Through its graduate and undergraduate programs offered at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) offers high-quality training in higher education.
The Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences began in 1998 with an innovative training project that focused on creating an undergraduate program in biomedical sciences, called Human Biology. The program’s most notable aspects were small-group instruction, problem-based learning, a focus on developing practical skills, and one-on-one student mentoring. Later, MELIS and the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences started an undergraduate degree in Bioengineering, in collaboration with the UPF Department of Engineering. More recently, jointly with the Hospital del Mar, we launched an undergraduate degree in Medicine. Over the years, we have also developed graduate master’s programs and a PhD Program in Biomedicine.
The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) guidelines were followed from the beginning of this project, and it has been recognised with multiple awards from the Government of Catalonia. Notably, the Faculty has received the Vicens Vives medal five times (2002, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2016) for collective teaching excellence, and twice (2011 and 2015) for individual achievements in teaching.
Remaining firmly committed to continuous improvement and innovation in education, the Faculty actively updates its academic offerings and integrates cutting-edge teaching methodologies to prepare students for current and future challenges in health and life sciences. These initiatives foster the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and professional competencies essential for a successful career.
In line with this commitment, the 2024–2025 academic year marks the expansion of clinical simulation facilities and skills laboratories, providing medical students with enhanced opportunities for hands-on learning in realistic, controlled environments. This approach strengthens students’ confidence and preparedness before transitioning into real clinical settings.
Moreover, the Faculty is broadening its network of affiliated healthcare centers, enabling medical students to gain early and diverse exposure to professional practice. This early immersion helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of the different dimensions of healthcare delivery, allowing them to engage with the realities of clinical work from the very start of their education.
Through its graduate and undergraduate programs offered at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) offers high-quality training in higher education.
The Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences began in 1998 with an innovative training project that focused on creating an undergraduate program in biomedical sciences, called Human Biology. The program’s most notable aspects were small-group instruction, problem-based learning, a focus on developing practical skills, and one-on-one student mentoring. Later, MELIS and the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences started an undergraduate degree in Bioengineering, in collaboration with the UPF Department of Engineering. More recently, jointly with the Hospital del Mar, we launched an undergraduate degree in Medicine. Over the years, we have also developed graduate master’s programs and a PhD Program in Biomedicine.
The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) guidelines were followed from the beginning of this project, and it has been recognised with multiple awards from the Government of Catalonia. Notably, the Faculty has received the Vicens Vives medal five times (2002, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2016) for collective teaching excellence, and twice (2011 and 2015) for individual achievements in teaching.
Remaining firmly committed to continuous improvement and innovation in education, the Faculty actively updates its academic offerings and integrates cutting-edge teaching methodologies to prepare students for current and future challenges in health and life sciences. These initiatives foster the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and professional competencies essential for a successful career.
In line with this commitment, the 2024–2025 academic year marks the expansion of clinical simulation facilities and skills laboratories, providing medical students with enhanced opportunities for hands-on learning in realistic, controlled environments. This approach strengthens students’ confidence and preparedness before transitioning into real clinical settings.
Moreover, the Faculty is broadening its network of affiliated healthcare centers, enabling medical students to gain early and diverse exposure to professional practice. This early immersion helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of the different dimensions of healthcare delivery, allowing them to engage with the realities of clinical work from the very start of their education.
Looking ahead, beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, the Faculty will start extinguishing its initial degree in Human Biology to launch a new Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences. This program aims to integrate academic excellence with scientific research, professional development, and social relevance. As a multidisciplinary degree that brings together biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine, it addresses today’s most pressing healthcare challenges and prepares graduates for careers in both clinical and research environments.
Developed in close collaboration with key biomedical stakeholders—scientific societies, patient associations, healthcare companies, and other partners—the program is designed to uphold the highest academic standards and remain responsive to ongoing advancements in the field. Strategically incorporated into the Catalan university system, the degree enhances graduate employability and equips students to contribute meaningfully to international biomedical research and innovation.
In the Times Higher Education ranking (2023), UPF is the 18th highest-ranked university in the world among those under 50 years of age; and the 1st Spanish university. UPF is also the 2nd university in Spain in the U-Ranking 2024 (Fundación BBVA-Ivie, which integrates indicators in teaching, research, and technological innovation). Furthermore, regarding the Leiden 2024 ranking by subject, UPF is the 1st university in Spain for life and earth sciences and the 3rd for biomedical and health sciences.
Finally, our medicine students have obtained excellent resident positions at the national contest (around 80% of them are consistently ranked in the 1st and 2nd quartiles), which means to always be placed among the top 5 Spanish universities. Moreover, in the last two years, according to a survey by the BBVA Foundation, UPF is the best university in Spain for obtaining a medicine degree.
Looking ahead, beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, the Faculty will start extinguishing its initial degree in Human Biology to launch a new Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences. This program aims to integrate academic excellence with scientific research, professional development, and social relevance. As a multidisciplinary degree that brings together biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine, it addresses today’s most pressing healthcare challenges and prepares graduates for careers in both clinical and research environments.
Developed in close collaboration with key biomedical stakeholders—scientific societies, patient associations, healthcare companies, and other partners—the program is designed to uphold the highest academic standards and remain responsive to ongoing advancements in the field. Strategically incorporated into the Catalan university system, the degree enhances graduate employability and equips students to contribute meaningfully to international biomedical research and innovation.
In the Times Higher Education ranking (2023), UPF is the 18th highest-ranked university in the world among those under 50 years of age; and the 1st Spanish university. UPF is also the 2nd university in Spain in the U-Ranking 2024 (Fundación BBVA-Ivie, which integrates indicators in teaching, research, and technological innovation). Furthermore, regarding the Leiden 2024 ranking by subject, UPF is the 1st university in Spain for life and earth sciences and the 3rd for biomedical and health sciences.
Finally, our medicine students have obtained excellent resident positions at the national contest (around 80% of them are consistently ranked in the 1st and 2nd quartiles), which means to always be placed among the top 5 Spanish universities. Moreover, in the last two years, according to a survey by the BBVA Foundation, UPF is the best university in Spain for obtaining a medicine degree.
