Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra in the top 10 of best young universities in the world

Barcelona-based Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) is the 10^th best young university in the world, according to The Young University Ranking, elaborated by Times Higher Education (THE). In this way, the Catalan university enters the top 10 for the first time. Times Higher Education’s ranking is one of the world’s most prestigious and influential in the sector and it analyses criteria such as the universities’ learning environments or their international outlook, the volume and reputation and research. In 2020, it has assessed 414 universities from all over the world that are under fifty years old.

The ranking has also assessed other Catalan universities, such as the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the Rovira i Virgili University (URV), placed in the top 150, while the University of Girona (UdG) is in the top 200. Times Higher Education’s ranking this year is led by the University of Science and Technology of Hong Kong, Nanyang University of Technology in Singapore and PSL University in Paris.

On the other hand, UPF also ranks 28^th in the QS Top 50 Under 50 ranking (thus improving four positions compared to last year) and it is ranked at the 1^st university in Spain. The list, published each year by the consulting firm Quacquarelli Symonds, assesses academic reputation, scientific publications, the student/teacher ratio and international students. The classification also includes the Catalan UPC in the 36^th position and the URV and Ramon Llull University (URL) among the top 150.

The Minister for Business and Knowledge, Àngels Chacón, said these “magnificent” results “highlight the excellence of the Catalan university system and the need, more than ever, in the current context of crisis and uncertainty caused by the COVID19, to make a firm commitment to the knowledge society, universities, research and innovation”.

Source: Times Higher Education & Quacquarelli Symonds