QS Top Universities: Schools

On 18 June 1990, the Parliament gave the go-ahead for the creation of a new public university in Catalonia, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, inspired by the principles of freedom, democracy, justice, equality, independence and plurality. From its beginnings, this young academic institution has set itself two main objectives: to train professionals and citizens who are responsible and committed to civic values, and to contribute towards the development of research.

The first lectures at UPF were given on 8 October 1990 in the Balmes Building, once the site of the Fòrum Vergés. They were attended by some 300 students of the new Four-Year Degrees in Law and Economics and Business Sciences. Today it has 7,000 students, courses in all fields from experimental, health and life sciences to human and social sciences and technical studies and an expanding campus in the heart of the city, stretching between the Rambla and the district of Poblenou.

Parallel to the progress made in teaching and research, the campus has spread to provide the University with the facilities it needs. Over the years a line has emerged that runs from the Rambla to the Olympic Village, in the district of El Poblenou. All along this line the citys historic buildings have been renovated, including the Dipòsit de les Aigües, built by Fontserè in 1888, now the library building; the former army barracks in Carrer Wellington; the buildings in Plaça de la Mercè, now housing the Rectorate, and in Plaça del Teatre, with the new Plaça de Joaquim Xirau; and França Station, where the first train in Spain started its run.

As regards the governance of UPF, Dr. Enric Argullol served as rector from the founding until June 2001. Prior to this, he had been Commissioner for the Promotion of the New University of Catalonia (the body that took the first steps of the educational project) and president of the Management Committee. At the end of his mandate, in June 2001, the University Senate elected Dr. M. Rosa Virós i Galtier, which has leaded the government of the University until May 2005. Present rector is Dr. Josep Joan Moreso Mateos, who won the election which took place on May 11th, 2005.

Faculty

Number of International Faculty Staff	Headcount: 274 FTE: 274
Number of academic faculty staff who are of foreign nationality. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even if from another EU state. In Hong Kong, this includes professors from Mainland China. Inclusion and exclusion mirrors those for academic faculty staff.
Number of Faculty Staff	Headcount: 735 FTE: 735
Total number of academic faculty staff who are responsible for planning, directing and undertaking teaching only, research only or both teaching and research. Please include: vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, principals, professors, heads of school, associate professors, principal lecturers and tutors. Please exclude research assistants, PhD students who contribute to teaching, and exchange scholars or visiting professors who are members of another university. FAQ: How is research assistant defined?

Undergraduate Information

Number of Undergraduate Students	Headcount: 8,462 FTE: 8,462
Number of students pursuing a Bachelor�s level or equivalent degree. This excludes certificates/diplomas and associate�s degrees.
Number of International Undergraduate Students	Headcount: 287 FTE: 287
Number of undergraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China. Please exclude all exchange students.
Number of Inbound Exchange Undergraduate Students	Headcount: 1,079
Number of undergraduate students attending your university on international exchange programs for at least 1 semester in the last 12 months.
Average International Undergraduate Fees	€ EUR 826
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for an undergraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Average Domestic Undergraduate Fees	€ EUR 826
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for an undergraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?

Graduate / Postgraduate Information

Number of Graduate / Postgraduate Students	Headcount: 1,197 FTE: 1,197
Students pursuing a higher-level degree (Master and Doctorate), including both taught and research postgraduates (e.g. PhD students)
Number of International Graduate Students	Headcount: 313 FTE: 313
Number of graduate / postgraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Average International Graduate / Postgraduate Fees	€ EUR 1,560
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Average Domestic Graduate / Postgraduate Fees	$ USD 1,560
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?

Students

Total Students	Headcount: 9,659 FTE: 9,659
Total number of students.
Total International Students	Headcount: 600 FTE: 600
Number of students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Average International Student Fees	€ EUR 1,193
Average tuition fees per year that an international student would be expected to pay for any course
Average Domestic Student Fees	€ EUR 1,193
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for any program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?

Graduate Output

Proportion of Graduates Employed	86%
Proportion of graduates (excluding those opting to pursue further study) in permanent employment within 6 months of graduation
Number of PhDs Awarded	59
Total number of PhDs awarded in the last 12 months

Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

UPF was founded in 1990. It has consolidated the design of its teaching and research programmes, maximising the resources made available to the University in the public sector. The continuous innovation and improvement of both its teaching and technology, of its students� academic performance and their promising career prospects, the University�s degree of academic involvement at an international level and finally its distinguished position in the field of research are all factors contributing to its prestige.

UPF focuses on the fields of social sciences, humanities, health and life sciences, communication and information technologies. In research heads two flagship projects which provide a major teaching, research and production infrastructure for the fields of health and life sciences, communication and technology: the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park and the Barcelona Media Park. The University�s range of postgraduate studies is also updated and shaped to the needs of the professional and production sectors.