The 20 Best Universities in Spain to Study Law in 2026

The Autonomous University of Madrid leads the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers, followed by Carlos III University of Madrid and Complutense University of Madrid.

How the ranking was compiled

The Autonomous University of Madrid leads the inaugural Impact Lawyers ranking of Spain’s best universities for studying Law. Carlos III University of Madrid and Complutense University of Madrid rank second and third, while the University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University and the University of Valencia complete the top six.

The assessment combines four academic references: the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Law and Legal Studies, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject for Law, the SCImago Institutions Rankings for Law and the 2026 edition of EL MUNDO’s “50 Carreras” ranking.

QS considers academic reputation, employer assessments, citations and research impact. Times Higher Education examines teaching, the research environment, research quality, international outlook and professional connections. SCImago allocates 50% to research, 30% to innovation and 20% to societal impact.

EL MUNDO provides a specifically Spanish perspective. Its assessment uses 27 criteria covering demand, teaching staff, resources, curricula, outcomes, research and internationalisation. It also incorporates the views of academics and information supplied by universities. Its 2026 Law ranking places the Autonomous University of Madrid first.

The quantitative results are supplemented by an editorial assessment of five dimensions:

• National and international academic reputation.
• Quality and impact of legal research.
• Breadth and coherence of legal education.
• Employability and relationships with the legal professions.
• Internationalisation, practical education and specialisation.

This qualitative review explains the inclusion of Esade, CUNEF and Comillas ICADE. Their research volume is lower than that of the major public universities, but they offer relevant legal specialisation and strong relationships with firms, companies and financial institutions.

Autonomous University of Madrid: Spain’s leading law school

1. Autonomous University of Madrid

The Autonomous University of Madrid ranks first because of its balance of academic reputation, research, teaching, outcomes and professional opportunities.

Its Faculty of Law is active in civil, commercial, criminal, constitutional, administrative, international, European, procedural, employment and human rights law. Its structure also supports interdisciplinary connections with economics and political science.

The Law degree combines theoretical education, practical modules, external placements and mobility opportunities. The university maintains relationships with courts, public authorities, law firms and other legal institutions.

The UAM leads the Law category in EL MUNDO’s 2026 “50 Carreras” ranking and places the subject among its most internationally recognised disciplines. Its position reflects consistency rather than exceptional performance in only one indicator.

Carlos III: internationalisation and innovation

2. Carlos III University of Madrid

Carlos III University of Madrid ranks second. It is one of Spain’s most modern, international and interdisciplinary institutions for legal education.

Its Faculty of Social Sciences and Law is particularly strong in European, international, public, commercial, employment, criminal, economic and technology law.

The university offers numerous dual degrees and international programmes. Law can be combined with Business Administration, Economics, Political Science or International Studies.

Its location in the Madrid region provides access to firms, consultancies, multinational companies, regulators and public institutions. High academic demand and strong employability support its second place.

Complutense: tradition and legal influence

3. Complutense University of Madrid

Complutense University of Madrid ranks third. Its Faculty of Law is one of the largest, oldest and most influential in Spain.

The university offers exceptional breadth in civil, criminal, constitutional, administrative, commercial, international, procedural, employment and tax law.

Its alumni include judges, prosecutors, lawyers, notaries, registrars, academics, officials and political leaders. This extensive network represents an important professional advantage.

Its size provides access to many subjects, associations and activities, although classes may be larger and the experience less personalised than at smaller institutions.

University of Barcelona: Catalonia’s leading institution

4. University of Barcelona

The University of Barcelona ranks fourth and is the highest-placed Catalan university.

Its Faculty of Law combines historical tradition, academic breadth and substantial research activity. It performs strongly in private, public, criminal, international, European, employment and administrative law.

Barcelona is one of Spain’s principal legal and business markets, containing leading firms, multinational companies, public authorities and technology businesses.

Teaching may take place in Catalan or Spanish depending on the class. Applicants should check the language of individual modules.

Pompeu Fabra: research and academic selectivity

5. Pompeu Fabra University

Pompeu Fabra University ranks fifth. Despite its relative youth, it has developed one of Spain’s most respected law schools.

Its strengths include research, internationalisation, academic selectivity and interdisciplinary education. It excels in European, international, commercial, constitutional, criminal, economic and regulatory law.

The university combines lectures with seminars and participatory methods. Its compact scale can provide a closer academic environment than that of the large historic universities.

Catalan, Spanish and, in certain modules, English form part of its teaching environment.

University of Valencia: Spain’s SCImago leader

6. University of Valencia

The University of Valencia ranks sixth. It is Spain’s highest-ranked university in the 2026 SCImago Law assessment and occupies forty-first place globally.

Its Faculty of Law combines strong research with extensive teaching in civil, commercial, criminal, constitutional, administrative, employment, international and human rights law.

Valencia offers a substantial professional market and potentially lower living costs than Madrid or Barcelona. Spanish and Valencian are both used in teaching.

Autonomous University of Barcelona

7. Autonomous University of Barcelona

The Autonomous University of Barcelona ranks seventh. Its Faculty of Law benefits from a large campus and close relationships with other academic disciplines.

It performs particularly well in European, international, criminal, employment, environmental, administrative and human rights law.

Its location outside central Barcelona creates a cohesive campus experience, although commuting requirements should be considered. Catalan and Spanish are both used.

Granada: a major public university

8. University of Granada

The University of Granada ranks eighth. Its Faculty of Law is one of southern Spain’s most important historic legal institutions.

The university offers broad legal education and conducts research in public, private, criminal, international, European and comparative law.

Granada is one of Spain’s foremost university cities. Its student culture and generally lower living costs are important advantages.

University of Navarra: individual attention and employability

9. University of Navarra

The University of Navarra ranks ninth and is the highest-ranked private institution.

Its School of Law is recognised for close academic supervision, relatively small classes, international education and connections with firms and companies.

The university pays particular attention to business, commercial, tax and international law. Combined programmes with business, economics and international relations provide additional specialisation.

Its legal research volume is lower than that of several large public universities, but its educational model and professional network may make it a preferred choice for particular students.

Seville: a leading institution in southern Spain

10. University of Seville

The University of Seville ranks tenth. Its Faculty of Law has a long tradition and substantial influence throughout Andalusia.

The university provides comprehensive education and maintains close connections with courts, public authorities, firms and regional businesses.

Seville is one of southern Spain’s principal institutional and economic centres, creating opportunities in public, commercial, employment and procedural law.

Salamanca: eight centuries of tradition

11. University of Salamanca

The University of Salamanca ranks eleventh. Founded in 1218, it is one of the great symbols of the European university tradition.

Its Faculty of Law has particular influence in constitutional, criminal, public and international law, as well as legal history. The university also maintains extensive connections with Latin America.

Salamanca offers an intensive university experience in a manageable city. Its local professional market is smaller than those of Madrid or Barcelona, but its reputation partially offsets this limitation.

Rey Juan Carlos University: research and dual degrees

12. Rey Juan Carlos University

Rey Juan Carlos University ranks twelfth. Its inclusion reflects its tenth place in Spain in SCImago Law 2026, the breadth of its programmes and its position within Madrid’s academic market.

Its Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences is active in public, commercial, employment, criminal, European, health and technology law.

One of its primary strengths is its extensive range of dual degrees. Law may be combined with business, economics, international relations, political science, criminology or journalism.

Teaching is distributed across several campuses. Students should carefully check the location, format and curriculum of their chosen programme.

University of the Basque Country

13. University of the Basque Country

The University of the Basque Country ranks thirteenth and is the region’s principal public institution.

It performs strongly in public, regional, European, employment, business and tax law. The industrial and financial importance of the Basque Country creates a valuable professional context.

Spanish and Basque are both used in its programmes. The choice of campus and language route can shape the academic experience.

Zaragoza and Aragonese law

14. University of Zaragoza

The University of Zaragoza ranks fourteenth. Its Faculty of Law has a strong tradition in civil, public, commercial, employment and European law.

The importance of Aragonese regional law gives its legal education a distinctive dimension. Zaragoza’s location between Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia strengthens its economic connections.

It offers established public legal education in a city with generally more moderate costs.

Alicante and intellectual property

15. University of Alicante

The University of Alicante ranks fifteenth. Its Faculty of Law is particularly relevant in intellectual property, commercial, international, environmental, administrative and European law.

The presence of the European Union Intellectual Property Office makes Alicante especially attractive for students interested in trademarks, designs and innovation.

Teaching may take place in Spanish or Valencian depending on the class.

Santiago de Compostela: Galicia’s legal tradition

16. University of Santiago de Compostela

The University of Santiago de Compostela ranks sixteenth. Its Faculty of Law has a long history and considerable influence in Galicia.

The university conducts research in public, private, European, international, employment and financial law. Its relationships with Galicia’s autonomous institutions reinforce education in administrative and territorial law.

Galician and Spanish coexist in the academic environment.

University of Murcia

17. University of Murcia

The University of Murcia ranks seventeenth. Its Faculty of Law provides comprehensive education and is a major institution for south-eastern Spain.

It is active in civil, commercial, criminal, administrative, employment and procedural law. Its position is also supported by its eleventh place in Spain in SCImago Law 2026.

The university maintains close relationships with the legal professions and regional institutions.

Esade: law and business

18. Ramon Llull University (Esade Law School)

Esade Law School, part of Ramon Llull University, ranks eighteenth.

Its identity is closely connected with commercial law, taxation, business, innovation and international practice. Its integration with a recognised business school is advantageous for students interested in corporate advisory work.

Esade offers small classes, participatory methods and strong links with companies and law firms. Its lower position is largely explained by the methodology’s emphasis on research, where larger public universities produce substantially greater output.

Tuition fees are considerably higher than at public universities.

CUNEF: financial and business specialisation

19. CUNEF University

CUNEF University ranks nineteenth. Its School of Business, Economics and Law is closely connected with finance, corporate activity and professional services.

The institution focuses on commercial, banking, securities, financial, tax and regulatory law. Its Madrid location facilitates relationships with law firms, financial institutions, consultancies, supervisors and corporate headquarters.

In addition to its Law degree, it offers combined programmes with Business Administration and International Relations. It also develops education in digital law, artificial intelligence and economic regulation.

CUNEF reports more than 2,000 agreements with companies and institutions. Its limited presence in QS, THE and SCImago prevents a higher position, but its specialisation and employability justify its inclusion.

Comillas ICADE and its professional network

20. Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE)

Comillas Pontifical University completes the ranking in twentieth place. Its Faculty of Law, commonly known as ICADE, possesses one of Spain’s most recognised professional networks.

The institution is known for its dual degrees, business education, individual supervision and relationships with major firms, consultancies, financial institutions and multinational companies.

Its position does not mean that it is the twentieth-best option for every student. In corporate employability and recruitment by leading firms, it can compete with institutions ranked considerably higher.

Its smaller international research output and high cost explain its place within a balanced methodology.

How Law is studied in Spain

The Spanish Bachelor’s Degree in Law normally lasts four years and comprises 240 ECTS credits. It includes civil, constitutional, criminal, administrative, commercial, employment, international, procedural and tax law.

The degree alone does not permit professional practice as a lawyer. Candidates must complete the relevant official master’s programme, undertake supervised placements and pass the professional aptitude assessment.

The current route includes an official Master’s Degree for Admission to the Legal Profession, external placements and the examination organised by the Ministry of Justice. Candidates must then satisfy bar-registration requirements. The Spanish Ministry of Justice publishes official information and examination calls.

Students must distinguish the qualifying master’s degree from specialist postgraduate courses. A master’s in business, criminal or international law does not automatically replace the professional qualification.

Public and private universities

Spain has an extensive public university system. Public institutions generally charge substantially lower tuition fees and produce a large proportion of the country’s legal research.

Admission normally depends on entrance grades. Popular degrees and dual degrees may demand exceptionally high marks.

Private universities apply their own admissions procedures and often provide smaller classes, individual supervision and direct professional connections. Their costs are much higher, making scholarships and expected returns important considerations.

The ranking should not be interpreted as an automatic victory for one model. Public universities dominate research, while some private institutions excel in corporate employability and personalisation.

Dual degrees and specialisation

Law may be combined with Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Criminology, Philosophy or Journalism.

Dual degrees can expand opportunities but involve additional years, heavier workloads and demanding admission requirements.

A standard degree combined with strong marks, languages, mobility, placements and coherent specialisation may provide an equally competitive education.

Madrid, Barcelona and regional markets

Madrid contains Spain’s principal constitutional institutions, ministries, courts, regulators, firms and corporate headquarters. UAM, Carlos III, Complutense, Rey Juan Carlos, CUNEF and ICADE all benefit from this proximity.

Barcelona is one of the Mediterranean’s principal legal, commercial and technology centres. The University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Esade maintain close relationships with this market.

Studying elsewhere does not mean receiving an inferior education. Valencia, Granada, Seville, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Alicante, Salamanca, Santiago and Murcia offer established faculties, lower costs and strong regional networks.

The importance of languages

Spanish is the principal language of legal education but is not the only one used.

In Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Basque Country and Galicia, subjects may be taught in Catalan, Valencian, Basque or Galician. Knowledge of these languages can be important for careers in the corresponding regions.

Spain also possesses regional civil-law systems. Catalonia, Aragón, Navarra, the Basque Country, Galicia and the Balearic Islands retain special institutions that form part of local education and practice.

English-language provision is expanding, but studying Spanish law normally requires advanced command of Spanish.

No university is perfect for everyone

The UAM’s first place represents an overall assessment rather than a universal answer.

Carlos III may be more suitable for international and interdisciplinary education. Complutense offers exceptional breadth and tradition. Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra are particularly strong choices for careers in Catalonia.

Valencia and Granada stand out for research and cost. Navarra, Esade, CUNEF and ICADE may be preferable for students prioritising smaller classes, business and professional connections.

The final choice should consider admission requirements, price, language, city, specialisation, placements, mobility and the intended place of practice.

A broad and diverse legal education system

The Autonomous University of Madrid leads because of its balance of teaching, research, reputation and employability. Carlos III contributes internationalisation and innovation, while Complutense represents Madrid’s great legal tradition.

Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra lead an especially competitive Catalan system. Valencia excels in research, while Granada, Seville, Salamanca and other public universities retain considerable regional and national influence.

Esade, CUNEF and Comillas complete the ranking with specialised models closely connected to the professional market.

Combining four academic references with an assessment of programmes and professional opportunities provides a more useful overview than reproducing a single ranking.