About the University of Barcelona
Basic Information and Contact Details
Established in 1450, the University of Barcelona is a well-rounded institution that blends a rich academic heritage with cutting-edge scientific research. It’s located in the vibrant city of Barcelona, one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the Mediterranean—and in Europe.
The University has 16 faculties spread across six major campuses throughout the city. These campuses are fully integrated into the urban environment, and since many of them are in central areas, the city itself essentially becomes part of the university.
With 16 libraries and 100,000 square meters dedicated to health and sports, the UB provides a broad array of student services. Around 7,000 square meters of developed space are available to support the largest university community in Catalonia.
Why Choose the University of Barcelona?
A Leader in Research
The University is at the forefront of research, boasting over 7,100 scientific publications (according to the Web of Science), 1,029 active research projects, 250 consolidated research groups, 16 UB research institutes, and 700 doctoral theses completed in the 2021–2022 academic year.
International Focus
With more than 3,578 agreements signed with international universities and institutions, students have access to roughly 1,400 exchange opportunities at universities worldwide.
Living in Barcelona
Barcelona ranks as the best city in Spain for students and is among the world’s top 35 student cities. The university offers over 100,000 square meters of sports and health facilities—join sports leagues, train outdoors, sign up for group activities, and much more. Plus, students can get involved in various cultural activities and student representative groups.
Libraries and Digital Resources
UB has 16 libraries that have been awarded the European seal of excellence (by the European Foundation for Quality Management). These libraries provide access to over 2.2 million resources, more than 38,000 electronic journals, over 300,000 loanable items, and 250 specialized databases.
Wide Range of Doctoral Programs
Doctoral programs at UB can be pursued either full-time or part-time over a span of three to five years. Students can benefit from a mix of cross-disciplinary and subject-specific training. There’s also an industrial doctorate track, where students work on their thesis through a partnership between the University and a company.
University Rankings
World University Rankings 2025
Overall Global Rank: =149th
Subject Rankings 2025
- Arts and Humanities: 77th
- Business and Economics: 301–400th
- Clinical & Health: 73rd
- Education: 101–125th
- Engineering: 301–400th
- Law: 126–150th
- Life Sciences: 101–125th
- Physical Sciences: 176–200th
- Psychology: 101–125th
- Social Sciences: 101–125th
Overall Scores – World Rankings 2025
- Overall: 62
- Teaching: 41.6
- Research Environment: 50.1
- Research Quality: 90.2
- Industry Engagement: 80.5
- International Outlook: 65.6
Ranking Progress (2016–2025)
UB’s rankings have shown consistent progress across various indicators over the years.
Impact Rankings 2025
- Overall: 101–200th
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rankings
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being, 2023): 101–200th
- SDG 4 (Quality Education, 2025): 27th
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality, 2023): 101–200th
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 2025): 101–200th
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities, 2023): 98th
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production, 2025): 101–200th
- SDG 13 (Climate Action, 2025): =57th
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, 2025): =98th
- SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals, 2025): 401–600th
Impact Ranking Progress (2020–2025)
The University has maintained a strong performance in sustainability and societal impact rankings over recent years.
Key Student Stats
- Gender Ratio: 64% Female : 36% Male
- International Students: 12%
- Student-to-Staff Ratio: 15.2 students per staff member
- Total Enrollment: 45,402 students
(Data based on the 2025 World University Rankings)
Subjects Taught at UB
Here’s a selection of academic areas offered at the University of Barcelona:
Arts and Humanities
- Archaeology
- Art, Performing Arts & Design
- History, Philosophy & Theology
- Languages, Literature & Linguistics
Business and Economics
- Accounting & Finance
- Business & Management
- Economics & Econometrics
Computer Science
- Computer Science
Education Studies
- Education
Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- General Engineering
Law
- Law
Life Sciences
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Biological Sciences
- Sport Science
Medical and Health
- Medicine & Dentistry
- Other Health Sciences
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Physics & Astronomy
Psychology
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Communication & Media Studies
- Geography
- Politics & International Studies
- Sociology