Why the University of Granada?

A high-ranking university

Four students sitted

National and international rankings reflect the UGR’s outstanding position among the top universities in Spain and the best in the world. The 2019 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)—the most influential system of its kind on the globe—places the UGR as the number 1 university in the south of Spain and as the fourth-highest ranked institution at the national level.

In the 2019 ARWU, 3 subjects taught at the UGR are among the global top 50 and 35 subjects in total feature in the ranking. Five of these UGR subjects feature among the world top 100.

A wide range of programmes

A student sitting beside a fountain

The UGR offers an extensive selection of high-quality academic programmes with a clear international vocation. In the academic year 2020-2021 the UGR will offer over 100 master’s degrees, including 9 international double degrees, 4 Erasmus Mundus programmes, 16 blended learning programmes, 5 bilingual programmes (Spanish-English) and 3 taught completely in English. All official master's degrees at the University of Granada have been adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The UGR also offers 28 internationally recognised doctoral programmes through its three interdisciplinary schools.  

A truly international experience

Fout students

The UGR is the most popular global destination among European exchange students (Erasmus+) and the European leader in figures of both incoming and outgoing Erasmus students. It is a welcoming cosmopolitan university: about 20% of the students enrolled on our master’s programmes are international.

Moreover, we give students the opportunity to take part in an extensive range of international mobility programmes, thanks to the diverse exchange agreements we maintain with higher education institutions in over 80 countries.

World-class research

Faculty of Medicine building

The UGR is internationally renowned for its excellence in diverse research fields, such as ICT (global top 50), health sciences, mathematics, cultural heritage, psychology, and linguistics, among others. Its 500+ research groups work in all areas of scientific knowledge, collaborating closely with other national and international leaders, as well as key industries.

In 2019, the UGR set a new record, with 35 academic subjects taught at our institution featuring in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities. Particularly noteworthy are the University’s achievements in the subjects of Library & Information Sciences (ranked 36th worldwide); Food Science & Technology (37th worldwide); Mining and Mineral Engineering (47th worldwide), Computer Science & Engineering (global top 76-100); and Mathematics (global top 76-100). 

We find a similar trend reflected in another leading ranking system — the 2019 CWTS Leiden Ranking — in which the UGR is currently ranked 5th in Spain and 267th in the world (CWTS 2019).

Professional development and career prospects

Several people in a prize celebration

Employment prospects for UGR graduates are attractive for a number of reasons.

Upon successful completion of your programme, you can request a European Diploma Supplement (DS) to accompany your degree diploma, further enhancing the recognition of your academic qualification abroad. The Diploma Supplement is issued by universities in line with standards set by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO, and is also a Europass tool.

Most master’s degrees at the UGR include internships in companies, NGOs or other organisations, ensuring you acquire the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills needed to progress in today’s globalised labour market.

The University is the biggest local employer. It maintains strong ties with a host of local, national and international businesses and institutions.

The UGR’s Employment and Work Placement Office (CPEP) provides career support services and advice during and after your time at the UGR. The Office will help you to seek employment upon completion of your programme.

Over the past number of years, the UGR has created over 70 spin-off companies, a clear indication of its innovative entrepreneurial role, both nationally and internationally.

If your long-term goal is to pursue a career in academics or research, the majority of UGR master’s degrees provide access to doctoral programmes.

Language learning opportunities

Several students in a library

As a UGR student, you can learn Spanish and other languages alongside 10,000 local and international peers who enrol each year on courses offered by the UGR’s Modern Languages Centre, Confucius Institute (Chinese), and “Russkiy Mir” Russian Centre.

Spanish is the world’s second-most spoken native language (after Mandarin Chinese). In the current global marketplace, the ability to speak Spanish is increasingly viewed by employers as a highly valuable asset. Learning Spanish will not only open the door to new culture and experiences, but to a vast range of employment prospects and opportunities for further study.

An unbeatable location

Alhambra view from Albaicin

Granada, a safe modern city, also has an outstanding geographical location just 40 minutes from the Mediterranean Coast with its tropical climate, and 30 minutes from the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The University merges with the city, its schools and campuses distributed throughout Granada, giving the city a lively student atmosphere (56,000 students in a city of 240,000 inhabitants). The UGR is also an intercontinental university, since it has campuses in both Granada and North Africa (Ceuta y Melilla).

The world-renowned Alhambra and Generalife palaces, which form the backdrop of Granada’s cityscape, are widely regarded as being among the most outstanding examples of Islamic architecture in the world. In 1984 these palaces, along with the labyrinth-like historical quarter known as the Albaicín, became UNESCO world heritage sites, further adding to Granada’s reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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. It offers a wide range of cultural activities including festivals of flamenco, jazz, tango, theatre, poetry, magic, music, and dance.

It is also one of the least expensive cities in Spain, while it is commonly regarded as offering one of the highest levels of quality of life.

Top-class services and facilities

UGR Library

The UGR offers top-quality services for students and staff, covering all aspects of university life (excellent libraries, high-speed Wi-Fi, refectories serving fresh and affordable food, disability services, sports activities and many more).

We provide 19 well-stocked libraries which are spread out across the city, meaning that a comfortable study environment is always close to home.

Our Sports Centre (CAD) offers over 40 different courses in the areas of body and mind, fitness, racket sports, mountain sports, dance and water sports.

The "Casa de Porras" University Cultural Centre runs over 50 different cultural and vocational courses in the areas of the literary and performing arts, graphic arts, crafts, physical and mental well-being, and lifestyle courses.

Whether you require academic or career guidance, or you simply want to get involved in a student society or volunteering activities; the UGR caters to your every need.