Universitat de Barcelona
Founded in 1450, one of the oldest universities in Europe (575 years). Number 1 in Spain, QS World 2026 number 160, THE number 145. Around 76,000 students, over 15,000 international from 145 plus countries. As an EU citizen you pay EU fees (EUR 2,800-3,600 per year), drastically lower than a non-European. Motto: "Libertas perfundet omnia luce".
About Universitat de Barcelona
Universitat de Barcelona (UB) is a public university founded in 1450, one of the oldest higher education institutions in Europe. With over 575 years of academic tradition, it is number 1 in Spain in most rankings and a global reference in research and education. Its Latin motto, "Libertas perfundet omnia luce" (Freedom floods everything with light), sums up its values from 1450 to today.
UB is QS World 2026 number 160, Times Higher Education number 145 worldwide and consistently present in the US News rankings. Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. It has 16 faculties and 4 campuses spread across the city, of which the historic one in Plaza Universitat is a neo-classical architectural jewel. Around 76,000 students, of which over 15,000 international from 145 plus countries. A member of LERU (League of European Research Universities), an elite group of the 24 leading research universities in Europe, and of the Coimbra Group, alongside Bologna, Oxford, Salamanca, Heidelberg.
Strong specializations at UB: Medicine (number 1 in Spain, with the affiliated Hospital Clinic and Bellvitge hospitals), Pharmacy (top global by subject), Law, Economics and Business (UB School of Economics), Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology), Psychology, Education, Philology, Philosophy and Humanities. UB has 74 bachelor's programs, 170 master's and 15 dual programs. Many of the bachelor's are in Catalan or Spanish (B2 level required), but UB also has an ever-broader set of programs in English, especially at master's level and for specific bachelor's courses (Business, International Studies).
For Romanian students, UB is one of the best opportunities in Europe. As an EU citizen you pay EU fees: around EUR 2,800-3,600 per year (calculated per credit, ~EUR 18-45 per credit, ~60 ECTS/year), compared with EUR 4,000-6,000 paid by a non-European. The Romanian Baccalaureate is recognized through the UNEDasiss system (it issues the Credencial de acceso, the Spanish equivalent). You apply through the Accesnet platform of the Generalitat de Catalunya plus directly to UB. For competitive programs (Medicine, Psychology, Law) you need a good access grade (admission grade), calculated from your Baccalaureate average plus the results of the PCE test (specific subject exam) if required. Cost of living in Barcelona: ~EUR 800-1,200/month (an average Spanish city). Important note: bachelor's degrees in Spain last 4 years (240 ECTS), not 3 as in the UK.
How to apply to UB
Have your Baccalaureate equivalated through UNEDasiss
The first mandatory step: obtaining the Credencial de acceso through the national UNEDasiss system (administered by the National Distance Education University). You upload your Baccalaureate diploma, transcript, grade certificates and pay the fee (~EUR 135). UNEDasiss calculates your access grade (your average converted to the Spanish 5-10 scale), which is then used for ranking. Recommended deadline: apply through UNEDasiss as early as February-March for the academic year starting in September.
Decide on the program and check the cut-off grade
UB has 74 bachelor's degrees distributed across 16 faculties: Medicine, Law, Economics, Business, Psychology, Education, Sciences (Chemistry, Bio, Physics, Geology, Mathematics), Pharmacy, Philosophy, Philology, Communication, Arts. Each program has a cut-off grade (nota de corte) set by supply and demand: Medicine ~12.5/14 (the most competitive), Law ~9-10/14, Psychology ~10-11/14, Business ~8-10/14. For competitive programs you might also need to sit the PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Especificas) to raise your grade.
Apply on Accesnet (Catalonia's portal)
For the public Catalan universities (UB, UAB, UPF, UPC, UdL, UdG, URV, UOC) the application is centralized through Accesnet, the portal of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Application deadline: generally June (once UNEDasiss is ready). You choose up to 8 ranked preferences of programs at different Catalan universities. The system assigns you to the first option whose grade you meet. Fee: ~EUR 32-45 to apply. Note: if you only want UB, choose several program options at UB to maximize your chances.
Prove your language (Catalan, Spanish or English)
For programs in Catalan (most UB bachelor's) you need B2 level Catalan plus B2 Spanish. UB accepts: DELE (Spanish), C1 Catala or equivalent. For programs in English (certain Business, International Studies bachelor's) you need IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80-90, or equivalent (Cambridge B2 First/C1 Advanced). UB offers free intensive Catalan courses for international students in the first year.
Register as an EU citizen in Spain
As a Romanian citizen (EU), you do not need a study visa. After arriving in Barcelona, you must register at the Oficina de Extranjeros to obtain the NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero) and the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Union. Required documents: passport or Romanian ID, proof of admission to UB, proof of financial resources (~EUR 7,500/year), European health insurance (the European Health Insurance Card) or private insurance. NIE fee: ~EUR 12.
Enrolment and start of studies (matricula)
After confirming acceptance (July), you complete the matricula (the actual enrolment) online on the UB portal. You choose your courses for the first semester (a total of ~30 ECTS), pay tuition (~EUR 700-900 per semester for EU fees). Start of the academic year: mid-September (before the UK). UB has a "welcome week" program for international students with city tours, meetings with mentors and campus orientation. Tip: arrange accommodation (Resa, BCU, Sant Jordi or private apartments) at least 2 months in advance, Barcelona has a very competitive rental market.
Costs for Romanians
EU tuition 2026-27 (EU citizens)
Total cost 4-year bachelor's (all included)
EU fees
As an EU citizen, you automatically pay EU fees identical to those of a Spaniard. You do not have to do anything special, just prove your Romanian citizenship through your passport or ID. Tuition EUR 2,800-3,600 per year versus non-EU EUR 4,000-6,000 per year. That means EUR 1,000-2,500 savings per year simply because you are an EU citizen.
European scholarships
Becas MEC (Ministerio de Educacion): for European students with family income below a threshold, covers tuition plus accommodation. Becas Generalitat de Catalunya: regional scholarships for EU students. Erasmus+: if you initially come with Erasmus for 1-2 semesters, you receive between EUR 350-500/month grant. UB's own scholarships: there are Beques de Col.laboracio for students with strong academic performance.
The Spain scholarship
As a Romanian student, you are eligible for the Spain scholarship from the Romanian Ministry of Education if you gain admission to a public Spanish university. Also, many cities in Romania have scholarship programs for their students abroad (check with your city hall). Important: these scholarships can be combined with the Spanish ones, but they must be applied for in parallel.
Want to apply to UB?
We help you navigate UNEDasiss to have your Baccalaureate equivalated, choose the right program at UB, apply on Accesnet and take advantage of the EU fees (EUR 2,800-3,600/year). Our mentors have been through the process. The mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into Universitat de Barcelona?
UB has an overall acceptance of ~51-70%, but it is highly variable by program. Medicine ~12.5/14 cut-off (the most competitive in Spain, comparable to Oxford Medicine), Law ~9-10/14, Psychology ~10-11/14, Business ~8-10/14, science/philology/education programs 5-8/14 (more accessible). For Romanians, the cut-off grade is calculated from the Baccalaureate through UNEDasiss. A Baccalaureate average of 9 plus is recommended for competitive programs, Baccalaureate 8 plus is enough for most. To raise your grade you can sit the PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Especificas) in 2 additional subjects.
How much does UB cost for Romanians exactly?
As an EU citizen, you pay statutory EU fees: ~EUR 2,800-3,600 per year (60 ECTS x EUR 18-45 per credit, depending on the program). Total cost 4-year bachelor's: EUR 11,000-14,400 in tuition alone. Accommodation Barcelona: EUR 450-800/month (UB residence EUR 500, shared apartment EUR 400-700). Food: EUR 250-400/month. TMB transport: EUR 40/month student pass. Total cost of living: ~EUR 800-1,200/month. Total cost per year: ~EUR 13,000-17,500. 4-year bachelor's all-in: ~EUR 55,000-70,000, drastically lower than the UK (GBP 180k+) or the USA (USD 280k+). Note: bachelor's degrees in Spain last 4 years (240 ECTS), not 3 as in the UK.
What scholarships are there at UB for Romanians?
Becas MEC (Ministerio de Educacion): for EU citizens with family income below a threshold, covers tuition plus an accommodation subsidy. Becas Generalitat de Catalunya: regional scholarships for EU students. Beques de Col.laboracio UB: internal scholarships for students with good results (you work part-time on campus). Erasmus+: if you initially come on an academic exchange for 1-2 semesters, you receive EUR 350-500/month. The Spain scholarship from the Romanian Ministry of Education: for Romanians admitted to a public Spanish university. Can be combined with Spanish scholarships. Important: the EU fees you receive automatically (~EUR 2,800-3,600/year) are already a "scholarship advantage" compared with non-EU (EUR 4,000-6,000/year).
Are the programs at UB in English?
Most bachelor's at UB are taught in Catalan or Spanish, so you need B2 level Catalan plus B2 Spanish. UB offers free intensive Catalan courses for international students in the first year. There are, however, also programs or courses in English, especially in: Business Administration (English Track), International Business, certain Economics courses, International Studies. At master's level the offering in English is broader. For international students who do not want to learn Catalan, the private programs of IE University or ESADE may be more suitable alternatives (100% English). But UB remains the best public university in Spain with EU fees.
What are the strongest programs at UB for Romanians?
UB is renowned for: Medicine (number 1 in Spain, affiliated with Hospital Clinic and Bellvitge, 2 of the best hospitals in Spain), Pharmacy (top global by subject), Law (the historic Facultat de Dret), Economics and Business (UB School of Economics), Psychology, Education, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, Philosophy, Philology (Catalan, Spanish, English, Classics, Hispanic). Note: Medicine and Psychology have the highest cut-off grades (~12.5/14 for Medicine), competitive globally.
What is student life like at UB in Barcelona?
Barcelona is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe: culture, gastronomy, beach, Gaudi architecture, nightlife, plus a growing tech and startup scene. UB is spread across 4 campuses: the historic one in Plaza Universitat (Law, Philology, Philosophy), Diagonal (Economics, Education, Law), Pedralbes (Medicine, Pharmacy), and Bellvitge (Medicine, hospital). Students move around the city by the TMB metro (EUR 40/month student pass) or bicycles. Huge international community: 15k+ international from 145+ countries, with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), events, parties, trips. The everyday language: Catalan (at UB) plus Spanish (in general). English works well in tourist areas and on the international campuses.
Can I stay in Spain after graduation?
Yes, as an EU citizen! Unlike the United Kingdom or the USA where you have to apply for a work visa, as a Romanian (EU) citizen you automatically have the right to work in Spain without a visa. Spain is the 4th largest economy in the EU, with strong tech hubs in Barcelona (Glovo, Cabify, Wallapop, Mediapro), Madrid (BBVA, Santander, Telefonica, Indra) and Valencia. Main industries: tech, finance, telecom, fashion (Zara, Mango), tourism, automotive, renewable energy. UB graduate salaries: Medicine EUR 30-45k (MIR resident); Engineering/CS EUR 25-40k starting in Barcelona; Business/Econ EUR 22-35k starting; Law EUR 22-32k; Pharmacy EUR 25-35k. Cost of living in Barcelona below the UK/Germany, so the salaries are enough for a good life. Plus, with an EU degree, you can work anywhere in the EU without a visa.
How long is a bachelor's at UB and what about the ECTS system?
Bachelor's degrees at UB last 4 years (240 ECTS), in line with the European Bologna system. That means one year more than the UK (3 years / 360 UK credits) and one year less than the USA (4 years / Liberal Arts). ECTS (European Credit Transfer System): 1 ECTS = ~25-30 hours of total study (lectures plus individual work). A standard academic year has 60 ECTS = 2 semesters x 30 ECTS. To obtain the bachelor's ("Grado") you must accumulate 240 ECTS plus complete a Trabajo Fin de Grado (TFG), a bachelor's thesis of 6-12 ECTS in year 4. Advantage of the ECTS system: you can transfer credits to other European universities (useful for Erasmus exchanges). Exceptions: UB Medicine lasts 6 years (360 ECTS), and Pharmacy lasts 5 years (300 ECTS).
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