Best Universities to Study Environmental Engineering in Spain

With more than 200,000 international students enrolled in Spanish universities, Spain is among the most popular destinations to study abroad. The excellent education system, the country’s attractive lifestyle, and the cheap tuition and living costs make Spain a great choice for pursuing higher education studies. Furthermore, students can live comfortably in Spain because of its reputation as one of the safest countries. 

An engineering degree is a prestigious field to pursue in any corner of the world, and Spain offers many options in this field. There are multiple environmental engineering degrees available in Spanish universities. 

Here are some of the most popular universities for studying environmental engineering in Spain:

Polytechnic University of Cartagena 

The master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Engineering of Chemical and Biotechnological Processes at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena offers students the option to choose between the two available specializations:

• Professional in Chemical and Biotechnological Processes or 
• Professional in Environmental Engineering

The academic background of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena implies the expertise of the academic staff and their high qualifications. There are a total of 80 ECTS credits that students have to complete by the end of the degree program. All the courses that this master’s degree offers, are part of four main modules, including:

• Methodological Basis 
• Chemical and Biotechnological Processes 
• Environmental Engineering 
• Organization and Management 

Polytechnic University of Catalonia

The Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, as part of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, offers a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering. The degree program has a duration of two years, and there is only in-campus teaching available. Spanish is the language of instruction, and there are four semesters. The fourth semester, however, consists only of the master’s thesis, which makes for 30 ECTS credits. 

With a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, students can apply any engineering method in their future professions. Graduates of environmental engineering have many job opportunities in any of the following institutions: 

• Engineering and environmental firms. 
• Construction compaies. 
• Government agencies.
• Research institutions. 
• Universities.

To be eligible for enrollment for the master’s degree in environmental engineering, applicants must already have a bachelor’s degree in the following fields:

• Architecture 
• Civil engineering 
• Industrial engineering 
• Chemistry 
• Physical
• Biological or geological sciences.

Polytechnic University of Valencia

The Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering is a two-year degree program that is part of the School of Engineering. The curriculum is delivered entirely in Spanish as the main language of instruction. After completing the master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, the Polytechnic University of Valencia offers the linked Doctoral degree in Chemical, Environmental, and Process Engineering and the Doctoral degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. 

Students will gain several skills and competencies, such as solving problems in an unfamiliar environment, although in the same field as the degree. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to develop clever and original ideas that make their decision-making process more manageable. Students will also learn to make efficient choices when in a position of responsibility. 

Applicants with the following undergraduate degree have higher chances of admission to the master’s degree program in environmental engineering: 

• Undergraduates in Rural and Agro-food Engineering
• Forest and Environmental Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Public Work Engineering 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Industrial Engineering 

King Juan Carlos University

King Juan Carlos University offers a degree in energy engineering with environmental engineering, which takes five years to complete. The Ministry of Education provides scholarships for this degree program and many other bachelor’s and master’s degrees available at King Juan Carlos University. The curriculum includes a thorough degree description and helps students understand environmental engineering more deeply. 

The degree in environmental engineering syllabus consists of the common basic training, branch training, and compulsory and optional subjects. Some of the courses that the degree in environmental engineering comprises include some of the following:

• Mathematics I, II 
• Physics
• Chemistry 
• Graphic expression 
• Chemical engineering 
• Geology and Edapholoy 
• Statistics 
• Microbiology
• Fuel technology

University of Deusto

The University of Deusto is divided into four different campuses across the country, including the Madrid headquarter, Vitoria headquarter, San Sebastian campus, and the Bilbao campus. The graduate degree in Engineering for the Information Society and Sustainable Development is a research program typically suitable for holders of a master’s degree in Engineering. Based on the Bilbao campus, the language of instruction is English only. 

This degree program is mostly designed for developing skills in Computer science, Industrial Engineering, and Telecommunications. While pursuing this research degree, candidates will learn about the following subjects related to engineering:

• Environmental and artificial intelligence.
• Internet of the future.
• Digital security.
• Mass data processing.
• Energy management.
• Sustainability and the environment.

Through this research program, students can stay and work in other international universities for a certain period. Furthermore, the University of Deusto provides students with opportunities to participate in international conferences and talks by visiting experts. 

University of Barcelona 

The University of Barcelona offers a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, including 60 ECTS credits. They use three languages of instruction during classes: English, Catalan, and Spanish. The environmental engineering department at the University of Barcelona is a branch of the Faculty of Chemistry. Their teaching methodology mainly focuses on the research aspect of the field of engineering. 

The environmental engineering master’s degree from the University of Barcelona is designed to prepare students for a professional career in the field of engineering. Graduates gain skills such as analyzing solutions to environmental problems, using eco-efficient methods to apply such solutions, designing facilities and services, and ensuring they operate efficiently. 

The admission requirements for the master’s degree in environmental engineering require a previously earned degree in Spanish or foreign universities. The undergraduate degree of the applicant must be in any of the following fields:

• Chemical engineering 
• Environmental sciences 
• Chemistry 
• Industrial Engineering, etc. 

University of Santiago de Compostela

The master’s in Environmental Engineering is part of the Higher Technical Engineering School at the University of Santiago de Compostela. This degree program lasts less than two years with Spanish and Galician as languages of instruction. Since this class has a limited number of 30 seats, the admission rate is considerably lower.

The curriculum of the master’s degree in environmental engineering includes a five-module plan with basic subjects, environmental management subjects, sustainable technologies, entrepreneurship and governance, and application and innovation, which consists of the final master thesis and curricular internships. 

With a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela, graduates can work in any profession related to environmental protection. Furthermore, graduates can come up with innovative solutions to environmental quality issues.

Internships in partnering companies and research centers are an obligatory part of the master’s degree in environmental engineering syllabus. Students must complete at least 140 hours of internship work.

Polytechnic University of Madrid 

The degree in Environmental Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid is part of the School of Forestry Engineering and Natural Resources. This degree program aims to train future professionals in the field of engineering. Graduates will be able to come up with ideas for the improvement of sustainable systems, products, and processes. 

Furthermore, graduates will be qualified to work in the environmental management sector. The sector of environmental management includes the following elements:

• Waste products.
• Control of water.
• Soil and air pollution. 
• Renewable energies.
• Certification.
• Environmental services.
• Natural resources building and sustainable transport.

The degree in environmental engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid includes three different specializations, which are divided into three specifications. The specialization options are: 

• Environmental Management in Civil Engineering
• Industrial Engineering 
• Natural Resources Engineering 

The specifications for the above-mentioned specializations include:

• Specification in Civil Work, Transport, and Urbanism.
• Specification in the Recovery of Renewable Resources.
• Specification in the Generation of Energy and Industrial Activity