Universities in Spain ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 76 Universities in Spain

The Kingdom of Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (Spanish: comunidades autónomas), further subdivided into 50 provinces (Spanish: provincias) and 2 autonomous cities. The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the Community of Madrid, which hosts the capital and most populous city, Madrid, as well as in Catalonia (Barcelona), Andalusia (Seville), Castile and León (Valladolid), and the Valencian Community (Valencia). The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all provinces that include at least one Spanish higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Andalucia (11)  
Aragon (2)  
Asturias (1)  
Balearic Islands (1)  
Basque Country (3)  
Canary Islands (3)  
Cantabria (2)  
Castile and Leon (8)  
Castilla-La Mancha (1)  
Catalonia (11)  
Community of Madrid (15)  
Extremadura (1)  
Galicia (3)  
La Rioja (1)  
Las Palmas (1)  
Navarra (2)  
Region of Murcia (3)  
Valencian Community (7)  

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Overview of Spain Universities

Spain's higher education system features diverse institutions governed by regional authorities. Universities are categorized as public (state-funded) or private (independently funded), with most offering comprehensive programs across disciplines. The system follows the Bologna Process, providing Bachelor's (Grado), Master's and Doctoral degrees. Public universities dominate the landscape, offering subsidized tuition, while private institutions often focus on specialized fields like business or technology. Spain's universities blend historic institutions dating back to medieval times with modern research centers, contributing significantly to European academic networks and attracting international students through programs taught in Spanish, English and regional languages.

Top 10 Spain Universities

1. Universidad de Barcelona (University of Barcelona) - UB
   Ranked #1 in Spain and #140 globally. Established 1450 in Barcelona, Catalonia. Public research university offering comprehensive programs at all academic levels.
2. Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Complutense University of Madrid) - UCM
   Ranked #2 in Spain and #184 globally. Founded 1293 in Madrid. Public comprehensive university with extensive undergraduate and postgraduate options.
3. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) - UAB
   Ranked #3 in Spain and #216 globally. Established 1968 in Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia. Public research institution offering comprehensive programs across disciplines.
4. Universidad de Valencia (University of Valencia) - UV
   Ranked #4 in Spain and #231 globally. Founded 1499 in Valencia. Public comprehensive university providing bachelor's to doctoral degrees.
5. Universidad de Granada (University of Granada) - UGR
   Ranked #5 in Spain and #235 globally. Established 1531 in Granada, Andalucia. Public research university offering comprehensive academic programs.
6. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid) - UPM
   Ranked #6 in Spain and #262 globally. Founded 1971 in Madrid. Public specialized university focusing on engineering and technology at all study levels.
7. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (Polytechnic University of Catalonia) - UPC
   Ranked #7 in Spain and #273 globally. Established 1971 in Barcelona, Catalonia. Public specialized university offering engineering, architecture and technology programs.
8. Universidad del País Vasco (University of the Basque Country) - UPV
   Ranked #8 in Spain and #297 globally. Founded 1968 in Leioa, Basque Country. Public comprehensive university providing diverse academic programs.
9. Universidad Politécnica de València (Technical University of Valencia) - UPV
   Ranked #9 in Spain and #306 globally. Established 1968 in Valencia. Public specialized university focusing on engineering, technology and applied sciences.
10. Universidad de Sevilla (University of Seville) - US
    Ranked #10 in Spain and #314 globally. Founded 1505 in Seville, Andalucia. Public comprehensive research university offering diverse study programs.

Analysis of University Types

Spain hosts 76 universities nationwide, with public institutions constituting the majority. Public universities account for 49 institutions (64.5% of all universities), while private institutions comprise 26 (34.2%). This distribution reflects Spain's strong tradition of publicly funded higher education, though private alternatives have expanded significantly in recent decades, particularly in specialized fields like business administration and technology.

Global Ranking and Standing

Spain demonstrates strong global academic representation with 2 universities ranked in the world's top 200 (2.6% of Spanish universities). More significantly, 38 institutions (50% of Spain's universities) appear in the global top 1,000 rankings. This highlights the competitive international standing of Spain's higher education sector, with particularly strong showings in research output, engineering and social sciences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are tuition fees like at Spanish universities?
Public university fees range €750-2,500/year for EU students and €2,000-3,500/year for non-EU students. Private institutions typically charge €5,000-18,000/year.

Do I need to speak Spanish to study in Spain?
While many programs require Spanish proficiency, universities increasingly offer English-taught programs, particularly at master's level. Minimum B2 level in the teaching language is usually required.

What is the academic calendar in Spain?
The academic year runs September/October to June, divided into two semesters: September-January and February-June. Exams typically occur in February and June.

Are Spanish degrees recognized internationally?
Yes, Spain participates in the Bologna Process, ensuring its degrees are recognized across 48 European countries. Many universities have additional international accreditation.

What are popular fields of study for international students?
Top choices include business administration, engineering, Spanish language studies, tourism management, architecture and biomedical sciences.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Spanish universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Spain
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Spanish post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Spain
  Search for Spanish higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Spanish Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Spanish town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Spain
  Discover Spanish public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Spain
  Find out about Spanish private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Spain
  Explore Spanish not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Spain
  Look for Spanish for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Spanish Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Spain have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Spanish Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Spain that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Spanish Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Spain are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Spanish Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Spain with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.