Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Autonomous University of Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a public higher education institution of the non-profit financial type. The university was founded in 1968, after the adoption of educational reform, in parallel with the Autonomous University of Madrid. The prefix "autonomous" to its name, the University of Barcelona received during the reign of the dictator F. Franco. The leadership of the school did not allow the authorities to interfere in their internal affairs, while preserving their freedom, their own rules and principles of teaching students.

During its relatively short existence, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has managed at the moment to take the third position among the universities of Spain, and was able to enter the ranking of the 200 best universities in the world.

Autonomous University of Barcelona belongs to the major universities. Within its walls, over 31,000 students, including foreigners, constituting 10% of the student group, receive education at the same time. 2195 highly qualified teachers represent the academic staff of the school. UAB has an exchange program for students and teachers.

The university conducts active research activities, as well as the university constantly takes part in significant international projects. The development of software for experiments in astrophysics and space exploration in the UAB computer center deserves special attention. Traditionally, this university conducted effective research on biomedicine and molecular biology. One of the important discoveries here was the detection of bacteria, which can be effectively used to fight cancer cells.

The veterinary faculty enjoys great prestige and popularity, it is deservedly among the thirty best in this direction.

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona provides a choice for education in the following faculties:

• Faculty of Biological Sciences
• Faculty of Communication Sciences
• Faculty of Educational Sciences
• Faculty of Political Science and Sociology
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Economics and Business
• Engineering school
• Faculty of Philosophy
• Faculty of Medicine
• Psychology faculty
• Faculty of Translation and Interpretation
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Exchange and international students have access to the CONNECTA program: it is run by the university's Language Service (Servei de Llengües), which matches Catalan language courses to each student's level and needs. The courses are complemented by additional support – workshops, a university orientation day, and language exchanges.

International exchange students have access to individual language support from a UAB volunteer student, who helps them practice Catalan and introduces them to Catalan culture.

At the beginning of the academic year, orientation sessions lasting several days are held for international students: during this time, students have the opportunity to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the academic buildings, services, and campus grounds.

Academic structure of UAB:

• Faculty of Sciences,
• Faculty of Biosciences,
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
• Faculty of Medicine – clinical facilities at four partner hospitals: Vall d'Hebron, Germans Trias i Pujol, Parc Taulí, and Sant Pau,
• Faculty of Psychology,
• Faculty of Law,
• Faculty of Economics and Business,
• Faculty of Political Science and Sociology,
• Faculty of Philosophy and Letters,
• Faculty of Education,
• Faculty of Communication Science,
• Faculty of Translation and Interpreting,
• Escola d'Enginyeria engineering school.

• The campus features a public art route called Itineraris artístics – among the artists whose works are included in the route is sculptor Beverly Pepper (New York, born 1922).
• The UAB Faculty of Biological Sciences is the only faculty of this profile in Spain.

Next to the Bellaterra campus is the Vila Universitària residential complex – 812 apartments housing more than 2,000 people. Getting from there to Barcelona by public transport takes about 25 minutes. The complex has an active social and cultural life: events and leisure activities are organized for residents beyond their studies.

UAB offers students a wide range of extracurricular activities – many of which earn ECTS credits that can be officially counted toward the academic plan.

Creative classes in the Aules studios (a division of Cultura en Viu):

• acting – beginner and continuing course,
• contemporary dance – beginner and continuing course,
• the Viu la Cultura subscription program,
• theater course for people over 50,
• theater studio in English.

Certificates for participation in these classes (including those from other university divisions) totaling from 6 ECTS credits are counted toward the academic plan.

Operating under Cultura en Viu are the chamber choir Cor de Cambra and an orchestra with an annual competitive audition – both ensembles perform at university events. The division also supports academic and institutional events – undergraduate and master's thesis defenses, conferences, debates – and manages screening rights for film cycles in the Sala Cinema concert hall.

Extracurricular civic and leadership activities with credit recognition:

• mentoring international students – 2–4 ECTS,
• participation in university academic debates – 2 ECTS,
• participation in a registered student association – 2 ECTS,
• organizing events in the faculty student council – 1 ECTS,
• studying student representative bodies – 1 ECTS,
• debates in British Parliament format with their own tournament – 2, 4, or 6 ECTS,
• participation in the UABMUN UN simulation – 2, 4, or 6 ECTS,
• participation in the university's castellers (human towers) troupe Ganàpies with rehearsals and performances at festivals – 2 ECTS.

The CONNECTA program organizes informal language practice open to all students: film cycles in the original language, conversation practice spaces, book clubs, and an English practice club centered on watching a TV series. Students may also join the Tàndem language program: Catalan-speaking students meet with students from other countries at least once a week (for at least one hour) throughout the second semester, from approximately the beginning of March to the end of May.

Students can participate in university volunteer programs through the social activity foundation Fundació Autònoma Solidària. The university runs the «Healthy and Sustainable Campus» initiative (Campus Saludable i Sostenible): around 70 events across two areas – health and sustainable development – open to everyone who studies or works at the university.

Throughout the academic year, training sessions are held for student delegates covering university governance and representation bodies, communication skills and mental health awareness, the scholarship system in Catalan universities, and conflict mediation in the classroom.

Among the graduates of the university there are many famous people who became writers, poets, politicians and economists. The most prominent are:

• Irene Rigau-i-Oliver - as a member of a group of politicians he initiated a failed referendum on the independence of Catalonia in 2014;
• Juan Martinez-Alier is the author of the idea of a “green economy” that calls people to live in harmony with nature, abandoning the excessive benefits of civilization;
• Dr. Abrams himself is a specialist in the study of the Catalan language;
• Javier Calvo is the winner of the Breve Library Prize for the neo-gothic novel “The Hanging Garden”, recognized as the best Spanish-language novel of 2012.

The Autonomous University of Barcelona is a young educational institution. Unlike the old universities with campuses located in the historic centers of cities, its main campus Bellaterra is equipped 20 kilometers from Barcelona in the city of Sardagnola del Valles. Some academic buildings and laboratories of the university are located in Barcelona and in other neighboring cities. The main campus of the university contains all the necessary infrastructure facilities: educational buildings, specialized facilities (equipped with computers and free Wi-Fi), laboratories and research centers, the largest library, sports halls, catering facilities (canteens, cafeterias, cafes, restaurants) , park areas, places for walking and relaxation. The campus has all the conditions for full-fledged study, individual lessons, recreation and development of students.

The UAB Summer School (UAB Barcelona Summer School) takes place in two three-week intensive periods after the end of the regular academic year: the first runs in late June and early July, the second in the second half of July. Classes are held in person on weekdays during morning hours (9:00–12:45). In the first period, one course is available entirely online.

Enrollment in the summer school proceeds in several sequential waves: the early waves are open only to non-UAB students, while the final wave is open to both UAB students and others. Each pre-enrollment wave is followed by a separate enrollment confirmation deadline.

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the admissions process.

For applicants entering via the mutual recognition of qualifications route (European baccalaureate or a degree from a country with a bilateral agreement with Spain), the process consists of several steps:

1. confirmation of eligibility through the Spanish national distance-learning university UNED and obtaining the corresponding certificate,
2. submission of a pre-registration application through the Catalan university admissions authority,
3. sitting subject-specific entrance examinations, if required for the chosen program.

This route cannot be used again if the applicant has already gained access to a Spanish university through a different pathway. Language proficiency tests for the languages of instruction at UAB are not required for this route.

Citizens of Spain, as well as representatives of other countries of the world without taking into account their gender, religious beliefs and political convictions can apply for admission to the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Basic requirements for applicants:

• Reaching the age of majority.
• The provision of a certificate of maturity (for the countries of the former CIS). Documents must be notarized and approved in advance by the Ministry of Education of Catalonia (you can send a request via the Internet).
• Providing a certificate of passing an examination in Spanish;
• Successful passing of the special exam Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad - PAU (for admission to undergraduate) for graduates of secondary schools. For applicants entering the master's department this exam is not needed.
• Applicants for graduate studies must submit a bachelor's degree, certified by the Ministry of Education of Catalonia;
• For education in some English-speaking programs you will need a certificate of knowledge of the English language. IELTS or TOEFL certificates are allowed.
• You must also provide an application package.

The full list of documents is posted on the official website of the school. All documents must be provided with a translation into Spanish and notarized.

Tuition fee

The cost of undergraduate and graduate studies for foreign students is 3000 USD / year. In addition, students need to provide an amount of 500-950 USD for the monthly payment for accommodation, food and other necessities of the first need. Students at the Autonomous University of Barcelona can apply for financial assistance in the form of grants and scholarships. For foreign students (from countries outside the European Union), in order to participate in the grant competition, a residence permit in Spain is required. The scholarship provided is 2,000 euros per month. Also, students can apply for grants from independent organizations that encourage student research.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision