Spain occupies the south-western tip of Europe, along with Portugal. This location has made Spain an important historical, religious, cultural and linguistic contact zone where Europe and Africa have met and coexisted, often uneasily. The centre of a vast international empire from 1492 to 1898, in the 20th century Spain was ruled by General Franco in one of Europe's longest-running fascist dictatorships (1937–1975). Since 1975 and the restitution of a parliament-based constitutional monarchy, one that also permits significant regional autonomies, the Spanish people have enjoyed high standards of living and a climate of cultural liberalisation. Since the 1970s Spain has also been a key player in drives towards European union. With a population of 40 million, Spain is one of the world's top tourist destinations, attracting 45 million visitors annually. While Castellano (Spanish; also known as Castilian) is the official state language, other resilient regional languages (Basque, Catalan, Galician) reflect contemporary Spain's profound cultural heterogeneity.

Students in the Spain major have the opportunity to learn Castilian, to learn about Spain and Spain's place in European and international affairs, and to spend an academic year of study at universities in Barcelona, Logroño, Madrid, Málaga, Pamplona, Salamanca and Santander. The UTS Language and Culture program accepts students with varying degrees of language ability, ranging from complete beginners to native speakers.

Students spend two consecutive semesters studying language and culture at one of the following universities through arrangements made by the Institute:

• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
• Universidad de La Rioja, Logroño
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid
• Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid
• University Alfonso X El Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid area)
• Universidad de Granada, Granada
• Universidad de Málaga, Málaga
• Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona
• Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona
• Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca
• Universidad de Cantabria, Santander.

Students are assessed on each semester separately and assessment is based on subjects undertaken at the host institutions, as well as project work administered by the Institute for International Studies.

Students may expect that slightly greater costs will be incurred through undertaking a period of In-country Study in Spain than are involved in living away from home in Sydney and that these costs vary from location to location and fluctuate with exchange rates.

Locations

Barcelona

Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, and the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, has long been a centre for artistic and architectural developments, as well as social progressiveness. It is also one of the most industrialised of Spanish cities.

Students who select Barcelona for their period of In-country Study spend two consecutive semesters studying language and culture at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) through arrangements made by the Institute. In the first semester they further their Spanish language skills, and if their Spanish levels permit, they have access to other subjects as determined by UAB. Catalan classes are also an option. During the second semester, students select two electives from a list of options on contemporary Catalan and Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society. The UAB campus consists of teaching and research centres, libraries and laboratories. Located 40 minutes from central Barcelona by metro, the UAB is, in effect, a separate university town. The University community is made up of 37,000 undergraduate students, 6,500 postgraduate students, 2,700 teachers and researchers, and 1,200 administrative staff. The UAB's 11 faculties offer a wide range of study and research, including the humanities and social sciences, law, business studies, health sciences, experimental sciences, art and design, technology, and engineering. Catalan is the primary language of instruction at UAB, although a limited number of subjects are offered in Spanish.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish and are prepared to undertake classes and subjects taught in Catalan.

Granada

Granada is a medium-sized city in Andalucía, home of La Alhambra and Sacromonte, and one of the most picturesque and visited tourist locations in Spain. Although it has a constant and significant influx of tourists from all over the world, the city does not have a large foreign community living there long-term.

The University of Granada is the third largest university in Spain, and, having been founded in 1531, also one of the oldest. It enrols over 80,000 students annually and is an important and prominent institution in this city of only 270,000 inhabitants. The University teaches in all the main areas of study and comprises the Faculties of: Fine Arts, Architecture, Information Studies, Science, Physical Education and Sport, Education, Human Resources, Economics and Management, Psychology, Sociology and Political Sciences, Humanities, Translation and Interpretation, Law, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering and Information Technology, and various associated centres offering Nursing, Dentistry and others. The campus has modern facilities including IT access, a large library system and sport facilities. It is centrally located and the city has a good public transport system.

Granada has a thriving cultural life. There is a mountain range half an hour away with excellent skiing in the winter, and the beach is only one hour away. Granada is also well connected to other major cities and tourist areas in Andalucía and has direct flights to Madrid and Barcelona.

This location is available only to In-country Study students or exchange students with level 8 or higher Spanish proficiency who will enrol in regular university subjects from Semester 1.

Logroño

Logroño is the capital of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, the most important wine-producing region of Spain. La Rioja is the smallest autonomous community in Spain, bordered by Navarra, Castilla y León, and Aragón. The city has a population of about 150,000, and is surrounded by picturesque valleys and mountains. It was founded by the Romans and forms part of the famous Camino de Santiago, alongside many monasteries and castles that can be found in the area.

The University of La Rioja attained university status in 1992, having been part of the University of Zaragoza previously. The student population currently numbers some 7,500. The University offers 26 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a number of disciplines. Most foreign students who attend this University come from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

Students who select Logroño for their period of In-country Study spend two consecutive semesters studying language and culture at the Universidad de La Rioja through arrangements made by the Institute. In the first semester, students further their Spanish language skills, and, if their Spanish levels permit, have access to other subjects as determined by the University. During the second semester, students select a number of electives from a list of options on contemporary Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish; such students may enrol in an advanced Spanish language class as an elective, subject to their faculty's approval.

Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and the country's largest city, with a population of some five million if the city's outlying districts are included. Madrid is situated in the geographical centre of the country, and is regarded by the Spanish state as an autonomous community in its own right. It also wins the prize for being the highest European capital in terms of altitude, being some 700 metres above sea level. Home to some of Europe's most important art galleries and museums, including the Prado, Madrid is a dynamic metropolis, with a cultural life on par with the other great European capitals. It also boasts a vibrant night-life, and an excellent public transport system. Three universities are available for students wishing to study in Madrid.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) is a large public university with a campus on the outskirts of the city. It is serviced by a regular train service connected to the metro network. The campus is very large and hosts many faculties. It has a strong international reputation in both teaching and research. Students who select this university for their period of In-country Study spend two consecutive semesters studying Spanish culture by selecting a number of electives from a list of options on contemporary Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society. In the first semester, students also have access to a Spanish language class for foreign students.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish; such students may enrol in an advanced Spanish language class as an elective, subject to their faculty's approval.

Universidad Antonio de Nebrija is a private university with a high academic reputation in Spain and abroad. It has two campuses – one in the city (Dehesa) and one on the outskirts (Berzosa). The Dehesa campus is located in the city and is readily accessible by metro. The Centro de Estudios Hispánicos, where intense Spanish languages classes are held, is located on this campus. The facilities at both campuses are quite impressive, as befits this modern, well-run university. Students enrol in intensive Spanish language and culture classes at Dehesa campus in first semester, and in second semester choose from a variety of subjects on contemporary Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society taught at Berzosa campus.

This site is not available to UTS exchange students.

University Alfonso X El Sabio (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid area), is a private university on the outskirts of Madrid. UAX was founded in 1993 and has a student population of 10,000. It is located in Villanueva de la Cañada, 25 km out of Madrid. The campus can be reached in 45 minutes by a bus departing every 15 minutes from a bus and metro interchange in central Madrid. Student accommodation is available in the small town/suburb next to campus, which provides an alternative to commuting from Madrid. The University can arrange for shared accommodation with Spanish and other foreign students in Villanueva de la Cañada. Most foreign students studying at this university are from non-English-speaking countries, and many are from Latin America. The University offers modern facilities and an optional Spanish language class for foreign students to be taken each semester concurrently with regular university subjects on contemporary Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish; such students may enrol in an advanced Spanish language class as an elective, subject to their faculty's approval.

Málaga

Málaga is a thriving city on Spain's south Mediterranean coast and a popular international tourist destination. The city is close to some of the most historically and architecturally significant cities in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, such as Granada and Córdoba, and the Moroccan African coast is only a short ferry ride away.

In their first semester, UTS students at the Universidad de Málaga undertake Spanish language classes, and in second semester up to three elective subjects from the regular curriculum of the University.

Founded in 1972, the Universidad de Málaga has become one of Spain's most dynamic tertiary institutions, especially in the fields of technology, tourism and Andalusian Studies. The University has eight faculties and 11 schools, and caters for a wide range of studies and research in the humanities and social sciences, health sciences, experimental sciences, technology, business, law, engineering and tourism. The University is split into two campuses and has very modern resources, including excellent libraries, an Olympic-quality sports centre and a range of student services very much like those an Australian student would expect to find at home. Spanish language classes are offered at a language centre in the city while Teatinos campus, where students study in second semester, is 15 minutes from central Málaga by bus.

This site is not available to UTS exchange students.

Pamplona

Pamplona, or Iruña as it is known in Basque, is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Navarra, in the north of Spain. Navarra is one of the wealthiest regions in Spain, and while Castilian is the dominant language, Basque is also spoken by a significant proportion of the population. Pamplona is famous for its Fiesta de San Fermín and the associated running of the bulls.

Universidad de Navarra

In their first semester, UTS students at the Universidad de Navarra undertake intensive Spanish language classes. In their second semester, students enrol in classes from the general undergraduate program in a range of faculties, depending on university admission requirements. The Universidad de Navarra is located on the outskirts of Pamplona in a leafy and spacious parkland setting along the banks of the Sadar River, some 20 minutes from the city centre by bus. One of the best technologically equipped tertiary institutions in Spain, the University prides itself on its commitment to fostering an active student community through various social, cultural and sporting activities. Of the 13,500 students in its undergraduate programs, between 600 and 700 come from overseas, half of those from Latin America. The University was founded in 1952, and currently offers 27 degree courses in a range of faculties and schools, some of its strengths being business studies, journalism, nursing, law and education.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish and depending on student demand in a given year.

Universidad Pública de Navarra

UTS students at the Universidad Pública de Navarra undertake Spanish language and culture classes in their first semester. These classes are taught using the innovative method of the renowned Instituto Cervantes, which combines formal classroom teaching with computer-based learning. In second semester, students undertake two or three elective subjects from the regular curriculum of the University. The Arrosadía campus of the Universidad Pública de Navarra is located in the south of Pamplona in spacious parkland. The campus even has an Oceania grove (trees and other plants from Australia and the Pacific region). An excellent public transport system of buses links the campus to the city proper. Established in 1987, the University is now ranked as one of the most dynamic and outward looking of Spanish universities, with a student body of some 11,000. Unlike most older Spanish universities, Pública is divided into 20 departments, rather than faculties, including: Physics, Chemistry, Agrarian Production, Geography and History, Philology and Linguistics, Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Automation and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Private and Public Law, and Psychology. Teaching and student facilities are excellent.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish.

Salamanca

Salamanca is a small university town some two-and-a-half hours by road from Madrid, in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León. The old city centre, where the University itself is located, contains some of the finest examples of medieval, renaissance and baroque architecture in Spain.

In their first semester, students from UTS at the Universidad de Salamanca undertake Spanish language and culture classes from the Cursos Internacionales program. In their second semester, they enrol in classes from the general undergraduate program in a range of faculties, depending on university admission requirements.

Established in 1218, the Universidad de Salamanca is one of the oldest universities in Europe, and currently attracts thousands of foreign students each year. Undergraduate students number close to 40,000. Located in the historical centre of Salamanca, the University has an illustrious academic history. Among its graduates and teachers are many of Spain's most important jurists, scientists, doctors, philosophers and writers. Classes are held in buildings built centuries ago. In 1987 construction of a new campus, Miguel de Unamuno, on the edge of the city centre was undertaken to satisfy the growing needs of students and staff. The University has 16 faculties and seven university schools, and offers study and research in many areas, notably humanities, environmental science, social sciences, law, economics and pharmacology. Its Humanities faculty is particularly well regarded internationally for its courses in linguistics, languages and translation.

This site is not available to UTS exchange students.

Santander

Santander, the largest city in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, is a medium-sized city of 200,000 inhabitants, located on the northern coast of Spain and home to the best surfing beaches in the country. The campus is centrally located, surrounded by modern residential areas popular with students, and easily accessible by public transport from other parts of the city.

Students who select Santander for their period of In-country Study spend two consecutive semesters studying language and culture at la Universidad de Cantabria (UC) through arrangements made by the Institute. In the first semester, students further their Spanish language skills, and if their Spanish levels permit, they have access to other subjects as determined by the University. During the second semester, students select a number of electives from a list of options on contemporary Spanish history, culture, politics, economics and society. UC is a modern university currently enrolling around 13,000 students. It has a modern campus with all necessary facilities. Student flats are close to the campus and there is good public transport to other areas of the city.

This site is available to exchange students provided they have university-level Spanish.

Completion requirements

Select one of the following:		8cp
50140 Comparative Social Change	8cp
76600 International Legal Studies	8cp
976451 Contemporary Spain		8cp
977450 In-country Study 1: Spain		24cp
978450 In-country Study 2: Spain		24cp
CBK90484 Spanish Language and Culture		32cp
Total		96cp