History
The university was founded in March 1971 as the Universitat Politecnica de Barcelona through the merger of engineering and architecture schools founded during the 19th century
Education
On a map in which there are no barriers to knowledge, the University, through its internationalisation programme UPC Abroad, acts as a magnet for international students and has established itself as the Spanish university with the most international students on its master's and doctoral degrees. The UPC is also the European university with the most Erasmus Mundus programmes: 13 master's degrees and 7 doctoral programmes. Internationalization is one of the main vector on UPC: as a leading member of international networks of excellence,UPC maintains a privileged relationship with scientific and educational organizations allower the world, which promotes research collaboration and attraction of talent.
Research
UPC is renowned for its leadership in research and technological innovation projects, patenting and business creation, and strategic alliances with prestigious research centres and universities. UPC is a leader in many scientific output areas and has a long path of national and international industrial research. The knowledge that it generates drives strategic projects for society and business growth.The top Spanish university in the 2012QS World University ranking for Engineering and TechnologyThe capacity for research, problem solving and opening up routes to innovation of its researchers means that they have a key role to play in the current recovery of the knowledge-based economy.
Career
Developing and creating innovative ideas can also take place outside of your study programme. UPC offer all students great opportunities to start your own company or to participate in one of the university exciting students projectes. Every year UPC students take part in competitions and awards, enabling them to apply the knowledge they have acquired to real-life projects, learn new skills and interact with businesses.
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Key Statistics & Highlights
- #392 Ranking
- 3,000 Academic Staff
- 2,311 Students
- 3,017 Students (int'l)
- 6,035 Students (female)
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Overview
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Scholarships
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
24000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Becas Fulbright - Realización De Master
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Scholarships for university studies and other higher studies
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 EUR
Deadline
15 May 2026
Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
750 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Studybay Fall Essay Contest
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Anthem Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7450 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
The Sapiente TECH Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 6.7% Spain
Top 5% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
392
By TopUniversities
Dropped 21 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 354 | 371 | 392 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
457
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 7 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 385 | 450 | 457 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
601
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
701
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Climbed 100 places compared to 2024
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | 801 | 701 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Office provides information and assessment on the city, accommodation, Catalan and Spanish language courses, health insurance, scholarships, the Orientation Week and the various procedures that you will have to follow to legalize your stay in Spain.The Office also:
- Provides information on scholarships and programs available to UPC students who want to go on an international exchange.
- Coordinates the General Call for Outgoing Student Mobility Programs of UPC (Erasmus, etc.).
- Makes the corresponding payments of the grants and scholarships for the exchange programs.
Housing services
The universities of Barcelona have an agreement with Resa Housing, an organisation specialised in youth accommodation.Students are advised to contact Resa Housing (www.bcn-housing-students.com) well in advance of their moving to Barcelona, in order to determine the most suitable type of accommodation.
Library services
The library located opposite the main building of the EPSEVG has books, documentation resources and services for study, teaching and research purposes. Free access to all the material is available except for those documents such as final theses and the antique collection located in the library depository.
ICT services
There is wifi access throughout the campus. On registration students are given a user name and password which enables them to use the network. 5 classroom are available where this free access can be used. An IT help desk is also available to help you with any problems of a technical nature.
Medical services
If you are a citizen from the European Union covered by public healthcare,you must apply for the European healthcare card in your home country.
Campus life
There are many things that make Barcelona a very attractive city to study and live in: its historical and architectural heritage, its culture, its cosmopolitan nature and its privileged location by the Mediterranean Sea.Most UPC schools, departments and facilities are located in Barcelona, but there are some others in nearby cities, although they are all easy to get to on Barcelonas public transport network.
Sports facilities
The Sports Service of the UPC, makes available to the university community, a series of installations, both local and external, to facilitate participation and competition in different sports. With friends and colleagues can practice in the UPC Sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis or badminton.
Student clubs
Throughout the duration of their studies, the School forms special bonds with its students that go beyond a strictly academic and administrative relationship. The FOOT has close ties with some of the most important of these organisations:
- Catalan Association of Opticians and Optometrists (COOOC)(open in new window)
- Spanish Association of Opticians and Optometrists (CNOO)(open in new window)
- Catalan Association of Optometry and Vision Therapy (ACOTV)(open in new window)
- Catalan Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACCDV)(open in new window)
Accreditation
Their quality is guaranteed internationally, by the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency, a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), before being approved by the Spanish government.
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Spain Country
Barcelona City
Polytechnic University of Catalonia Student Reviews & Awards
4.1
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 18 Reviews
- 4 Star 66 Reviews
- 3 Star 13 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 3 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.0
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
- Career Development 4.2
Problem based learning and group projects
I really like the problem based on group projects based learning style. The subjects taught are also reall interesting and useful and you have a lot of choice to choose your subjects. Sometimes it is a bit unorganized, but this mainly depends on the teachers style of teaching. The schedule is also nice if you want to work in the morning, as most courses are offered in the afternoon
Truly the best
Studying at Universitat Polit�cnica de Catalunya has been an unforgettable experience. The university has a strong emphasis on engineering and technology, and you are continuously pushed with practical, real-world tasks that require you to think critically. The lecturers apply their industry knowledge to the classroom, making what we study feel relevant and applicable. UPC's international environment, with students from all over the world, offers a distinct dimension to group projects and conversations. Living in Barcelona means being in a city that is brimming with innovation and culture, which adds to the overall excitement. It's a place that actually prepares you for success, both academically and professionally.
Culture of Integrity
The university instills within its community a culture of integrity by exemplifying it in various subtle yet impactful ways. This commitment is evident through the meticulous documentation of all transactions, the scrupulous accountability expected from students and faculty, and the assurance that grades are awarded solely based on merit without any trace of corruption. These practices have significantly influenced my personal values, shaping my discipline and principles through the emphasis on transparency and fairness within academic transactions. The ethical foundations laid by the university serve as a guiding light for individual conduct and decision-making, fostering a sense of responsibility and honesty among its members.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?