Be­tween palm trees and Pow­er­Point: What uni­ver­si­ty is like in Spain

Enjoying breaks under palm trees and working on group projects in the shade of old city cafés – my daily student life in Barcelona is pretty easy to enjoy! That’s not just down to the amazing surroundings, but also to the way studying is organised here. In this blog post, I’d like to share a few of the unique aspects – and how I’ve adapted to them.

Course and exam registration: A hectic start to the semester

Putting together my timetable and selecting modules was a bit of an adventure at first. While in Berlin you often only need to actively register for the final exam, in Barcelona everything is done via a central online portal – on one specific day! And that day can be quite stressful: some courses fill up within seconds. It’s definitely worth planning everything in advance, having alternatives ready and clicking quickly. I didn’t manage to align my timetable and exam dates sensibly on the first try. Luckily, there’s a second registration round a few weeks later for any remaining places. I ended up changing two of my courses – and have been really happy with them.

Something else that's different here, is that within each course, you can choose between two types of assessment. The classic “Single Assessment” is similar to what we’re used to: one big exam at the end of the semester, counting for 100 percent of the final grade. With “Continuous Assessment”, on the other hand, you're assessed throughout the semester via smaller tests, presentations, essays or group projects.

I opted for three courses with Single Assessment and two with Continuous Assessment. For me personally, it was a good mix. Continuous means more work during the semester, but you avoid the intense exam pressure at the end. But I also know that some deliberately choose Single Assessment because they want to travel more during the semester or aren’t able to attend regularly.

Studying Differently: Lectures and Learning in the Spanish System

What I especially like is how much more direct the contact with lecturers is. The classes are smaller than at HU, you’re encouraged to take part in discussions more often, and questions are explicitly welcomed. Group work and active participation are standard in almost every class – not just in seminars, but in lectures too.

For me, it was a refreshing change. In Berlin, it’s often the case that you mostly listen to absorb the content – here, you're much more actively involved. It almost reminds me a bit of the final years at school: more structured, more interactive and more personal.

Despite the continuous learning, I still had exams in some of my courses – just not the typical “exam period”. My exams took place at the beginning and end of June, when temperatures had already climbed above 30 degrees. I often studied outside: on university terraces or in the shade of small parks. The exam formats were mostly multiple choice, but there were also essay questions and case studies. Overall, I found the level very manageable – especially after keeping up with the material during the semester and taking part in the lectures.

Abroad with a support network – what a privilege!

What I really want to highlight is the support I received from the International Office – both at the University of Barcelona and at the School of Business and Economics at Humboldt. For example, I was able to sit some of my HU exams in Barcelona under supervision – organised in the most straightforward and friendly way. Toward the end of the semester, I decided to extend my Erasmus stay. That, too, went smoothly and was handled with a great deal of understanding on both sides.

My university life in Barcelona has been a (pleasant) surprise. The system is different – often more demanding, but somehow also more flexible. I settled in quickly, discovered new ways of learning, and realised how motivating this slightly different academic routine can be.

Of course, it’s a privilege to study under palm trees – but above all, it’s a chance to grow. And I’ve more than happy to take this opportunity.

14.07.2025