In short
University Ramon Llull (URL) is a private, federated university in Barcelona, Spain, offering specialized programs through its prestigious constituent schools. It provides a highly international environment with strong employability rankings and a vibrant student life in a major European city.
Key facts
- Type
- Private
- Founded
- 1990
- Students
- 21,253
- International students
- 4,500
- Acceptance rate
- 55%
- Tuition (intl)
- €8–22k/yr
- Languages
- EN, ES, CA
- Location
- Spain
University Ramon Llull (URL) is a private federated university in Barcelona, Spain, comprising eight prestigious institutions including ESADE, Blanquerna, IQS, and La Salle. Founded in 1990 and named after the 13th-century Catalan philosopher, URL consistently ranks among Spain's top private universities. Its federated model delivers specialised excellence across business, engineering, psychology, health sciences, communications, and theology, with over 51 bachelor's degrees, 64 master's programmes, and 13 PhD programmes. URL is highly international, partnering with more than 1,000 universities worldwide.
Why study here
- Federated structure giving access to world-class specialist schools including ESADE (top global business school)
- Ranked 1st in Spain for employability in business and marketing (QS 2026)
- Small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships across all constituent institutions
- Over 1,000 international university partnerships and Erasmus+ charter holder
- Located in Barcelona, a global hub for innovation, culture, and quality of life
Student life
Student life at URL varies across its eight institutions but shares common themes of community engagement, international exchange, and professional development. Students in Barcelona enjoy access to one of Europe's most vibrant cities with world-class culture, beaches, and a thriving startup ecosystem. The university offers sports activities, student associations, volunteer programmes, and regular cultural events. Accommodation support is available through RESA residence partnerships and the BCU Housing service.
Fees
InternationalApproximately €8,000–€22,000 per year depending on programme and constituent school
HomeEU students typically pay €7,000–€18,000 per year depending on the school (ESADE programmes are at the higher end)
LivingBarcelona living costs approximately €1,000–€1,400 per month including accommodation, transport, and food
Tuition varies significantly across URL's federated schools. ESADE MBA and executive programmes have premium pricing. Confirm fees with the specific school offering your chosen programme.
Admissions
Bachelor'sSpanish PAU/Selectividad, higher vocational qualification, or equivalent EU/EHEA secondary qualification
Non-EU applicantsMust have secondary diploma recognised or application for recognition submitted to Spanish authorities
Master's / PhDRelevant undergraduate degree; PhD requires 300 ECTS including 60 at Master's level
ESADE MBAGMAT/GRE score, work experience (typically 3+ years), and English proficiency required
IELTS6.5 overall (programme dependent)
TOEFL iBT90 (programme dependent)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings436
THE Young University Rankings 2024194
QS Ranking 2026 — Spain (employability)2
Shanghai Ranking 2024 (Business & Management)
University scholarships
Santander URL ScholarshipsVaries — merit and need-based, details via university portal
ESADE ScholarshipsPartial and full scholarships for MBA and master's programmes
Erasmus+ Grants€300–€500 per month for exchange students
Accreditation
URL holds the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) 2021–2027 with an excellent European Commission rating. ESADE is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). URL adheres to Spanish Royal Decrees governing doctoral studies and higher education quality frameworks.
Programs
a selectionScholarships
for Spain
full fundingBarcelona Institute of Economics (IEB), University of Barcelona
IEB PhD Scholarships in Economics at the University of Barcelona
Open to applicants who will have completed a Master's degree in Economics by the summer before enrolment and who wish to pursue a PhD in Economics at the University of Barcelona. Candidates must apply for admission to the UB PhD in Economics programme and separately send a statement of purpose to the IEB calls address. Selected scholars carry out research under IEB Research Program members and take on teaching responsibilities for applied economics courses in Public Economics at the undergraduate level. Only complete applications submitted before the deadline are considered. Applicants should confirm the master's completion requirement and documents on the official UB page.
full
Funding
€17k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingUniversitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC Barcelona)
UIC Barcelona Scholarships
Open to applicants of all nationalities seeking bachelor's, master's or PhD study at UIC Barcelona. Different lines target different groups: International Excellence Scholarships are for international undergraduates, Academic Excellence Scholarships reward strong academic performance in selected degrees, and Pre-University Competition Grants are for high-school students who submit a research project. Most awards reduce tuition rather than covering living costs, and conditions vary by programme.
partial
Funding
€12k
Max
May 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMinistry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport of Spain
Spanish Government Scholarships
Open mainly to Spanish nationals and, for several lines, EU citizens resident in Spain who are enrolled or admitted to an official Spanish university or vocational programme. Income-based general grants (Becas MEC) test household income and academic performance, while research and postdoctoral contracts such as Juan de la Cierva and Ramon y Cajal require relevant degrees and a research project. Exact eligibility differs per programme and is fixed in each annual call.
full
Funding
€6k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingBarcelona School of Economics (BSE)
Barcelona School of Economics Scholarships
Open to international and domestic applicants who hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent, with at least 180 ECTS credits for Bologna degrees) from an accredited institution, typically in economics, finance, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or business administration. Applicants must show an advanced level of English (TOEFL iBT 90 or higher, or IELTS Academic 6.5 or higher) unless they are native speakers or completed a prior degree in English. A strong academic record, strong quantitative skills, and two reference letters are required; the GRE General Test is recommended but not mandatory.
partial
Funding
—
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What is the University Ramon Llull (URL)?
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University Ramon Llull (URL) is a private federated university in Barcelona, Spain, composed of eight prestigious institutions. Founded in 1990, it offers specialized programs across various fields including business, engineering, and health sciences.
What are the tuition fees for international students at URL?
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International student fees range from approximately €8,000 to €22,000 per year, varying by program and constituent school. ESADE programmes, particularly MBA and executive courses, are at the higher end of this range.
What are the English language proficiency requirements for international students?
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For English-taught programs, applicants typically need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall or a TOEFL iBT score of 90. Specific score requirements may vary depending on the chosen program.
What are the living costs for students in Barcelona?
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Living costs in Barcelona are estimated to be around €1,000 to €1,400 per month. This estimate includes accommodation, transportation, and food expenses.
What makes studying at URL unique?
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URL's federated structure provides access to world-class specialist schools like ESADE, and it ranks first in Spain for employability in business and marketing. It also offers small class sizes and extensive international partnerships.
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