Most people know Barcelona because of the football club. Many also know that it is a great tourist spot. But only a few know that it is also a hub of quality and affordable education. If you are a die-hard fan of football and want to study in a city with several picnic spots, then Barcelona is best for you.
Located on the northeastern coast of Spain, Barcelona is the second largest municipality in Spain and is home to 5.3 million people. Its well-developed education system of universities attracts students globally.
In this article, we have listed the seven most affordable universities in Barcelona for International Students. We discuss the programs available, the history of the university, and rankings, all in a bid to inform you correctly as you research for the best school to kickstart or continue your higher education journey.
Affordable Schools in Barcelona for International Students
1. University of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona (also known as Universitat de Barcelona or UB) is a public research university located in Barcelona. The university was founded in 1450. It is one of the oldest universities in Spain and currently comprises more than 100 departments and faculties. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate programs, 270 post-graduate programs, and around 49 doctorate programs.
It is best known for its applied sciences programs. According to the QS ranking, the University of Barcelona ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. It offers equal educational and research opportunities to all students irrespective of their citizenship status. International students are not only provided with a cheap education but they are also given various scholarships to meet their expenses during their stay at the university.
2. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (also known as the Autonomous University of Barcelona or UAB) is a research-based university located in Barcelona, Spain. This university was founded in 1968 and comprises 57 departments and 45 research institutes. These departments offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of medicine, engineering, economics, law, etc. The university is famous for its school of engineering. Three teaching hospitals are also affiliated with the UAB.
International students can also get admission to this university with a minimum tuition fee. Students from various countries of the world make up around 10% of the total students at the university. The UAB provides high-quality research and educational facilities to all students, irrespective of their race, citizenship, gender, and religion.
3. Pompeu Fabra University
The Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) is an affordable research university founded in 1990 and was recognized as an international excellence campus in 2010. The Pompeu Fabra University comprises seven colleges, five higher education centers, and an engineering school that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university also comprises high-quality research centers with the highest research activity in Spain. The UPF is ranked among the top five universities in Spain. Students from countries all around the world are welcome to apply at UPF for admission at cheap tuition rates.
4. Polytechnic University of Catalonia
The Polytechnic University of Catalonia (also known as BarcelonaTech or UPC) is a public university in Barcelona, Spain. It was established in 1973. The university is very famous for its engineering school in the entire Spain and is regarded as the largest engineering university located in Catalonia. The university also offers programs in other disciplines such as mathematics, architecture, applied sciences, and business management. The UPS also offers 73 graduate programs and 49 doctorate programs. The university has played a great role in the development of technology throughout the world. It is ranked among the top 40 universities in the world for computer science and information technology. The UPC has more than 3000 highly qualified teaching and research staff. Equal research and education opportunities are provided to students coming from all over the world. The alumni of UPS belong to more than 70 countries of the world.
5. International University of Catalonia
The International University of Catalonia (UIC) is a cheap university that works on a no-profit basis and was established in 1997. The university has now become one of the most famous universities in Spain comprising two campuses; one located in Barcelona and the other one in Sant Cugat. The university offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in various programs including medicine, dentistry, law, business management, and engineering.
It is very famous for international dual degree programs offered in more than 27 disciplines and has a relatively small student body with a total of 6000 students. However, the university has a high employment rate of more than 86% making it one of the top universities in Spain with such a high employment rate. The international students at the university belong to more than 50 countries of the world.
6. Abat Oliba CEU University
- Admissions
- Tuition Fees: €9,720-€10,347 (Undergraduate) | $10,000 (International)
Abat Oliba CEU University is a private university located in Barcelona, Spain. It was founded in 1973 as Abat Oliba College and was approved as a university in 2003. The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate degrees with majors in law, political science, business management, communication, education, and humanities. It has a high graduate placement rate of more than 90%. The university has agreements with other international universities in more than 20 countries of the world and offers 13 international double degrees to the students. It is well known for the on-campus research activity with more than 80% of the faculty members participating in research activities.
7. Ramon Llull University
Ramon Llull University is a cheap university located in Barcelona. This university was founded in 1990 for not-for-profit purposes. Since its establishment, the university has gained much repute among the other top universities in Barcelona. It comprises 14 different schools and colleges and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 70 programs. It is best known for its engineering programs. International students can also get admission to this university. Several different scholarships are available to the students to study at Ramon Llull University. International students make up more than 10% of the total student body at Ramon Llull University.
The universities listed above could be your gateway, as an international student, to a fulfilling career. If you already know the program you want to pursue, check out these universities and find the one that suits you best. All the best!
We hope this article on cheap universities in Barcelona was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Spain and Available Programs for International Students in Europe pages for more informative articles.
