Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) at a glance
- City
- Barcelona
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- upc.edu/en
Key takeaways
- Non-EU students without Spanish residence pay about €45 per ECTS at UPC, roughly €2,700 for a 60-ECTS master, according to UPC's fees page.
- Our fact pack lists 46 English-taught master's programs at UPC, from AI and data science to aerospace and energy.
- Each school sets its own application periods; some masters also start in February, with an expected deadline of 9 December 2026.
- Applying costs €30.21 per master, and documents issued outside the EU must be legalised.
- UPC has no English-taught bachelor's in our data, so it is mainly a master's destination.
On this page
If you want an English-taught engineering or tech master's in Spain without paying private-school prices, UPC BarcelonaTech is one of the strongest options. Non-EU students without residence in Spain pay about €45 per ECTS credit, so a 60-credit master costs around €2,700 in tuition, according to UPC's fees page.
This guide covers what you actually pay, which English programs exist, the 2026/27 deadlines that show you when to apply for 2027/28, and the honest downsides.
Why UPC is good value for non-EU students
UPC is a public technical university with campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels, Terrassa and other towns in Catalonia. It offers a very large English-taught master's catalogue in engineering, ICT, architecture and science.
- Low public tuition: about €2,700 for 60 ECTS for non-EU students, which is low for a big-city technical university in Western Europe.
- Program range: 46 English-taught masters in our data, including several Erasmus Mundus joint degrees that come with consortium scholarships.
- Two intakes for some programs: a number of masters also start in February (spring), which gives you a second chance in the year.
- Barcelona: a large, international city and the capital of Catalonia.
UPC tuition fees for non-EU students
Spanish public universities charge per credit (ECTS), and prices are set by the regional government. In Catalonia, UPC applies a higher rate to non-EU students who do not hold residence in Spain. A student-stay authorisation (your study visa) does not count as residence for this purpose.
| Student type | Per ECTS | 60 ECTS | 120 ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU students and residents (non-qualifying masters) | €19.37 | €1,162 | - |
| Non-EU without residence | €45 | €2,700 | €5,400 |
These are teaching fees only. You also pay compulsory administrative fees, and later the degree certificate (listed at €218.15). Repeat enrolments in the same subject cost more: the non-EU rate rises to €60, €100 and €120 per credit on later attempts. Erasmus Mundus and inter-university masters have fees set by the consortium or coordinating university.
Which year are these prices for?
UPC's fees page does not print the academic year next to the figures. It says fees are approved in early July before each year starts, and it sits under the 2026/27 master's section. Check the program page again after July 2027 for your exact 2027/28 price.
English-taught programs at UPC
All 46 programs in our data are master's degrees. Examples by field:
| Field | Example programs | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science and AI | Artificial Intelligence; Data Science; Computer Vision; Cybersecurity | 60–120 ECTS |
| Telecom and electronics | Advanced Telecommunication Technologies; Electronic Engineering (MEE); MASTEAM | 60–90 ECTS |
| Aerospace | Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST); Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) | 60 ECTS |
| Energy | Electric Power Systems and Drives; Erasmus Mundus Hydrogen Systems (HySET) | 60–120 ECTS |
| Maths and physics | Advanced Mathematics (MAMME); Engineering Physics | 60 ECTS |
| Civil and environmental | Erasmus Mundus CoMEM; Erasmus Mundus Flood Risk Management | 120 ECTS |
See the full list on UPC's master's catalogue, and compare with other cities in our guide to English-taught programs in Spain.
Admission requirements
You need an official bachelor's degree (from inside or outside the European Higher Education Area) that gives access to master's studies. Places are assigned by the average mark of your academic record, and some backgrounds get direct admission while others may need bridging courses.
- English: generally B2. For example, the MET master accepts IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 87, Cambridge FCE, TOEIC 750, or one semester of university study taught in English. Requirements vary by master.
- Documents: passport, degree certificate and transcript with average mark (legalised if issued in a non-EU country), English certificate, and a CV and motivation letter where required.
- Fee: €30.21 per master, non-refundable. Admitted students pay an advance on tuition to reserve the place.
For how degree recognition works in Spain, read our Spain admission requirements guide.
UPC deadlines: 2026/27 dates as a guide for 2027/28
Every UPC school sets its own periods. The official dates below are for the 2026/27 intake; 2027/28 dates for September starts were not yet published when we checked.
| Call | Opens | Closes | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIB masters (AI, Data Science…) – 1st period, 2026/27 | 25 Feb 2026 | 17 Apr 2026 | September 2026 |
| FIB masters – 2nd period, 2026/27 | 20 Apr 2026 | 29 May 2026 | September 2026 |
| MET, MATT, MEE, MAST, Engineering Physics – February intake | Open now | 9 Dec 2026 (expected) | February 2027 |
Visa timing
Spain asks you to apply for the study visa at least two months before classes start. For a September start, aim for the first application period of your school so you have the admission letter by spring.
Scholarships and grants
The most realistic funding for non-EU students is through the Erasmus Mundus masters, which offer consortium scholarships (for example CoMEM, CODAS, DEAI and HySET). Some masters list their own grants; the fact pack notes 2–3 scholarships for Photonics. Spanish ministry and Catalan grants on UPC's page are tied to income, academic and usually residence conditions, so check eligibility carefully. More options are in our scholarships in Spain guide.
Living in Barcelona
Barcelona is a popular, international city, and housing demand is high, so start looking for a room as soon as you are admitted. For the visa you must show funds of 100% of Spain's IPREM indicator per month (less if your housing is prepaid), and tuition payments do not count toward this. With a higher-education study authorisation you may work up to 30 hours a week if it fits your studies. Details are in the Spain student visa guide and our cost of studying in Spain guide.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Very low public tuition for a technical university in a major European city
- Large English-taught master's catalogue with Erasmus Mundus options
- February intake for several masters
- Clear per-master online pre-enrolment
Difficulties
- No English-taught bachelor's degrees in our data
- Each school has its own calendar, so it is easy to miss a period
- Non-EU documents must be legalised, which takes months in some countries
- Barcelona housing is competitive
Applying from Afghanistan
Afghan applicants
Afghanistan is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so Afghan diplomas and transcripts need full diplomatic legalization. The Spanish Embassy in Kabul is closed and its visa work moved to the Embassy of Spain in Islamabad, which only accepts applicants legally resident in Pakistan. Afghans legally resident in Iran apply through the Embassy in Tehran. Start legalization early; see our documents and legalization guide.
How to apply to UPC step by step
- 1
Pick your master and school
Open the program page and note its school's application periods and English requirement.
- 2
Prepare documents
Get your degree and transcript legalised (or apostilled) and an English B2 certificate.
- 3
Pre-enrol online
Apply through UPC's pre-enrolment page and pay €30.21 per master.
- 4
Accept and pay the advance
Pay the tuition advance to reserve your place and download the admission letter.
- 5
Apply for the study visa
Apply at the Spanish consulate covering where you legally live, at least two months before the start.
- 6
Arrive and get your TIE
If your stay is over 180 days, apply for the foreigner identity card (TIE) within one month of arrival.
Comparing Barcelona options? Read our profiles of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University, or see all Spain guides. You can also track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much does UPC cost for non-EU students?
UPC lists about €45 per ECTS for non-EU students without residence, roughly €2,700 for a 60-ECTS master and €5,400 for 120 ECTS, plus administrative fees.
Does UPC teach master's programs in English?
Yes. Our data lists 46 English-taught UPC masters, mainly in computer science, telecom, aerospace, energy, maths and civil engineering.
What IELTS score does UPC require?
Most English-taught UPC masters ask for B2. The MET master, for example, accepts IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 87. Check each program page.
Can I start a UPC master in February?
Some masters have a February intake. For February 2027, MET, MATT, MEE, MAST and Engineering Physics listed an expected deadline of 9 December 2026.
Does a student visa count as residence for UPC fees?
No. Non-EU students on a student-stay authorisation pay the non-resident rate.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.UPC — Master's fees and grants
- 2.UPC — Master's pre-enrolment
- 3.UPC — Master's degrees catalogue
- 4.UPC FIB — Master's pre-enrolment and admission
- 5.UPC Telecos — Master's in Telecommunications Engineering (MET)
- 6.Spanish Ministry of Inclusion — Study stay authorisation
- 7.HCCH — Apostille Convention status table
- 8.Embassy of Spain in Kabul
- 9.Spanish Ministry of Inclusion — Work while studying (Hoja 4 bis)