HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Spain's universities are highly esteemed in Europe and worldwide, attracting a significant number of international and local students annually. This contributes to the creation of some of the most diverse and dynamic campuses worldwide.

Let's take a look at Spain's top 10 universities and discover the wealth of opportunities they present.

University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona - UB)

Founded: 1450
Location: Barcelona
Overview: UB stands as one of Spain's oldest and most prestigious universities, boasting an extensive array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs spanning arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences.

Its campuses, dispersed across Barcelona, offer students not only academic richness but also access to the city's historical landmarks and dynamic urban life. Hosting a substantial student body of 63,000, it ranks among Spain's largest universities and holds a significant historical standing in both Catalonia and the nation at large.

The university boasts an impressive infrastructure comprising 106 departments and a substantial workforce, consisting of over 5,000 dedicated full-time researchers, technicians, and research assistants.

In the recent rankings spanning 2022-2023, the UB has consistently secured the top position in Spain and maintains a commendable standing within the top 50 universities in Europe.

When it comes to choosing accommodation, students can choose between university-managed dormitories and private apartments in various neighbourhoods around the city.

Complutense University of Madrid (Universidad Complutense de Madrid - UCM)

Founded: 1293
Location: Madrid
Overview: With a rich history, UCM is one of the world's oldest universities. Its primary campus, Ciudad Universitaria, is located in the west of Madrid, providing a perfect environment for academic pursuits. UCM presents an extensive spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, spanning the realms of arts, humanities, sciences, law, medicine, and social sciences.

The university currently offers approximately 80 possible majors, 230 individual degrees, and 221 doctorate programs. It is home to over 30 libraries, with over 2 million works in print, a particularly rich archive of over 90,000 historical documents, and one of the most substantial film collections in Europe.

With an impressive student enrollment exceeding 86,000 students, this institution ranks as the third largest non-distance European university in terms of student numbers. Throughout its history, it has drawn a multitude of scholars, thinkers, and students hailing from various corners of Spain and the world, solidifying its stature as a prominent global hub for education and knowledge exchange.

Madrid provides numerous accommodation choices, including university residences and private apartments.

Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona - UAB)

Founded: 1968
Location: Bellaterra (near Barcelona)
Overview: Renowned for its dedication to research and innovation, UAB stands as a distinguished presence, accentuated by its modern Bellaterra campus that provides an ideal canvas for intellectual exploration. Offering a diverse spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate options, the institution spans a multitude of disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

Since the year 2012, the university has been assembled into 57 departments spanning the domains of experimental, life, social, and human sciences, distributed across 13 faculties and schools. Collectively, these academic hubs bestow a comprehensive range of 85 qualifications, ranging from bachelor's degrees and diplomas to engineering degrees. Moreover, UAB takes pride in an extensive portfolio of almost 80 doctoral programs and an additional 80 postgraduate offerings.

Bolstered by a student body exceeding 40,000 and supported by a dedicated academic and research staff surpassing 3,600, UAB stands as a dynamic institution that nurtures both educational growth and explorative endeavours.

Housing choices encompass both on-campus dormitories and private apartments situated in neighbouring towns.

University of Granada (Universidad de Granada - UGR)

Founded: 1531
Location: Granada
Overview: Situated in the beautiful city of Granada, UGR is the fourth largest university in Spain. It consists of 5 Schools, 22 Faculties, and 116 Departments, each dedicated to the exploration and instruction of distinct subject domains These entities are strategically distributed across five distinct campuses within Granada – Centro, Cartuja, Fuentenueva, Aynadamar, and Ciencias de la Salud. Additionally, UGR extends its reach with two supplementary campuses situated in the locales of Ceuta and Melilla.

With more than 60,000 students, UGR offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in arts, sciences, health sciences, and social sciences. Its campuses blend historic charm with modern facilities.

Accommodation options for UGR students include university-managed residences and private apartments throughout the city.

Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra - UPF)

Founded: 1990
Location: Barcelona
Overview: UPF has rapidly earned a reputation for its academic excellence and innovative approach to education. With three distinct campuses strategically integrated throughout Barcelona, UPF offers a unique learning experience that spans diverse disciplines.

The university takes pride in its wide range of academic offerings. UPF excels in fields such as social sciences, communication, humanities, health sciences, and information technologies. Students can choose from an array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs that cater to their academic interests and career aspirations. The bilingual nature of instruction, available in both Spanish and Catalan, adds an international dimension to the learning environment and fosters a multicultural atmosphere.

UPF has a vibrant student community comprising approximately 15,000 students from various corners of the globe. This diverse student body contributes to a rich and inclusive learning environment. UPF's commitment to research and innovation is also reflected in its over 30 research centres, which engage in cutting-edge projects spanning a wide spectrum of disciplines.

Accommodation options include university-managed residence halls and private apartments in various neighbourhoods.

University of Valencia (Universitat de València - UV)

Founded: 1499
Location: Valencia
Overview: UV is one of the oldest universities still standing in Spain and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs including arts and humanities, engineering, health sciences, sciences, and social sciences.

It has 18 Schools and Faculties located in its three main campuses spread across Valencia. Each has different academic departments and offers undergraduate, official masters and PhD programs.

UV currently has around 55,000 students. Most of the courses are given in Spanish, but the university has promised to increase the number of courses available in Valencian. Moreover, in some degrees part of the teaching is in English.

Students can choose from university-managed accommodations and private rentals in the city.

Carlos III University of Madrid (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - UC3M)

Founded: 1989
Location: Madrid
Overview: Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) is a prestigious public university located in Madrid, that has quickly gained recognition for its academic excellence and innovative approach to education.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, engineering, law, business, and natural sciences.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various fields of study, including humanities, social sciences, engineering, law, business, and natural sciences.

It is divided into several schools and faculties, each dedicated to specific subject areas.These include the School of Law and Social Sciences, the School of Humanities, Communication and Documentation, the School of Engineering, the School of Economics and Business Studies, and the School of Natural Sciences and Engineering.

With a student population of approximately 18,000, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the university's relatively moderate size allows for personalised attention and a close-knit learning environment,

Accommodation options include university-managed residences and private apartments in Madrid's neighbourhoods.

University of Seville (Universidad de Sevilla - US)

Founded: 1505
Location: Seville
Overview: The University of Seville stands as one of the country's oldest educational institutions. Its diverse academic portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programs spanning multiple fields of study. They include Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Health Sciences, Law and Legal Studies, Economics and Business, Natural Sciences, Education and Psychology, Communication and Media, Mathematics and Computer Science, Sports Sciences, Fine Arts and Performing Arts and Philology and Translation.

The US has a student body of approximately 57,000 who study across multiple campuses that are distributed throughout the city of Seville, Spain. These campuses are strategically located to provide students with access to a variety of academic resources and facilities.

Accommodation options for US include a medley of lodging choices, ranging from purpose-built university dormitories to private urban apartments.

Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - UPM)

Founded: 1971
Location: Madrid
Overview: UPM is a leading technical university, excelling in engineering, architecture, and related fields. Its campuses are scattered across Madrid, offering state-of-the-art facilities to more than 35,000 students each year.

The university offers a wide spectrum of academic programs spanning engineering, architecture, natural sciences, and various technology-related fields. Its dedication to research is underscored by numerous research centres and institutes, fostering groundbreaking advancements in areas such as renewable energy, aerospace engineering, and biotechnology.

Accommodation options include university-managed residences and private apartments in the city.

University of the Basque Country (Universidad del País Vasco - UPV/EHU)

Founded: 1980
Location: Bilbao, San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz
Overview: UPV/EHU is a prestigious public university with multiple campuses in the Basque Country. It offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in diverse fields, including humanities, social sciences, engineering, health sciences, and natural sciences. The university places a strong emphasis on research, housing numerous research centres dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in areas such as materials science, linguistics, and environmental studies.

With a student count of around 45,000, UPV/EHU has multiple campuses across cities like Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Vitoria-Gasteiz and has established itself as a leading institution in education, research, and cultural preservation. The university is known for its commitment to promoting Basque language, culture, and identity while offering a diverse range of academic programs in both Spanish and Basque.

Accommodation options include university residences and private rentals in the three main cities.

Health Insurance For Students In Spain

Our Sanitas Students Plan is the ideal medical cover designed specifically for foreign students studying in Spain. This comprehensive plan fulfils all the necessary requirements for your visa application, should you need one to enter Spain.

The Students Plan operates on a network policy, granting you the freedom to choose doctors and hospitals from our vast network of healthcare providers. With everything taken care of, you won't need to handle claims or paperwork and won't have any out-of-pocket expenses when using our services. This way, you can fully focus on your studies and savour your time in Spain without any worries about medical coverage.