Being the 2nd largest city in Spain, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia province. It has over 4 million inhabitants. It is a vibrant city that hosts thousands of tourists annually. It is home to university of Barcelona among others.

Area studies typically examine the development of a particular population or region. While other, similar interdisciplinary studies, such as gender, disability, and ethnic, may have some part in course discussions, these are not considered area studies.

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a sovereign state and a member state of the European Union. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Spanish universities regulate access to their degrees, and they fix the academic fees. They can also offer unofficial postgraduate degrees. Madrid has the largest number of bars per capita of any European city and a very active nightlife.

Students who spend the time necessary to complete a graduate certificate program have proof of knowledge that complements their academic degrees. These brief courses can be advantageous in securing favorable employment or advancing academic careers.