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University of Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain · Public · Est. 1450

Updated 23 Oct 2026

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Established

1450

Type

Public

Location

Barcelona, Spain

QS World University Rankings 2027

=165 in the world

About the university

The University of Barcelona is one of the oldest universities in Europe. A medical school opened in the city in 1401, and the full university was chartered in 1450. For centuries it was the only university in Catalonia; the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia both grew out of it in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its neo-Romanesque main building in Plaça Universitat is still one of the city's landmarks.

UB is a large, research-intensive public university with faculties spread across Barcelona. It is strongest in medicine and health sciences, biology and biomedicine, chemistry, physics, psychology and economics, and it works closely with major hospitals such as the Hospital Clínic. It consistently ranks among Spain's top two or three universities in global tables.

For Indian students the main attraction is cost. As a public university, UB charges non-EU master's students about €82 per ECTS credit in 2026–27, so a 60-credit, one-year master's costs around €4,900 in tuition, a fraction of private business-school fees. The catch is language: most bachelor's degrees and many master's are taught in Catalan or Spanish. A smaller set of research-oriented master's, mainly in science, data, economics and biomedicine, is advertised in English.

Student life is city-based rather than campus-based: you live in a flat or residence, travel by metro and share the city with a large international student population. Barcelona is lively and well connected but expensive for rent, and admission to the English-taught master's is competitive and usually needs a strong, relevant bachelor's degree.

Founded
1450, by royal charter of King Alfons V of Aragon; Barcelona's medical school dates from 1401
Type
Public research university, funded by the Government of Catalonia
Students
About 45,500 (THE World University Rankings data)
International students
About 12% (THE data)
Student–staff ratio
15 to 1 (THE data)
Campuses
Several campuses across Barcelona, including the historic building in Plaça Universitat, Diagonal–Pedralbes, Health Sciences (Bellvitge and Clínic) and Mundet
Main intake
September; master's applications usually open in winter and close in spring or summer

Rankings

  • QS World University Rankings 2027

    =165 in the world

  • THE World University Rankings 2027

    =143 in the world

Popular courses with Indian students

View all 15 courses with filters

Fees for international students

Course fees
CourseDurationFee / year (EUR)Approx. in rupees
Master's in Fundamental Principles of Data Science1 year full time (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Master's in International Business1 year (60 ECTS)€6,600≈ ₹7 lakh
Master's in Biomedicine1 year (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Master's in Translational Medicine1 year (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Master's in Neurosciences1 year (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Master's in Economics, Regulation and Competition in Public Services1 year (60 ECTS)€6,600≈ ₹7 lakh
Master's in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology1 year (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Master's in Advanced Mathematics1 year (60 ECTS)€4,920≈ ₹5.2 lakh

Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

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Scholarships

  • Joint master's in which UB is a partner

    Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships

    Value: Full scholarship covering participation costs plus a monthly allowance

    Eligibility: Apply directly to each Erasmus Mundus programme by its deadline (often January–February). Highly competitive.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)
  • University master's

    UB master's study grants and fee waivers

    Value: Varies by call; some calls cover part of the enrolment fee

    Eligibility: UB publishes calls each year; many are limited to residents or to specific programmes. Check the master's grants page when calls open.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • Most UB bachelor's degrees are taught in Catalan and Spanish, so they suit students with B2 Spanish or better.
  • Students with Class 12 from India need their school qualification recognised (homologated) by the Spanish Ministry of Education and usually an accreditation from UNEDasiss to compete for places.
  • Places are allocated through the Catalan pre-registration system, with deadlines in early summer.

Postgraduate

  • A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject. Degrees from outside Europe must allow master's study in India and are checked by UB; formal homologation is not usually needed for admission.
  • Each master's sets its own criteria (subject background, grades, CV, statement of purpose, sometimes an interview).
  • Apply online through UB's master's pre-registration portal; some programmes have several application periods and close early when full.
  • After admission, pay the enrolment fee by the date given; non-EU students then apply for the Spanish student visa.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts, legalised (Hague Apostille for India) and translated where required
  • CV
  • Statement of purpose or motivation letter
  • English certificate at B2 level or above for English-taught master's
  • Letters of recommendation where the programme asks for them
  • Proof of funds and health insurance for the student visa

Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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English language requirements

English requirements
Test or routeTypical requirement
English-taught master'sUsually CEFR B2 or higher, for example IELTS or TOEFL; each programme sets the exact level.
Fundamental Principles of Data ScienceB2 certificate or equivalent; teaching is entirely in English.
Catalan or Spanish-taught coursesB2 in Spanish (or Catalan) is the usual expectation.

Accommodation and living costs

UB has a small number of university residences (Colegios Mayores and partner halls) and most international students rent a room in a shared flat. Barcelona rents are among the highest in Spain. The figures below are our estimates based on market data, not UB prices.

Accommodation and living costs
ItemIn EURApprox. in rupees
Room in a shared flatOur estimate for Barcelona€550–900per month≈ ₹58,300 – ₹95,400
Student residence or hallOften includes bills; some include meals€800–1,400per month≈ ₹84,800 – ₹1.5 lakh
Food and groceries€220–350per month≈ ₹23,320 – ₹37,100
Utilities and internet (your share)€40–90per month≈ ₹4,240 – ₹9,540
Public transport (T-jove youth pass, per month)€20–40per month≈ ₹2,120 – ₹4,240
Private health insuranceNeeded for the student visa€35–60per month≈ ₹3,710 – ₹6,360

Campus and location

UB is a city university spread across Barcelona, a large, international Mediterranean city with good metro links, beaches and a strong biomedical and tech scene.

  • The Historic Building in Plaça Universitat, in the city centre, houses the rectorate and some humanities faculties.
  • Diagonal–Pedralbes campus in the west of the city hosts law, economics, biology, chemistry, physics and pharmacy.
  • Health Sciences campuses at the Hospital Clínic and Bellvitge link teaching with major hospitals.
  • Mundet campus hosts psychology and education.
  • Students in higher education in Spain can work up to 30 hours a week alongside their studies.
  • Everyday life is in Catalan and Spanish, so learning some Spanish makes renting and part-time work much easier.

Careers and graduate outcomes

UB does not publish employment figures for international master's graduates in a way we can compare. Barcelona's job market is strongest in biomedicine, life sciences, tech and tourism, but most roles outside multinationals expect Spanish. Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work or start a business.

Graduate outcomes
WhatFigureSource
Tuition for a one-year, 60-credit master's (non-EU, 2026–27)About €4,920 (€6,600 for higher-priced programmes)UB price list 2026–27
Post-study job-search permitUp to 24 monthsSpanish Ministry of Inclusion
Hours you can work as a studentUp to 30 a weekSpanish Ministry of Inclusion

Studying in Spain

Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Spain. Our country guide covers them in detail:

Other universities in Spain

Compare all universities in Spain

FAQs

How much does a master's at the University of Barcelona cost for Indian students?

In 2026–27 most UB master's cost €82 per ECTS credit for non-EU students without Spanish residence, so about €4,920 for a 60-credit year. A few programmes, such as International Business, cost €110 per credit (about €6,600).

Are courses at UB taught in English?

Most bachelor's degrees are in Catalan and Spanish. A set of master's, mostly in data science, biomedicine, physics, mathematics and economics, is offered in English. Always check the language on the course page before applying.

Can I do a bachelor's at UB without Spanish?

Realistically no. Bachelor's teaching is in Catalan and Spanish, and entry needs school-certificate homologation and usually a UNEDasiss accreditation.

What English level do UB master's ask for?

Usually B2 or higher on the European scale, shown by a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. The data science master's asks for B2.

Is the University of Barcelona well ranked?

Yes. It is =165 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and =143 in the THE World University Rankings 2027, among the highest-ranked universities in Spain.

Does UB offer housing?

UB has a limited number of residences. Most international students rent a room in a shared flat, which in Barcelona typically costs €550–€900 a month.

Sources

  1. University of Barcelona: tuition prices 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
  2. University of Barcelona: master's degrees (opens in a new tab)
  3. UB: Master in Fundamental Principles of Data Science (opens in a new tab)
  4. THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Barcelona (opens in a new tab)
  5. QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Study in Catalonia: public university fees (opens in a new tab)
  7. UNEDasiss: access to Spanish universities for international students (opens in a new tab)
  8. Spanish Ministry of Inclusion: job-search residence authorisation (opens in a new tab)

Official website: www.ub.edu/web/portal/en (opens in a new tab)

Check the latest details

We researched this page on 23 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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