The Statutes of UPC acknowledge Catalan as the language of the University and its normal vehicle of expression. They also recognize Spanish, on a basis of reciprocal coexistence with Catalan and on an equal footing for all the members of the university community.

Although Catalan and Spanish are both official according to the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia, the Statutes of UPC state that special attention is to be paid to the furthering of Catalan culture and language, particularly with regard to scientific, technological and artistic aspects.

All this means that lecturers and students alike have freedom to express themselves, both orally and in writing, in either language. However, what happens in practice?