Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, and Barcelona is one of its top destinations.
Known for its culture, art, beautiful architecture, fantastic beaches, and vibrant nightlife, Barcelona reached the record of 20 million visitors in 2019 and is currently resuming its tourism activity with increasing international arrivals prompted by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
But aside from its popular highlights, Barcelona is also a top destination for international students. Barcelona hosts a big university community, with almost 18.000 professors and 180.00 students from all over the world located in the city and its surrounding areas.
Whether for a semester, a complete degree, or post-graduate studies, Barcelona has many academic options for students looking to relocate while studying.
It is pretty standard for international students first to take a Spanish course Barcelona to improve Spanish skills before starting to study at the local university.
Many Spanish language schools in Barcelona specifically prepare students to start their academic journey at local institutions. Furthermore, many offer preparation courses for DELE and SIELE, which are the most requested Spanish test to be admitted to Spanish universities.
If you are considering starting your higher education studies in Barcelona, read below to learn about the best universities in the city and what you need to know to make an informed decision.
Catalan university system
39 universities in the Catalonian capital are elemented with institutes and schools that also offer high-quality programs for international students.
In Barcelona there are five public universities: Universidat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Universidad de Barcelona (UB), Universidad Oberta de Catalunnya, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC) and Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF).
Also, there are four private universities within the city area: Universidad Abat Oliba (CEU), Universidad Internacional de Cataluña (UIC), Universidad Ramon Llull (URL) and Universidad de Vic (UVic-UCC).
Since Barcelona is an international city, with people from all over the world visiting and residing in the town, local universities are well-prepared for receiving students from all over the world.
Most Barcelona universities have programs that welcome international students and are designed with a global mindset, making it relatively easy for everyone to access them and fully understand their requirements.
Furthermore, there is an internet website dedicated to students willing to relocate to Barcelona, with complete information about accommodation, Barcelona attractions, and university-related information.
Barcelona’s public universities
Below, we will provide basic information of the leading universities in Barcelona and what international students must know about them.
1. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Founded in 1968, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, also known as UAB, is one of the most important public institutions in the city.
Its academic programs are well ranked internationally due to their quality and worldwide recognition in almost all areas of knowledge. UAB has a relevant position on the QS World University Ranking, which holds 178 worldwide.
The UAB has a solid international inclination, with many programs committed to promoting mobility within countries worldwide.
EU citizens and students from countries with bilateral agreements with Spain can apply to enroll at UAB with the same conditions as Spanish students.
While for non-EU students and those coming from countries that don’t have any agreement with Spain, there is a different admission process. You can request the validation of your previous incomplete studies by the Ministry of Education, or you can homologate your completed studies to access university pre-enrolment.
2. Universitat de Barcelona
With 16 faculties, ten affiliated centers, and one doctoral school, the Universitat de Barcelona is one of the oldest educational institutions in the city and the Catalonian region. It was founded in 1450, although it took until 1508 for the municipal by-laws to pass, setting the guidelines and governance of this institution.
The UB has a long trajectory as an international university, receiving students from all over the world due to its excellence and the wide range of courses and research opportunities.
The UB regularly welcomes students from other countries to participate in their bachelor’s or master’s degree courses. Many subjects are taught in English, making it easy for international students to access them.
3. Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Founded in 1990, the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a public institution created with the approval of the Catalan Parliament with the aim of training responsible professionals committed to civic values and research development.
According to the Times Higher Education Ranking (2022), the UPF is the best Spanish university, it holds 69 positions in Europe and 156 positions worldwide.
UPF’s motto is “its feet in Barcelona and its head in the world”, which talks about how internationally oriented this institution is.
UPF mobility programs allowed 1,876 students from 44 countries (2019-20) to access their schedules, making it the biggest international faculty in Spain and one of the most international in Europe.
4. Universitat Oberta de Catalunnya
Created in 1994, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) is the first online university, which set an international perspective from the beginning.
The Catalan government created the UOC, but it runs privately. Currently, it has 87.500 students and 95.000 graduates from all over the world.
UOC offers doctoral programs, master’s degrees, postgraduate and specialist courses, and bachelor’s degrees. Also, it offers Spanish courses for foreigners willing to take Spanish-taught courses.
5. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunnya
Also known as BarcelonaTech, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) is a public institution specializing in engineering, architecture, sciences, and technology.
UPC is one of the leading technical institutions in Europe, with a high employment rate for its graduates and a reputable position at the main educational rankings.
Currently, it holds nine campuses in Barcelona and its surroundings, which are accessible through public transportation and have excellent student facilities.
UPC receives many international students for exchange programs, most from the Erasmus and South American universities. Also, many students from all over the world choose to enroll at UPC as regular students, most of them in master’s and doctoral programs
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