The history of the UAB begins on 6 June 1968, when the decree on the creation of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is officially promulgated.

In recent years, the UAB has seen recognition for its efforts in promoting quality in teaching, in attracting international talent and in obtaining a growing impact in research, together with a progressive improvement in its classifications in the most prestigious and influential international rankings. Thus, the UAB is well as occupying an outstanding position among Spanish universities in world rankings such as the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR), the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

THE World University Rankings (THE WUR 2020)： 157

QS World University Rankings (QS WUR 2020)：188

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU 2019)：201-300

US News Best Global Universities 2020：161