The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is one of Spain’s top research universities and provides international students with a vibrant campus experience in a city famous for its culture, architecture, and relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most diverse cities, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has a big, green main campus in Bellaterra. This gives students a special place to study, away from the busy city, but it’s still easy to get to the city centre. There’s also another campus located in Barcelona, allowing students to experience the best of both locations based on their program. Students here get to learn in a university known for good research, and they also experience the best of Barcelona’s lifestyle, including its beautiful buildings, fun beach scene, and a city that has plenty to do no matter what time of day it is.
The UAB is one of the top universities in Spain and often appears in high positions in European and worldwide university lists. It has more than 35,000 students and connects with many universities around the world, making it a real center for research and learning. Whether you’re going for a semester abroad, studying for a bachelor’s degree, or joining a summer program, the UAB provides students from around the world with a well-organized and encouraging environment that makes it easier to adjust and feel at home.
Arts: Audiovisual Communication, Organisational Communication, Interactive Communication, Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations
Economics & Business: Business Administration, Accounting and Finance, Business and Information Technology, Economics, Aerospace Management, Smart and Sustainable City Management, Tourism, Hotel Management
Education: Early Childhood Education, Educational Sciences, Primary School Education, Social Pedagogy
Engineering: Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Industrial Electronics, Automotive Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Technology, Electronics for Telecommunications, Electronics and Industrial Mechanics, Industrial Engineering, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Information Technology and Services, Mechanical Engineering, Telecommunications Systems Engineering
Humanities: Classics, Archaeology, Art History, Catalan and Spanish, Catalan Studies, Contemporary History, Politics and Economics, English and Catalan, English and Classical Languages, English and French, English and Spanish, English Studies, Geography and Spatial Planning, History, Humanities, Musicology, Philosophy, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Gender Studies, Spanish and Chinese Studies, Spanish Language and Literature, East Asian Studies, Translation and Interpreting
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Natural Sciences, Technology and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Applied Statistics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Data Analysis, Geology, Mathematics, Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, Physics
Social Sciences: Criminology, Industrial Relations, Law, Political Science and Public Administration, Spanish and French Law
UAB offers students the opportunity to live right on the main campus in Bellaterra: the Vila Universitària provides over 2,000 accommodation places, allowing students to combine their studies with everyday life in one place. The complex is entirely geared towards students’ needs and, in addition to comfortable rooms, offers communal areas, a swimming pool and other leisure facilities.
For international students planning a semester abroad or a bachelor’s degree programme in Barcelona, campus accommodation is a convenient and sociable option for quickly making friends.
As an EU citizen, you do not need a separate student visa to study in Spain, your ID card is sufficient.
Students from non-EU countries, however, must apply for a national student visa (Visado de Estudios). To do this, you will usually need your letter of acceptance from the university, as well as further proof of financial means and health insurance.
Want to learn more about visas for studying abroad? Check out our FAQ for more info on student visa.
To apply for the UAB Study Abroad programme, you will need the following documents:
Yes, proof of adequate health insurance cover is required for enrolment. EU students can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers basic medical care in Spain.
For comprehensive cover, particularly for longer stays or a full course of study abroad, we also recommend taking out private international health insurance.
Learn more about study abroad insurance in our FAQ.
UAB does not offer its own scholarships specifically for international study abroad students. However, it is worth enquiring at your home university about funding opportunities, as many universities provide external funding for study abroad programmes.
Learn more about study abroad scholarships and get our best tips on how to write a scholarship application.
The UAB is one of Spain’s most prestigious universities and regularly features at the top of the leading international university rankings.
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, it is ranked 172nd globally, making it one of Spain’s leading universities.
It also ranks among the top 200 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and is the second-best university in Spain in this ranking. This makes the UAB an excellent choice for anyone looking to spend a semester abroad or undertake a bachelor’s degree in Barcelona.
Semester dates: 3rd September - 18th December (Bellaterra: bis Februar 2027)
Deadline: 12th June 2026
Semester dates: January - 23rd April (Bellaterra: February - July)
Deadline: To be announced
Your study abroad dream is closer than ever. Apply now and start your adventure!
