Information for international students

Rector’s welcome message

Welcome to the University of Granada!

We are an innovative and comprehensive research university, founded in 1531, and built on a long-standing teaching tradition, the roots of which can be traced back to the madrasahs of the Nasrid dynasty of Granada. As a forward-looking historical university with campuses and facilities spread throughout Granada, the UGR is deeply engaged with today’s city, province and surrounding region, playing a leading role in the recovery and conservation of Granada’s magnificent historical and cultural heritage sites. We have a vibrant presence in the local economy, where we represent 6.12% of the provincial GDP.

With over 55,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 6,000 staff members, the UGR has a powerful presence in a city of 240,000 inhabitants. Our role as a leader in incoming and outgoing student and staff mobility in European and international programmes, as well as our appeal to international students and researchers, make for multicultural campus life and a lively cosmopolitan setting.

The UGR is the highest-ranked university in southern Spain and is among the top 301-400 universities on the globe, according to the prestigious Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU 2025). Our substantial international standing in both research and education was the driving force behind the success of our BioTic excellence initiative, which was jointly managed by the University, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Health Sciences Technology Park. The excellence initiative was built on four pillars of research excellence: Biohealth, Information and Communication Technologies, Earth Sciences, and Heritage, reflecting some of the University’s key research strengths. With its fifty supporting partners, the initiative is an excellent example of the University’s policy of strong strategic cooperation with public and private bodies, both nationally and internationally.

The state-of-the-art Health Sciences Technology Park (PTS), which houses the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, offers a cutting-edge combination of teaching, research, healthcare and knowledge transfer, and is a significant example of the University’s commitment to innovation and to local and global partnerships with both the public and private sectors.

The University’s campuses in the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla make it one of the few genuinely intercontinental universities in the world. It is therefore perfectly placed to fulfil the role of a bridge between Europe and North Africa, as well as between Europe and Latin America. This strategic cooperation is central to the UGR’s vigorous internationalization strategy, which maintains consolidated partnerships around the world, including through prestigious networks such as the Coimbra Group and the Iberoamerican University Association for Postgraduate Studies (AUIP).

The University of Granada also coordinates the Arqus European University Alliance, which has been endorsed by the European Commission as one of the pioneering Alliances in the European Universities Initiative. Arqus brings together the universities of Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon 1, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius and Wroclaw; nine longstanding comprehensive research universities who share extensive experience in joint projects and a common profile as internationalized institutions with deep regional engagement in medium-sized cities. Along with our partners, we share the belief that working together within this alliance will allow for faster and stronger progress and that European cooperation is essential for the future of our institutions.

Pedro Mercado Pacheco

Rector of the University of Granada

UGR Governing Team

• Rector of the University of Granada
• Vice-Rectors:
  • Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer
  • Vice-Rector for Academic Planning and Teaching Staff
  • Vice-Rector for Outreach, Heritage and Institutional Relations
  • Vice-Rector for Internationalization
  • Vice-Rector for Student Services and Campus Life
  • Vice-Rector for Ceuta and Melilla Campuses, Strategic Planning and Communications
  • Vice-Rector for Quality, Teaching Innovation and Undergraduate Studies
  • Vice-Rector for Postgraduate Studies and Continuing Education
  • Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation
  • Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Sustainability
  • Vice-Rector for Equality, Inclusion and Social Commitment
  • Vice-Rector for Social Innovation, Employability and Entrepreneurship
• University of Granada Secretary’s Office
• University of Granada Director’s Office
• Rector’s Offices:
  • Rector’s Office for Health and Relations with the Health System

Why study at the University of Granada?

1. A HIGH-RANKING UNIVERSITY The UGR is widely recognised internationally for its quality in higher education, teaching, research and outreach. National and international rankings reflect the UGR’s position among the top universities in Spain and among the best in the world. According to the 2025 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the UGR is the highest-ranked university in southern Spain.

2. A TRULY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE The UGR is the most popular destination among European exchange students (Erasmus+) and is the European leader in terms of both incoming and outgoing Erasmus students. We are also a welcoming, cosmopolitan university: about 8% of our undergraduate and 23% of our postgraduate students come from abroad.

The UGR provides students with the opportunity to take part in an extensive range of mobility programmes, thanks to the diverse exchange agreements it maintains with higher education institutions in 85 countries.

3. A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES AND DEGREES The UGR offers an extensive selection of high-quality academic programmes with a clear international focus. These include:

• More than 70 undergraduate degree programmes in a wide range of fields, 15 double degrees (programas conjuntos de estudios oficiales de grado, PCEOG), and 17 international double degrees;
• More than 150 master’s degree programmes, 25 double degrees (programas conjuntos de estudios oficiales de máster, PCEOM), and 9 international double degrees;
• 28 doctoral programmes offered by three interdisciplinary doctoral schools; and
• An extensive range of intensive courses, certificate courses, summer schools and online courses.

4. LANGUAGE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Students can learn Spanish and other languages alongside the 10,000 local and international students who enrol each year in courses offered by the UGR’s Modern Languages Centre (CLM), the Confucius Institute (Chinese) and the Centre for Slavic Cultures.

5. WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH The UGR is internationally renowned for its excellence in a range of research fields including ICT (world top 30), health sciences, cultural heritage, psychology, linguistics, and sport sciences, among others. Its 500+ research groups work in all areas of scientific knowledge, collaborating closely with national and international leaders, as well as key industries.

6. OUTSTANDING FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES The UGR offers a wide range of top-quality services for its students and staff, covering all aspects of university life (accommodation, libraries, Wi-Fi, canteens, disability services, sports and many more).

7. AN IDEAL UNIVERSITY CITY With campuses and faculties spread throughout Granada, the UGR is fully embedded in the city. And with more than 56,000 students in a city of 250,000 inhabitants, Granada has a lively student atmosphere. It is a safe and modern city with an outstanding geographical location, just 40 minutes from the Mediterranean Coast with its tropical climate and 30 minutes from the Sierra Nevada ski resort.

8. AN INTERCONTINENTAL INSTITUTION The University of Granada also has campuses in the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla, making it a truly intercontinental institution.

9. A CULTURALLY AND HISTORICALLY RICH CITY Granada is an enchanting city, full of monuments, history and, of course, the University. Along with its charm, its many cultural and recreational activities make it a great city to explore and a magnificent destination for students from around the world. Granada offers a wide range of cultural activities including festivals of flamenco, jazz, tango, theatre, poetry, magic, music, and dance. In addition, Spanish gastronomy is internationally renowned for its quality and variety, and Granada is known for its tapas.

10. COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION The University of Granada is firmly committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students and staff take part in local community service and international development cooperation activities. Students work in an environment of diversity, equality and tolerance.

Academic information

Faculties and schools

Studies on offer

Official degree programmes

Official degree programmes in Spain comprise curricula that have been verified by the Spanish Council of Universities and authorised by Spain’s autonomous regions before being taught. The official degrees currently offered in Spain are grados (undergraduate or bachelor’s degrees), masteres oficiales (official master’s degree) and doctorados (doctoral degrees).

BACHELOR’S DEGREES (GRADOS)

• Our bachelor’s degree programmes
• Recommended credit load per semester: 21-30 ECTS credits.
• Language of instruction: Primarily Spanish. The list of undergraduate courses and programmes taught in English and other languages is available at: Courses with support languages 25/26
• Teaching methodologies: Lectures, group work, lab sessions, seminars, tutorials, etc.
• Grading scale: 5 grade levels, based on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest), awarded per assignment and/or exam. An overall grade is awarded at the end of each course.

OFFICIAL MASTER’S DEGREES

• Our master’s degree programmes
• Information about official master’s degrees
• Language of instruction: Primarily Spanish. The list of master’s degree courses and programmes taught in English and other languages is available at:

– http://sl.ugr.es/erasmus_mundus

– http://sl.ugr.es/masteres_ingles

– Courses with support languages 25/26

• Teaching methodologies: Lectures, group work, lab sessions, seminars, tutorials, etc.
• Grading scale: 5 grade levels, based on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest), awarded per assignment and/or exam. An overall grade is awarded at the end of each course.

DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES

• Our doctoral programmes
• Information about UGR doctoral programmes

INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE, MULTIPLE AND JOINT DEGREES

• Our international double, multiple and joint degrees
• Information about international double, multiple and joint degrees

UGR-specific degrees

Degrees awarded after passing a Spanish university-specific qualification. At the University of Granada, these degrees currently include: UGR diplomas, UGR specialist diplomas and UGR-specific master’s degrees (másteres propios).

Language courses

Academic and administrative calendars – undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

• ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2025-2026

UGR faculties and schools follow a closed semester model (semestres cerrados), which includes an extraordinary assessment period at the end of each semester (following the respective ordinary assessment period).

• CALENDAR OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERIODS AND DEADLINES 2025-2026

MASTER’S STUDIES

• TEACHING CALENDAR 2025-2026

Faculties and schools at the UGR employ the closed semester model (semestres cerrados), which has two extraordinary assessment periods; one at the end of each semester, following each respective ordinary assessment period.

• CALENDAR OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERIODS AND DEADLINES 2025-2026

OFFICIAL DOCTORAL STUDIES

• CALENDAR OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERIODS AND DEADLINES 2025-2026

Access, admissions and continuance standards

• Access, Admissions and Continuance Standards Service (SAAP)
• SAAP Access and Admissions app
• Admission routes into bachelor’s degrees (grados)
• Admission routes into bachelor’s degrees (grados) via foreign qualifications

Academic information for incoming international students

Erasmus+ Student Charter

 Erasmus+ Student Charter

Application process

Courses offering support in foreign languages for incoming students

• Some courses at the University of Granada offer support in foreign languages for incoming students. Teaching staff on these courses can provide bibliographical materials and other resources in these foreign languages. In addition, incoming students can attend tutorials and, in some cases, submit assignments or take exams in these languages.

List of courses, groups and teaching staff offering support in other languages: 

Courses with support languages_22-23

Courses with support languages 23/24

Courses with support languages 24/25

Courses with support languages 25/26

It is important to remember that classes at the University of Granada are mostly taught in Spanish. (If you are interested in finding courses taught in other languages, please use the UGRCat advanced search tool and select the “language of instruction” filter).

Academic transcripts

• UGR outgoing students: European Erasmus+ partners should send the academic transcripts of UGR students, once the exchange period is complete, to the International Relations Office of the faculty or school that signed the Erasmus+ bilateral agreement.
• International incoming students: The UGR issues academic transcripts in digital format with an electronic signature. The faculty or school where the student is enrolled will be responsible for sending their academic transcript by email once all grades have been recorded. Students can view their grades on the UGR’s “Oficina Virtual” Student and Staff Portal (passwords are assigned upon enrolment at the UGR) and electronic transcripts can be downloaded via the “HERMES” Notification System. Instructions: http://sl.ugr.es/0aMo

Contact details for the International Relations Offices at UGR faculties and schools

• Contact details – International Relations Offices

Induction Days for International Students

• Information on the UGR Induction Days for International Students

Fees

• Students participating in mobility programmes within the framework of exchange agreements are exempt from paying fees.
• Free-mover students must pay the corresponding academic fees.
• Payment is required for language courses not covered by specific agreements.

Insurance (mandatory)

In accordance with the International Student Mobility Regulations of the UGR, incoming students are required to have health and travel insurance for the duration of their study period. More information

Bilateral agreements with the UGR

• If you wish to sign a bilateral agreement within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme, you must contact your counterparts at the relevant UGR faculty or school.
• If your institution is interested in establishing collaborative bilateral agreements with the UGR within the framework of the Erasmus+: International Dimension Programme, please contact the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization by sending an email to: icmagreements@ugr.es
• For other types of collaborative bilateral agreements with the UGR, please contact the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization by sending an email to: intlagreements@ugr.es 

More information for international students and researchers

• • https://internacional.ugr.es/pages/movilidad/estudiantes/entrantes?lang=en
  • https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/
  • https://www.ugr.es/en/research/facilitites/international-welcome-centre

Regulations and procedures

REGULATIONS

• UGR Continuance Regulations for Undergraduate and Master’s Students
• UGR Continuance Regulations for Doctoral Programmes
• UGR Assessment Policy and Regulations
• Revised Text of the UGR Academic Management Regulations
• Regulations on UGR Undergraduate Dissertations
• UGR International Student Mobility Regulations
• Regulations on Support for Students with Disabilities and other Special Educational Needs

OTHER RESOURCES AND PROCEDURES

• Study visas: Legal regulations for non-EU students
• UGR Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (2021-2027)
• Table of certificates accepted by the UGR to accredit foreign language competence

UGR REGULATIONS

Repository and search tool – UGR regulations

Policies

• UGR Erasmus Policy Statement (2021-2027)

Facilities, resources and services

Residence in Spain

Students from the EU, Switzerland and the European Economic Area

A valid passport or national ID card is required for entry into Spain. If your stay is for longer than three months, you must apply in person at the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) in Granada to be included in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals. To apply, you must submit a valid passport or national ID card, a copy of your health insurance card (or the insurance you have) and your official UGR Erasmus student credential.

You are obliged by law to complete this registration process within the first three months following your arrival.

Erasmus+ students (Programme Countries) with non-EU nationality

In September 2018, new regulations on foreign nationals in Spain came into force. Under this regulation, universities are responsible for communicating the data of non-EU students coming from EU universities within the framework of European mobility programmes (i.e. Erasmus+) to the relevant Immigration Office. Consequently, non-EU students studying at EU universities who come to the UGR to study are exempt from the visa requirement for their stay in Spain.

To enable the UGR to communicate this data, you must send the following documents, scanned in PDF (not JPG or TIFF), by email to intlinfo@ugr.es:

• Passport
• Residence card (both sides) from the European Union country where your home university is located (valid for your entire period of studies at the University of Granada).
• Address in Granada
• Telephone number in Granada

Students from other countries

As a general rule, in order to enter and stay in Spain, applicants must apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission or Consulate General of Spain in their country of residence. The Government of Spain provides information on cases related to universities via this website.

Upon arrival in Spain, visa applicants must complete the relevant procedures at the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) in the city where they reside.

Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) in Granada:

C/ San Agapito nº 2, 18071 Granada (Spain)

Tel.: (+34) 958 909 311 / 958 909 314 / 958 909 315. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:30 and Fridays from 9:00 to 14:00.

Cost of living

COST OF LIVING IN GRANADA

The city of Granada is considered one of the most affordable places in Spain and Europe to live as a student. Obviously, the cost of living for each student depends on their lifestyle, but tends to range between €800 and €1000 per month. For guidance purposes, we have calculated the average cost of living in Granada in the most basic aspects:

• • Accommodation in a shared flat (water and energy expenses included) ranges roughly between €250 and €300 per month.
  • The daily set menu in the university canteens costs €3.50. The takeaway menu costs €5.50.
  • A single city-bus ticket costs €1.60. If you obtain a bus card, the price is €0.88 per trip and with the University bus pass the cost is €0.65 per trip. A monthly pass costs about €41.
  • For more information on types of tickets and cards for the Granada Metro, please visit:  https://metropolitanogranada.es/tarifas

Health insurance and healthcare

WHAT IF I FALL SICK?

NON-URGENT MEDICAL CARE

To receive healthcare, students must first register with the public health centre (centro de salud) closest to their home address in Granada. Medical appointments can be made online or by phone and are generally available within 2-5 days.

A directory listing all health centres in Granada can be found on the Ministry of Health website.

Public healthcare system

You will be treated free of charge:

• If you come from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and present your European Health Insurance Card.
• If you come from a non-EU country and can prove you have a healthcare plan.
• If you come from a country with a current bilateral agreement with Spain, such as Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay or Peru. In this case you will have to ask for a family doctor at the nearest public health centre to your home address in Granada within the first few days after your arrival in Spain. You will need to provide proof of your right to medical care in your home country.
• More information is available on the Spanish Social Security website.

Important: In all cases, you must present your ID card or passport.

Private healthcare system

If you come from a non-EU country and there is no bilateral agreement between your country and the Spanish Social Security System:

• You must take out your own private health insurance or purchase insurance cover offered by the University of Granada. In this case, if you need medical attention during your stay in Granada, you must provide the official documents from your health insurance policy.

Before visiting your doctor, call the number that appears on your insurance card. During the call you will be asked for your identification number and your policy details. The insurance company should inform you about the medical clinics where you can receive medical care in Granada. In general, there are two hospitals or clinics in Granada that have an agreement with private insurance companies:

• Hospital Vithas La Salud: Avda. Santa María de la Alhambra, 6. 18008 Granada. Tel.: +34 958 80 88 80
• Clínica de la Inmaculada: C/ Doctor Alejandro Otero, 8 18004 Granada. Tel.: +34 958 25 05 23

URGENT MEDICAL CARE 

In line with the regulations of the Spanish National Health System (SNS), urgent medical attention is guaranteed 24/7, 365 days a year to everyone in any hospital. If you need an ambulance, call the emergency phone number in Spain (and all EU countries): 112.

Related links

Contact the UGR

• Avda. del Hospicio, s/n C.P. 18010 Granada
• Phone: (34) 958 243 000
• Fax: (34) 958 243 066

UGR Staff Directory