Why should I study in Barcelona?

5 reasons to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Although you will hear it quite often, don’t get confused and make this common mistake: ‘Barça’ is only the abbreviation for the football team FC Barcelona and does not represent the city of Barcelona. Experts refer to the city of Barcelona, as ‘Barna’.

1. How big is Barcelona?

The city counts with approximately 1.6 million residents living on an area of 39.2 square miles (101.4 km²). The metropolitan area of Barcelona is home to more than 5 million people. If you’re looking for a vivid pulsating city located right next to the sea, then you should think about studying in Barcelona.

2. How many universities and colleges are located in, or around Barcelona, Spain?

With almost 200,000 students, Barcelona is one of the biggest university cities in Europe. They attend one of the five public or six private universities of the biggest city of Catalonia. To get to know universities located in Barcelona, click on the university names below, or visit our ‘Study in Spain’ page.

3. Can I study in Barcelona, Spain without knowing Spanish?

Being the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, Barcelona does not only have one, but two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. Most university courses are taught in one of the two languages – but it’s up to the students in which language they want to take their exams. Given this special situation, it is recommendable to have at least basic language knowledge in Spanish and/ or Catalan that you can also improve in one of the numerous language courses offered by the universities. Moreover, more and more universities also offer some courses in English.

4. Is Barcelona a good place to study in Spain?

Barcelona is a centre of commerce and industry and an educational hub within and outside Spain. With Barcelona’s prime coastline and beaches, perfect combination of educational quality and love of life – it’s the ideal place to study. So what are you waiting for?

Safety is an important point to consider when studying abroad. According to the current Numbeo Safety Index, Barcelona has a score of 51.35 – ranking it at number 286 of 461 cities globally for safety.

Art lovers and everyone alike know the name of Gaudí, the architect who helped form the city like no one else. From impressive structures like the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, to his famous mosaic houses, and even the Park Guell, Gaudí’s legacy attracts more than 7 million foreign visitors each year – turning Barcelona into one of the three most visited cities of Europe. Whether you want to enjoy a few tapas, stroll through the Gothic quarter, walk along the boulevard of La Rambla, or relax at the centrally located beach – Barcelona definitely has something to offer everyone and we are sure you will find your own favourite spot(s) too.

5. Is Barcelona, Spain a safe place to study?

The cost of living can play a major factor in deciding where to study. Aside from tuition fees, students should consider the local cost of living – including items like housing, food, and social life. According to the current Numbeo Cost of Living Index, Barcelona has a score of 58.47 – ranking it at number 267 of 515 cities globally for the cost of living (the higher the ranking, the more expensive the cost of living is).

If you’re considering pursuing a degree abroad, then let us help you find the best university for you. U-Multirank’s ‘For students’ track offers personalised university comparisons, so you can find the university that best matches you. Create your own personalised university rankings today, and compare universities according to what matters most to you.  To start, make sure to select your desired study destination and we’ll help guide you through the rest. 

To search study programmes, or compare Spanish universities in Spanish, visit our partners at Ranking CYD. There you will find institutions by area of knowledge, at the institutional level by type of university, or by autonomous community in which it is located. Upon completion of your search, you will receive your university results according to the Spanish data.