Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, UPF) at a glance
- City
- Barcelona
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- upf.edu/en
Key takeaways
- For 2026/27, UPF's own masters cost non-EU students €93.50 per ECTS, or €5,749.80 for 60 ECTS, according to our fact pack from UPF's price page.
- Non-EU bachelor's tuition is about €6,800–7,022 per year (2026/27).
- Our data lists 36 English-taught masters and 9 English bachelor's programs at UPF.
- Master's applications run in five calls; for 2026/27 the first ran 14 November 2025 to 14 January 2026, and UPF advises international students to use the early calls.
- The Global Studies bachelor's reserves 30 of 70 places for students from non-EU education systems.
On this page
Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) is a public university in central Barcelona with a large English-taught offer at both bachelor's and master's level. For 2026/27, non-EU students pay €93.50 per ECTS for UPF's own masters (€5,749.80 for 60 ECTS) and about €6,800–7,022 a year for a bachelor's.
It is the most expensive Catalan public option in this list, but it is one of the few Spanish public universities where you can do a full bachelor's in English, including engineering and global studies.
Why UPF is good value
- English bachelor's at a public university: computer engineering, data science, telecom and audiovisual engineering groups are taught 100% in English.
- A reserved quota: Global Studies keeps 30 of its 70 places for students from non-EU education systems.
- Strong research masters in economics, political and social sciences, biomedicine, AI and media.
- Central Barcelona: UPF's campuses are in the city.
UPF tuition and fees
| Level | EU / resident | Non-EU |
|---|---|---|
| UPF masters | €19.37–27.67 per ECTS | €93.50 per ECTS (€5,749.80 per 60 ECTS) |
| Bachelor's | ≈€1,202–1,238 per year | ≈€6,800–7,022 per year |
Masters delivered by UPF Barcelona School of Management, Barcelona School of Economics and IBEI have separate, higher fees and their own application processes. The joint master with Stirling charges in pounds. Each master's application costs €30.21, and admitted students pay a deposit to accept the offer.
How we checked these prices
UPF's website blocked our automated check, so these figures come from our fact pack, which was built from UPF's official price pages. Confirm the amount on the UPF master's fees page before you pay.
English-taught programs at UPF
| Level | Example programs | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Global Studies; International Business Economics (English group) | 4 years |
| Bachelor's (100% English groups) | Computer Engineering; Mathematical Engineering in Data Science; Telecommunication Network Engineering; Computational Audiovisual Engineering | 4 years |
| Master's: AI and computing | Intelligent Interactive Systems; Cognitive Systems and Interactive Media; Sound and Music Computing | 60 ECTS |
| Master's: life sciences | Biomedical Research; Brain and Cognition; Computational Biomedical Engineering | 60 ECTS |
| Master's: society, law, economics | Governance; European and Global Law; Research Master in Economics, Finance and Management | 60 ECTS |
See more in English-taught programs in Spain.
Admission requirements
Master's
- A degree that gives access to postgraduate study in your country; no university-wide minimum grade.
- English B2 from UPF's accepted-certificate table; some programs ask for B2.2 or C1 (for example IELTS 6.5 with all bands at least 6.5).
- Degree certificate, transcript with average grade, CV, passport and program documents. Documents not in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese or Italian need a sworn translation.
- Some programs value or require GRE/GMAT. Non-EHEA degrees must be legalised for enrolment.
Bachelor's
You need your secondary diploma homologated to the Spanish Bachillerato (or proof that you applied), which gives an admission mark of 5; the PAU specific phase can raise it. You apply through the Catalan University Access Portal in June. Homologation must be completed during the first year. See our Spain admission requirements guide.
Deadlines: 2026/27 calls as a guide
| Call (2026/27) | Dates | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Call 1 | 14 Nov 2025 – 14 Jan 2026 | 11 Feb 2026 |
| Master's Call 2 | 15 Jan – 4 Mar 2026 | 8 Apr 2026 |
| Master's Call 3 | 5 Mar – 27 Apr 2026 | 28 May 2026 |
| Master's Call 4 (some masters) | 28 Apr – 5 Jun 2026 | 3 Jul 2026 |
| Global Studies, non-EU systems pathway | 2–26 Jun 2026 | Enrolment July 2026 |
Avoid the last call
UPF does not encourage international students to use Call 5 (results in September), because there is no time for a visa. If the 2027/28 calendar follows the same pattern, Call 1 would open in November 2026, but the new dates were not published in our data, so check UPF's calendar now.
Scholarships
UPF publishes master's scholarships and grants, and individual programs and affiliated centres offer their own partial scholarships. See scholarships in Spain.
Living in Barcelona and visa money
Barcelona housing is in high demand, so plan early. The visa requires funds of 100% of the IPREM per month (less with prepaid housing; tuition does not count) and health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain. You may work up to 30 hours a week if it is compatible with your studies. See cost of studying in Spain.
Who should choose this university
UPF is a strong choice if you want an English-taught bachelor's in engineering, data science or global studies at a public university, or a research master in economics, social sciences, biomedicine or AI. If your budget is tight and you only need a master's, compare the lower non-EU rates at UPC or Girona.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a student visa makes you a resident. For tuition purposes a study-stay authorisation is not residence, so budget for the non-EU rate.
- Applying in the last period. Late admissions often leave too little time for document legalization and the visa appointment.
- Forgetting the visa funds. The visa needs proof of 100% of the IPREM per month on top of tuition; tuition payments do not count.
- Confusing UPF with its affiliated schools. Masters run by UPF Barcelona School of Management, Barcelona School of Economics or IBEI have different fees and separate applications.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Full English bachelor's degrees at a public university
- Reserved Global Studies quota for non-EU systems
- Wide English master's offer in research fields
- Five application calls
Difficulties
- Highest non-EU master's rate among the Catalan options in this list
- Affiliated-school masters (BSM, BSE, IBEI) cost more and apply separately
- Bachelor's route needs homologation
- UPF's website can be hard to access from some networks and tools
Applying from Afghanistan
Afghan applicants
Afghan diplomas cannot be apostilled and need full diplomatic legalization; the Spanish Embassy in Kabul is closed. Visas go through Islamabad or Tehran with proof of legal residence. For the bachelor's, ask about homologation of your school certificate early. See our documents guide.
How to apply step by step
- 1
Choose your program and call
Aim for Call 1 or 2 for masters.
- 2
Prepare documents and English
Get your B2 (or higher) certificate and transcripts ready.
- 3
Apply online
Submit through the UPF Online Office via the master's pre-registration page and pay €30.21.
- 4
Accept the offer
Pay the deposit in the window shown with your results.
- 5
Apply for your visa
Apply at least two months before classes; see the Spain student visa guide.
Compare with UAB and UPC, or see all Spain guides. Track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Pompeu Fabra University cost for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, UPF's own masters cost €93.50 per ECTS (€5,749.80 for 60 ECTS) and bachelor's about €6,800–7,022 per year for non-EU students.
Does UPF have bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes. Global Studies, International Business Economics (English group) and several engineering degrees with 100% English groups.
Is there a quota for non-EU students at UPF?
Global Studies reserves 30 of its 70 places for students from non-EU education systems without reciprocity agreements.
When should I apply for a UPF master's?
In the first calls. For 2026/27, Call 1 ran 14 November 2025 to 14 January 2026; UPF discourages international students from using Call 5.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.