Spain is home to some of the best law schools in Europe, with a long-standing tradition of legal education. The 69 best law schools in Spain were listed in this article based on their research performance in Law.
The list includes universities from across Spain, including the University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, and many more.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Why Study Law in Spain?
Studying law in Spain can be a great opportunity for students who want to gain a global perspective on the legal system.
Spain is known for its high-quality education, and its universities offer a strong foundation in the law that can be applied worldwide. In addition, studying law in Spain can be a cost-effective option, as public universities offer low tuition fees.
By studying law in Spain, students can develop a set of skills that will allow them to find employment in both legal and non-legal industries.
These skills include the ability to negotiate, interpret complex information, communicate with confidence, write concisely, form sound arguments, and more.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Law Schools in Spain
The following elements were considered throughout the rating process:
- Academic Reputation: We place a significant emphasis on the academic standing of each institution, considering factors such as accreditation, curriculum comprehensiveness, and program reputation.
- Facilities and Resources: The learning environment is crucial for nurturing legal minds.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: A low student-to-faculty ratio is indicative of a more personalized and interactive learning experience. We consider this ratio as an essential element in determining the level of individualized attention students can expect.
- International Recognition
List of the 69 Best Law Schools in Spain
Below is a table showing the 69 best law schools in Spain:
S/N | Universities | Locations |
---|---|---|
1 | University of Barcelona | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
2 | Autonomous University of Barcelona | Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain |
3 | Complutense University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain |
4 | University of Granada | Granada, Spain |
5 | University of Valencia | Valencia, Spain |
6 | Pompeu Fabra University | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
7 | Autonomous University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain |
8 | University of Seville | Seville, Andalusia, Spain |
9 | University of Saragossa | Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain |
10 | University of the Basque Country | Basque Country, Spain |
11 | Carlos III University, Madrid | Getafe, Madrid, Spain |
12 | Technical University of Catalonia | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
13 | Polytechnic University of Valencia | Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain |
14 | University of Santiago de Compostela | Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain |
15 | Technical University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain |
16 | University of Alicante | Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain |
17 | University of Murcia | Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain |
18 | University of Salamanca | Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain |
19 | University of Malaga | Málaga, Andalusia, Spain |
20 | University of Oviedo | Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
21 | University of Vigo | Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain |
22 | University of Castilla La Mancha | Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain |
23 | University of Navarra | Pamplona, Spain |
24 | Rovira i Virgili University | Castelló de la Plana, Valencian Community, Spain |
25 | James I University | Castelló de la Plana, Valencian Community, Spain |
26 | University King Juan Carlos | Madrid, Spain |
27 | University of Valladolid | Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain |
28 | University of A Coruna | A Coruña, Galicia, Spain |
29 | University of Alcala | Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain |
30 | University of La Laguna | San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain |
31 | University of Cantabria | Santander, Cantabria, Spain. |
32 | University of Girona | Girona, Catalonia, Spain. |
33 | University of Extremadura | Badajoz, Cáceres, Mérida, Plasencia, Spain. |
34 | University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Province of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain. |
35 | University of Jaen | Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. |
36 | University of the Balearic Islands | Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain. |
37 | University Pablo de Olavide, Seville | Seville, Andalusia, Spain. |
38 | University Ramon Llull | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. |
39 | University of Almeria | Almería, Andalusia, Spain. |
40 | University of Cadiz | Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain. |
41 | Public University of Navarre | Santander, Cantabria, Spain. |
42 | University of Deusto | Bilbao and San Sebastian, Spain. |
43 | University of Huelva | Huelva, Andalusia, Spain. |
44 | IE University | Madrid and Segovia, Spain. |
45 | University of Lleida | Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. |
46 | Miguel Hernandez University of Elche | Elche, Alicante, Spain. |
47 | University of Cordoba | Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain. |
48 | Comillas Pontifical University | Madrid, Spain. |
49 | Polytechnic University of Cartagena | Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. |
50 | University of La Rioja | La Rioja, Spain. |
51 | University of Burgos | Santander, Cantabria, Spain. |
52 | University of Leon | León, Province of León, Spain. |
53 | International University of Catalonia | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. |
54 | European University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain. |
55 | San Vicente Martir Catholic University of Valencia | Valencia, Spain. |
56 | Saint Anthony Catholic University | Murcia, Spain. |
57 | University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia | Vic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. |
58 | Loyola University Andalusia | Seville, Andalusia, Spain. |
59 | CEU University of San Pablo | Madrid, Spain. |
60 | Nebrija University | Madrid, Spain. |
61 | Mondragon University | Santander, Cantabria, Spain. |
62 | CEU Cardenal Herrera University | Valencia, Spain. |
63 | Francisco de Vitoria University | Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain. |
64 | Pontifical University of Salamanca | Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain. |
65 | Catholic University of Avila | Ávila, Castile and León, Spain. |
66 | Abat Oliba CEU University | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. |
67 | International University Menendez Pelayo | Santander, Cantabria, Spain. |
68 | Miguel de Cervantes European University | Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. |
69 | Camilo Jose Cela University | Madrid, Spain. |
20 Best Law Schools in Spain
1. University of Barcelona
- Founded: 1450
- Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Barcelona is one of the most prestigious law schools in Spain. It offers a wide range of courses, including eight bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs.
The faculty is the largest in Catalonia and has a broad and varied course offering that includes law, political science, criminology, labor relations, and public management and administration.
The faculty is committed to providing students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for the legal profession and beyond.
2. Autonomous University of Barcelona
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) is a leading institution that provides quality teaching in a wide variety of courses that meet the needs of society and are adapted to the new models of the Europe of Knowledge.
The Faculty of Law offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in law, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, a Master’s Degree in Legal Profession, and a Doctorate in Law.
The Faculty of Law is committed to providing students with a solid intellectual training based on the essential values of the conception of a more just society.
3. Complutense University of Madrid
- Founded: 1293
- Location: Madrid, Spain
Complutense University of Madrid is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Spain.
It was founded in 1499 and has a rich history of academic excellence. The university is located in Madrid, the capital city of Spain, and has a student population of over 80,000.
The Faculty of Law at Complutense University of Madrid is one of the most respected law schools in Spain. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in law, including a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program, a Master of Laws (LLM) program, and a Doctor of Laws (LLD) program.
The LLB program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Spanish legal system, while the LLM program is aimed at students who wish to specialize in a particular area of law, such as international law, human rights law, or intellectual property law.
4. University of Granada
- Founded: 1531
- Location: Granada, Spain
The University of Granada is a prestigious institution located in Granada, Spain. The Faculty of Law is one of the most emblematic buildings in the historic center of the city.
The faculty has a long-standing teaching tradition in the field of law, and the teaching staff are competent and experienced.
The four-year undergraduate degree in law offered by the university prepares students to meet the demands of becoming a professional lawyer, training them in all the nuances of law in Spain.
Upon completion of the degree, graduates are qualified professionals in the field of law, able to understand it, and grasp how it affects all aspects of society.
5. University of Valencia
- Founded: 1499
- Location: Valencia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Valencia is a prestigious institution that offers a range of academic programs in law.
The faculty is committed to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and practices, as well as the skills necessary to succeed in the legal profession.
The faculty’s academic programs include undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as postgraduate courses and research opportunities.
The undergraduate degree in law is a four-year program that provides students with a solid foundation in legal theory and practice. The curriculum includes courses in civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, and international law, among others.
6. Pompeu Fabra University
- Founded: 1990
- Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Pompeu Fabra University is a public university located in Barcelona, Spain. It was founded in 1990 and named after the Catalan philologist Pompeu Fabra.
The university has a strong reputation for its law school, which offers a wide range of master’s degree programmes of various types: research, academic and professional.
The law school at Pompeu Fabra University is known for its innovative approach to legal education. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in legal theory and practice, while also encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including moot court competitions, legal clinics, and internships with law firms and other organizations.
7. Autonomous University of Madrid
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Madrid, Spain
The Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) is a public research university located in Madrid, Spain.
The Faculty of Law of the UAM was established in 1970 and has since been at the forefront of legal education and research in Spain and Europe. The faculty offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in law, political science, and international relations.
The faculty’s teaching system is based on both theoretical and practical aspects, and it collaborates with the best law firms in Madrid and the main companies, professional institutions, and public entities in the country, which allows students to follow an exhaustive internship program.
8. University of Seville
- Founded: 1505
- Location: Seville, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Seville is one of the leading institutions in Spain for studying law and other related disciplines in the field of social and legal sciences.
The faculty offers a wide range of programs, including a foundation course, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD and doctorates.
9. University of Saragossa
- Founded: 1542
- Location: Aragon, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Zaragoza is one of the most prestigious law schools in Spain. The university was founded in 1542 and has almost five centuries of history.
It is one of the 10 best universities in Spain and ranks in the top 2% of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The Faculty of Law is located on the San Francisco Campus, which is located in the heart of the city of Zaragoza and enjoys excellent public transport links with the rest of the city through numerous bus lines and tram line 1.
The Faculty of Law at the University of Zaragoza is committed to international mobility and has nearly 2,000 agreements with institutions all over the world.
10. University of the Basque Country
- Founded: 1980
- Location: Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
The University of the Basque Country is a public research university located in the Basque Country, Spain. It was founded in 1980 and has three campuses in Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields, including law.
The Faculty of Law at the University of the Basque Country is one of the most prestigious law schools in Spain. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in law, including a bachelor’s degree in law, a master’s degree in law, and a Doctoral program in Law.
11. Carlos III University, Madrid
- Founded: 1989
- Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Carlos III University of Madrid is a public university located in Madrid, Spain. The School of Law and Social Sciences is one of the faculties of the university.
The school offers a Bachelor’s degree in Law, which prepares students to practice law in Spain1. The average grade of students admitted to the Bachelor’s degree programs in the School of Law and Social Sciences in the academic year 2023/2024 is 12.39 out of a possible 14.
The school is part of the Association of Faculties and Law Schools “Sui Iuris”, together with universities in Latin America.
12. Technical University of Catalonia
- Founded: 1971
- Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya offers a bachelor’s degree in law. The program is designed to train lawyers who can work efficiently as part of an international team and who hold ethical values in high esteem.
The course is offered in Catalan, Spanish, and English and lasts for 8 semesters. The total number of credits required to complete the course is 240 ECTS. The tuition fee for the first year of the course is €10,680.00.
The faculty has over 250 work placement agreements with courts and prestigious firms, and over 60 agreements with international universities. The course also offers 4 double degrees with which students can earn two bachelor’s degrees in five years.
13. Polytechnic University of Valencia
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the Polytechnic University of Valencia is a renowned institution that offers a range of academic programs in law.
The faculty is committed to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and its various aspects.
The faculty’s academic programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the legal profession.
The faculty offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in law, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and Doctoral studies.
14. University of Santiago de Compostela
- Founded: 1495
- Location: Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela is one of the oldest law schools in Spain, tracing its origins back to 1649.
It has been exclusively responsible for legal education in Galicia until the 1990s, when other faculties with legal education were established in the Galician University System.
The faculty offers a Degree in Law that provides comprehensive training of the jurist, involving both the acquisition of knowledge of substantive law as well as the development of capacities for interpretation, integration, and application of legal standards.
15. Technical University of Madrid
- Founded: 1971
- Location: Madrid, Spain
The Technical University of Madrid (UPM) is a leading Spanish university that offers a wide range of academic programs in engineering, architecture, and science.
The university has a rich history dating back to 1971, and it has since grown to become one of the most prestigious universities in Spain.
The university’s law school is known for its rigorous academic programs and its commitment to providing students with a comprehensive legal education.
The law school at UPM is designed to prepare students for a career in law by providing them with a strong foundation in legal theory and practice.
16. University of Alicante
- Founded: 1979
- Location: San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
The University of Alicante is a public research university located in Alicante, Spain. The university has a well-regarded law school that offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The Faculty of Law provides students with a comprehensive legal education that prepares them for a wide range of careers in the legal field.
The faculty offers a variety of degree programs, including a Bachelor’s degree in Law, a Master’s degree in Law, and a Doctorate in Law.
The Bachelor’s degree in Law is a four-year program that provides students with a solid foundation in legal theory and practice. The Master’s degree in Law is a one-year program that allows students to specialize in a particular area of law, such as human rights or international law. The Doctorate in Law is a three-year program that prepares students for careers in academia or research.
17. University of Murcia
- Founded: 1272
- Location: Murcia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Murcia is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Spain.
It was founded in 1915 and offers a wide range of programs, including four undergraduate programs, six master’s programs, and a doctoral program with over 30 research topics.
The faculty is composed of eight departments, including Political Science, Administrative Law, Civil Law, Private Law, Procedural International and Financial Law, Labour and Social Security Law, Foundations of the Juridical and Constitutional Order, and Juridical History and Criminal Law.
18. University of Salamanca
- Founded: 1218
- Location: Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain
The University of Salamanca is a public university located in the city of Salamanca, Spain. It was founded in 1134 and is one of the oldest universities in the world.
The university has a Faculty of Law that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in law.
The Faculty of Law is one of the colleges of the university and is located in the historic center of Salamanca. The university has a rich intellectual history and is known for its contributions to the field of international law.
19. University of Malaga
- Founded: 1972
- Location: Malaga, Andalusia, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Malaga offers a combined program Derecho that allows students to pursue a Spanish degree in law while also studying English law studies.
The Spanish degree is four years long and makes students eligible to take up Spanish postgraduate courses in the legal field and to prepare for the Spanish professional examinations.
The English law studies course also extends over four years, running parallel with the degree program, and at the end of each year, successful students are awarded a ‘certificate of specialization’ by the University of Malaga.
The Faculty of Law is associated with the Andalusian Criminology Institute, which provides data and advice for the Andalusian Regional Government and offers post-graduate and specialization courses for the police, justice and penitentiary administration, and the public.
20. University of Oviedo
- Founded: 1574
- Location: Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
The Faculty of Law at the University of Oviedo is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Spain. It was established in 1608 and has since been a pioneer in legal education and research in the country.
The faculty offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a Degree in Law, a Double Degree in Business Administration and Management and Law, and a master’s degree in legal Protection of Vulnerable Groups and People.
FAQs on the Best Law Schools in Spain
What criteria were considered for academic reputation?
Academic reputation took into account factors such as accreditation, curriculum quality, and program reputation. We considered the overall academic standing of each law school in the Spanish legal education landscape.
Are these rankings suitable for international students?
Yes, the rankings take into account the international aspects of each law school, making them relevant for both domestic and international students seeking a legal education in Spain.
What if I have additional questions or need more information?
Feel free to explore the additional resources (university official link) provided in the article for more in-depth information on each law school.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Spain has a wide range of law schools that offer quality education and research opportunities.
The universities mentioned above are some of the bests in the country, and they provide students with a solid foundation in law.
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