Getting there

Some good cheap options are:

• EasyJet www.easyjet.com flies to Barcelona airport from Paris Orly, Geneva, Berlin Shoenefeld, Amsterdam, Liverpool, Luton, Stanstead, Newcastle, Gatwick etc.
• RyanAir flies to Barcelona Girona (70 minutes away, but with coaches synchronised with the flights) from London Stanstead, Frankfurt Hahn and Paris Beauvais etc.
• Air Berlin flies to Barcelona Airport from most major German cities, and London.

Where to stay

A good option is one of the pleasant and inexpensive UPF residences, which are located in the centre of Barcelona, within walking distance of the University. They are self catering, which is a good arrangement, given the wealth of cafes and restaurants nearby. Web access is available to all residents.

Next to the Ciutadella park and near the Born medieval district:

Residencia de la Ciutadella
Passeig Pujades 33 - 37
ciutadella@resa.es
93 394 3200
The price per day per room is 55 euros for a single, and 73 for a double
Prices may be cheaper at the weekend.

Nearer the port in the Barceloneta area:

Residencia del Mar
Carrer Ginebra, 46 - 49
campusdelmar@resa.es
Telephone 93 390 4000
The price per day per room is 50 euros for a single, and 78 for a double
Prices may be cheaper at the weekend

A bit pricier and much more inviting looking is the Park Hotel. The web gives a price of 100 Euros a night, but I was quoted 60 Euros on the phone recently, so it is probably worth giving them a ring. This is very near the department, and if you can get a good deal, then this is probably the place to stay.
I like it because it is seriously 60s, which chrome and deep pile carpets.
What is more the Web page tells us that it is in
" The Born Area, the fusion of the old city neighbourhood and the most actual tendences"
I'm sure we could all do with fusing some more actual tendences, couldn't we?

An alternative cheap option if the residences are full is the Hostal Nueveo Colon (54 euros a night), which is very near the meeting location, and is clean and simple, though not an exciting place to stay.. Not all the rooms have en suite bathrooms.

Otherwise there are plenty of other places in Barcelona!