LONG TERM STAYS
| Academic year 2024-25 |
9th Sept 2024 to 1 June 2025 |
| Calendar year 2025 | 20th of Jan to 27th of Nov 2025 |
| Academic year 2025-26 | 8th Sept 2025 to 29th May 2026 |
| Calendar year 2026 | 14th of Jan to 28th of Nov 2026 |
Academic Year 2024-2025
The Academic Year, Calendar Year and 3-year program start in September and January.
Metàfora’s Studio Arts Program is made up of 5 Blocks per year.
Should the student prefer a shorter stay, the course is organised into blocks which can be accumulated to allow flexibility. For example, a student can sign up for Blocks 2 to 4, and can later return to do Block 1.
SHORT TERM STAYS
1 - 4 Blocks
1 - 4 Blocks
| Block 1 | 9th of Sept to 17th of Oct 2024 |
| Block 2 | 21st of Oct to 29th of Nov 2024 |
| Block 3 | 20th of Jan to 27th of Feb 2025 |
| Block 4 | 3rd of Mar to the 10th of Apr 2025 |
| Block 5 | 22nd of Apr to the 1 June 2025 |
SUMMER BLOCK
Stay for 1 to 4 weeks
| July 2025 | 7 to 31 Jul, 2025 |
An Early Bird Discount is applicable to all students who pay for the Summer Block by the 5th June, 2025. This is only applicable to students who sign up for the 4 week course.
Week 4 includes artwork presentations and crit. It is only open to students staying for 4 weeks.
SUMMER BLOCK
Dates
| Week 1 |
7 to 11 July, 2025 |
| Week 2 |
14 to 18 July, 2025 |
| Week 3 |
21 to 25 July, 2025 |
| Week 4 |
28 to 31 July, 2025 |
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
BARCELONA
- 11 September: Catalan National Day
- 24 September: La Mercè
- 12 October: National Day of Spain
- 1 November: All Saints’ Day
- 6 December: Spanish Constitution Day
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Boxing Day
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 6 January: Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day
- 18 April: Good Friday
- 21 April: Easter Monday
- 1 May: Labour Day
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
- 29th November to 19th January: Christmas holidays
- 11th to 21st April: Easter Holidays
SPECIAL DATES
- 15th September: Artist Residency at Nau Estruch starts
- 2nd October: Tertulia /In Conversation with Helen Torres
- 21st October: Artist Residency at Can Serrat starts
- 24th October: LastCrit gallery exhibition opens
- 7th November: Thesis Presentation at MACBA & Final Show at angels Espai 2 gallery
- 28th November: Autumn Banquet
- 5th February: Espai Souvenir gallery exhibition opens
- 19th March: Homesession gallery exhibition opens
- 26th March: 200 Cent gallery exhibition opens
- 30th May: OPEN STUDIOS
- 31st May: Metàfora’s 25th Anniversary Party
Diploma, Transcript and ECTS Credits
Upon completing a stay on Metàfora’s Studios Arts Programs the student receives a detailed transcript and a Course Certificate.
The Course Certificate or Diploma is subject to attendance, work produced, timely hand-in and satisfactory grade on the written paper.
The transcript reflects hours (ECTS credits) and grades of all the classes which the student has attended. The transcript also reflects studio work and programmed activities like Recent Art History and artwork presentations. This document is issued only to students whose attendance to the course complies with formal attendance norms.
Although Metàfora is an independent institution and is not university accredited, we facilitate convalidation by other institutions by counting our credits according to ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), where 1 ECTS credit equals 25 hours of the sum of lective hours plus homework.
As with all European universities and schools for further education, a full time academic year amounts 60 ECTS. This includes all education activities, individual studio practice, writing and academic work, exhibiting and preparing final dissertation (3rd year project).
Classes in which the student has been absent for more than 20% will not appear in the transcript. Short term student can request a transcript.
Day 1 on the Studio Arts program
What happens on the first day of the Studio Arts Program?
You have signed up for the program, booked a place to stay in and have finally arrived to Barcelona! It’s a lot, we understand this. For this reason we make sure to accompany you as you start you new creative journey on the Studio Arts Program.
No matter if you are staying for one year or for just 6 weeks, the first day of every block always starts with what we call Input day:
- We will introduce you to our team
- Explain how the course works
- Give a tour to explore the school
- Allocate your studio spaces
- and have your first group tutorial with the tutor who will accompany you throughout your stay on the program
View the video below to get a clearer idea as to what to expect.
Student Visa
Who needs to apply for a student visa?
Unless you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’ll need a student visa to study in Spain for longer than 90 days.
This visa allows you to carry out research and training activities, participate in student exchange programs, or work as an unpaid intern or volunteer for more than three months.
If the period of study is less than 90 days and you are not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, a short-term visitor/tourist visa or Schengen visa will be issued upon arrival. You do not need to apply for this 90 day visa as it is granted to all non-EU/EEA or Swiss travelers upon entry to Spain.
Where do I apply for a student visa?
Apply for a student visa in the Embassy or Consular Office of Spain closest to your address in your country of origin.
You must apply for the visa in your country of origin before coming to Spain (except in the case of renewal or extension of the period of studies, this you can do in Spain).
Check the Spanish Consulate website in your country to find out how to apply for a student visa.
How long can I stay in Spain?
Citizens of the European Union
European citizens and citizens of the States party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area may reside in Spain for less than three months without the need to obtain any type of authorization or document.
However, if you wish to reside in Spain for more than three months, you must go to the Foreign Nationals Office and request registration with the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, and a registration certificate will be issued immediately with your name, nationality, registered address, foreigner’s identity number (NIE) and the date of registration.
You must be a student in a public or private educational institution in Spain to do so.
Non-EU Citizens
If the duration of study is less than three months (90 days), you will be allowed to stay in Spain with the short-term visitor/tourist visa or Schengen visa for 90 days from the date of entry.
If the duration of studies is longer than three months and less than six, you must apply for the student visa. This visa is valid for six months from the entry date.
If you are planning to study/stay in Spain for more than six months, you still have to apply for a student visa. This will act as your entry visa and will only be valid for 3 months. You must apply for a student card (NIE – Número de Identificación de Extranjero) and TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero) at the corresponding Foreign Nationals Office or police station as soon as you can once you are in Spain. The NIE/TIE will allow you to remain in Spain for the duration of your studies. This card is usually valid for one academic year and can be renewed annually from within Spain.
Keep in mind…
Any procedure at the Foreign Nationals Office requires a scheduled appointment.
Can I work while in Spain on a student visa?
You can work in Spain on a student visa as long as the work is compatible with activities carried out under the student visa, granted that the income received does not serve as a means to support you.
The ability to work may depend on your country of origin and you may be required to apply for permission, which takes a while to process.
Can my family accompany me to Spain on a student visa?
Only the following relatives may accompany you as a foreign student during your stay in Spain:
- Legal spouse or civil partner.
- Children under the age of 18.
- Children of the age of majority who have disabilities which prevent them from providing for their own needs due to their state of health.
Their stay in Spain is subject to the validity of your student visa. In order for your family to accompany you, first you have to obtain a student visa. Once you have it, then your family member/s will be able to apply for their respective visas.