UIC Barcelona has been ranked among the top 10 highest performing universities in Spain in the 2026 CYD Ranking, finishing 6th out of the 84 universities comprising the list.
The University has climbed 10 positions compared to the previous edition. This progress has been driven by UIC Barcelona’s consolidation in key areas such as teaching and learning and international outlook, in line with the University’s global strategy. It also showcases its growth in research and knowledge transfer, areas in which it has improved by at least five positions and which serve as key drivers for strengthening the institution’s overall standing.
In terms of its contribution to regional development, UIC Barcelona ranks 2nd alongside other universities from the Spanish university system.
In this edition of the CYD Ranking, UIC Barcelona was assessed in the fields of Business Administration and Management, Law, Journalism and Education. Of particular note is its performance in Education, which was included for the first time in the ranking and in which the University was listed as the number one ranked university out of 57. This was complemented by another outstanding performance in Business Administration and Management, in which the University finished among the top 10 in Spain, placing 8th out of 59 universities.
Notable results by field
Education: UIC Barcelona entered the ranking for the first time and ranked 1st nationally out of 57 universities. This initial position lays the foundation for its future development.
Business Administration and Management: 8th nationally out of 59 universities, with strong results in employability, internationalisation and teaching quality.
Law: 23rd out of 58 universities, with an improved position in teaching.
Journalism: 23rd out of 36 universities, with a particularly strong performance in teaching and engagement with the professional and regional environment.
These results support UIC Barcelona’s academic model, characterised by its strong teaching performance and a growing international and research-oriented outlook.
In its 13th edition, the CYD Ranking includes results from 84 Spanish universities, 31 fields of knowledge and 3,909 degree programmes. The participating universities account for 87.5% of the 84 Spanish universities that offer undergraduate programmes included in the Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT). Of these universities, 48 are public – all of which are represented – and 36 are private, 75% of the total.
The CYD Foundation ranking is a tool that allows the quality of the Spanish university system to be measured and compared through the analysis of indicators, classified by performance groups and divided into six dimensions: Teaching and Learning; Research; Knowledge Transfer; International Outlook; Contribution to Regional Development; and Employability.
The Statistical Data and Rankings Office at UIC Barcelona works to analyse the institution’s performance through data and evidence, with the aim of strengthening the University’s visibility, position and national and international profile.
