To solve the control problem of DC link voltage stability for unified power quality conditioner (UPQC), a novel control strategy is presented using brain emotional learning based intelligent controller (BELBIC). The parallel compensation and series compensation converter mathematical models are established by switching function description method for UPQC system that consists of two pulse width modulation (PWM) converters connected back-to-back on the DC side. According to the structure and emotion-processing mechanism of brain emotional learning (BEL) computational model, a multi-objective control block diagram is proposed for UPQC device based on intelligent controller BELBIC. The simulation and experimental results indicate the UPQC system achieves the DC link voltage stabilization and output compensation for reactive current and active voltage. The UPQC has good dynamic and static performance. The results verify the correctness and effectiveness of this method.