Universidad de Alcalá

The University of Alcalá was founded by Cardinal Cisneros in 1499. Among its former alumni, it boasts some of the major names of Spanish culture. In 1998 the University, together with the historical quarter of the city of Alcalá de Henares, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alcalá de Henares is 30 km from Madrid, birthplace of Cervantes. The city is alive with the activities of the University and offers an exceptional environment for the pursuit of academic goals as well as numerous venues for enjoying and advancing culture, the arts and knowledge. An extensive public transport network connects the university to Madrid and communicates its 3 campuses: the Historical Campus, located in the heart of Alcalá de Henares, the Science and Technology Campus, on the city's outskirts and the Guadalajara Campus, in the city of the same name.

The Historical campus is the place for the humanities, social sciences and architecture. The historical campus is also a hive of cultural activity, offering training in different areas of the arts, such as theatre, music and dance. Every year the university's ancient assembly hall, the Paraninfo Universitario, plays host to the most important Spanish literary award ceremony: the Cervantes Prize. The Paraninfo is also the place where the King of Spain Prize for Human Rights is awarded.

The Science and Technology Campus is the site of the Advanced Technical School for Computer Science and the Advanced Polytechnic School, where the engineering degrees are taught. Here too are taught health and life sciences, such as Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences and Physical Activity and Sports Science. The Prince of Asturias University Hospital is located next to the Faculty of Medicine.

Last but not least, the Science and Technology Campus is also where Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science are taught. The University of Alcalá is firmly committed to research as the engine of innovation and change. Its Juan Carlos I Botanical Garden is a leading-edge research and sustainability project, as well as a teaching resource of interest to university students, schoolchildren and the general public alike.

Ranked among the best Spanish universities in terms of research, the University of Alcalá encourages research quality in all fields of knowledge and is leader in biomedicine and biotechnology. The presence on the Campus of a Science and Technology Park also facilitates the development of business research activities and knowledge transfer. The Campus is also home to the Sports Service, which offers a good number of sporting activities throughout the year. Besides, students and visiting lecturers may take advantage of modern halls of residence with spaces for leisure and study, offering a wide range of services.

25 kilometers from Alcalá de Henares, the Guadalajara Campus is well-served by rail and bus. Here are taught various teacher-training specialities, Tourism, Business Administration and Management, Building Engineering and Nursing. Towards the north of the province of Guadalajara, in the small but historic city of Sigüenza, the University of Alcalá owns the 15th century mansion known as The House of the Doncel, which acts as a venue for conferences, talks, exhibitions and summer school. Next door is another building, the Porta Coeli Hostel, which offers accommodation.

The priority for the University of Alcalá is its students. With almost 20.000 students reading for undergraduate degrees and more than 9.000 pursuing postgraduate studies, the University is fully adapted to the European Higher Education Area. Throughout its history another hallmark of the University of Alcala has been its international outlook. Every year we welcome over 5.000 international students including more than 1.000 Latin American postgraduates, thanks to the Miguel de Cervantes Scholarships Program. For its part, each year the Alcalingua Centre for the teaching of Spanish fosters cultural exchange and shared learning among approximately 1.000 students of different nationalities.

Today the University of Alcalá stands for tradition and modernity, humanities and science, growth and sustainability, the past and the future.