5 Best Colleges in Spain for American Undergrads and Postgrads

Spain boasts many internationally acclaimed universities. Most of the highly-rated institutions are in Madrid, Barcelona, and Granada. While most courses are taught in Spanish, many English-language courses are available at undergraduate and graduate levels to serve American students.

Many set their sights on the country because living here is relatively cheap compared to other places in Europe. But this is only one of the many reasons to school in Spain.

Sitting on the Iberian Peninsula along with its neighbor Portugal bordering the west of the Mediterranean sea, Spain offers many interesting locations that extend from the coastal towns to the Pyrenees.

Spain ranks third behind Italy and China regarding the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As a student here, you will never feel bored due to the numerous interesting restaurants, art galleries, and museums.

In this blog post, SDC International Shipping looks into some of the best colleges in Spain for US students.

Pompeu Fabra University

The benefit of studying at UPF for Americans.

The Pompeu Fabra University is a new college in Barcelona noted for its versatility and rapid development. In addition to becoming Spain’s top university, the institution was placed 16th in the Times Higher Education’s young university rankings.

In economics, UPF ranks among the top 80 universities in the world, and its Economics faculty is the only one in Spain to get a Certificate of Quality in Internationalization.

The benefit of studying at UPF:

English degrees in Communication, Social Policy, International Business, Management, and Marketing
Excellent campus in Barcelona with all the modern facilities.
The study is divided into trimesters.
You will have theoretical and practical classes.
The following courses are taught in English: International Business, International Relations, UCT, and Biomedical Science.
Overall GPA – 3.0.
Small class sizes.
You can take an intensive Spanish Language Course.

Polytechnic University of Catalonia

The best university in Spain to study engineering for US students.

The Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), also known as BarcelonaTech, was founded in 1971. It has several campuses, over 60 bachelor’s programs, and 73 master’s degrees. The university occupies 8^th place in the Best Universities in Spain.

The benefit of studying at UPC:

You will live in the incredible city of Barcelona.
The teaching is more about fieldwork than theories.
You can find English courses in Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture, Management, Computer Science, and Aeronautical Engineering.
The campuses are very pretty, with lots of green areas and nice spots to spend extra time.
If you are fluent in Spanish, you may consider learning Catalan and taking some courses in that beautiful language.

The Autonomous University of Barcelona

Study in one of the prestigious universities of Spain.

The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) is the 2^nd of the top three public universities known for its high-quality research and teaching. It provides top-tier undergraduate and graduate degree programs in practically every academic area.

The significant number of international students, notably at the Master’s and Ph.D. levels, demonstrates this top institution in Spain’s global perspective for international students. In addition, UAB promotes a spirit of creativity and enterprise among its faculty.

Advantages of studying at the UAB:

It’s located near Barcelona on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
You can take fully English bachelor’s degrees in Economics, Primary Education, Business Management, and Administration.
More than 40 master’s degrees are offered in English.
If you are an exchange student, be ready that many courses are taught in Catalan.

The University of Granada

Dense international presence in the university and the city.

As Spain’s fourth-largest university, the University of Granada attracts many international students each year, including Americans and other English-speaking students. It is not just one of Spain’s top colleges but also a fantastic place for living and studies. The university has five locations and a wide choice of disciplines.

You’ll feel at home and meet students from all over the world. If learning Spanish is your objective, just make sure you don’t lapse into your first language.

Why the University of Granada?

A good choice of programs.
Many courses and classes are taught in English.
You will be in a very international setting.
Diverse research fields.
Promising career prospects.
Language learning opportunities.
Granada is a vivid city full of old historic landmarks.
You will live just 40 minutes from the Mediterranean Coast.
The Ski Resort, Sierra Nevada, is just a 30 minutes drive from Granada.

Complutense University of Madrid

Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) lives up to the hype, consistently ranking 7^th among Spain’s top institutions. You will be academically challenged and encouraged by a roster of notable and prize-winning graduates.

The college places a significant emphasis on research and provides opportunities to study from world-renowned experts in your profession. For some, the big student population and metropolitan vibe might be overwhelming, but it is well worth it if you can find your niche and feel at ease.

Learning in English at Colleges in Spain

If attending Spanish lessons isn’t on your list of things to do while studying abroad, don’t worry; most institutions in Spain offer a variety of English-language classes. It’s worth noting that even if a university offers English courses, they might not be the ones you want or enough to cover a semester or year’s worth of classes.

If you want to study in English, the best thing to do is call the college or university and inquire about the specific programs they offer or locate a Spanish institution or university that solely offers English lessons. Many English-speaking colleges in Spain provide whole degrees in English, and international institutions offer all-English lectures.

Other options for Americans that want to study in Spain are American university branches in Spain. You may consider the following:

Schiller International University Madrid Campus
Saint Louis University Madrid Campus
The American College in Spain (ACS)

Ready to Move to Spain?

Moving to a new country can be nerve-racking and even more challenging for students who also need time to adjust to a new college environment. With SDC International Movers, it can be easier. We can move your household goods anywhere in Spain. Contact us, and we’ll arrange everything from A to Z without trouble.