🇪🇸 University of Barcelona: Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
QS 2027 #165 · €1,061 a year · Barcelona
Quick Facts
| Location | Barcelona, Spain |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | #165 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026). |
| International Students | Over 12,000 international students from 122 countries, part of a 60,000-strong student body across 16 faculties |
| Secondary Qualification (Indian students) | Requirements vary by programme; equivalency of your secondary qualification to the Spanish Bachillerato is assessed case by case through the UNED credencial de acceso process |
| English Requirement (Undergraduate) | IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum for most English-taught programmes) |
| English Requirement (Postgraduate) | IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL 90 for most English-taught Master's programmes |
| Approx. Acceptance Rate | Not officially published as a single figure; competitiveness varies significantly by faculty and programme |
Founded in 1450, the University of Barcelona is Spain's highest-ranked and most internationally recognised university, offering over 400 graduate and postgraduate programmes across 16 faculties in one of Europe's most popular student cities, known for its blend of Mediterranean lifestyle and a thriving tech and startup scene.
Tuition for International Students (2026-27)
€1,061 per year (2026-27 bachelor’s price of €17.69 per credit for a 60-credit year, first enrolment; UB lists separate non-EU prices only for master’s, and repeat enrolments cost more). Source: Universitat de Barcelona: 2026-27 enrolment prices. Add at least €7,200 a year for living costs (study visa minimum; source below).
Real Scholarships: Not Just a List of Names
University of Barcelona International Scholarships
Merit and need-based awards for international students; Fundación Carolina also offers grants specifically for students from non-EU countries. Confirm current amounts on UB's official scholarships page.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
Barcelona's strong tech scene and startup ecosystem, alongside Spain's 30-hour weekly student work allowance under Royal Decree 1155/2024, give graduates genuine early-career opportunities beyond the standard Job Seeker visa pathway.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barcelona good for international students?
University of Barcelona is ranked #165 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 1st of the 2 universities in Spain covered on VisaCalc. International tuition runs €1,061 a year for a full first-year course load. After graduating: job-search residence permit after graduating (12 months). Whether it is a good fit depends on your program, budget and career plans; use the cost calculator and comparison charts on this page.
What tuition does Barcelona charge international students?
€1,061 per year (2026-27 bachelor’s price of €17.69 per credit for a 60-credit year, first enrolment; UB lists separate non-EU prices only for master’s, and repeat enrolments cost more), checked 30 October 2026.
What IELTS score do I need for Barcelona?
IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum for most English-taught programmes) for undergraduate, IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL 90 for most English-taught Master's programmes for postgraduate. Specific programme requirements vary; always confirm on the official admissions page for your chosen degree.
Can I work in Spain after graduating from Barcelona?
Barcelona's strong tech scene and startup ecosystem, alongside Spain's 30-hour weekly student work allowance under Royal Decree 1155/2024, give graduates genuine early-career opportunities beyond the standard Job Seeker visa pathway.
See the full Spain university landscape and visa pathway.
🇪🇸 Study in Spain Guide 🔗 Official Barcelona Website
Worked example: a full degree at University of Barcelona
An international student starting a 4-year bachelor's at the lowest fee shown, budgeting the official visa living-cost figure. Rates are converted at the 29 Oct 2026 reference rates; use the calculator above to change any assumption.
| Tuition | €1,061 a year (2026-27 bachelor's price: €17.69 per credit × 60 credits, first enrolment (separate non-EU prices apply only to master's)) |
| Living costs | €7,200 a year (100% of IPREM (€600/month in 2026) for a 12-month stay) |
| Years | 4 (typical bachelor's length) |
| Total, fees flat | €33,044 ≈ ₹35.1 lakh ≈ $36,830 |
| Total if costs rise 4% a year | €35,080 ≈ ₹37.3 lakh |
The visa living-cost figure is a legal minimum, not a comfortable budget. Scholarships are not deducted.
Sources
- Universitat de Barcelona: 2026-27 enrolment prices
- Orla: Spain's top universities in QS 2027
- ApplyBoard: Spain student visa funds 2026-27 (IPREM)
- Exchange rates: open.er-api.com reference rates, 29 Oct 2026
How we checked this page
Fees for University of Barcelona come from the university's published fee pages (indicative: no 2026-27 schedule we could verify); the QS 2027 position from Orla: Spain's top universities in QS 2027; living costs from ApplyBoard: Spain student visa funds 2026-27 (IPREM). Checked on 30 October 2026. Course-level fees vary, so confirm your exact program on the official University of Barcelona website before paying anything. VisaCalc is independent of University of Barcelona. Not admissions or immigration advice.