ERASMUS UNIVERSITIES IN BARCELONA

Still, it’s worth understanding Barcelona’s university landscape properly, because the city has a pretty wide offering, and knowing which university is which will help you get a better sense of the neighbourhood, atmosphere, and type of students you’ll be sharing your Erasmus with. Here’s the complete guide to universities in Barcelona, so you arrive with your homework already done.

Barcelona, a city built for studying

Barcelona isn’t just beaches, Gaudí and tapas: it’s also one of the most important university cities in Europe. It’s estimated that at least 200,000 university students live in the city and its metropolitan area, of whom over 30,000 are international, coming from more than 170 different countries. Basically, no matter where you’re from, you’ll find people with your same accent within days.

The city has seven main universities, both public and private, plus several world-class business schools and smaller centres specialising in specific fields. Here’s the full breakdown.

Public universities in Barcelona

Universitat de Barcelona (UB): the city’s grand dame

Founded in 1450, UB is the largest and oldest university in Barcelona, and goes head to head with Madrid’s Complutense for the title of best university in Spain. Its historic building sits right on Gran Via, though it has campuses spread across several points in the city and metropolitan area.

It covers virtually every field of knowledge, with particular strength in medicine, natural sciences, arts and humanities. Being public, tuition fees are pretty affordable compared to Anglo-Saxon universities, and it has a huge international community, with loads of student societies and activities.

• Locations: Eixample Esquerra, Montbau, Les Corts, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Badalona
• Funding: Public
• National ranking: 2nd | International ranking: 165 (QS World University Rankings)
• Students: over 48,000

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB): a green campus on the outskirts

UAB’s main campus is in Cerdanyola del Vallès, about 20 km from the centre, on the other side of the Collserola mountain range. If you end up studying here, get ready for a pretty different experience from the rest: a large campus with plenty of green space and all the facilities typical of Anglo-Saxon universities, though only 30 minutes by train from central Barcelona.

It stands out especially in social sciences, business, humanities and medicine. Many programmes are taught in both English and Spanish, making it a very popular choice among international students.

• Locations: Bellaterra, El Guinardó
• Funding: Public
• National ranking: 3rd | International ranking: 175
• Students: nearly 37,000

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF): young but with plenty of clout

Founded in 1990, UPF is one of Spain’s youngest public universities, but it’s quickly built a very solid reputation in social sciences, humanities, business, communication and life sciences.

It has three campuses, each specialising in a different discipline, all right in central Barcelona — a big plus if you want the full university experience without leaving the city centre. It’s smaller than UB or UAB, but with a notably higher proportion of international students, making it a very common destination among Erasmus students.

• Locations: Barri Gòtic, Barceloneta, Poblenou
• Funding: Public
• National ranking: 265th (though it ranks much higher in subject-specific rankings)
• Students: over 19,000

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC): home to engineers and architects

If engineering, architecture or computer science are your thing, UPC is your place. It specialises in technology and engineering, with very high standing in technical disciplines and strong ties to the city’s tech sector (its graduates are in high demand among local companies).

Its main campus is in Les Corts, though it has other sites spread across the city.

• Locations: Les Corts, La Mina, Barceloneta
• Funding: Public
• National ranking: 9th | International ranking: 371
• Students: over 30,000

Private universities in Barcelona

Universitat Ramon Llull (URL): the go-to private option

URL is Barcelona’s main private university, made up of a group of specialised schools (most based in the city centre), covering everything from design and engineering to business, humanities and social sciences. It’s also home to ESADE, one of the best business schools in the world (more on that below).

Fees are higher than at public universities, but in exchange you get smaller class sizes and a much more personalised teaching approach.

• Locations: Eixample Esquerra, Sarrià, Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova, Pedralbes, Sant Cugat
• Funding: Private
• National ranking: 15th | International ranking: 466
• Students: around 20,500

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC): practical focus from year one

Founded in 1997, UIC combines academic rigour with a strongly internationally-oriented education and hands-on training from the earliest years. It has a 95% employability rate and over 270 agreements with foreign universities, so if international mobility matters to you, this one has it well covered.

It’s one of the best options in Spain for dentistry and nursing, and also offers plenty of dual degrees.

• Locations: Sarrià, Sant Cugat del Vallès
• Funding: Private
• Strong in: dentistry, nursing, architecture, education, business

Universitat Abat Oliba CEU (UAO CEU): small classes, close contact

A small institution with around 3,000 students, ideal if you’re after small groups and plenty of direct contact with faculty. It’s Barcelona’s branch of the CEU Universities, one of the largest networks of private universities in Spain (also present in Madrid, Seville and Valencia).

• Locations: Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova
• Funding: Private
• Strong in: law, business, communications, humanities, health sciences

Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC): the most locally rooted

Combines tradition, innovation and strong local roots, with all its degrees including a significant portion taught in English. Less known among the international Erasmus crowd, but a solid option if you’re after something different from central Barcelona.

• Locations: Vic, Manresa, Granollers, Barcelona
• Funding: Private
• Strong in: education, translation, business, health, sport

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC): the online pioneer

While not a typical option for an in-person Erasmus, it’s worth a mention because it was Spain’s first online university (founded in 1995) and remains a benchmark across Europe. If at some point you consider complementing your Erasmus with an online course, it’s worth knowing about, with over 87,000 students from 138 different countries.

Business schools in Barcelona: if your Erasmus is all about business

Barcelona has a pretty world-class business school ecosystem, so if your programme is related to this field, these are worth knowing:

IESE Business School

Part of the University of Navarra, IESE consistently ranks among the best business schools in the world, with campuses in Spain, the US, Germany and Brazil. Its Barcelona site is in the exclusive Pedralbes area, with spectacular views over the city. Its teaching method relies heavily on the «case method,» where you literally step into the shoes of real business leaders.

• National ranking: 1st | International ranking: 3 (FT Global MBA Rankings)

ESADE Business School

URL’s business school, with a full-time MBA programme considered one of the best in the world, especially strong in finance, international management and entrepreneurship. Also based in Pedralbes, with resources like ESADE BAN or the ESADE Entrepreneurship Institute.

• National ranking: 2nd | International ranking: 8

EADA Business School

Somewhat less known than the two above, but with a very good reputation in management, finance and leadership training. Main campus in Eixample Esquerra, right in the centre, with a secondary site on the outskirts (Collbató) for intensive leadership programmes.

• National ranking: 4th | International ranking: 100

How to choose an area based on your university

As covered in the housing guide, your campus location should be one of your main criteria when flat-hunting. Here’s a quick summary to connect the dots with the neighbourhood guide:

• UB (depending on campus): Eixample, Les Corts, or even outside the city if your campus is in Sant Joan Despí or Badalona.
• UAB: best to live near an FGC station that connects directly to Bellaterra (Catalunya, Provença, Gràcia).
• UPF: Barri Gòtic, Barceloneta or Poblenou, since your classes will be right in the centre.
• UPC: Les Corts is the most logical choice, as it’s home to the main campus.
• URL / ESADE / IESE: Pedralbes, Sant Gervasi or Sarrià, all more residential areas somewhat further from the typical «neighbourhood» student vibe of Gràcia or Poblenou.