The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) holds a leading position in the most prestigious and influent international university rankings. In recent years, this award has been favored by the growing impact of the research, the constant improvement of the quality of teaching and the ability to attract international talent. This progress has been decisive in moving to leading positions among Spanish universities in the two main university rankings, including the QS World University Ranking. The UAB was also one the first Spanish universities to obtain recognition as a Campus of International Excellence. Since the 2011/12 academic year, it is one of the top ten young universities with the highest international projection and global prestige.
UAB was founded in 1968. The founders aimed to establish four principles of autonomy: freedom to select teaching staff, admission available to all students, freedom to create study plans and freedom to administrate the university's capital. It is therefore a young university, but in its short history it has moved forward at a rapid pace.
