About the university

The University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona, UB) is a major public research university located in Barcelona, Catalonia, and one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1450. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes in health and life sciences, humanities, social sciences, law, economics, education, fine arts and experimental sciences. UB is consistently ranked as the top university in Spain and among the leading institutions in Europe, with strong research output and extensive international collaborations. Its campuses combine historic buildings in the city centre with modern facilities in districts such as Diagonal and Bellvitge, including libraries, laboratories, hospitals, museums and cultural and sports spaces.

Key information

• Location: Barcelona, ES
• Ranking #6
• QS #178
• THE #145
• US News #79
• National ranking #1
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Faculty Of Medicine And Health Sciences
• Faculty Of Biology
• Faculty Of Economics And Business
• Faculty Of Law
• Faculty Of Mathematics And Computer Science
• Faculty Of Arts And Humanities
• Faculty Of Education
• Faculty Of Chemistry

Programs (32)

• 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
• Translation and Interpreting
• Architecture
• Journalism and Communication

Student body

• Total students: 60,000
• Undergraduate: 41,020
• Graduate: 17,900
• International students: 21%

Campus life

Campus life at the University of Barcelona is distributed across several city campuses that blend historic buildings with modern facilities, allowing students to study in the heart of a vibrant Mediterranean city. Students attend lectures and labs in areas such as the historic centre, Diagonal and Bellvitge and can easily access libraries, museums, cultural venues, cafés and beaches. The university community is highly international and active in cultural, social and political life, with frequent seminars, festivals, exhibitions and student‑led initiatives. Support services provide academic advising, psychological counselling, language courses and career guidance to help students integrate and prepare for global careers.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €500 - €1,000 / per month

Housing options

• UB‑linked student residences in Barcelona
• Private shared apartments in Barcelona
• Homestays with local families
• Student halls and residences across the city
• Small studios near campuses
• Short‑term hostels and guesthouses for exchange students

Student clubs and organizations

• Student council and faculty student associations
• Academic and research societies
• Cultural and language exchange groups
• Environmental and social justice organizations
• Arts
• music and theatre collectives
• Sports and outdoor activity clubs

Sports

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

Career & internships

Employment rate: 90%

Partner companies

• Hospital Clínic De Barcelona
• Vall D’Hebron University Hospital
• Grifols
• Esteve
• SEAT Cupra
• CaixaBank
• Banco Sabadell
• Deloitte Spain
• PwC Spain
• Generalitat De Catalunya
• Barcelona City Council

Internships: The University of Barcelona collaborates with hospitals, research institutes, companies, law firms, schools, NGOs and public administrations in Barcelona, Catalonia and abroad. Many degrees include compulsory or optional internships through which students gain professional experience in medicine, biosciences, engineering, education, business, law and the arts. The UB’s careers service and faculty internship offices assist students in finding placements, signing agreements and recognising the internship in their academic records. International mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ also enable students to carry out 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 university entrance qualification recognised in Spain (EBAU or equivalent)
• Proof of language proficiency in Spanish and or Catalan or English depending on 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

• €1,600 - €6,500 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 70.00%
• Scholarships available: Students at the University of Barcelona can access Spanish and Catalan government grants, UB‑specific scholarships and numerous external funding schemes. Need‑based grants help cover tuition and living expenses, while merit scholarships reward high academic performance or research potential. There are also mobility grants for Erasmus+ and other exchange programmes, as well as targeted aid for students with disabilities or special circumstances. International students may apply for UB master’s scholarships, Erasmus Mundus funding and scholarships from their home countries or external foundations. Full details and calls are published annually on the UB grants and scholarships portal.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1450
• Teaching languages: spanish
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.ub.edu
• mailto:[email protected]
• +34 934 021 100