About the university

The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a leading Spanish public research university located in Cerdanyola del Vallès, just outside Barcelona. Founded in 1968, it offers more than 100 bachelor’s degrees, over 550 master’s and nearly 90 PhD programs across disciplines such as natural and health sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, education, law and economics. UAB is consistently ranked among the top universities in Spain and Europe and is known for strong research output and an international campus with students from around the world. The main campus is organized as a self‑contained university town with classrooms, laboratories, libraries, residences, cultural spaces and extensive sports facilities.

Key information

• Location: Barcelona, ES
• Ranking #7
• QS #175
• THE #199
• US News #133
• National ranking #3
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Faculty Of Biosciences
• Faculty Of Sciences
• Faculty Of Medicine
• School Of Engineering
• Faculty Of Economics And Business
• Faculty Of Law
• Faculty Of Arts And Humanities
• Faculty Of Education Sciences

Programs (29)

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Law
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Philosophy
• History
• Linguistics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Education
• Fine Arts
• Music

Student body

• Total students: 37,000
• Undergraduate: 27,700
• Graduate: 8,100
• International students: 10%

Campus life

Campus life at UAB takes place on a large green campus connected to Barcelona by train, where students move between faculties, residences, sports facilities and cafés on foot or by bike. The university hosts academic conferences, cultural festivals, film cycles, concerts, language tandems and student association events throughout the year. Many activities focus on sustainability, equality, human rights and internationalisation, reflecting the diverse student body. Services such as academic advising, psychological support, language courses and career guidance help students succeed and prepare for employment in Spain and abroad.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €400 - €900 / per month

Housing options

• On‑campus student residence Vila Universitària
• Private shared apartments in Cerdanyola Del Vallès and Barcelona
• Homestays with local families
• Student halls in Barcelona city
• Small studios near campus
• Short‑term hostels and guesthouses for exchange students

Student clubs and organizations

• Student council and faculty councils
• Academic and research associations
• Cultural and language exchange groups
• Environmental and sustainability organizations
• Political and social activism groups
• Arts and performance collectives
• Sports and outdoor activity clubs

Sports

• Football
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Handball
• Athletics
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Rugby
• Futsal
• Fitness and group training teams

Career & internships

Employment rate: 90%

Partner companies

• Seat Cupra
• Grifols
• Siemens Gamesa
• Roche Diagnostics
• HP Barcelona
• Banco Sabadell
• CaixaBank
• Deloitte Spain
• PwC Spain
• Generalitat De Catalunya
• Barcelona City Council

Internships: The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has extensive internship agreements with companies, research centres, NGOs and public institutions in Barcelona, Catalonia and abroad. Many degrees include compulsory or optional work placements where students gain professional experience in areas such as biotechnology, engineering, education, communication, business, law and public administration. UAB’s careers service (Servei d’Ocupabilitat) supports students in finding internships, preparing CVs and interviews and connecting with employers through job fairs and networking events. Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes also allow students to complete internships in other European countries.

Admission requirements

Required documents

• Online application form
• Passport or national ID
• Official high school diploma or previous degree with transcripts
• Proof of admission requirements for the chosen programme (selectivity exam or equivalent)
• Proof of Spanish and or Catalan or English proficiency depending on the programme
• Curriculum vitae for many master’s and PhD programmes
• Motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation where required
• Proof of payment of application or administrative fees
• Additional documents requested by the faculty

Minimum GPA: 3

Tuition costs

• €1,200 - €3,500 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 54.00%
• Scholarships available: UAB students can access a variety of scholarships and grants from the Catalan and Spanish governments and the university itself. These include need‑based grants to cover tuition and living expenses, merit scholarships, mobility grants for exchange and Erasmus+ programmes and specific aid for students with disabilities or special circumstances. International students may benefit from Erasmus Mundus, UAB‑specific master’s scholarships and external foundation awards. Information on current calls, eligibility criteria and application procedures is updated each year on the UAB scholarships portal.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1968
• Teaching languages: spanish

Contact

• Website: https://www.uab.cat
• mailto:[email protected]