UNIVERSITIES IN ZARAGOZA

Universidad de Zaragoza (Unizar): the main player

Unizar is the reference institution in the city, and for good reason: founded in 1542, it’s one of the oldest universities in Spain and the only public university in Aragón. It’s also the leading centre for technological innovation in the Ebro Valley, with a well established reputation both nationally and among neighbouring European universities.

It’s not just present in Zaragoza city itself: it has campuses and facilities spread across Zaragoza, Huesca, Jaca, Teruel and La Almunia de Doña Godina, covering practically the entire Aragón region. As an Erasmus student, your experience will most likely take place on the capital’s campus, which is also very well connected to the rest of Spain: Madrid and Barcelona are just over 300 km away by AVE, and Valencia, Bilbao, and even Toulouse (France) are a similar distance away, making the city a great base for the odd trip during your Erasmus.

Faculties and areas of study

Unizar covers practically every field of knowledge, with faculties and schools including:

• Faculty of Sciences: biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and geology
• Faculty of Law: law, criminology and labour relations
• Faculty of Economics and Business: finances, business administration, economics and marketing
• Faculty of Medicine: medicine, nursing and other health sciences
• School of Engineering and Architecture: computer engineering, industrial engineering, civil engineering and architecture

Unizar by the numbers

To give you a sense of the real scale of the institution:

• 54 degree programmes adapted to the European Higher Education Area, plus 8 joint and consecutive degree programmes
• 59 master’s degrees and 50 doctoral programmes
• Over 39,000 members in its university community
• 17 own centres, 5 affiliated centres and 51 departments
• 171 research groups, involving over 3,400 researchers
• 63 spin offs and start ups created from within the university itself

International mobility

If you’re coming on Erasmus, this stat is particularly relevant: every year, over 1,100 students arrive at Unizar through international cooperation and mobility programmes, while over 1,270 of its own students go abroad to study. In other words, the Erasmus ecosystem in Zaragoza is very well established, so you certainly won’t be a rarity on campus.

The university also puts a strong focus on practical experience: over 4,400 student placements per year, arranged with nearly 1,800 partner organisations.

Universidad San Jorge (USJ): Aragón’s leading private university

If you’re after a private alternative, Universidad San Jorge is the main option in the city. Founded in 2005, it’s a young institution but one that has grown notably, with its campus located in Villanueva de Gállego, on the outskirts of Zaragoza.

USJ takes an integrative, effective and personalised approach to education, with a strong focus on internationalisation: they aim to give students the skills needed to operate in international environments, which as an Erasmus student is probably something you’ll appreciate.

Another standout feature is its focus on student wellbeing, with services like SOAP (Psychological Guidance and Support Service) and an active programme of cultural and sports activities to help students unwind from their studies.

Faculties and areas of study

• Faculty of Communication and Social Sciences: journalism, advertising and PR, audiovisual communication, psychology
• Faculty of Health Sciences: nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, human nutrition and dietetics
• Faculty of Architecture and Technology: architecture, computer engineering and industrial organisation engineering

An interesting detail about USJ is that it offers degrees fairly hard to find at other Spanish universities, such as Video Game Design and Development, Translation and Intercultural Communication, or the dual degree in Bioinformatics + Pharmacy..

ESIC Zaragoza: the business school

If your Erasmus is focused on business or marketing, ESIC Business & Marketing School has its own campus in Zaragoza, with a very practical, employability focused approach. Its ecosystem of projects, case studies and internships with real companies is one of its strong points.

It offers a Marketing degree and other programmes linked to business and digital fields, plus master’s programmes (Digital Marketing, Sales Management) and MBA courses.

Escuela de Turismo Universitaria de Zaragoza (ETUZ)

A specialised, very practically oriented centre if your interest lies in the tourism sector. ETUZ combines academic training with languages, management, and direct contact with hospitality, intermediation and event organisation.

It offers a Tourism degree, with specific tracks in hotel management, smart destinations, event organisation, tourism marketing and sustainability.

On pricing: as an affiliated centre, its tuition differs from that of the public university, and rates are provided upon request (no exact figure published on their website), so if you’re interested, it’s best to request the fee and scholarship breakdown directly.

Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de La Almunia (EUPLA)

A centre affiliated with the Universidad de Zaragoza, specialising in engineering degree programmes. It’s known for its practical approach and close ties to industry, which makes it easier for graduates to find work. It’s located in La Almunia de Doña Godina, some distance from the capital, so if this is your option, factor that in when planning your accommodation.