe. The new Campus de la Salud, created by the Andalusian government and the Universidad de Granada, 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.
Courses
All IES Abroad Granada students are registered as students of the Universidad de Granada. If you enroll in the advanced program, you are strongly encouraged to take at least one course there. Course offerings vary from semester to semester.
Courses are available in the following disciplines.
To get an idea of what courses may be available, search courses by grado (degree) on the University's Grados site.
- Anthropology
- Arabic Language
- Art History
- Biology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Health Sciences
- History
- Language
- Literature
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Location and Commute Time
The UGR has seven campuses; the Central Campus, The Health Campus and the Campuses of Cartuja, Fuentenueva, and Aynadamar in Granada. There are 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 (15 minutes away by bus).
Internships
Interning abroad as part of your study abroad experience will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive market. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.
Participating in an internship abroad helps you:
- Add international experience to your résumé
- Gain real work experience and skills
- Build your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Available Fields:
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- 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 your host country. The one- and two-day trips are included in your program fee. Our breathtaking five-day trip to Morocco is partially subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.
Cabo de Gata
1-2 Days | Fall & Spring
Hike through this gorgeous 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.
Seville and Ronda
2 Days | Fall & Spring
Visit the Cathedral, the Alcazares, and the historic quarter in Seville. Ronda is a quaint city perched above the cliffs with a breathtaking view of the Guadalerín River.
La Alpujarra
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and their unspoiled Medieval villages.
Morocco
5 Days | Fall & Spring
Cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco. Travel to Tangier, Assilah, Rabat, the Rif Mountains, and Chefchaouen. While in Morocco, you will truly experience Moroccan culture by staying with local families and interacting with local university students and professors.
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 field trips that take you places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
The program begins with a mandatory 10-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Granada staff, your fellow students, and the city of Granada. Local university students join as orientation leaders who will help you to better understand the culture and make you feel like a local.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
The IES Abroad Granada Center staff organizes local tours around the city. In addition, you spend two days in Málaga during orientation, take a one-day trip to an Andalusian National Park, and a two-day trip to Ronda and Seville. 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 – Live in a Spanish home and eat two meals a day with your hosts while your program is in session. With locations throughout Granada, homestays may offer single or double rooms. In some cases, more than one IES Abroad student may be placed in each home.
Dorm House – This small, family-run housing opportunity located in the heart of Granada includes 18 meals (Monday through Saturday), with no meals on Sundays and holidays. In the Dorm House, you’ll have a single room with a shared bathroom. This housing option is suitable for independent-minded students with a high level of Spanish language, who are comfortable being proactive when meeting Spanish students and integrating into local student culture. Placements are limited.
Colegios Mayores – Each Colegio Mayor has its own unique social and academic environment, as well as a deep sense of belonging. This single sex housing option includes up to 18 meals per week, and typically has rooms with single occupancy and a shared bath. It is ideal for outgoing students with a high level of Spanish language who want to integrate into local student culture, participate in Colegio activities, and are willing to abide by the rules of the Colegio. Placements are limited.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Granada through our cultural and volunteering activities, such as:
- Reading La Agenda - the IES Granada activity blog with interesting suggestions to enjoy yourself like a local every week! Music, sports, exhibitions, movies...
- Participating in workshops (cooking, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, leather, ceramics...)
- Helping in local organizations: food bank, planting trees, teaching English...
- Joining the local youth center and clubs
- Attending open mic nights
University Clubs & Events
The University of Granada sponsors many programs, sports clubs, and cultural activities, such as concerts and film series. All IES Granada students, even those who do not register for courses at the University, receive a Universidad de Granada student identity card. This entitles you not only to enroll in courses at the University, but also allows you to participate in university clubs and sports programs, and all other activities appropriate to your period of study in Spain.
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.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Granada Center is ideally located in the heart of Granada on Plaza Nueva. It has a spectacular view of the Alhambra and is close to several schools of the Universidad de Granada. Features include:
- High-speed Internet, printing, and scanning access
- A beautiful terrace overlooking the city and Alhambra
- Several classrooms, a student lounge, and a library
- Traditional Andalusian patio and fountain
faculty-spotlight-rev3-black resized.png
Read our interview with Hala Jadid al Kash!
Our Staff

Javier Martínez de Velasco, Ph.D.
Center Director
Dr. Javier Martínez de Velasco has been the Director of the Granada Program 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 Staff
IES Abroad Staff
Natalia García Caballos
Coordinator of Student Affairs and Internships
Eva Martín García
Office Manager
Patricia Molina Molina
Student Life Advisor
Elvira Rosales Escabias
Academic Coordinator