Academic showdown

MADRID and Catalonia have emerged as the powerhouses of higher education in Spain in the latest Fundación CYD rankings which were released on Tuesday, May 23.

The report found that eight out of the top 10 universities in the country are located in Madrid or Catalonia, with only the Universidad de Navarra and the Universidad Deusto bucking the trend as located outside of the regions, ranked in second and seventh place respectively.

Consistent with past rankings, the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) has clinched the coveted top spot once again. Madrid’s Universidad Carlos III made a remarkable leap, securing the third ­ place position, leaving the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid trailing behind.

This comprehensive re ­ port evaluates 80 universities in ­ depth, covering 29 fields of study and more than 3,000 degree programmes.

Through a variety of criteria, each institution’s strengths, such as research capabilities, teaching quality, and employment prospects, are thoroughly analysed.

Sònia Martínez, the director of the Fundación CYD, highlighted the importance of the report for both students and universities. It serves as a valu ­