Barcelona is continuously ranked as one of the top student destinations in Europe, boasting rich history, a beautiful waterfront location and a lively culture. The city is located only a few hours from the French border, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Located in the autonomous region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain, the Barcelona is the second largest city in the country, with a population of over 1.6 million people that speak both Catalan and Spanish as official languages.
In addition to taking program courses in Barcelona, students will have the opportunity to attend company visits and cultural excursions throughout the city, including places like the Sagrada Familia, Salvador Dalí Museum and Park Güell.
This four-week May Term program provides students with the opportunity to take BGS 374 – Global Political Economy, where they will explore the relationship of business to its many stakeholders in the global context. The goal of this course is to prepare students, as future managers in the global world, to develop effective business strategies. This course will show how applying political economic analysis can open the door to viable market and non-market strategies in global business. This course is mostly case-based and is structured in two parts.
Quick Info
- Academic Term: May Term
- Program Dates: May 6 – June 4, 2026
- Credits: 3 UT credits
- Eligibility: BBA students w/ min. 2.5 GPA
- Prerequisites: None
- Program Code: 350187
*Application for May Term will be open between October 1st and October 15th
Program Information
About the Program
ELIGIBILITY
This program is open to BBA students with a minimum 2.50 GPA. Please note, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Canfield Business Honors Program: All Faculty-Led Programs are open to current CBHP students and Faculty-Led Program courses may count for Honors credit. These will count toward the student’s maximum limit of 2 non-Honors courses. Contact your CBHP advisor for more information.
Enrolling in a May Term or Summer Term Faculty-Led Program will not negatively impact a student’s CBHP application.
SCHEDULE
Classes take place Monday-Thursday (usually 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Some afternoon or Friday classes possible. Students are strongly urged to refrain from making weekend travel plans until receipt of finalized schedule. Absence from class will not be permitted.
ACADEMICS
Global Political Economy – BGS 374 – Taught by UT faculty
This course counts for a Cultural Diversity (CD) Flag.
FACULTY
Kishore Gawande
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Questions about this program? Contact Leticia Patterson.
Fees and Tuition
Program Fee: TBD
- Program fees are subject to change
- For information on scholarships and financial aid, please visit our funding page. Please note that the only opportunity to apply for a May Term Program scholarship through BBA International Programs is at the time of program application.
BUDGET
For more information on total estimated cost, including flights, meals, etc., view the Global Political Economy in Barcelona budget:
Application Fee: $75
Program Fee: $5,000 (subject to increase for 2026)
Books and Materials: $150
Food: $550
Airfare: $1,500
Local Transportation: $100
Personal Items: $500
Medical & Insurance: $146
Passport: $158
Total Estimated: $8,179
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE?
- Housing
- Weekly cultural excursions
- Welcome and farewell receptions
- Visits to local companies
- 24/7 assistance from on-site staff familiar with language/culture
- Pre-departure sessions
- Re-entry guidance for recruiting
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE?
- UT Tuition – students enrolled in at least 12 hours during the spring semester will not pay any additional UT tuition for their May Term course
- Texas Global Fee ($75)
- Overseas insurance
- Textbooks
- Meals
- Local transportation
- Personal expenses (toiletries, shopping, traveling, etc.)
- Flight
- Passport or visa costs (if needed)
Excursions
COMPANY VISITS
Company visits are an important component of the program and will change on a yearly basis. They are designed to provide students with a first-hand look at important local industries and business practices.
CULTURAL EXCURSIONS
Cultural excursions provide students with an opportunity to experience the local environment. Weekly outings, including admission fees, are coordinated on behalf of the group. These events are built into the program and participation at each event is mandatory.
Excursions will vary on a yearly basis. Past excursions include:
- La Sagrada Familia
- Cable Car Montjuic
- Museu Picasso de Barcelona
- Park Güell
Housing and Transportation
HOUSING
Participants will live together in a student residence in central Barcelona.
TRANSPORTATION
Participants will book their flights on their own and will arrange their own transportation from the airport to the dorm.
Visa and Passport Information
PASSPORT
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the study abroad trip. Texas Global Passport Services can process passport applications.
U.S. passports are taking an exceptionally long time to be processed. If you are even considering a study abroad program and you do not have a passport (or your passport will expire within 6 months of the end of your program), you should apply for one now.
U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING TO BARCELONA
U.S. citizens traveling to Barcelona will not require a visa to study in Spain.
OTHER NATIONALITIES TRAVELING TO BARCELONA
Depending on nationality, non-US citizens may or may not require a visa. Please visit the Spanish Foreign Ministry website to view requirements for each nationality.
It is the student’s responsibility to research specific requirements for their nationality, and to apply for their visa, if necessary. At the student’s request, we will provide additional program-related documentation to support their visa application, such as an official letter, enrollment status at UT, housing and insurance coverage. Students are also encouraged to request formal documentation of student enrollment status from the UT Registrar’s Office and are required to notify Texas Global of their travel plans.