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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB)

The Autonomous University of Barcelona is a public university founded in 1968, with a large campus in Bellaterra just outside Barcelona. It ranks 211th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (third in Spain) and 183rd in THE 2026 (second in Spain). For international students it offers two notable advantages: complete English-taught bachelor's programmes (artificial intelligence, business, economics, history and politics) and bachelor's tuition of $20 (€17.69) per credit with no non-EU surcharge, about $1,210 for 60 credits in 2026/27. Master's programmes cost non-EU students more: $75–115 (€66–100) per credit. Bachelor's admission follows Catalan rules. The June round, which in 2026 ran from 2 to 26 June, requires a final homologación of your school certificate and passed entrance exams.

Plaça Cívica, the central square of the Bellaterra campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain. Photo: ESM / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Universitat_Autònoma_de_Barcelona_-_plaça_cívica_vista_general.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Bellaterra campus (Cerdanyola del Vallès) near Barcelona; clinical training in university hospitals |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Rankings | QS WUR 2027: 211 (third in Spain); THE WUR 2026: 183 (second in Spain); ARWU 2026: 201–300 |
| Size | 15 faculties and schools (including the Doctoral School and the School of Continuing Education), 10 affiliated centres; 109 bachelor's programmes and 27,576 bachelor's students (2024/25); 144 master's programmes |
| English-taught bachelor's | 11 programmes with 30–80 places each, including Artificial Intelligence (40), Business Administration (70) and Economics (40) |
| Bachelor's fee, 2026/27 | $20 (€17.69) per credit for everyone — about $1,210 (€1,061) per 60 ECTS plus fees |
| Master's fee, non-EU without residence | $75–115 (€66–100) per credit — $4,520–6,850 (€3,960–6,000) per 60 ECTS; $20 (€19.37) for EU students |
| Bachelor's admission (2026 benchmark) | Catalan preinscripció 2–26 June; September round 16–17 September |
| Housing | Vila Universitària on campus: 800+ apartments for 2,100 residents; a place in a shared room from $320 (€281) a month |

## Who UAB suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

| Advantages | Limitations |
| --- | --- |
| Genuine English-taught bachelor's degrees with their own codes and quotas | Few places: 30–80 per programme, in one open competition |
| Bachelor's tuition under $1,300 a year even for non-EU students | The June round requires a final homologación |
| On-campus housing with affordable rooms in Vila Universitària apartments | The campus is outside the city, so you take a train into central Barcelona |
| More than thirty English-taught master's programmes, including several Erasmus Mundus degrees | Master's tuition for non-EU students is 3–5 times the resident rate |
| Strong humanities: 68th for Arts and Humanities in THE 2026 | Catalan can make up a large share of teaching in Catalan/Spanish programmes |

UAB is especially attractive if you want to study in English from the first year and live on campus. If a historic city-centre setting and Spanish-taught programmes matter more, compare it with the [University of Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-barcelona). If you are also considering Madrid, note the price gap: at [Complutense](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-complutense) and the [Autonomous University of Madrid](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-autonoma-madrid), bachelor's tuition for non-EU students is $7,790–9,340 a year. The guide to [universities in Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-barcelona) covers the city's other options.

## Which bachelor's programmes are taught in English in 2026/27? {#section-2}

Each programme has its own pre-registration code and a fixed number of places:

| Programme | Pre-registration code | Places | Teaching centre |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Artificial Intelligence | 21139 | 40 | School of Engineering |
| Bioinformatics (joint UAB, UPC, UB, UPF) | 91917 | 50 | Faculty of Biosciences |
| Business Administration — English | 21099 | 70 | Faculty of Economics and Business Studies |
| Contemporary History, Politics and Economics | 21138 | 60 | Faculty of Arts and Humanities |
| Economics — English | 21110 | 40 | Faculty of Economics and Business Studies |
| English Studies | 21135 | 80 | Faculty of Arts and Humanities |
| English and Catalan / Classics / French / Spanish | 21140 / 21141 / 21143 / 21142 | 30 each | Faculty of Arts and Humanities |
| Tourism — English | 21114 | 60 | affiliated school, Fundació UAB |

English-taught programmes do not exempt you from Catalonia's general admission rules. The entrance exams still include Spanish language and literature, plus a foreign language, history or history of philosophy, and a modality subject. For a country-wide overview, see [English-taught degrees in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain).

## Which faculties does UAB have, and how is the campus organised? {#section-3}

UAB's main faculties and schools are: biosciences, science, communication studies, education, political science and sociology, law, economics and business studies, arts and humanities, medicine, psychology and speech therapy, translation and interpreting, veterinary medicine, and the School of Engineering. There is also a Doctoral School and a School of Continuing Education. The university has 57 departments.

Almost everything is in Bellaterra: teaching buildings, libraries, sports facilities, a theatre and the Vila Universitària residential village. The campus is linked to Barcelona by FGC commuter trains and buses. Clinical training in medical programmes takes place in university hospitals. Each programme page states where it is taught.

## How to apply for a bachelor's under Catalan rules {#section-4}

You do not apply to UAB directly. Applications go through the Catalan government's single pre-registration (preinscripció), which covers all seven public universities in the region. For school-leavers from non-EU systems:

1. Homologación of your school certificate at Spain's Ministry of Education. The June round requires the final decision; the application receipt (volante) is not enough.
2. Entrance exams: the Catalan PAU, another region's EBAU, or UNEDasiss PCEs. Compulsory subjects are Spanish language and literature, a foreign language (English, German, French or Italian), history or history of philosophy, and a modality subject. For engineering and AI, mathematics is the natural choice; for economics and business, mathematics for social sciences.
3. Access mark = 0.4 × the average of the four exams (at least 4) + 0.6 × the grade on your homologación credential. You need at least 5.
4. Admission mark up to 14: two optional subjects that carry weight for your chosen degree in the Catalan weighting table are added.

If you have passed the exams but your homologación is still pending, submit the June application anyway. You can upload the decision and results later, before pre-registration closes (usually at the end of October), and be placed in any remaining vacancies. The September round accepts applicants without exams or with only the homologación receipt, but they are considered last.

For a school-leaver from Russia or the CIS, this means homologación is rarely ready by June of the graduation year. The safer route is to take PCEs in spring (in 2026, registration ran from 16 March to 28 April, with exams in Spain on 25–29 May), submit the June application and add the homologación before autumn — or to plan a year ahead. Our guide to [applying to Spanish universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-spanish-universities) explains UNEDasiss, PCEs and certificate recognition in detail. If you want to improve your Spanish in Spain first, see [Spanish language courses in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spanish-language-courses-in-spain).

UAB also runs a Foundation Year for its tourism and prevention and safety degrees; the conditions are published in the Study Abroad section of its website.

### 2026 calendar as a guide to 2027/28

| Stage | 2026 dates |
| --- | --- |
| UNEDasiss accreditation | 4 Feb – 1 Dec |
| Spring PCE registration | 16 Mar – 28 Apr |
| Spring PCE exams in Spain | 25–29 May; results by 22 June |
| June preinscripció | 2–26 Jun |
| First allocation | 10 Jul |
| Second allocation | 23 Jul |
| September preinscripció | 16–17 Sep |
| September PCEs | register 1–22 Jul; exams 2–8 Sep |

The September 2026 PCE session listed Moscow among its exam centres abroad. The Generalitat usually publishes the next pre-registration calendar early in the year.

## How to apply for a master's at UAB {#section-5}

UAB offers 144 official master's programmes, more than thirty of them in English, for example:

- Advanced Genetics; Bioinformatics; Plant Biology, Genomics and Biotechnology;
- Economic Analysis; Applied Research in Economics and Business; Economics and Business Administration; Management, Organization and Business Economics;
- Computer Vision; Data Science; Health Data Science; Modelling for Science and Engineering;
- High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology; Quantum Science and Technology; Advanced Nanoscience and Nanotechnology;
- Political Science; International Security; International Development;
- Erasmus Mundus programmes including Models and Methods of Quantitative Economics, Education Policies for Global Development, Photonics, Public Policy, Vaccinology, and Infectious Diseases and One Health.

You apply online through each programme page, which lists deadlines, documents and selection criteria. Each application costs $34 (€30.21). If your degree is from outside the EU and has not been recognised, UAB checks its equivalence for $249 (€218.15). The programme page also explains how and when decisions are communicated. See [master's degrees in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-spain).

## How much does UAB cost in 2026/27? {#section-6}

| Item | EU citizens and residents | Non-EU without residence |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's, first-enrolment credit | $20 (€17.69) | $20 (€17.69) |
| Bachelor's, 60 ECTS | $1,210 (€1,061) | $1,210 (€1,061) |
| Non-professional master's, per credit | $20 (€19.37) | $75 (€66), $85 (€75), $95 (€82) and more, up to $115 (€100) depending on programme coefficient ($85 [€75] is most common) |
| Master's, 60 ECTS | $1,330 (€1,162) | $4,520–6,850 (€3,960–6,000); typically $5,140 (€4,500) |
| Professionally qualifying master's (e.g. health psychology, law practice, teacher training) | $20 (€17.69) | $75 (€66) |
| Academic file management, per year | $80 (€69.80) | $80 (€69.80) |
| Learning support services, per year | $80 (€70) | $80 (€70) |

Student insurance costs $1.30 (€1.12) for under-28s with Spanish status and $5 (€4.02) for the supplementary policy. UAB's online simulator shows the total for your programme. If paying from Russia, see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## How can you save: scholarships and other options {#section-7}

- Erasmus Mundus. Consortia of the joint master's programmes UAB takes part in award scholarships open to all nationalities; each programme publishes its conditions and amounts.
- Low bachelor's tuition. Even without a scholarship, a year of tuition costs under $1,300.
- Part-time work. Up to 30 hours a week are allowed on a student permit, provided the job fits around your studies.

Catalan and Spanish national grants are designed for residents. See [scholarships in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-spain) for all options.

## Where to live: Vila Universitària on campus {#section-8}

Vila Universitària is a residential village inside the campus with more than 800 apartments for 2,100 residents, about 700 of them from other continents. Nearby you will find a café-restaurant, a small supermarket, a pharmacy, bank branches, a bookshop and a gym.

| Option | Per person per month, 10-month contract (utilities extra) | Short contract with utilities, from 1 Sep 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Place in a double room (flats for 2–5) | $320–450 (€281–390) | $470–610 (€414–534) |
| Single room in a 3- or 5-person flat | $440–510 (€388–450) | $605–680 (€532–597) |
| Shared studio | $330 (€290) | $485 (€427) |
| Single studio | $700 (€615) | $940 (€822) |
| Superior studio (weekly cleaning and linen) | — | $595 (€523) per person shared, $1,160 (€1,013) alone |

Places go quickly, so book as soon as you are admitted. Guided visits are offered to future residents; the Vila website lists 6–24 July. If Vila is full, look for rooms in nearby towns such as Cerdanyola, Sant Cugat or Sabadell, or in Barcelona through Barcelona Centre Universitari. See [student housing in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-spain) for how to check a contract.

## What does living in and around Barcelona cost? {#section-9}

UAB's own estimate (its international student handbook, updated in July 2025) for a student in Barcelona and its surroundings is $910–1,370 (€800–1,200) a month: a room at $285–570 (€250–500), food at $285–400 (€250–350), transport at $70–90 (€60–80) and personal spending at $185–250 (€160–220). Living in a shared room at Vila keeps housing near the lower end. Under-30s can use the T-jove pass: unlimited travel across all zones for 90 days. For a full-year budget including visa proof of funds, see the [cost of studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-spain).

## Pros and cons for applicants from Russia and the CIS {#section-10}

Pros:

- you can study in English from year one, choosing from eleven programmes;
- one bachelor's price for everyone, with no non-EU surcharge;
- on-campus housing costs less than renting in central Barcelona;
- PCEs can be taken abroad, including Moscow (per the September 2026 exam-centre list).

Cons:

- the June round requires a final homologación, which a same-year school-leaver can rarely obtain in time;
- even for English-taught programmes, the entrance exams include Spanish language and literature;
- English-taught programmes have few places, and your mark decides;
- master's tuition for non-EU students is 3–5 times the resident rate;
- the visa is issued by the Spanish consulate; see the [Spanish student visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-spain) guide.

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-11}

- Applying to the university directly. Bachelor's admission in Catalonia runs only through the shared preinscripció; use the programme code, for example 21139 for AI.
- Skipping Spanish for an English-taught programme. Spanish language and literature is a compulsory exam for everyone.
- Waiting until admission to book Vila. The best options go over the summer.
- Budgeting a master's at the base price. The rate for non-EU students without residence is different; check it in the simulator.
- Confusing official and continuing-education programmes. For a visa and recognition you need an official máster universitario.

## Where UAB stands in the rankings {#section-12}

| Ranking | Position | Comment |
| --- | --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 211 | third in Spain |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 183 | second in Spain and 76th in Europe; Arts and Humanities 2026: 68 |
| ARWU 2026 | 201–300 | same band as Complutense |
| U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026–2027 | 131 | second in Spain |

## Working during and after your studies {#section-13}

A student permit allows up to 30 hours of work a week if compatible with your studies. According to UAB, 90% of bachelor's graduates and 91% of master's graduates were employed in 2023 (AQU Catalunya survey). The university runs a jobs portal for students and graduates. After graduating you can switch to a job-search permit under the rules in force at that time.

## FAQ {#section-14}

### Can I apply to UAB after 11 years of school?

Yes, no extra school year is required. You need homologación of your school certificate and passed entrance exams (PAU or PCE). For the June round, the homologación must be final. See [university in Spain after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spain-university-after-11-years-of-school).

### Does UAB offer bachelor's degrees fully in English?

UAB lists eleven English-taught programmes: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Business Administration, Economics, Contemporary History, Politics and Economics, English Studies, Tourism at an affiliated school and four combined-language degrees. In the combined degrees (English paired with Catalan, Spanish, French or Classics) part of the course is devoted to the second language, so they are not entirely in English.

### How much is a bachelor's for a non-EU student?

In 2026/27, $20 (€17.69) per credit — about $1,210 (€1,061) for 60 credits, plus roughly $160 (€140) in fees. The price is the same for EU and non-EU students.

### How much is a master's?

For non-EU students without residence, $75–115 (€66–100) per credit, most often $85 (€75). That is $4,520–6,850 (€3,960–6,000) for 60 credits. EU citizens and residents pay $20 (€19.37).

### Do I need Catalan?

Not for the English-taught programmes, except the English and Catalan combined degree. In Catalan/Spanish programmes the share of Catalan can be high, so check the programme page. The university offers language courses and support for international students.

### Can I live on campus?

Yes, at Vila Universitària. A place in a double room costs from $320 (€281) a month plus utilities, and a single studio from $700 (€615). Book as soon as you are admitted.

### Can StudyU help me apply to UAB?

Under a service agreement we shortlist programmes, plan homologación, UNEDasiss and PCEs for Catalan rules, prepare bachelor's and master's documents and support the visa stage. Admission is decided by the Generalitat and the university, and the visa by the Spanish consulate.

## Sources {#section-15}

- [UAB in the rankings](https://www.uab.cat/web/about-the-uab/the-uab/the-uab-in-the-rankings-1345667138662.html)
- [UAB in figures](https://www.uab.cat/web/about-the-uab/the-uab/the-uab-in-figures-1345966606047.html)
- [Bachelor's degrees in English: codes and places](https://www.uab.cat/web/studies/undergraduate/undergraduate-offer/bachelor-s-degrees-in-english-1345667078818.html)
- [Erasmus Mundus and master's degrees in English](https://www.uab.cat/web/studies/graduate/university-master-s-degrees/erasmus-mundus-and-master-s-degrees-in-english-1345666814838.html)
- [Faculties and schools](https://www.uab.cat/web/studies/undergraduate/undergraduate-offer/university-faculties-and-schools-1345667079493.html)
- [Bachelor's prices 2026-2027](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/grau/matricula/preus-dels-estudis-1345662202708.html)
- [Master's prices 2026-2027](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/masters-i-postgraus/masters-oficials/preus-dels-estudis-1345663349772.html)
- [UAB price list 2026-2027 (PDF)](https://www.uab.cat/doc/preus2025_2026)
- [Practical guide for international students (PDF)](https://www.uab.cat/doc/handbook-uab-ca1)
- [Vila Universitària: options and prices](https://vilauniversitaria.uab.cat/es/escoge-tu-piso/habitacion-compartida/)
- [Work authorisation for non-EU students](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudis/masters-i-postgraus/masters-universitaris/autoritzacio-de-feina-1345662922893.html)
- [Generalitat: applicants from foreign education systems](https://universitats.gencat.cat/es/acces-universitat/acces-segons-perfils-estudiants/estudiant-sistema-educatiu-estranger/)
- [Generalitat: 2026 pre-registration calendar](https://universitats.gencat.cat/es/preinscripcions/calendari/)
- [Generalitat: 2026-2027 tuition prices](https://universitats.gencat.cat/es/acces-universitat/sobre-preus-beques/preus-estudis-universitaris/)
- [UNEDasiss sessions and exam centres](https://unedasiss.uned.es/convocatorias)
- [THE World University Rankings: Autonomous University of Barcelona](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/autonomous-university-barcelona)
- [TMB: T-jove](https://www.tmb.cat/es/tarifas-metro-bus-barcelona/t-jove)

Dollar amounts use the ECB rate of 23 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411), rounded to the nearest $10 (small fees to the nearest $1).

For other Spanish universities, see [Study in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain). If you want to know whether you can make the June preinscripció and which English-taught UAB programme is realistic with your school certificate, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Master's Degree in Spain: Admission with a Non-EU Degree and 2027 Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-spain)
- [English-Taught Degrees in Spain: Where to Study Without Spanish and What It Costs in 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain)
- [Studying in Spain After 11 Years of School: How to Apply with a Russian Certificate in 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spain-university-after-11-years-of-school)
- [Scholarships in Spain for International Students in 2026: What Is Actually Open to Non-EU Applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-spain)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Spain for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain)

Updated: September 2026