Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Sevilla's green, modern, welcoming campus

Study Business, Communications, Economics, Gastronomy, Humanities, IR, Politics, Psychology, Science & Math, Spanish, and more at Universidad Pablo de Olavide. 

 

UPO is situated on a beautiful 345-acre campus less than 5 miles from Sevilla’s city center. The Metro (subway) system makes it easy to reach the UPO – it takes most students only about 25 minutes to get to the university from their program housing. For those who are interested in biking to class, the university is also connected by a bike path to many parts of the city.

 

The UPO campus was modeled after American university campuses, with ample space for academic buildings, computer and science laboratories, and top-notch sports facilities – a gym, high performance table tennis courts, indoor basketball and soccer courts, an outdoor running track, and outdoor playing fields.

 

Sevilla Hero Image
B40262EC-B3D9-4BCD-A147-823EDE850EF3+copy
sevilla

Academics & Eligibility

Learn about the academic opportunities and requirements for this program.

Course Information

How Many Courses Can I Take?

  • Students will take 4-5 courses.

All students will take a Spanish placement exam online once accepted to the ASA program, as well as an in-person written test after arrival. The online test will determine your level placement for the purposes of course registration. The in-person test is used to confirm your level. To take electives in Spanish, you must test into the required level on UPO’s placement test.

Different classes have different level requirements. Most electives in Spanish require a test result of UPO Intermediate II. You can approximate your Spanish level using the following general guidelines:

  • Beginner level students are those who have not taken Spanish before.
  • Elementary level students have completed 1-2 semesters/quarters of college level Spanish.
  • Low Intermediate level students have completed at least 3 semesters/quarters of college level Spanish.
  • High Intermediate level students have completed 4-5 semesters/quarters of college level Spanish.
  • Advanced level students have completed at least 5 semesters or 6 quarters of college level Spanish.

Credit Information

  • Language Requirement: Open to all levels of Spanish. Classes available in English & Spanish.

  • Possible U.S. Credits: 12-15 semester credits (24-30 ECTS). 2 ECTS = 1 U.S. semester credit. ECTS = European Credit Transfer System. Students will take 4-5 courses. 16-18 semester credits may be taken for an additional fee per credit beyond 15. Classes are taken with other American and international students.

  • Final Transcript: Issued by Universidad Pablo de Olavide.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Minimum GPA: 2.70 (Students with GPA 2.50-2.69 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Language requirement: None. Open to students with any level of Spanish.
  • At least 17 years of age when beginning the program, and must turn 18 by the end of the program
  • Must have graduated from high school
  • Transcript from most recent institution attended (unofficial is ok). If submitting a college/university transcript, it must show courses currently in progress.
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 1 year after the day you plan to return home from abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.

Course Finder

You MUST have a total of 8 courses approved by your home institution. This will give you back-ups in case of changes in course availability or schedule conflicts. When you pre-register for classes (this happens after you’re accepted), you must list a total of 8 possible courses on your registration form, in order of preference. UPO will not process your registration unless you list a total of 8 courses.

 

Some courses have a lab fee to cover materials. This is the student’s responsibility and is not included with your ASA program fees.

 

COURSE OFFERINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 

Use the filters above to search for courses or click "View All Courses" to browse available courses on this program.

Costs & Dates

Program pricing and important dates.

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA's control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program's arrival and departure date.

* Prices subject to change. Financial aid available.

ASA is a small program, but that’s what makes it so great. The personal attention can’t be beat and I made plenty of friends outside of the group.

Chelsea Francis

I would recommend ASA to other students because not only was it a great price for what you get, but it was so much fun and the site director was great.

Morgan Pecknold

ASA is a very thorough program. It is well organized and structured, yet allows for plenty of independent activity and personal responsibility. There were many times where I felt foreign, but I rarely felt like a tourist. I engaged in the culture with the ASA program, I didn’t just take a picture and a souvenir

Aaron Bannasch

Housing

Explore your accommodation options for this program.

We place a high priority on safety, housing location, and proximity to school. Your exact commute will vary depending on which university you attend, but rest assured you will live in Sevilla city center. Housing includes Internet and is located in safe neighborhoods within a reasonable distance from school. For the distance from your university, please see the Housing FAQs.

 

Students will complete a Housing Request Form after being accepted to the program. ASA then places students within our housing pool while accommodating as many preferences as possible. Most of the time, we’re able to place students in their first choice housing option, but due to limited space in certain options, we can’t guarantee all preferences will be met.

 

Off-Campus Residence Hall

ASA works with several different Residence Halls in Sevilla. Residence Halls feature fully furnished suite-style or apartment-style living including double or single bedrooms, gym, and 24/7 security. Each flat/unit has 1-4 bedrooms, shared bathroom, and kitchenette or communal kitchen access. Residence Halls house students from any country and are all-gender, but individual units/flats are same gender. Units/flats may be shared with fellow ASA students, as well as non-ASA students from Spain, Europe, USA, or other countries.

Shared Apartment

Students may be placed in fully furnished shared apartments, where rooms are typically double occupancy (shared). Apartments typically house 2-6 occupants and may be single gender or all gender. Meals are not included, as each apartment has fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals.

Spanish Homestay

Spanish homestay with 3 meals a day and 1 load of laundry per week included. Semester rooms are single occupancy. Summer rooms may be double (shared) or single occupancy. Bathrooms are shared. The majority of homestays host 1-2 students at a time, or in rare cases perhaps 1-2 more, depending on how large their flat is. Can accommodate vegetarian diets. This is a great way to improve your Spanish language skills and experience Spanish culture first hand!

In most cases we can accommodate same-gender roommate requests. You'll complete a Housing Request Form after being accepted, and you can give us the name(s) of those you want to live with. Roommate requests must be mutual, so be sure your friend requests you back!

Rooms may be double or single occupancy.

The majority of our housing is within a 15-35 minute commute from your classes. You will walk, take the subway or bus, or a combination. Please rest assured that we place a high priority on location, and all ASA students live within a reasonable distance from their classes!

 
 
 

ASA will notify you of your living arrangements via email approximately 1-2 weeks before the start of your program. You will receive a detailed description of your housing and the location, and if there are other ASA students in your housing, we will include their names and email addresses.

No, but there’s no need to worry! Living in a homestay is the best way for you to learn Spanish, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you will improve. Also, don’t forget that they've hosted international students before, so they understand that you are there to learn their language and want to help you.

 

If it is a problem with the homestay and not a language or cultural misunderstanding, ASA will move you to a different homestay right away. We have on-site staff in every city who are there to help students with any issues they encounter while abroad, and who check in periodically with students throughout their stay to ensure all is well.

 

The food is great and will be typical of your host country. Be prepared to try new things! If you have any food allergies or dietary needs, please let ASA know as soon as possible and we'll be happy to advise you on your options.

 

A detailed list of what to bring (and what not to bring) will be included in your ASA pre-departure handbook, which will be emailed to you about a month before your program begins. Students living in a homestay should consider bringing a small gift for their host, such as a candle, kitchen towel, chocolates, etc.

 

Excursions

Explore the region with organized trips and cultural activities.

Summer programs include 1 day excursion. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

Córdoba

Córdoba

Day Trip

In Córdoba you’ll see the world famous 8th century Mosque, tour the historic Jewish Quarter, and explore the winding, ancient cobbled streets. During the 10th and 11th centuries under Muslim rule, Córdoba was one of the world’s largest and most advanced cities, as well as one of great religious diversity. A center of learning in math and astronomy, it housed the world’s largest library.
Granada

Granada

Overnight

Dating back to the 8th century BC, Granada is one of Spain’s most fascinating and culturally rich cities. See the breathtaking Alhambra palace and its gardens, built by the Moors in the 11th century. We’ll visit the Albacín and its remnants of Granada’s medieval Moorish past, as well as the Cathedral, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel are buried.
Itálica

Itálica

Day Trip

Itálica was the first city on the Iberian peninsula founded by the Romans. At Cotidiana Vitae, see a reproduction of a 2,000-year-old Roman house, and tour the Roman ruins with its 25,000 seat amphitheater.

Experiences

Unique cultural and educational experiences included in your program.

Getting out and exploring on your own is one of the best parts about studying abroad. Here are just a few of the unforgettable experiences you can have abroad with ASA!

 

Alcazar Palace

Alcazar Palace

Visit the Alcazar Palace on a sunny day, but don’t just see the palace - take along a book and snacks to spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying its beautiful gardens
Venture to Costa del Sol

Venture to Costa del Sol

You’re less than an hour’s bus ride away from the beaches and blue waters of Spain’s Costa del Sol
Hike Spain

Hike Spain

Sevilla is close not only to the beach, but the mountains too. Check out the Sierra Norte or Aracena for some great hiking opportunities and natural, outdoor beauty
Itálica, Osuna, or the Castillo de Almodovar

Itálica, Osuna, or the Castillo de Almodovar

Visit the Game of Thrones filming locations near Sevilla - Itálica, Osuna, or the Castillo de Almodovar
Plaza de Espana

Plaza de Espana

Spend an afternoon at the famous Plaza de Espana
Stroll Along the River

Stroll Along the River

The Guadalquivir river is at the heart of Sevilla, and its banks are a great place to read, relax, and soak up the Southern sun with locals
Discover Spanish Cuisine

Discover Spanish Cuisine

How will you eat Spanish food after you get home? Take a cooking class and learn how to make patatas bravas, tortilla, paella, and other Spanish classics
Learn Flamenco

Learn Flamenco

Take a flamenco or sevillanas dance class and learn to dance like the locals - there are even free classes at Plaza España

Program Inclusions

What's included in your program fee.

What's Included

  • Exclusive "A WORLD OF CARE" Student Support Suite
  • ROOM & BOARD / ROOM ONLY: Choose from these housing options:

    • Option A: Spanish homestay with 3 meals a day and 1 load of laundry per week included.

    • Option B: Residence Hall or Shared Apartment with kitchen. Meals are not included.

  • TUITION for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.

  • ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.

  • OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Semester programs include a final transcript issued by your host institution. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.

  • EXCURSIONS: Semester programs include 2 day excursions and 1 overnight excursion, locations to be decided. Summer programs include a $200 travel stipend.

  • CULTURAL ACTIVITIES in Sevilla (museum visits, walking tours, etc.)

  • INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.

  • AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from Sevilla (SVQ) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.

  • SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.

  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.

  • VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.

    • ASA may be able to get your Student Visa FOR YOU if you live or study in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, or Vermont. Minimum number of sign-ups required. The additional fee for this service is $150. Full details will be sent to eligible students after they are accepted to the ASA program. If you do not live or study in these specific states, you will need to apply for your visa on your own – ASA will send you detailed, helpful information about how to apply for your visa after you are accepted.

  • PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION

  • SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP

  • SUBSCRIPTION TO MINDHAMOK: a 24-7 service designed to support your mental, physical, and social wellbeing throughout your program. You can find out more about mindhamok in our Pre-Departure Guide for All Programs

  • $150 RETURNING STUDENT CREDIT toward your next ASA Summer program! (Up to 2 Summer programs)
  • $350 RETURNING STUDENT CREDIT toward your next ASA Semester program! (Up to 2 Semester programs)

Not Included

  • Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location.
  • Optional Internship add-on for semester programs (additional fee - see Costs & Dates section).
  • Books, materials, lab fees
  • Local transportation
  • Personal expenses
  • Meals and laundry, if living in shared apartment housing.
  • Meals on excursions
  • Student visa, if required
  • Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time.
  • Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program.
Cost of Attendance & Budget Sheet

Program Calendar

Key dates and milestones for your program.

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA's control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program's arrival and departure dates.

  1. TBA

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Sevilla (SVQ) airport early September (TBA) between 9 am-5 pm. We recommend arriving earlier in the day, if possible.
  2. TBA

    ASA Orientation

  3. TBA

    Orientation at UPO & In-person Placement Test

  4. TBA

    Classes Begin

  5. TBA

    Excursions - locations TBA

  6. TBA

    Holiday, no classes

  7. TBA

    Holiday, no classes

  8. TBA

    Final exams

  9. TBA

    Housing move-out; students depart

  1. January 23, 2026

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Sevilla (SVQ) airport on Jan. 23 between 9am-5pm. We recommend arriving earlier in the day, if possible.
  2. January 24-25, 2026

    ASA Orientation

  3. January 26, 2026

    UPO Placement Test

  4. Jan. 27

    UPO Orientation

  5. Jan. 28

    Classes Begin

  6. TBA

    Excursions - locations TBA

  7. March 30- April 3

    Holiday, no classes

  8. April 20 - 25

    Mid-term exams

  9. May 1

    Holiday, no classes

  10. May 11

    Last class day

  11. May 12-15

    Final exams

  12. May 16 by 12pm

    Housing move-out; students depart

Accessibility & Inclusion

We are committed to making study abroad accessible to all students.

Sevilla is the capital of Andalucía, one of the 17 autonomous communities within Spain.

The racial and ethnic makeup of Spain is becoming just as diverse as its languages. The total number of Spanish Muslims is nearly 2 million when factoring nationals as well as migrants from Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal, and other countries. While the Spanish government does not record statistics on the ethnic and racial background of its population, it records the population of non-citizens in Spain, which in 2018 equaled 4.7 million, around 10% of the population. Migrants largely come from the following countries: Morocco, Romania, UK, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Germany, and Ukraine. Spain has the largest Romanian population in Western Europe, as well as a small Jewish community primarily residing in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and a couple other cities.

The population of Sevilla is primarily of Spanish descent. Spaniards descend from multiple ancestries: the Moors of the Middle Ages, the Romans, and the pre-Roman Iberian peoples. Non-nationals make up about 4% of the city’s inhabitants, and they are mainly from Morocco, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as Peru, China, Bolivia, and Argentina. About half of Spain’s gitano population lives in Sevilla.

Black salons (click here and here), barbershops, and all-gender hairdressers are available in Sevilla. There are also stores that sell Black haircare products, but you should consider bringing your favorite haircare products with you and enough to last your entire stay, because you may not find the same brands or variety of products that you’re used in the US. Here are some helpful suggestions on haircare products and tools to bring with you. You can also check out the Diversity Abroad guide to managing Black hair abroad.

If you live in the residence hall, you will prepare your own meals. If you live with a homestay family, please notify us about any special dietary needs with as much advance notice as possible, so we can assess whether your needs can be accommodated within a homestay.

Resources for dietary needs for allergies, religious beliefs, or other preferences below. We strongly encourage you to order food/allergy translation cards to help communicate your needs while abroad.

Students with a range of mental health conditions can successfully study abroad. If you take any medications, please review the U.S. State Department recommendations for traveling abroad with medications.

ASA is happy to talk to you about what resources are available for any mental or physical health needs you have. Please reach out to us by clicking here. Having advance notice of what your needs are will allow us to identify resources to support you, such as therapy or ongoing medical care to allow you to be successful. Any ASA team member is a safe person to share things with!

With your ASA program, you'll also have a paid subscription to mindhamok, a 24-7 service designed to support study abroad students’ mental, physical, and social wellbeing. mindhamok's curated online and live resources give you tools to help you succeed.

You can use mindhamok to: Request an appointment with a coach/therapist; Live chat with a coach/therapist about concerns such as roommate issues, relationships, etc.; Discuss homesickness, culture shock, or adjustment concerns; and much more.

For more information, see our mental & emotional health information here.

Spain and Sevilla have had a fairly consistent Roman Catholic affiliation through most of their history and currently maintain a majority Christian population, plus a small minority of Protestants. In Sevilla, about 4% of people identify as Muslim, and 1% as Jewish. ASA is happy to help you find a place of worship in Sevilla - just ask us.

Spain’s ‘Developed National Accessibility Plan’ requires the removal of all architectural barriers to help accommodate disabled persons. Other legislation has also been implemented to ensure social inclusion and integration is a normality across Spain.

According to Wheel the World, the tourism industry in Spain tries to comply with accessibility guarantees, and transportation has adaptations. Public transit in Sevilla is wheelchair accessible, and in general, major museums, restaurants and accommodations do not have obstacles for people with reduced mobility. However, Sevilla does have some cobblestone streets, especially in the historic districts. Additional information can be found here. Airports in Spain have free assistance for people with reduced mobility, hearing and vision as well as cognitive disabilities. For more information about these services, click here.

We encourage you to open a dialogue with us so we can assess accessibility in housing and academic spaces. The U.S. State Department has advice for international travelers with disabilities at this link.

ASA provides hands-on support throughout the entire process. This includes housing, course registration, flight and arrival logistics, and student visa guidance. While you're abroad, our on-site staff is available to support you 24/7. They coordinate social and cultural activities and offer guidance on the local culture, to give you and your support system peace of mind throughout your program. We also have an online orientation for parents/families/support systems at this link.

We welcome students with any gender identity and sexuality on all of our programs.

Spain is one of the most progressive countries in the world regarding gender and sexuality. Homosexuality and the right to gender change are legal, while discrimination of any kind is illegal. While there is still no official recognition of non-binary genders, the country does recognize intersex and has legislation upholding their rights.

Check out the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Guide here.

ASA welcomes all degree-seeking undergraduate students on any of our programs. We are happy to talk through any component of your identity (e.g. age, marital status, parental/caregiver status, military affiliation, et al.) that may affect your ability to participate on a program. Click here to contact us.

ASA allows payment deferral until your institution releases your Financial Aid, and we offer payment plans upon request to students who need it. More information on billing and payment can be found here.

ASA also has several scholarships you can apply for within our program application. Students who receive a Pell Grant as part of their Financial Aid package are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship.

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step in your study abroad journey. Contact our team to learn more about our programs and start your application today.

Apply Now