In the latest QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025, we’ve assessed 685 institutions across Europe using 12 performance indicators. Let’s take a closer look at how Spanish universities have performed in these rankings.
This year, Spanish universities have improved their reputation among employers, and their graduate outcomes.
44 Spanish institutions are featured in the rankings, with five making it into the top 100. 33 institutions improved their overall rank and only seven dropped. Notably, 86% of these institutions (38 universities) have improved their position in the Employer Reputation indicator. Complutense University of Madrid, for example, broke into the top 10 for Employment Outcomes, moving up 14 places to secure the 10th spot.
Top 100
The QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025 show that the University of Deusto is the most improved Spanish institution, climbing 108 places to rank 312nd, thanks to improvements in Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations per Paper, and Employment Outcomes. Within the top 200, the most improved Spanish institution overall is Universitat de Valencia, moving up 44 places.
What Spanish universities are leading in key metrics?
The national leaders in each of our 12 performance indicators are:
Research and discovery
Seven Spanish institutions rank in the top 100 for Academic Reputation, with Universitat de Barcelona leading at 25th. Notably, 22 Spanish institutions improved their ranking positions in Citations per Paper, with Universidad de Córdoba – España making the most significant leap, moving up 66 places in this indicator. Universitat Ramon Llull is the only Spanish institution in the top 100 for Citations per Paper, ranking 64th.
Global engagement
Seven Spanish institutions made the top 100 for International Research Network. Universitat de Barcelona holds the highest position among Spanish universities in this indicator at 31st. However, Spanish institutions saw a general downward trend in the International Students indicator, with 66% moving down by more than 10 places. Despite this, IE University ranks second in Europe for International Students (a metric that assesses the national diversity of an institution). This finding is crucial as a welcoming environment is among the top priorities for international students considering Spain.
Employability and outcomes
Climbing 112 places, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia was the most improved Spanish institution in Employer reputation. Ten Spanish institutions made the European top 100 for Employer reputation, with four in the top 50 in this year’s edition. Moreover, Complutense University of Madrid is now in the top 10 for Employment outcomes, with six further Spanish universities in the top 100.
Sustainability
Nine Spanish institutions feature in the overall top 100 for Sustainability. Universitat de Barcelona is the highest ranked at 35th. Despite some institutions moving down in the Sustainability indicator, Universitat Ramon Llull is the biggest improver, climbing 160 places to 231st.