Are you looking for the best universities in Valencia?
Are you ready to live one of the most interesting experiences a human being can live?
If your answer is a big YES, the experience of living abroad is one of the most popular choices among young people.
Spain is one of your favorite destinations if you want to fully enjoy this experience while learning a new language. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, and the third most used on the Internet. So, getting a degree while getting to know a new city, meeting new people and learning Spanish doesn’t sound too bad at all, does it?!
Index
How to choose the perfect city for you
The best public universities in Valencia
1. University of Valencia – Universitat de Valencia (UV)
2. Polytechnic University of Valencia – Universitat Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)
3. Jaume I University of Castellon – Universitat Jaume I (UJI)
4. Universal Arts School (UA)
The best Private Universities in Valencia
1. Cardenal Herrera University – Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU)
2. Catholic University Sain Vincent Martyr – Universidad Católica San Vicente Mártir (UCV)
3. European University – Universidad Europea (UE)
4. ESIC Business & Marketing School – Escuela de Negocios ESIC (ESIC)
5. Valencian International University – Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU)
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the perfect city for you
Spain is a big country and has a lot of different cities to choose from. But the most important thing to consider when making the big decision is what you expect to find in the destination. Are you a big city fan? Do you prefer a quiet, small town where you can enjoy nature in silence? Would you rather a bit of both? Spain has it all!
If you’re still not 100% sure about Valencia, you can find our other guides:
The Best Universities in Barcelona for International students
The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
–> If you think the university application procedure is complicated? No worries, if you are a students of one of our University Pathway courses, we help you along the way.
Now, let’s talk about Valencia!
Why Valencia?
Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain. It’s a lot less populated than Madrid or Barcelona but, at the same time, has a big city life and… beautiful beaches!
One of the most exciting things about this city is its weather; the temperature is never less than 10° C, and locals assure that in their land you will enjoy at least 300 sunny days a year. Considering that Valencia has amazing beaches this sounds a pretty exciting fact, doesn’t it?
Cost of living
As we said before, Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, that’s the reason why it is more likely to get a more affordable room, and a lower cost for everyday life than in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, while still being able to enjoy a big cultural and social life.
On average, the cost of living for a student can be around €1328 per month (2022), including food, social activities, public transportation (€34 a monthly pass) and a shared flat.
Now, let’s talk about the best universities in Valencia for international students, but before learn about the Spanish university access exam (EBAU/Selectividad) and how to apply to a university in Spain.
The 4 best public Universities in Valencia
1. University of Valencia
Universitat de Valencia (UV)
It is one of the oldest surviving universities in Spain, and the oldest in the Valencian Community. It is regarded as one of Spain’s leading academic institutions. The University was founded in 1499, and currently has around 55,000 students. Most of the courses are given through the medium of 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.
The University of Valencia has three main urban campuses located in Valencia city and in Burjassot-Paterna, and some other buildings and facilities in the hearth of Valencia town, such as the Historic Building, Botanical Garden, Cerveró Palace, the Rectorate and others. It has 18 Schools and Faculties located in its three main campuses. Each one allocates different academic departments and offers undergraduate, official masters and PhD programs in almost all of the academic fields: arts and humanities, engineering, health sciences, sciences, and social sciences.
2. Polytechnic University of Valencia
Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV)
Founded in 1968 as the Higher Polytechnic School of Valencia, it became a proper university in 1971, but some of its schools are more than 100 years old. The UPV focuses on science and technology and consists of three campuses (Valencia, Gandia and Alcoy) and 14 schools and faculties: Faculty of Business Administration and Management, Faculty of Fine Arts, Higher Polytechnic School of Alcoy, Higher Polytechnic School of Gandia, School of Agricultural Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Architecture, School of Building Management, School of Civil Engineering, School of Design Engineering, School of Engineering in Geodesy, School of Cartography and Surveying, School of Industrial Engineering, School of Rural Environments and Enology, and School of Telecommunications Engineering.
The UPV offers 48 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and 81 doctoral degrees.
3. Jaume I University of Castellon
Universitat Jaume I (UJI)
Founded in 1991, this university is a pioneer in the use of new information technologies, it was the first Spanish institution to have a public web server, and the first university to have a Center for Education and New Technologies (CENT) whose mission is to research and advise on the application of new technologies to improve the quality of teaching.
The Jaime I University is recognized internationally for its International Master’s Degree in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, which was created almost twenty years ago and in which around 40 students from 30 different countries participate year after year . To date, more than a thousand students have graduated from this Master’s program, from over 100 countries.
It has 3 faculties and 1 school: Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Higher School of Technology and Experimental Sciences.
4. Universal Arts School
(UA)
Founded in 1994 as a center specialized in CGI (Computer Generated Images), and digital images, the hours of training and methodology the schools offer allow their students to find work in the most important top studios worldwide.
The UA has been referenced by the American institution Animation Career Review as one of the 100 best international schools, ranking 15th in the world.
They also offer international certifications and scholarships or financing plans, according to the needs of each student.
The Best Private Universities in Valencia
1. Cardenal Herrera University
Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU)
It is the first private school of Law ever founded in Valencia and, though it has been associated with the University of Valencia and Polytechnic University of Valencia, the CEU has gained its current name 1999.
Cardenal Herrera University offers degrees in English -Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing Studies and Gastronomy and Culinary Management-, in French and in Spanish, and provides high-quality teaching to over 9,250 students from all over the world, with 35% of the students being international.
It is also a worldwide recognized international institution, placed among the best 23 Spanish, private Universities.
2. Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr
Universidad Católica San Vicente Mártir (UCV)
It was founded in 2003, starting with vocational degrees, such as Primary Education and Nursing. It promotes intellectual and personal curiosity that will allow students to discover and lead full lives. The Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as Law, Business, Experimental Sciences, Psychology, Humanities, Educational Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Veterinary, and Multimedia.
This university allocates more than €5.4 million to scholarships. Its money is destined to different aid programs, ranging from full scholarship coverage to a percentage of the scholarship coverage, and helps students who are part of large families to get to study.
3. European University
Universidad Europea (UE)
https://universidadeuropea.com/
Its goal is to provide their students with a holistic education and shape leaders and professionals who are prepared to respond to the demands of a global world. The European University distinguishes itself by their entrepreneurial spirit. They encourage their students to collaborate and work together to implement the best practices.
The UE offers degree and postgraduate programmes, Masters Bootcamps, Doctorate and PhD programmes, higher-level technical degrees, and courses. It also offers online programmes to get to study from all over the world.
4. ESIC Business & Marketing School
Escuela de Negocios ESIC (ESIC)
Founded in 1965, ESIC has the porpouse of create an educational institution especially focused on the world of marketing, adapted to the challenges presented by a globalized, digitalized and rapidly changing economy. Its mission is to educate people with a global and integral vision throughout their professional cycle in management, marketing, innovation and digital skills and promote the transformation of students so that they can develop successfully in their professional lives in a responsible manner and become actors of change in organizations and society.
The university offers 123 strategic agreements with universities and business schools around the world, 12 campuses in Spain, agreements with 2,500 companies to facilitate the employability of our students and an alumni network of more than 66,000 professionals.
5. Valencian International University
Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU)
https://www.universidadviu.com/
It is a private, online education university; its main headquarters are in Valencia, but students can access all their courses remotely.
It was founded in 2008 by the Generalidad Valenciana as a private non-profit entity, under the name of Universidad Internacional Valenciana. At the International University of Valencia, master classes are broadcast live via videoconference, emulating a face-to-face class over the Internet, and in its methodology, class attendance is not compulsory, leaving the decision to the student.
VIU offers degrees in its Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Communication, Faculty of Social and Legal Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Higher School of Engineering, Science and Technology.
Now that you know the 9 Best Universities in Valencia for International students, do you have a favorite?
Frequently asked questions
How can I apply to a university in Valencia?
Since every university has its own rules and there’s no centralized system in Spain, you will have to look for the special requirements of the university of your interest and send them the documents. Be aware of the deadlines!
Have in mind that, usually, universities save about 5% of their vacancies for international students, so the competition for entering can get hard. Read closely every step of the procedure your chosen institution asks for in their websites, and don’t miss the chance! If you have doubts, try to contact the student secretary office.
Do I need a student visa or NIE?
Please, take into consideration that if you live in Schengen area (EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) you do not need a visa to study in Valencia, but you need to register for the NIE.
Non-EU citizens must apply for the Spanish student visa at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate (or from Spain if you’re already there). Please mind that you already can get the visa before starting your studies at the university. For example, when you start a full-time Spanish course of 20 lessons per week or more, or one of the Spanish University Pathway courses. If you study Spanish for 6 months or 1 year you can renew your Spanish student visa in Spain to continue with your studies at the University.
How much does it cost to study in Valencia?
There is no doubt Spain is one of the most affordable countries in Europe, and Valencia, while still a big city, is much less expensive than Barcelona or Madrid.
Public universities
The cost of studying at public universities in Valencia is decided every year by the Valencian government. Usually, tuition fees range between €720-1,800 per year.
The total cost of tuition is calculated on a pay-per-credit basis across Spain. The cost is determined according to the number of credits, the practical component of the qualification, as well as administrative fees. An academic year usually has 60 ECTS credits, and the cost of credits can range between €12-30 per credit for every first enrollment.
Have in mind that students from inside the EU will pay the same tuition fees as Spanish students, but the ones from outside the EU -and those who are repeating a subject- will have to pay more.
Private Universities
Every private university in Valencia will set its own fee depending on the course you take and the institution you choose, but tuition fees for private university degree programs can range from €5,000 to 18,000.
–> Do you think the university application procedure is complicated? No worries, if you are a student of one of our University Pathway courses in Valencia, we help you along the way.
Other relevant articles
Study visa for Spain
- Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
- How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
- How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
- How to renew a Spanish student visa?
- Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
- Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
- What is the NIE and how do I get it?
- What is the TIE and how to get it?
Study at a Spanish University
- How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
- PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
- The best universities in Barcelona for international students
- The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
- The 9 Best Universities in Valencia for international students
- The 9 Best Universities in Madrid for international students
Other interesting information
- Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
- The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.
Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!
DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using many different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.
