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Best universities in Spain 2024

Explore the top universities in Spain using data from the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings

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October 5 2023
University of Seville

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Top 9 universities in Spain 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Spain 

Spain Rank 2024 World University Ranking 2024 World University Ranking 2023 University City
1 =152 182 University of Barcelona Barcelona
=2 201–250 =183 Autonomous University of Barcelona Barcelona
=2 201–250 186 Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona
4 301–350 251–300 University of Navarra Pamplona
5 351–400 301–350 Autonomous University of Madrid Madrid
=6 501–600 401–500 Complutense University of Madrid Madrid
=6 501–600 601–800 University of Granada Granada
=6 501–600 601–800 Rovira i Virgili University Tarragona
=6 501–600 501–600 University of Valencia Valencia

Many students are attracted to Spain for its beaches, vibrant cities, festivals and beautiful architecture.

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Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly, it is the country with the third-largest number of Unesco World Heritage Sites – after Italy and China. There is an abundance of things to do including eating at quirky restaurants, visiting the many art galleries and museums and spending time at the beach and in the countryside. 

Spain has 55 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, with some of the most highly ranked and popular located in Madrid, Barcelona and the smaller cities of Seville and Granada. Each region of Spain is different, so students should base where they want to study not just on the university but also on the lifestyle associated with the region.

One of the reasons for Spain’s popularity with international students is that, generally, it is relatively cheap to live there. The cost of goods and services in Spain is below average in comparison with other European countries.

One of the major reasons students choose to study abroad is the opportunity to learn another language, and as Spain’s national dialect is the second most spoken language in the world it has become a popular destination for international students. 

While the majority of courses are taught in Spanish, there are also a number of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in English to accommodate overseas students. 


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5. Autonomous University of Madrid

The main campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid is situated in the Cantoblanco area on the outskirts of Madrid and is connected to the city centre by commuter train. 

Famous alumni include several former government ministers; Gaspar Llamazares, former leader of the United Left Party; and HM King Felipe VI of Spain, who graduated with a degree in law.

The university has 16 cafes and canteens, indoor and outdoor pools, a medical centre, sports pitches and beach volleyball courts, as well as a train station and bus services on campus. 

4. University of Navarra

The University of Navarra is a  private non-profit university founded in 1952.

It initially started as a law school and now has 14 faculties, two university schools, 17 institutes, a business school and many other centres and institutions. The university offers more than 120 degrees, but all courses include aspects of theology.

The university has agreements with other institutions, including the universities of Washington, Hong Kong and Edinburgh, to encourage international exchanges between students. 

The university is located in Pamplona, which is famous for the running of the bulls during the San Fermín festival.

=2. Pompeu Fabra University

Pompeu Fabra University is still a fairly young university, having been set up in 1990 in Barcelona.

The university’s strengths lie in the social sciences, humanities, health, life sciences, communication and ICT.

It is named after the linguist Pompeu Fabra, an expert on the Catalan language, who was credited with giving the language the status it has today. Catalan is the official language of Pompeu Fabra University. Students wishing to learn Catalan will have plenty of opportunity in Barcelona and around Pompeu Fabra.

There are three campuses located across Barcelona. Social and human sciences are studied at Ciutadella, health and life sciences at Mar and communication and IT at Poblenou.

2. Autonomous University of Barcelona

The main campus is located in Bellaterra, one of the main industrial and technological districts of Mediterranean Europe, and only 25 minutes from the centre of Barcelona. 

The institution has 13 faculties, including biosciences, communication, arts and humanities, medicine and translation and interpreting. 

The university offers 87 bachelor’s degrees, 315 master’s degrees, and 68 PhD programmes. Undergraduate degrees in business management and administration, economics, primary education and tourism are offered fully in English, and many other degrees offer subjects in English. The university attracts many international students because of this. 

1. University of Barcelona

The University of Barcelona is one of the biggest universities in Spain, and welcomes a large number of students from both Spain and abroad every year.

There are 73 bachelor’s degree courses, more than 140 standard master’s degree courses, more than 400 UB-specific master’s degree courses and postgraduate diplomas, and 48 doctoral programmes.

Two degree courses are taught wholly in English (international business and English studies) and five are taught partially in English.


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Top universities in Spain 2024

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 results

Spain Rank 2024 World University Ranking 2024 World University Ranking 2023 University City
1 =152 182 University of Barcelona Barcelona
=2 201–250 =183 Autonomous University of Barcelona Barcelona
=2 201–250 186 Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona
4 301–350 251–300 University of Navarra Pamplona
5 351–400 301–350 Autonomous University of Madrid Madrid
=6 501–600 401–500 Complutense University of Madrid Madrid
=6 501–600 601–800 University of Granada Granada
=6 501–600 601–800 Rovira i Virgili University Tarragona
=6 501–600 501–600 University of Valencia Valencia
=10 601–800 801–1000 University of the Basque Country Leioa
=10 601–800 601–800 University of Córdoba Córdoba
=10 601–800 501–600 Open University of Catalonia Barcelona
=10 601–800 801–1000 Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelona
=10 601–800 801–1000 Polytechnic University of Valencia Valencia
=10 601–800 501–600 Universitat Ramon Llull Barcelona
=10 601–800 601–800 University of Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Alcalá Alcalá de Henares
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of the Balearic Islands Palma de Mallorca
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 Carlos III University of Madrid Madrid
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Castilla-La Mancha Ciudad Real
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Deusto Bilbao
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Girona Girona
=17 801–1000 801–1000 Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Barcelona
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Jaén Jaén
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 Jaume I University Castellón de la Plana
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Lleida Lleida
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Murcia Murcia
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Oviedo Oviedo
=17 801–1000 801–1000 Pablo de Olavide University Seville
=17 801–1000 801–1000 University of Salamanca Salamanca
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Seville Seville
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 Technical University of Madrid Madrid
=17 801–1000 501–600 University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia Vic
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Vigo Vigo
=17 801–1000 1001–1200 University of Zaragoza Zaragoza
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 University of A Coruña A Coruña
=36 1001–1200 1201–1500 University of Alicante Alicante
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 University of Almería Almería
=36 1001–1200 1201–1500 University of Cadiz Cadiz
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 European University of Madrid Madrid
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 University of Extremadura Badajoz
=36 1001–1200 801–1000 University of La Laguna Tenerife
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Gran Canaria
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 University of León León
=36 1001–1200 1201–1500 University of Malaga Malaga
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 Miguel Hernández University of Elche Elche
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 Public University of Navarre Pamplona
=36 1001–1200 1001–1200 Technical University of Cartagena Cartagena
=49 1201–1500 1001–1200 University of Burgos Burgos
=49 1201–1500 1001–1200 Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) Murcia
=49 1201–1500 NR Universidad Loyola Cordoba
=49 1201–1500 1201–1500 National University of Distance Education (UNED) Madrid
=49 1201–1500 1001–1200 University Rey Juan Carlos Madrid
=49 1201–1500 1201–1500 UNIR – International University of La Rioja Logroño
=49 1201–1500 1201–1500 University of Valladolid Valladolid
56 1501+ 1501+ Comillas Pontifical University Madrid
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