All the important advice that you should know very well before coming to study in Barcelona during this 2022

With the arrival of 2022 also come the big decisions and the desire for changes in life. So, if you have made the big decision to come to study in Barcelona, ​​you should know that you are taking a very important step for which you must also be fully prepared in various ways.

Therefore, if you are convinced that Barcelona is your next destination and the ideal place for you to do an academic year abroad, either as an Erasmus or for a longer period, you need to find out in detail about everything that This great decision means before embarking on your academic adventure in Barcelona, ​​so that your plans go perfectly.

For this reason, at The Lofttown, your university residence in Barcelona, ​​we want to help you learn what all the steps are prior to your arrival in the Catalan capital and today we tell you 9 important tips that you cannot miss before coming to study at Barcelona.

Are you ready to start your adventure? Welcome to a new post on our #TheLoftowner blog!

1. The experience of studying in Barcelona

We are convinced that for foreign students, spending an academic season in Barcelona becomes, without a doubt, one of the most enriching opportunities of their lives, since this way they can complement their university studies in a fantastic city that has a lot to offer.

In this sense, you have to know that the academic offer in Barcelona is very rich and varied, covering almost all professional fields, with academic centers and universities for all tastes and budgets.

For all these reasons, if you decide to come to study in Barcelona you will find endless academic options, in addition to meeting people from all over the world and a great cultural offer that will conquer you from the first minute.

2. Attention to procedures

Bureaucracy is a somewhat cumbersome aspect for many young people depending on the country they come from. In this way, the previous steps that you must follow before moving to Barcelona will vary a lot depending on your country of origin.

For example, if you are from a country outside the European territory, then it will be necessary to carry out various bureaucratic procedures before your arrival, which are an essential requirement for you to come to study in Barcelona, ​​along with a long list of procedures, certificates and other documents. .

Likewise, among the most common paperwork are also the application for a corresponding temporary study visa, obtaining a residence card, which is the immigration card in Barcelona and even the search for a part-time job, where you will require a prior contract.

In any case, no foreign student, whether European or not, is exempt from bureaucratic procedures, since they are mandatory to study for a season in Barcelona.

3. Check your university degrees

If you come for a master’s degree, specialization, or to finish your degree studies, then when you decide to study in Barcelona, ​​remember that it is also necessary to homologate the degree you have completed in your country of origin. Subsequently, the Catalan university you have chosen to study at will be in charge of validating the studies you have completed in your country when applying for your respective admission to their study centre.

4. Choose study time

Studying in Barcelona is a great option at any time of the year. However, keep in mind that the academic periods can also be very varied and depend directly on the possibilities of the student. For this reason, the duration of the studies you have chosen will determine the procedures that you must carry out previously in your country of origin.

For example, if you are from the Erasmus program you can extend your studies for one more semester. If you study another type of program, it will depend on the university and your study visa to stay longer in Barcelona.

In general, when the studies last a maximum of three months, then it will not be necessary to apply for any type of student visa, wherever you are from, since you can even come to Barcelona as a tourist.

However, also remember that the previous procedures change if the studies you have chosen last more than three months, especially for students who come from outside the European Union. Therefore, they will have to apply for a student visa at the Spanish Consulate in their corresponding country. Next, we leave you the following link where you will find all the Spanish consulates around the world.

5. Academic admission

Being admitted to a university in Barcelona becomes a great challenge for many young foreigners. Therefore, an important step before applying for a student visa is to be admitted to a Catalan university beforehand.

Consequently, you have to act well in advance and send all your academic documents for their respective review and validation. Preferably, we recommend that you carry out these procedures several months in advance at the Spanish Consulate in your country.

Also remember that the admission offices at Catalan universities usually take a long time to respond to admission applications, given the large number of admission applications they receive each year from prospective students from all over the world.

6. Apply for the relevant visa

If you have already been accepted to a Catalan university, congratulations. Now is the ideal time for you to go to the Spanish Consulate in your city to apply for a student visa, providing above all the following documents:

● Official document that shows that you have been admitted to a Catalan university and also proof of payment with the enrollment of the studies you plan to do.
● Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself in Barcelona during your stay, which guarantee your stay without the need to work during the time your university studies last. This amount is currently around 600 Euros per month.
● Have international private medical insurance and prove that you do not suffer from any viral or contagious disease. In addition to having the Covid-19 vaccines.
● Not have a criminal or judicial record in your country of origin.

7. Process the Foreigner Identity Card

We know you will fall in love with Barcelona. So, if you are convinced that your university studies will last more than six months, then you will have to process the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) when you are already in Spain. To do this, the first step will be for you to go to the Immigration Office or Police Station located in Barcelona, ​​where they will help you with all the relevant procedures.

Our recommendation is that you make an appointment for this procedure several weeks in advance because these institutions, especially during the Covid period, tend to have a lot of work and are overwhelmed by the large number of foreign students who come to Barcelona.

8. Part-time job

Working in Barcelona is almost a dream for many students who want to combine their academic stays earning extra money that allows them to enjoy the city even more. However, we inform you that once you obtain the TIE, the authorities will not allow you to work, either on your own or as a full-time employee, since the purpose of your stay in Barcelona is strictly to carry out your studies.

However, if you are lucky and have been offered a part-time job which does not exceed 20 hours per week and, above all, is linked to your training, the interested employer may provide you with a work contract so that you can access this option.

If you want more information about these conditions in an updated way, we recommend you visit the website of the General Secretariat of Immigration, Employment and Social Security so that you are up to date with the latest changes and developments dictated by the authorities.

9. Practice

Complementing your learning in the classroom with a professional practice is the best option. Even more so if you are in Barcelona, ​​a city that has a large number of international companies with a great job offer for students looking for unpaid internships.

For this, the first requirement to opt for professional internships offered in Barcelona is to be a student enrolled in a Catalan university and to be active in your studies.

Likewise, you must have more than 150 academic credits approved in your institution and verify that there is a professional training agreement with the company in which you wish to practice.

Are you ready to live the experience of studying in Barcelona to the fullest?

We hope that with this post today you have learned everything related to the previous steps that you must take before coming to study in Barcelona. So, if you have already decided to move to the Catalan capital, remember that you can always count on our university residence so that your stay in Barcelona, ​​we guarantee that we will do everything possible to make it a wonderful experience that you will never forget in the life.

We hope to see you very soon in Barcelona and that you become a new #TheLoftowner!

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We wish you a good