22 best universities in Barcelona 2024

Barcelona, for over half a century, has been recognized as a university city, drawing foreign applicants globally primarily due to its elite higher education. The main advantages of education at the best universities in Barcelona include:

• Adherence to centuries-old educational traditions.

• An exceptional and scenic location.

• The mild Mediterranean climate.

• A region rich in unique culture and history.

• A multicultural environment.

• Barcelona is home to a plethora of cultural and historical sites, alongside exquisite national cuisine.

Under Spanish law, prestigious higher education can only be attained at universities. Barcelona, in particular, hosts over 50 leading public and private universities.

The academic year at top universities in Barcelona is split into two semesters. The first semester starts in mid-September and concludes on December 20th, while the second semester runs from January to June.

The duration of education typically ranges from 4 to 6 years. While most courses are taught in Spanish and Catalan, there is a significant number of English-taught programs, particularly in economics and at the top-rated business schools in Barcelona.

According to the QS Best Students Cities international ranking (2018 data), Barcelona ranks 19th worldwide for the attractiveness of its foreign higher education, the highest among Spanish cities. Notably, five Barcelona universities have been featured in the international ranking of the world's best universities.

Factors making the Spanish educational system attractive include:

• A broad selection of leading private and public universities, including business schools in Barcelona.

• A diverse array of high-quality educational programs.

• Courses offered in English, Spanish, and Catalan.

• Reasonable tuition fees and accommodation costs compared to other European countries.

• A rich leisure program for international students.

Graduates from these institutions enjoy broad prospects for successful and promising careers. The universities in Barcelona fees are competitive, making these institutions an appealing choice for many.

Tuition fees at the best universities in Barcelona vary from €6,600 to €30,000 per year. The cost of education at these top universities in Barcelona depends on several factors:

• The rating of the chosen university, as per the Barcelona university ranking.

• The chosen educational program at universities in Barcelona.

• Accommodation options near Barcelona universities.

• Study materials required for courses at the list of universities in Barcelona.

• Additional lessons that may be needed at universities in Barcelona, factoring into the overall universities in Barcelona fees.

If you have decided to enroll in the top universities in Barcelona immediately after graduating from a local school, then you should be prepared for a challenging yet interesting process. For foreign applicants with an International Baccalaureate diploma, there is no requirement to write entrance tests. In Spain, the results of final exams from a foreign applicant's local school are not recognized or considered. To gain successful admission to advanced Spanish universities, foreign applicants need to:

• Take entrance written exams in Spain.

• Pass three mandatory exams: Spanish, philosophy or history of Spain, and a foreign language.

• Prepare a package of required documents, including a certificate and a valid passport.

• Choose a residence option for the study period, which could be a comfortable residence for students, a hostel, an apartment in the city, or living with a host family.

• Avail visa services.

Successfully complete the entrance exams, which enables the choice of a preferred leading Barcelona private university where the obtained test scores are sufficient for enrollment.

Successfully transferring to the best university in Barcelona and studying at a Spanish university means your education will be universally recognized as a rated Spanish higher education. Holding a European-style diploma gives you an indisputable advantage in employment, opening up the widest and most promising opportunities. Completion of studies at a Spanish advanced university culminates in the awarding of a specialist degree in a certain professional field to the graduate.

International students seeking in-depth knowledge in a specific field, professional development, or immersion in scientific activity should consider enrolling in a master's degree program at the top universities in Barcelona, Spain. The duration of education varies from 1 to 2 years, ending with the awarding of a master's degree. A special mention goes to the wide selection of master's programs and MBA courses offered by rating universities in Spain, with teaching conducted in either Spanish or English.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Top 15 best universities in Switzerland 2024

Top 10 best universities in Netherlands 2024

Top 35 best universities and colleges in Canada 2024