Spain offers a varied selection of universities spread throughout the country and all of them are well known in Europe for their prestige. Do you want to know which are the best universities in Spain?
Spain’s universities follow the standards set by the European Higher Education Area, an educational organization formed by the member countries of the European Union that aims to unify the various European educational systems and provide a more efficient form of exchange for all students.
In compliance with European Union legislation, Spain has a system for the recognition of degrees obtained outside the country. The European Network of Information Centers offers information on the processes of homologation and professional recognition in Spain.
Types of universities in Spain: public and private.
Most universities are public, which means that they are financed by the State, through the central administration and the autonomous communities. They are governed by the general student admission system and the cost of tuition is set by the corresponding administration.
Private universities, on the other hand, are self-financed, have their own student admission systems and independently set the cost of tuition, which is usually more expensive than at a public university.
Most private universities are associated with the Catholic Church, which does not mean that the academic education they provide is associated with religious instruction.
There are also so-called University Centers, which are not constituted as universities because of their size or specialty, but are usually affiliated with an officially recognized university to grant official degrees. These are private organizations affiliated with public universities. These institutions can manage their own admission procedures and determine their own tuition fees.
On the other hand, Departments in universities are groups of academics and researchers who study the same subject. They are made up of all the academics assigned to the corresponding field.
Typical structure of Spanish universities
- University Schools: these are the bodies that coordinate the studies leading to first-cycle degrees.
- Faculties and Colleges: these are the institutions that organize the educational system and offer official first- and second-cycle degrees.
- University Institutes: postgraduate or specialty teaching and research institutes.
Spanish universities adhere to the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System), which allows higher education institutions in European Union (EU) member countries to measure and compare learning materials and transfer them from one institution to another. It can also be used within the same institution or between institutions in the same country.
This system was developed to help young Europeans study in any European Union nation by simplifying subject equivalency processes, transferring academic credits and guaranteeing full recognition of studies completed at any university affiliated with the ECTS system.
In ECTS, 60 academic credits reflect the workload of an academic year of study, with 30 credits representing a semester and 20 credits representing a trimester.
Students participating in the ECTS program earn credits for work done at each ECTS institution and can transfer those credits from one participating school to another based on prior agreements between institutions that take into account the content of the work.
List of the best universities in Spain
There are 76 universities in Spain, of which 45 are state-owned and subsidized and 31 are private or run by the Catholic Church. In January 2022, the Ranking Web De Universidades placed the University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona), the University of Valencia (La Universitat de València), the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Granada (Universidad de Granada) and the Autonomous University of Madrid as the top five universities in Spain.
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University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona)
The University of Barcelona is the second highest rated Spanish university in the world. Founded in 1450, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the world, with a rich tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The university’s 16 faculties and 106 departments have some 63,000 students enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate courses. Many of the subject areas included by the QS World University Rankings by Subject place the University of Barcelona among the top 100 universities in the world.
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University of Valencia (La Universitat de València)
The former University of Valencia is located in Spain’s third largest city, Valencia, which hugs the beautiful Mediterranean coast. It is one of the oldest universities in Spain, with roots dating back to 1499. The three main campuses are scattered around the city, but are close enough to the coast to take a quick walk to it. Don’t be fooled by the use of Valencian, a Catalan dialect. Most locals also know Spanish, so be sure to sign up for classes that are taught in Spanish or English and not Valencian.
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Autonomous University of Barcelona
The Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona, founded in 1968, is ranked 193rd in the world, making it the third largest international representation of Spain. It is included in the QS Top 50 Under 50 as one of the world’s leading universities under 50 years old. It has about 40,000 students and is known for being one of the few universities in Spain with a centralized campus, which was built to foster a strong university community by bringing together all academic, research, cultural and social activities in one place. This integrated campus is about 20 kilometers from the center of Barcelona.
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University of Granada
The Institution of Granada, the fourth largest university in Spain, attracts a large number of international students each year. It is widely regarded not only as one of the best institutions in Spain, but also as one of the best for international students. You will feel cared for and meet students from all over the world with five campuses and a wide variety of disciplines to study. If your goal is to learn Spanish, make sure you don’t fall into your original language!
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Autonomous University of Madrid
The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (also known as UAM or Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) was founded in 1968 and is currently ranked 159th in the QS World University Rankings 2019, as well as in the QS Top 50 Under 50. UAM has about 36,000 students enrolled in its eight faculties, with the Faculty of Law being especially well known. It has three campuses, the most important being Cantoblanco, located 15 kilometers north of Madrid. The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is pleased to be the alma mater of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain.
If you need advice on the educational system in Spain and require assistance in enrolling your children in one of the best universities in Spain, do not hesitate to contact Orience. The Asset Management & Concierge Services department will be happy to assist you.