Presentation of UPF
March 2026
The pillars
A university with a strategic commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent
A researchintensive university that is committed to transfer
A Catalan university with an international vocation
A university with a unique, dynamic teaching model
A public university in the heart of Barcelona
The UPF community
2025-2026 academic year
Undergraduate University master’s degree UPF master’s degree PhD Teaching and research staff Technical, management and administration and services staff
10,074 students 29 programmes 1,270 students 35 programmes 347 students 19 programmes 1,369 students 9 programmes 1,409 full-time 347 permanent teaching staff
746 PTGAS 225 suport for research
UPF, a university with a strategic commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent
A university with a strategic commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent
Results of competitive calls to attract talent
(CAT)
1st Catalan university for ICREA in absolute numbers (33% of the system) (ICREA, February 2026)
(CAT)
1st Catalan University for ICREA Acadèmia recognized teaching staff taking size into account (16% of the system) (ICREA, 2025 call)
(ESP)
1st Spanish university for attracting RyC taking size into account (IUNE, 2025)
(ESP) 1st Spanish university for attracting JdC taking size into account (IUNE, 2025)
Tenure Track model pivoted by UPF 112 PDI in 9 years (UPF, 2026)
UPF, a research-intensive university committed to transfer
Research of excellence
1st Spanish university for R&D&I funding harnessed by PDI (average 2010-2021 La Universidad en cifras, 2023)
1st Spanish university in absolute number of ERCs (13% of ERCs with only 1% of the teachers of the system) (88 ERCs since the start of the programme) (1 in 10 ERCs awarded to Spanish universities is for UPF)
Department of Engineering (2015 and 2021 calls) (2014, 2018 and 2024 calls) Department of Medicine and Life Sciences
Transfer results
Valorization of research Promotion of entrepreneurship
(5 editions, 2018-2025) (4 editions, 2020-2024)
26 projects funded > €9.7 M of public funding achieved > €14 M private financing
9 spin-offs established
52 projects supported > 100 students trained Start-up Seal
Public-private collaboration
Sponsorship and patronage programme:
€3.2 milion per year (2025) 78 industrial doctorates from the Government of Catalonia (2013-2025)
Refoundation of the Social and Business Forum of the UPF Board of Trustees
Boost in social sciences and humanities
UPF, a Catalan university with an international outlook
International outlook
47% of graduates have made a stay abroad (2024-2025 academic year)
52% of master's degree and PhD students are international (2025-2026 academic year) 75% of theses written and defended in English (2024-2025 academic year)
23% of teaching staff is international (January 2026)
Alumni: more than 5,000 alumni active in 48 countries around the world International chapters in 13 territories
Strategic alliances 1st Spanish public university for international outreach (2026)
Commitment to Catalan
Training in Catalan 2,241 students 14% increase* (2024-2025 academic year)
Training in Catalan 150 PDI 37% increase*
(Q1 2025-2026)
Course for international PDI: Live UPF in Catalan: 108 people 69% increase* (Q1 2025-2026)
MOOC A1.1 of Catalan Catalan for Beginners: 2,831 people (since the 1st edition in November 2022)
C1 accreditation of Catalan of PDI: 1,094 accredited teachers (2022-2025)
* compared to the same period of the previous year
UPF, a university with a unique and dynamic teaching model
Teaching quality
Source: Academic performance statistics (Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, 2026)
Job placement and satisfaction with studies
Job placement Speed in finding employment
Job satisfaction
Graduate rating 92% of graduates are employed (AQU 2023)
8/10 (AQU 2023) 90% would repeat at UPF (AQU 2023) 89% find a job within a year after graduating (AQU 2023)
The pillars
UPF, a public university in the heart of Barcelona
A public university in the heart of Barcelona
Poblenou campus
Ciutadella campus
Mar campus
Rectoral building
