Best Universities in Spain

Best Universities in Spain for International Students

With an international student population in the country that exceeds 75,000, there is no doubt that Spain is a melting pot of cultures hailing from around the world. The country 16th when it comes to most popular destinations for study, offering a wide variety of academic opportunities, programs, fields of study, and or course universities catering to students in multiple languages. The reasons students choose to study here are numerous and broad [link to Why Study in Spain], much like the opportunities the country provides.

Spain’s 78 universities are known for their wide range of programs and their variation in teach languages - though most courses are in English or Spanish. This gives students the opportunity to study in and learn some of the world’s most widely spoken languages.

With so many options, how are students to decide which university and program is best for them? We’ve compiled top university rankings in Spain for international students based on a variety of attributes:

Top Spanish Universities

Of course, students are looking to travel to a new destination to study among the best and brightest. These universities attract just that: students who have dedicated themselves to their studies and who are committed to becoming the best they can be at the best universities Spain has to offer. According to Times Higher Education, the top 10 universities in Spain are:

1. Pompeu Fabra University
2. Autonomous University of Barcelona
3. University of Barcelona
4. University of Navarra
5. Autonomous University of Madrid
6. Polytechnic University of Catalonia
7. University of Rovira i Virgili
8. Complutense University of Madrid
9. University of Granada
10. Polytechnic University of Valencia

Top 10 Spanish Universities by International Student Percentage

It’s no doubt the going to a new country with a culture, language, and setting that differs from that which is familiar can be taxing on a student. The experience of learning new customs and engaging in new locations is one of the most exciting and daunting opportunities a student can undergo. So, it’s not surprising that many benefit from a university that invites many international students, all experiencing the same culture shock and excitement together. Here are the top 10 Spanish universities for welcoming international students to their campuses:

1. University of Alcalá (21% international students)
2. University of Navarra (19%)
3. Autonomous University of Barcelona (16%)
4. University of Granada (14%)
5. Carlos III University of Madrid (14%)
6. University of Salamanca (14%)
7. Autonomous University of Madrid (13%)
8. Complutense University of Madrid (13%)
9. Pompeu Fabra University (12%)
10. Polytechnic University of Catalonia (12%)

Top 10 Spanish universities for Student-to-Staff Ratios

Some of the highest-quality education comes from maintaining direct access to a teacher or professor. It follows that students engaging in studies far from home will want a smaller student-to-teacher ratio (meaning a smaller difference between the number of students and faculty). Spain has many options in this regard - in fact, here are the top 10 Spanish universities with the lowest student-to-teacher ratios in the country:

1. Polytechnic University of Catalonia (9.8 students for every staff member)
2. Polytechnic University of Valencia (10:1)
3. Carlos III University of Madrid (11.1:1)
4. University of Zaragoza (11.2:1)
5. University of A Coruña (11.9:1)
6. University of Barcelona (12.4:1)
7. University of Rovira i Virgili (12.6:1)
8. Autonomous University of Barcelona (12.9:1)
9. University of Alcalá (13.1:1)
10. Autonomous University of Madrid (13.4:1)