23 best universities in Barcelona 2025

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.

There are numerous advantages of higher education in Barcelona:

• Centuries-old traditions and modern facilities.
• Obtaining a diploma that is recognized worldwide.
• Accessible education in English.
• Fast and remote programs.
• Employment guarantees.
• The city is welcoming to all: foreigners quickly adapt to Barcelona.

Barcelona is a city of events. There’s never a dull moment—famous artists from around the world perform concerts every week, and important, very interesting festivals and fairs take place (one of the most famous is La Fira). Other positive features include:

• Hundreds of attractions. Barcelona is known as the cultural capital of Spain. Pablo Picasso, Antonio Gaudí, Salvador Dalí, and other great figures lived and worked in Barcelona.
• Barcelona has a well-developed transportation infrastructure. The subway, buses, taxis, trams, and cable cars run on schedule. The city university is conveniently located near public transport stops.
• There are many modern laboratories in Barcelona’s universities, and the city has a major digital technology center.
• Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate. Winters are mild, and summers are hot—this fact often attracts many international students. The city is located on the Mediterranean coast, and there are equipped beaches within the city.
• The university center in Barcelona operates within the city and supports international students, helping them find accommodation and resolve other issues.

The main feature of the highest level of education in Barcelona is the respect for the quality of services offered; this is why the education level in this Spanish city is very high (according to experts from Independent International). The reputation of Barcelona's universities is confirmed by their consistent leadership in global rankings, with most educational institutions being recognized as authoritative worldwide for decades. In addition to a well-planned curriculum, the key to success in these institutions is the emphasis on seminars and project work rather than just lectures, allowing students not only to memorize material but also to apply it. Special attention in education is given to developing business contacts and studying European business ethics and traditions, which will undoubtedly help those looking to enhance their managerial roles in the European sector.

Levels of education in Spanish universities:

• Bachelor’s Degree – This course typically lasts two to four years, although some subjects may require more time to complete (for example, medicine).
• Master’s Degree – It lasts one or two years.
• Doctorate – To obtain this degree, you must study for at least three years and then defend a dissertation.

Since higher education in Barcelona is divided into three levels, each has its distinguishing features as well as varying durations. For instance, a bachelor's degree aims at a less specialized focus, but if a student wishes to study a specific area, enhance their qualifications, or engage in research, it is advisable to enroll in a master’s program at Barcelona's universities. Basic higher education in Barcelona lasts from one to two years, after which the graduate is awarded a master’s degree. The wide range of high-level master's and MBA programs offered by the most significant universities in Spain is particularly noteworthy.

Education at the universities in Barcelona is a valuable opportunity for future professional success. Earning a degree from a university in Barcelona means better job prospects and faster career advancement for international students.

The universities in Barcelona include major public and private institutions, polytechnic institutes, several language schools, and a number of additional courses across various fields. Barcelona is renowned for its business schools. All universities in Barcelona differ not only in their educational profiles but also in the number of diplomas or certificates they offer, as well as the established rules of education—each university chooses its own educational policy.

Those who already have a higher education but do not wish to stop there can pursue a second degree in Barcelona. Special two-year bachelor’s cycle programs are available for those interested. Upon completion of their studies, students receive a diploma from a Spanish university recognized throughout Europe.

Barcelona boasts many excellent universities, some of which are among the best in the country and the world. The top universities in Barcelona achieve this status by being included in rankings that evaluate them based on a comprehensive set of criteria. These rankings help prospective students dreaming of higher education or a career in academia in Barcelona to gather all relevant information about the scientific and academic activities of universities, discover the most popular institutions among international students, and identify the best universities in Barcelona for specific specializations. The best universities in Barcelona are known for their quality not only in the education they provide but also in their overall approach to students.

The range of programs available at Barcelona's universities is among the most diverse and high-quality in Europe. Traditional disciplines such as philosophy, history, physics, geography, and Latin as well as Spanish sociology, are taught at a high level. Additionally, modern fields like information technology, business management, advertising, and arts, including graphic design and architecture, are extremely attractive to those choosing to study in Barcelona.

As the most developed city in Spain, Barcelona provides a comprehensive array of top educational institutions for students. Every year, the best universities in Barcelona are becoming more and more famous; a study of rankings of Spain's top universities shows that a significant number of them are located in this vibrant city. The variety of programs, fields and specializations offered by these institutions, combined with an atmosphere that is welcoming to international students, makes them particularly attractive. For those aspiring to pursue higher education from abroad, there are several key factors to contemplate:

• Goals and life plans
• Preferences regarding the field of study
• Budget
• Ranking of the educational institution
• Admission deadlines

In Barcelona, as in many other European cities, there are numerous types and varieties of universities.

Public Universities

Public universities are among the most challenging to enter, as applicants can gain admission only through high entrance exam scores.

Private Universities

While all universities in Barcelona provide a comfortable environment, private institutions can offer students accommodation in residences for convenience, as well as the most modern infrastructure and equipment. These institutions offer a wide range of programs, all taught at a high level.

Business Schools

Business schools offer MBA programs, with courses lasting 1-2 years.

Fine Arts Universities

The distinguishing feature of these creatively oriented institutions is that students can choose to study any subject related to the arts.

Architectural Universities

Since Barcelona is on the list of cities with a rich architectural heritage, the best architectural universities are located here!

Polytechnic and Engineering Universities

Polytechnic universities in Barcelona are gaining increasing recognition as their programs provide deeper immersion into the field of urban infrastructure development. Studies here typically last a bit longer than at other universities, but it is worth it.

Medical and Biotechnical Universities

As medicine holds a priority place among educational fields worldwide, pursuing this profession will always be relevant. Local institutions have modern laboratories and research facilities for future doctors and biospecialists.

Many universities actively attract students with their beneficial offers—grants and scholarships. Typically, a complete list of the financial aid options included in the bonus system is published on the institution's website.

Spanish cities often enter into special agreements with various municipalities, financial organizations, businesses, and government agencies interested in supporting young talent.

To be eligible for a grant or scholarship, it is important to submit an application on time.

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