Study computer science at one of Spain's top research universities — for a fraction of private-school fees — in the middle of Barcelona's booming tech scene. An affordable EU degree with a 12-month post-study permit and Europe-wide opportunity.
4 years
Full-time duration
~€4,800
Tuition / year (intl.)
Sep 2026
Next intake
Spanish B2
Language (primary)
Overview
✓ Study at one of Spain's top research universities(QS 2026)
✓Public-university tuition — a European CS degree for around €4,800/year
✓ Study in Barcelona's tech hub, with a 12-month post-study permit and EU mobility
UAB's computer-science degree builds strong foundations in programming, algorithms, systems, databases and artificial intelligence, with lab work and a final project. Barcelona's research centres and startups make it a lively place to learn and intern.
Low public tuition plus Barcelona's tech ecosystem make this exceptional value. Graduates enter development, data and AI roles across Europe, supported by a 12-month post-study permit and EU-wide mobility.
UNEDasiss / credential recognition for international students
Language
Spanish B2 (primary teaching language); some English subjects
Prerequisites
Senior mathematics
💡
This degree is taught mainly in Spanish/Catalan. Your counsellor advises on Spanish preparation, credential recognition (UNEDasiss), and English-taught alternatives if you prefer.
What you'll study
Core courses
01 Programming Fundamentals
02 Algorithms & Data Structures
03 Operating Systems
04 Databases
05 Artificial Intelligence
06 Final Degree Project
After you graduate
Career outcomes
€28k+
Typical EU graduate developer salary
12-month permit
Post-study job-seeking in Spain
Barcelona tech
Startups, scale-ups & research centres
EU mobility
Work across the European Union
How to apply
Application timeline
Winter 2025 – spring 2026
Prepare your application
Start credential recognition (UNEDasiss), build your Spanish, and gather documents. Your counsellor maps the process and reviews everything free.
Spring – early summer 2026
Pre-registration
Submit your pre-registration (preinscripció) for public universities in Catalonia, listing UAB computer science among your choices.
Summer 2026
Placement & admission
Receive your place based on your recognised grades. Your counsellor helps you confirm enrolment and documents.
Summer 2026
Accept & student visa
Enrol, then apply for your Spanish Type D student visa with proof of funds and insurance.
September 2026
Orientation & start
Arrive in Barcelona for orientation and begin your computer-science degree at UAB.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees & costs
Tuition (international)
Per annum (indicative)
~€4,800
Total degree cost
4 years
~€19,000
Student visa fee
Type D (national)
~€80
Health insurance
Required for visa
~€50/month
Scholarships
Funding you may be eligible for
Spanish Government MAEC-AECID
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
€600–€900/month
Coverage: Living costs + tuition waiver (public unis)
Eligibility: Students from developing countries
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Typically January–March
Source: aecid.es
UAB / Catalonia Merit Grants
University & regional
Fee reductions
Coverage: Partial tuition / fee reductions
Eligibility: Academic merit & need
Duration: Renewable
Deadline: Varies — check with counsellor
Source: uab.cat scholarships, 2026
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Kuwaiti MOHE, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country
Duration: Full degree
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Loans & financing
Alternative funding options
MPOWER Financing
International student loan · No cosigner
Available for international students at European universities. No cosigner, collateral, or local credit history required.
Work during studies
Student visa holders · Up to 30 hrs/week
With a work authorisation you may work up to 30 hours per week during study — with very low tuition, part-time work covers much of your living costs.
Living costs
Monthly budget in Barcelona
Barcelona blends beaches, culture and a booming tech scene. Living costs sit a little above Madrid, driven mainly by rent, but very low tuition keeps the overall cost among Europe's most attractive.
Rent (shared flat)€550–€900
Food & groceries€250–€350
Transport (T-jove)€40
Health insurance€50
Books & supplies€40–€80
Personal & leisure€150–€300
Estimated total€1,080–€1,720/month
Student-visa financial requirement: €600/month (100% IPREM) in addition to tuition — via bank statements or a sponsor letter.
Student visa
Spanish student visa requirements
Visa type
Student Visa (Type D, national)
Acceptance letter
Admission / enrolment from UAB
Application fee
~€80
Financial proof
€600/month (100% IPREM) + tuition
Health cover
Private health insurance required
Post-graduation
12-month job-seeking permit (modificación de residencia)
Student stories
Hear from our students
"A European CS degree for under €5,000 a year felt unreal. I improved my Spanish before starting, and Barcelona's startup scene meant internships were everywhere. My counsellor walked me through UNEDasiss and the visa."
YM
Yara M.
BSc Computer Science, UAB — Class of 2027 · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
"Barcelona is an incredible place to be a student, and the low tuition meant I could focus on learning. The 12-month post-study permit is helping me start my dev career in Spain."
AK
Adam K.
BSc Computer Science, UAB — Class of 2026 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How affordable is a Spanish public CS degree?
Very. As a public university, UAB charges international undergraduates roughly €4,800/year — far below private or UK/US fees. Combined with Barcelona's manageable living costs, it's one of Europe's best-value routes to a computer-science degree.
What language is the degree taught in?
UAB's computer-science teaching is primarily in Catalan and Spanish, with some English-taught subjects. You'll need Spanish (and ideally basic Catalan) to follow the full degree, so language preparation matters. Your counsellor advises on language routes and English-taught options.
Can I work in Spain after graduating?
Yes. Spain offers a 12-month post-study job-seeking permit to stay and find work or start a business, and you can work up to 30 hours per week during study. Barcelona has a fast-growing tech and startup scene with strong demand for developers.
How good is UAB for computer science?
UAB is one of Spain's top research universities and is well regarded for computer science and AI, with strong research centres nearby. Barcelona is a major European tech hub, giving students access to internships, meetups and employers.
How much does living in Barcelona cost?
Budget roughly €1,050–€1,650/month all-in — a little above Madrid, driven mainly by rent. Barcelona offers beaches, culture and a huge international-student community. The student-visa financial requirement is €600/month (100% IPREM) plus tuition.
