About the university
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), known internationally as BarcelonaTech, was set up in 1971 as the Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona, bringing together schools of industrial engineering, architecture and telecommunications. It took its present name in 1984 and now has 18 schools and about 35,000 students.
UPC is a public technical university specialising in engineering, architecture, computing and science. Its best-known schools include the Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB), the Barcelona School of Telecommunications Engineering (ETSETB), the Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB) and the aerospace school at Castelldefels.
For Indian students UPC offers unusually low fees for English-taught engineering and computing master's. Non-EU non-residents pay €45 per credit, so a one-year, 60-credit master's costs about €2,700 and a two-year master's about €5,400 in tuition. Popular choices include Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Informatics (MIRI), Telecommunications Engineering and Aerospace Science and Technology.
Most master's are taught in Barcelona, with others in Castelldefels, Terrassa and other towns nearby. Barcelona is a large, international city with a strong tech scene, though rents are high and admission to the popular master's is competitive.
- Founded
- March 1971, as the Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona; renamed Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in 1984
- Type
- Public technical university, part of the Catalan public university system
- Students
- 35,036 bachelor's, master's and doctoral students
- Teaching and research staff
- 3,852
- Schools and campuses
- 18 schools on nine campuses in seven towns: Barcelona, Castelldefels, Manresa, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Terrassa and Vilanova i la Geltrú
- Intakes
- September for all master's; some also start in February
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=434 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 1.5 years (90 ECTS), Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB); 50 places
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught in English; check UPC's admission requirements for the English level
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Data Science
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), FIB; 40 places
- Intakes
- September
- English
- CEFR B2 English (or equivalent)
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Cybersecurity
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS), ETSETB and FIB; 40 places
- Intakes
- September
- English
- CEFR B2 English, shown at enrolment
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics (MIRI)
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), FIB; specialisations include Data Science, Advanced Computing, High Performance Computing and Computer Networks; 60 places
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- Taught in English; check UPC's admission requirements for the English level
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering (MET)
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), ETSETB; 60 places in September and 20 in February
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- CEFR B2 English
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST)
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS), Castelldefels School of Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering (EETAC); 30 places
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- CEFR B2 English
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Automatic Control and Robotics
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB); 40 places
- Intakes
- September
- English
- CEFR B2.2 English (B1 in exceptional cases)
- Postgraduate
Master's degree in Renewable Energy Engineering
- Fee / year
- €2,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), ETSEIB; 60 places
- Intakes
- September
- English
- CEFR B2 English
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence | 1.5 years (90 ECTS), Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB); 50 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Data Science | 2 years (120 ECTS), FIB; 40 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Cybersecurity | 1 year (60 ECTS), ETSETB and FIB; 40 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Innovation and Research in Informatics (MIRI) | 2 years (120 ECTS), FIB; specialisations include Data Science, Advanced Computing, High Performance Computing and Computer Networks; 60 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering (MET) | 2 years (120 ECTS), ETSETB; 60 places in September and 20 in February | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST) | 1 year (60 ECTS), Castelldefels School of Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering (EETAC); 30 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Automatic Control and Robotics | 2 years (120 ECTS), Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB); 40 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
| Master's degree in Renewable Energy Engineering | 2 years (120 ECTS), ETSEIB; 60 places | €2,700 | ≈ ₹2.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) with similar universities in Spain.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- This page focuses on UPC's English-taught master's; check the teaching language of any bachelor's degree, as many are not taught in English.
- Bachelor's applicants with Indian Class 12 results need their qualifications accredited for Spanish university access.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field; for example, Data Science prefers informatics engineering or mathematics graduates and also considers physics, statistics and other engineering degrees.
- English at CEFR B2 for most English-taught master's (B2.2 for Automatic Control and Robotics).
- Apply in UPC's master's pre-enrolment periods; places are limited (30–60 per master's) and some programmes close early.
- Pay the €300 admission fee to accept your place; it is deducted from enrolment and refunded only if the master's does not run.
Documents
- Passport
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts
- CV and motivation letter
- English certificate at B2 (or the level the master's asks for)
- Recommendation letters where requested
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Most English-taught master's | CEFR B2, shown with an accepted certificate; Cybersecurity asks you to prove it at enrolment. |
| Automatic Control and Robotics | CEFR B2.2, lowered to B1 only in exceptional cases. |
| Other programmes | Check the teaching language on each course page; programmes not taught in English need Catalan or Spanish. |
Accommodation and living costs
UPC links to partner halls of residence on or near its campuses, run by operators such as RESA, Xior and Unihabit, plus temporary housing through Barcelona Centre Universitari. Prices below are for RESA Torre Girona, inside Campus Nord in Barcelona, as listed by RESA (from-prices; year not stated).
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Torre Girona: superior double studio with kitchenFrom-price per person; water, electricity and meals extra | €654per month | ≈ ₹69,324 |
| Torre Girona: individual studio with kitchenFrom-price | €738per month | ≈ ₹78,228 |
| Torre Girona: superior single studioFrom-price | €1,123per month | ≈ ₹1.2 lakh |
| UPC master's admin feesRecord handling €69.80 plus learning support €70 | €140per year | ≈ ₹14,840 |
Campus and location
UPC is spread over nine campuses in seven towns around Barcelona, each linked to specific schools.
- The Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB) and the Barcelona School of Telecommunications Engineering (ETSETB) teach most computing and telecoms master's; the Torre Girona residence is inside Campus Nord.
- ETSEIB, the industrial engineering school, is in Barcelona.
- EETAC in Castelldefels teaches aerospace and telecommunications.
- Other schools are in Terrassa, Manresa, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sant Adrià de Besòs.
- Close to 6,000 bachelor's and master's students graduate every year.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UPC's engineering and computing master's prepare graduates for Barcelona's tech, telecoms and engineering sectors. UPC does not publish employment figures for international graduates that we could verify. See our Spain country guide for post-study work options.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EU tuition for a 60-credit year | About €2,700 | UPC master's fees page |
Studying in Spain
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Spain. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at UPC cost for Indian students?
Non-EU non-residents pay €45 per credit, so about €2,700 for a 60-credit year and about €5,400 for a two-year, 120-credit master's. Small admin fees and a €300 admission fee are extra.
Are UPC master's taught in English?
Many are. Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, MIRI, Telecommunications Engineering, Aerospace Science and Technology and Robotics are all taught in English.
What English level do I need?
Usually CEFR B2, shown with an accepted certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL. Automatic Control and Robotics asks for B2.2.
Can I start in February?
Some master's, including MIRI, Telecommunications Engineering and Aerospace Science and Technology, also start in February. Others start only in September.
Where would I live?
UPC partners with halls such as RESA Torre Girona on Campus Nord, where studios start at about €654–738 a month before utilities. Shared flats are the other common option.
Sources
- UPC: master's fees and grants (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: master's catalogue (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: Master's degree in Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: Master's degree in Cybersecurity (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: The UPC (facts) (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: chronology (opens in a new tab)
- UPC: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- RESA Torre Girona residence (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.upc.edu (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details