Information for Erasmus Students
This information is aimed at Erasmus students who wish to enrol for classes on the Degree in Law. It is important for these students to be aware of the language of instruction since classes may be taught in Catalan, Spanish or English.
Why Are There Classes Taught in Catalan at the UIB?
In accordance with relevant language regulations (the Spanish Constitution, the Statute of the Balearic Islands and the UIB Statutes), Spanish and Catalan are co-official languages in the Balearic Islands. Catalan is one of the native languages in the Balearic Islands and is the preferred institutional language at the UIB. Moreover, the university is committed to promoting and standardising the use of Catalan in its activities, including teaching. Please read language regulations here.
Lecturers, students and admin staff have the right to use Catalan across all areas.
Which Languages Are Used for Lectures at the UIB Faculty of Law?
The choice of language of instruction for lectures in the Faculty of Law depends entirely on lecturers. There are two or three morning groups per subject in Majorca and an afternoon group for students at the Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza campuses. Lecturers at the Minorca and Ibiza campuses may be based in Majorca or hired directly on the islands as associate lecturers. In any event, lecturers choose which language they will use. This information must be included in the subject course guide. Please read each course guide and check in which language the lectures will be taught.
In turn, students may only choose a morning or afternoon schedule, not a specific group. From the 2023-24 academic year, students may change groups for language reasons.
The information on the language of instruction for each group is available at the time of enrolment. There are subjects fully taught in Spanish, others fully taught in Catalan, and some where students may choose between Spanish and Catalan groups. Certain electives are taught in English.
Students who only speak Spanish should check the language of instruction before enrolling here. Please remember that there are Catalan language courses for beginners available at the UIB.
What to Do if You Enrol in a Catalan Group but Do Not Understand the Language
In accordance with UIB regulations, students on mobility programme lasting no longer than one academic year may request a group change for language reasons, switching to a Spanish group on the same subject.
Where changes are not possible (e.g. there is no Spanish group for the subject):
1) The Head of Studies must notify the supervising lecturer at the start of the semester
2) Students will be entitled to individual assistance by the lecturer in accordance with a specific protocol, including: regular personal tutoring sessions, bibliography and supporting material in other languages, occasional translation in class, translation of examination questions and any other activities that may be useful
3) Students may take the oral and written tests in Spanish. If they believe they need the examination questions translated into Spanish, students should send an e-mail request to the supervising lecturer at least seven calendar days before the scheduled test date. A request must be made for each assessment test
4) Lecturers will only provide Spanish translations of test questions to those students who have made a request, in accordance with the procedure above, and comply with the set requirements.