Universities in Spain
- Rankings & Reviews -

For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in Spain

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Spain
  • 06 Mar, 2024: Scimago Institutions Rankings updated with University of Barcelona ranked highest among 77 listed universities in Spain.
  • 25 Jan, 2024: THE Times Higher Education, UK published most recent results of THE World’s Most International Universities. Includes 3 universities from Spain.
  • 19 Dec, 2023: Latest URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance from Urap . 63 universities from Spain appear in this ranking.
  • 15 Dec, 2023: ShanghaiRanking Consultancy published most recent results of Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science). Includes 20 universities from Spain.

Rankings of universities in Spain 2024

Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (based on 54 student ratings)
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  • #11 
  • #428 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #77 
  • #3871 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #15 
  • #4 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
Show 6 more rankings of IE University and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.5 / 5.0 (based on 295 student ratings)
  • #53 
  • #1201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #58 
  • #1770 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #49 
  • #1603 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
Show 10 more rankings of San Antonio de Murcia Catholic University and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

  • #52 
  • #1201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #51 
  • #1443 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #52 
  • #1861 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
Show 9 more rankings of University of Burgos and subject specific rankings for 3 subjects


Student satisfaction: 3.9 / 5.0 (based on 243 student ratings)
  • #35 
  • #1001 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #49 
  • #1403 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #46 
  • #1297 
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
Show 4 more rankings of University of León and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 88 student ratings)
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  • #29 
  • #1001 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #21 
  • #569 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #73 
  • #3291 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 9 more rankings of University of Córdoba and subject specific rankings for 5 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (based on 38 student ratings)
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  • #35 
  • #905 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #16 
  • #611 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
  • #11 
  • #3 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
Show 8 more rankings of University of Cantabria and subject specific rankings for 4 subjects

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 90 student ratings)
  • #54 
  • #1201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #65 
  • #2207 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #61 
  • #2506 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 2 more rankings of Loyola University Andalusia and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

  • #29 
  • #794 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #48 
  • #1570 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
  • #25 
  • #5 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
Show 6 more rankings of University of La Rioja

  • #56 
  • #1649 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #51 
  • #1686 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
  • #51 
  • #7 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
Show 5 more rankings of University of Huelva and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

  • #55 
  • #1620 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #50 
  • #7 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #55 
  • #2065 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 4 more rankings of CEU University of San Pablo

Student satisfaction: 3.8 / 5.0 (based on 337 student ratings)
  • #61 
  • #1999 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #62 
  • #9 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #62 
  • #2558 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 3 more rankings of CEU Cardenal Herrera University

Student satisfaction: 3.0 / 5.0 (based on 56 student ratings)
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  • #63 
  • #2179 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #63 
  • #10 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #58 
  • #2292 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 3 more rankings of San Vicente Mártir Catholic University of Valencia

#63
Spain

Mondragon University

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  • #50 
  • #1409 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #58 
  • #8 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #61 
  • #2566 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

  • #62 
  • #2175 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #65 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #4 
  • #53 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 1 more rankings of Valencian International University

Student satisfaction: 3.8 / 5.0 (based on 511 student ratings)
  • #66 
  • #2214 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #69 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #38 
  • #423 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 2 more rankings of Alfonso X El Sabio University

Student satisfaction: 4.3 / 5.0 (based on 590 student ratings)
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  • #48 
  • #1346 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #59 
  • #2318 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
  • #5 
  • #55 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 2 more rankings of Francisco de Vitoria University

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 205 student ratings)
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  • #69 
  • #2889 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #41 
  • #6 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #61 
  • #566 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 2 more rankings of Universitas Nebrissensis, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

  • #71 
  • #3100 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #68 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #33 
  • #394 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 1 more rankings of Camilo José Cela University

#69

Universidad Isabel I de Castilla

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 90 student ratings)
  • #75 
  • #3470 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #71 
  • #12 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #71 
  • #3665 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#70
Spain

Catholic University of Avila

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  • #68 
  • #2796 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #29 
  • #368 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #75 
  • #4296 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#71
Spain

Pontifical University of Salamanca

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 28 student ratings)
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  • #72 
  • #3110 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #1 
  • #9 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #69 
  • #3389 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#72
Spain

Abat Oliba CEU University

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  • #64 
  • #10 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #9 
  • #67 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #80 
  • #5693 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#73

European University of the Canary Islands

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 90 student ratings)
  • #67 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]

#74

European University of Valencia

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 90 student ratings)
  • #70 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #47 
  • #1001 
THE World University Impact Rankings - Overall
[Published 01 June, 2023]

#75

Universidad a Distancia de Madrid

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 90 student ratings)
  • #66 
  • #11 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
  • #27 
  • #300 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #70 
  • #3592 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#76
Spain

San Jorge University

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  • #74 
  • #3378 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #60 
  • #553 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #68 
  • #3175 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#77

Universidad del Atlántico Medio

  • #76 
  • #3690 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #78 
  • #4598 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#78
Spain

International University Menéndez Pelayo

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  • #56 
  • #163 
UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Spanish-Speaking Universities in the World
[Published 11 August, 2022]
  • #82 
  • #5890 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#79
Spain

Barcelona Graduate School of Economics

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  • #74 
  • #4146 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#80
Spain

International University of Andalusia

  • #81 
  • #5765 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#81

Fernando Pessoa Canarias University

  • #84 
  • #6539 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#82
Spain

Istituto Europeo di Design

  • #85 
  • #6578 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#83
Spain

Miguel de Cervantes European University

Student satisfaction: 3.8 / 5.0 (based on 99 student ratings)
  • #14 
  • #154 
StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #77 
  • #4570 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

Student satisfaction: 3.8 / 5.0 (based on 511 student ratings)
  • #50 
  • #1201 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #53 
  • #1508 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #61 
  • #9 
U-Ranking of Spanish Universities
[Published 22 June, 2022]
Show 3 more rankings of International University of La Rioja and subject specific rankings for 3 subjects

#85
Spain

Zaragoza Logistics Center

Student satisfaction: 4.3 / 5.0 (based on 590 student ratings)

#86
Spain

Marbella International University Centre (MIUC)

Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (based on 38 student ratings)

#87

IADE Madrid


#88

Confederacion Espanola de Organizaciones Empresariales


#89

European University of the Atlantic

Student satisfaction: 4.5 / 5.0 (based on 265 student ratings)

Highest subject rankings of universities in Spain

Civil Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#8 
Technical University of Madrid
Anthropology URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#9 
Rovira i Virgili University
Dentistry QS World University Rankings By Subject
#16 
Complutense University of Madrid
Finance Financial Times: Masters in Finance - Pre-Experience Rankings
#24 
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Geology QS World University Rankings By Subject
#51 
University of Barcelona
Computer Science NTU Rankings by Subject
#55 
University of Granada
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#60 
Complutense University of Madrid
Architecture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#62 
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
Law QS World University Rankings By Subject
#65 
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Education QS World University Rankings By Subject
#68 
University of Barcelona

Spain Key Facts for International Students

84 out of 89 Universities in Spain Ranked in at least one ranking

31 Different Rankings list Universities in Spain (25 institution and 6 subject rankings)

30 Global Rankings rank Universities in Spain Among TOP 200

Time: GMT +2

Telephone country code: +34

  • Religion:
  • Catholicism  69%
  • Atheist, agnostic and unclassified  29%
  • Other religions: Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism  2%
  • Largest cities in Spain:
  • 1. Madrid: 3,250,000
  • 2. Barcelona: 1,600,000
  • 3. Valencia: 815,000
  • 4. Sevilla: 700,000
  • 5. Zaragoza: 675,000

Largest international airport in Spain:

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD): 53.386.075 Passengers/Year; 4 Terminals; 14 km. from Madrid city center

Nobel prize laureates:
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (, 1906)

Map with location of universities in Spain

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Useful related pages

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FAQ

University of Barcelona ranks #1 in Spain in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Spain Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 32 rankings where Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is listed.

Technical University of Madrid is ranked best in Spain for Engineering (Civil Engineering). See all rankings for the Technical University of Madrid.

Rovira i Virgili University is ranked best in Spain for Social Studies & Humanities (Anthropology). See all rankings for the Rovira i Virgili University.

Complutense University of Madrid is ranked best in Spain for Medicine & Health (Dentistry). See all rankings for the Complutense University of Madrid.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is ranked best in Spain for Business (Finance). See all rankings for the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

University of Barcelona is ranked best in Spain for Natural Sciences (Geology). See all rankings for the University of Barcelona.

University of Granada is ranked best in Spain for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the University of Granada.

Complutense University of Madrid is ranked best in Spain for Journalism & Media Studies (Journalism). See all rankings for the Complutense University of Madrid.

Polytechnic University of Catalonia is ranked best in Spain for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). See all rankings for the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is ranked best in Spain for Law (Law). See all rankings for the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

University of Barcelona is ranked best in Spain for Education (Education). See all rankings for the University of Barcelona.

University of Granada is ranked best in Spain for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the University of Granada.

Autonomous University of Barcelona is ranked best in Spain for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Autonomous University of Barcelona is ranked best in Spain for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Ranking publishers

4icu

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British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

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Criteria used in ranking -QS 50 under 50:

Based on the QS World University rankings methodology, the top 50 universities that are under 50 years old.

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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Sapiens Research

Criteria used in ranking -U-Sapiens Ranking Columbia:

Indexed journals 33.33% Postgraduate courses 33.33% Research groups 33.33%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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StuDocu

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:

Employability (survey) 100%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:

Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 30% International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%

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Thomson Reuters

Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities Europe:

Patent volume 11.11% Patent success 11.11% Global patents 11.11% Patent citations 11.11% Percent of patents cited / Patent citation impact 11.11% Patent to Article Citation Impact 11.11% Industry Article Citation Impact 11.11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11.11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11.11%

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U-Ranking

Criteria used in ranking -U-Ranking of Spanish Universities:

Teaching Research Innovation and Technological Development

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Urap

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Us News

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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