Many students are attracted to Spain for its beaches, vibrant cities, festivals and beautiful architecture.
Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. There is much to explore across the country, from the Pyrenees to the coastal towns. Interestingly, it is the country with the third-largest number of Unesco World Heritage Sites – after Italy and China. There is an abundance of things to do including eating at quirky restaurants, visiting the many art galleries and museums and spending time at the beach and in the countryside.
Spain has 50 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, with some of the most highly ranked and popular located in Madrid, Barcelona and the smaller cities of Seville and Granada. Each region of Spain is different, so students should base where they want to study not just on the university but also on the lifestyle associated with the region.
One of the reasons for Spain’s popularity with international students is that, generally, it is relatively cheap to live there. The cost of goods and services in Spain is below average in comparison with other European countries.
One of the major reasons students choose to study abroad is the opportunity to learn another language, and as Spain’s national dialect is the second most spoken language in the world it has become a popular destination for international students.
While the majority of courses are taught in Spanish, there are also a number of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in English to accommodate overseas students.
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1. Pompeu Fabra University
Pompeu Fabra University is still a fairly young university, having been set up in 1990 in Barcelona.
The university’s strengths lie in the social sciences, humanities, health, life sciences, communication and ICT.
It is named after the linguist Pompeu Fabra, an expert on the Catalan language, who was credited with giving the language the status it has today. Catalan is the official language of Pompeu Fabra University. Students wishing to learn Catalan will have plenty of opportunity in Barcelona and around Pompeu Fabra.
There are three campuses located across Barcelona. Social and human sciences are studied at Ciutadella, health and life sciences at Mar and communication and IT at Poblenou.
2. Autonomous University of Barcelona
The main campus is located in Bellaterra, one of the main industrial and technological districts of Mediterranean Europe, and only 25 minutes from the centre of Barcelona.
The university offers 87 bachelor’s degrees, 315 master’s degrees, and 68 PhD programmes. Undergraduate degrees in business management and administration, economics, primary education and tourism are offered fully in English, and many other degrees offer subjects in English. The university attracts many international students because of this.
The institution has 13 faculties, including biosciences, communication, arts and humanities, medicine, and translation and interpreting.
3. University of Barcelona
The third best Spanish university is also located in the vibrant city of Barcelona.
The University of Barcelona is one of the biggest universities in Spain, and welcomes a large number of students from both Spain and abroad every year.
There are 73 bachelor’s degree courses, more than 140 standard master’s degree courses, more than 400 UB-specific master’s degree courses and postgraduate diplomas, and 48 doctoral programmes.
Two degree courses are taught wholly in English (international business and English studies) and five are taught partially in English.
4. University of Navarra
The private non-profit university was founded in 1952 by the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, to transmit the movement’s values.
It initially started as a law school and now has 14 faculties, two university schools, 17 institutes, a business school and many other centres and institutions. The university offers more than 120 degrees, but all courses include aspects of theology.
The university has agreements with other institutions, including the universities of Washington, Hong Kong and Edinburgh, to encourage international exchanges between students.
The university is located in Pamplona, which is famous for the running of the bulls during the San Fermín festival.
5. Autonomous University of Madrid
The main campus is situated in the Cantoblanco area on the outskirts of Madrid and is connected to the city centre by commuter train.
There are 16 cafes and canteens, indoor and outdoor pools, a medical centre, sports pitches and beach volleyball courts, as well as a train station and bus services on campus.
Famous alumni include several former government ministers; Gaspar Llamazares, former leader of the United Left Party; and HM King Felipe VI of Spain, who graduated with a degree in law.
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Top universities in Spain 2021
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results
| World University Rank 2021 | Spain Rank 2021 | University | Province/town |
| =152 | 1 | Pompeu Fabra University | Barcelona |
| 182 | 2 | Autonomous University of Barcelona | Barcelona |
| =198 | 3 | University of Barcelona | Barcelona |
| 251–300 | 4 | University of Navarra | Pamplona |
| 301–350 | 5 | Autonomous University of Madrid | Madrid |
| 401–500 | =6 | CEU Universities | Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia |
| 401–500 | =6 | University of Valencia | Valencia |
| 501–600 | 8 | Complutense University of Madrid | Madrid |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of the Balearic Islands | Palma |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of Deusto | Bilbao |
| 601–800 | =9 | European University of Madrid | Madrid |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of Girona | Girona |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of Granada | Granada |
| 601–800 | =9 | Universitat Internacional de Catalunya | Barcelona |
| 601–800 | =9 | Jaume I University | Castellón |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of La Laguna | Tenerife |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of Lleida | Lleida |
| 601–800 | =9 | Miguel Hernández University of Elche | Alicante |
| 601–800 | =9 | Open University of Catalonia | Barcelona |
| 601–800 | =9 | Polytechnic University of Catalonia | Barcelona |
| 601–800 | =9 | University of Rovira i Virgili | Tarragona |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Alcalá | Madrid |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of the Basque Country | Leioa |
| 801–1000 | =22 | Carlos III University of Madrid | Madrid |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Córdoba | Córdoba |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Jaén | Jaén |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | Canary Islands |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Oviedo | Asturias |
| 801–1000 | =22 | Pablo de Olavide University | Seville |
| 801–1000 | =22 | Polytechnic University of Valencia | Valencia |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Salamanca | Salamanca |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Santiago de Compostela | Santiago |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Seville | Seville |
| 801–1000 | =22 | Technical University of Madrid | Madrid |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Vigo | Vigo |
| 801–1000 | =22 | University of Zaragoza | Zaragoza |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of A Coruña | Galicia |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Alicante | Alicante |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Almería | Almería |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Burgos | Castile |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Cadiz | Cadiz |
| 1001+ | =37 | Polytechnic University of Cartagena | Cartagena |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Castilla-La Mancha | Ciudad Real |
| 1001+ | =37 | Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) | Murcia |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of León | León |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Malaga | Malaga |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Murcia | Murcia |
| 1001+ | =37 | Public University of Navarre | Pamplona |
| 1001+ | =37 | University Rey Juan Carlos | Madrid |
| 1001+ | =37 | University of Valladolid | Valladolid |
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