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University of Barcelona, the only Spanish university among the world’s 200 best
The University of Barcelona once again holds a position achieved by no other Spanish university. The 2026 edition of the Shanghai Ranking places UB in the world’s 151–200 band, consolidating national leadership it has maintained for more than two decades.
The result also has a Barcelona dimension. The city retains a university within the group of the 200 best-rated by one of the most widely followed international academic rankings, a position that carries weight when attracting researchers, foreign students and scientific projects.
After UB come Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Universidad Complutense de Madrid, both placed between 201 and 300. Autónoma de Madrid, Granada, País Vasco and Valencia are in the 301-400 band.
The next tier brings together Pompeu Fabra, Politécnica de Valencia, Navarra, Sevilla and Zaragoza, placed between 401 and 500. Catalonia thus keeps several universities in prominent positions, although UB remains clearly ahead within the Spanish system.
One of its strengths lies in scientific output. Universidad de Barcelona ranks 137th in the world in the indicator linked to indexed publications and rises to 110th in academic performance per person, two figures that help explain its continued presence in the leading group.
The ranking analyses more than 2,500 universities from around the world and publishes the thousand best classified. To compile the list, it takes into account factors mainly linked to research, such as Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, highly cited researchers, publications in Nature and Science, or articles included in major scientific databases.
At the very top there are hardly any changes: Harvard once again takes first place in the world, followed by Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The gap with Spanish universities remains considerable, especially in indicators related to major scientific awards and the concentration of internationally influential researchers.
For Barcelona, UB's position strengthens an asset that goes far beyond its classrooms. Its faculties, associated hospitals and research centres form part of the city's scientific fabric and attract thousands of students and researchers each academic year. The figure leaves a clear picture: Spain still does not enter the top 150, but its best-placed university continues to be based in Barcelona.