Universities in the public sector dominate the CYD Ranking, with the Barcelona Autonomous Region taking the top spot once more.
Vibrant Universities: 2024 CYD Ranking Unveils Top Education Hubs in Spain
Once again, the Autonomous University of Barcelona shines as the crème de la crème in Spain's education scene, according to the CYD Ranking. Six other public universities also make the top ten, with the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona experiencing a remarkable leap from the previous year.
On Thursday, the CYD Foundation revealed the findings of its 11th annual report, basking in the limelight as Spain's most comprehensive analysis of universities. Its director, Sonia Martinez, defended this classification as the ultimate guide for users, allowing them to tailor their rankings based on their interests.
This year's analysis scrutinized 91% of active universities included in the Registry of Universities, Centers, and Titles (RUCT). Among these, 100% of public universities and 80.5% of private institutions were part of the study, allowing the CYD Foundation to delve into 30 areas of knowledge, updating some and adding Physiotherapy as a new subject.
Public Universities Steal the Show
The CYD Ranking examines 36 indicators in each educational institution, including teaching quality, research output, and international orientation. Remarkably, the top ten spots remain stagnant, confirming that substantial variations are rare from one edition to another.
The Autonomous University of Barcelona rules the charts, earning a whopping 29 of the 36 top indicators. Ranking second is the University of Navarra, with a respectable 29 points, slightly behind the Catalan university, which boasts an extra five points in intermediate variables.
The Autonomous University of Madrid comes in third with 26 points, just as the University of Barcelona and the Carlos III University of Madrid tie for fourth with 24 points, showcasing a close race among the top-performing institutions.
Catalonia's Pompeu Fabra University Ascends
Out of ten universities in the top ten, the Pompeu Fabra University climbs an impressive three positions, landing in fifth. The University of Valencia also gains ground, rising two places to tenth, edging out the Ramon Llull University, which falls a spot to ninth. Meanwhile, the Pontificia Comillas University plunges from sixth to seventh position.
Beyond the top ten, significant advancements are witnessed. The Camilo José Cela University surges 28 places, moving from 72 to 44, while the Pablo de Olavide University slips 24 places, settling in the 65th position. Notably, the Fernando Pessoa-Canarias University, absent in the 2023 ranking, returns this year, landing comfortably in 27th position.
According to the CYD Foundation, while some universities excel in all areas, closer examination reveals other institutions that stand out in specific indicators. This flexibility allows users to create custom rankings based on their preferences and desired comparisons.
Regionally, Navarra, Catalonia, and the Basque Country continue to dominate as the top regions for academia. However, the Canary Islands demonstrate remarkable progress, rising nine spots and claiming the seventh position with the most valued universities. Conversely, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Asturias struggle near the bottom of the rankings, with Asturias experiencing the steepest decline compared to the previous classification.
Barriers for Women in Healthcare Professions
In 2024, the CYD Foundation addressed the role of women in healthcare careers. Shockingly, 71% of students studying in these branches are women. However, the percentage of women decreases as their academic career progresses. For instance, only 44% of full professors are female.
Notably, female representation increases in Pharmacy, Psychology, and Nursing but remains dismally low in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Physiotherapy. This gender discrepancy highlights a lingering obstacle that needs addressing in these sectors.
Physiotherapy: A New Field of Study
New to the CYD Ranking this year is the analysis of Physiotherapy. Preliminary findings suggest that the University of Salamanca, the University of Jaén, and the University of Málaga are the institutions demonstrating the strongest performance in this field.
The CYD Ranking investigates over 3,000 qualifications in 30 fields of knowledge, including Agriculture, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Business Administration and Management, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, History, Education, Law, Earth Sciences-Geology, Journalism and Communication, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Architecture, and seven Engineering degrees.
When it comes to preferred fields of study, Medicine is the most sought-after degree, with thirteen applicants for every place offered at public universities. Nursing and Psychology follow suit, with respective applicant-to-place ratios of 4.62 and 3.35.
In the 2024 CYD Ranking, the Autonomous University of Barcelona stands out with an average of 29 points in 36 indicators, making it the top university in Spain. This ranking, which includes 100% of public universities and 80.5% of private institutions, also highlights the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, which significantly improves its position due to its strong performance in online education, learning, and other areas.
