If you are thinking about studying in Spain, and more specifically in the city of Barcelona, finding out about the University of Barcelona (UB), one of the five public universities in the city, as well as the others, is a step you should take to plan your academic future and see how you can access it.
Recognized for its educational excellence and international environment, the UB (University of Barcelona) is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country and a very popular choice among foreign students who gain admission through the PCE (Specific Competency Tests). And believe us, we can say from our own experience as 100% specialized PCE preparation instructors that it is one of the most sought-after universities in Spain.
In this article, we offer you all the information you need about the UB : from its academic offerings and admission requirements to practical details about university life in Barcelona.
Technical information about the University of Barcelona
- Name University of Barcelona (UB)
- Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585, L'Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
- Email: General information through the contact form on your official website
- Phone: + 34 934 02 11 00
- Website: web.ub.edu/es/
- Students: Roughly 62.995 students in total
- Number of teachers: More than 5.000 teachers and researchers
- Number of degrees and double degrees: 75 undergraduate degrees (including double degrees)
- Number of masters: More than 150 official university master's degrees
- Ranking of the best universities in Spain: 1st position nationally, according to ARWU (Shanghai ranking)
- Ranking of the best universities worldwide: position 151–200 according to ARWU (Shanghai ranking)
History of the UB
The University of Barcelona was founded in 1450 , making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Spain and Europe. Since its inception, it has been and continues to be an academic, cultural, and scientific leader in Catalonia and throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Originally established in the city's historic center, the university has evolved over time, expanding throughout Barcelona with various specialized campuses. Throughout the centuries, it has witnessed significant political and social transformations, from the monarchy to the present-day democracy, always remaining a symbol of academic excellence and freedom of thought.
Today, if you ask our opinion, the University of Barcelona stands out for its commitment to research, innovation and international projection , receiving thousands of students from all over the world each year who seek to train at an institution with more than 570 years of history.
Locations of the University of Barcelona campuses
The UB is a metropolitan university , with a total of six main campuses within Barcelona (Center, Raval, Diagonal, Mundet, Clínic, Torribera and Sants), in addition to presences in Bellvitge (Hospitalet) and other nearby locations thanks to its hospital centers.
Each campus specializes in different academic areas as well as unique infrastructure and urban environments, facilitating the integration of international students into a vibrant and diverse environment.
Want to see them? We love them!
1. Historic or Central Campus (Ciutat Vella)
- Located around the Gran Via of the Catalan Courts, 585 and in the surroundings of Plaça Universitat.
- It houses the faculties of Philology, Mathematics and Computer Science, among others.
2. Raval Campus
- Located Montalegre Street, 6, very close to Plaça Universitat and MACBA.
- Dedicated to disciplines of Geography, History, Philosophy, Anthropology and Archaeology.
3. Diagonal Campus (“Coneixement Portal”)
- It extends along the Diagonal Avenue, in the Les Corts area (University Zone).
- Here is the Faculty of Economics, Law, Biology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences and Fine Arts.
4. Mundet Campus (Mundet Enclosure)
- Located in Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 171, Montbau neighborhood (Horta-Guinardó).
- Designed for Faculty of Psychology, Education and the Institute of Educational Sciences, in addition to CETT‑UB (Tourism).
5. Bellvitge Campus
- Located in the Bellvitge area, in l'Hospitalet de Llobregat.
- Main headquarters of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
6. Campus Clínic (Houses of Medicine)
- On Clínic-Casanova Building, near the Hospital Clínic in l'Eixample.
- Dedicated to activities of Medicine and Health Sciences .
7. Torribera Campus (Feeding)
- In collaboration with the Barcelona Provincial Council, in the Torribera area.
- Located in a facility specialized in the Food Science and Technology, with greenhouse.
8. Sants Campus
- Destined for the Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media.
- Located in the Sants neighborhood, southwest of Barcelona.
Degrees taught by the UB
The University of Barcelona offers a wide variety of degrees, more than 70, distributed across various faculties and areas of knowledge.
We can find:
- Social, Legal and Economic Sciences
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Experimental Sciences, Engineering and Technology
- Humanities and Communication
- Education and Psychology
- Tourism and Hospitality (through CETT-UB)
If you need a much more complete and up-to-date list of programs, we recommend consulting the university's official website .
Format and modalities
The usual duration of degrees is 3 to 4 years, except for Medicine which is usually 6 years and some additional degrees of specialization.
The predominant modality is face-to-face, and there are some subjects with bilingual or English options.
The languages of instruction for the degrees are Catalan, Spanish, and English. At this point, you might be wondering whether studying for a degree in Spanish is feasible in Catalonia, given that it has two official languages, Catalan and Spanish. Let's take a look.
Current reality:
No, it's not necessary to know Catalan to study at a Catalan university, but it may be advisable to become familiar with this second language, since you'll encounter it not only in universities but also in everyday life in Catalonia.
At Catalan public universities like the UB, classes are taught in Catalan, Spanish, and, for some undergraduate degrees, also in English. In practice, most subjects are taught in Catalan or Spanish, and many professors are willing to adapt materials or allow submissions in Spanish, especially for international students.
How much does it cost to study at the University of Barcelona in 2025?
Currently, the price per credit (2024–2025 academic year) at the UB is defined as follows:
- Degrees (non-resident/EU students): €17,69 per ECTS credit, this being the standard rate applicable at the UB for most degrees.
- Official qualifying master's degree (for regulated professions such as Medicine, Law, etc.): €18,46 per credit.
- Non-qualifying Master's degree (other specializations): €27,67 per credit, with the possibility of discounts based on income.
Therefore, as an example, and considering that these prices are approximate and may vary, a "standard" degree with 60 ECTS credits could cost approximately €1.061 per course. Added to this are administrative fees of approximately €70.
💡 Don't know what university credits or ECTS are? We'll explain it here.
Changes planned for the 2025–2026 academic year
The good news, as they say, is that starting next year , a historic reform of fees will be applied , with costs as follows:
- All Catalan public universities, including the UB, will unify the price per credit for qualifying degrees and master's degrees in € 17,69, the current minimum.
- The non-qualifying master's degrees They will also reduce their cost, lowering a 30%, standing at approximately €19,37 per credit.
Even so, the University of Barcelona offers the option of paying tuition in installments over three or more months, and for added convenience, you can also set up direct debit payments. Furthermore, there are various exemptions and reductions in public fees for specific groups, such as recipients of Ministry of Education scholarships (MEC Scholarships), large families, people with disabilities, and victims of terrorism and gender-based violence, among others.
How to access the UB?
If you want to see the entry requirements for this university and others in Catalonia, take a look at our post: Requirements for universities in Catalonia
Likewise, if you are a foreigner and would like to study at this university, contact us through the following link so that one of our experts can guide you through the next steps: https://escuelapce.com/contacto/
Conclusion
Studying at the University of Barcelona (UB) is one of the best decisions a national or international student can make if they are looking for academic quality, international exposure, and a unique life experience.
As we have already mentioned, with more than 570 years of history, a diverse and modern range of degrees , and a prominent position in national and international rankings , the UB is consolidating itself as one of the best universities in Spain.
Furthermore, thanks to its location in a vibrant city like Barcelona , its multiple specialized campuses, installment payment options and a multilingual environment, the UB offers all the conditions for students from anywhere in the world to integrate, train and grow both professionally and personally.
Furthermore, the admission processes for those who access through the PCE are clear and accessible, and there are support programs, scholarships and language courses that greatly facilitate adaptation.
So if you're looking for a university with academic excellence, an international atmosphere and an unparalleled lifestyle, look no further: the University of Barcelona is the place for you.
