Explore universities and programs in Barcelona for international students.
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Barcelona has a glamorous, stylish profile. It has great nightlife, culture, excellent food and beaches, making it a dream international student destination.
Barcelona’s architecture is well-known, particularly the work of Gaudi. You can see his best known work at the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. Alternatively, head to the Camp Nou to see the Barcelona football team, who are one of the best in the world.
Barcelona is home to some of Spain’s most respected universities where you can study as an international student. There are also a number of private institutions and colleges that specialize in a particular area, including business schools and art colleges.
It’s important to be aware that many programs in Barcelona will be taught in Catalan as well as Spanish. English is used as a language of instruction at some universities too.
Barcelona is home to several large public universities, all of which offer a wide range of programs across all the main subject areas. This means you should be able to find the right program for you if you want to study in Barcelona.
The city is particularly strong in offering business programs, with a number of prestigious business schools located in Barcelona.
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International students can expect to pay around $3,000 per year for tuition at a public university in Barcelona. Fees at private universities can be much higher, and can be as much as $25,000 per year, but the exact amount will depend on the institution and program you’re applying for.
Barcelona is a relatively affordable city to live in, although it is slightly more expensive than other cities in Spain like Seville or Madrid.
| Category | Cost (in Euro) |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre | €907 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre | €710 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse) | €133 |
| Internet (60 Mbps unlimited) | €29 |
| Mobile phone plan (data + calls) | €16 |
| Monthly public transport pass | €30 |
| Monthly grocery basket | €250 |
| Coffee shop drink | €2 |
| Cinema or cultural event ticket | €9 |
| Gym membership | €41 |
Indicative monthly costs per person.
Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).
Once you found the program and university you want to attend in Barcelona, you’ll need to meet the requirements set by the University, which for some of the more competitive programs may include a Spanish university entrance examination (Selectividad). This includes tests on text analysis, the history of Spain and a foreign language exam.
To apply as an undergraduate student, you’ll need to contact the Spanish National University for Distance Education to validate your documents. You can then apply directly to the university of your choice.
When you’ve received confirmation of your place at a university in Barcelona, you’ll need to apply for your Spanish student visa.
Studying in Barcelona has been a great experience. The city is very multicultural, with people from all over the world, which makes it easy to meet new people and feel welcome. Public transport is reliable and well-connected, so getting around is simple and affordable. There’s also a lively nightlife and plenty of cultural activities, so there’s always something to do outside of class.
I’m studying in Barcelona and I absolutely love the city! Although Barcelona is a place that is very touristic and people must be careful with their belongings, it is also a very vibrant and alive place. The public transport is very well organized, there are activities for everyone, no matter if you want to go to the beach, chill in a park, go shopping in the center, go for a nice dinner, or enjoy the nightlife, there is something for everyone in Barcelona.
Barcelona is one of the best cities to study in. It’s vibrant, international, and full of life. I felt welcome from day one, the locals are friendly, and the city has a mix of cultures that makes it easy to meet new people from all over the world. Public transport is excellent: metro, buses, trains, and even electric bikes make it super easy to get around. I always felt safe, even walking around at night.
I'm studying in Barcelona. I really love the city, there are many things to do and many places to visit. I love the transportation method, you can get a 3 months pass and easily explore the city. The nightlife is really nice too. You can go to many bars (hidden bars, stock market bars, traditional bars) and you have many clubs options in case you love clubbing.
Barcelona, It's an amazing city. Culture as Gaudi legacy / Monuments / Concerts / Museums; Nightlife is present in everday basis in Barcelona; Sports with the famous club FC Barcelona and Camp Nou staduim. The transports facilities are really good, a lot of metro lines ocver all Barcelona, plus buses and tram. There is a lot and big shopping centers.
