General information about the University of Murcia

THE REGION

The region of Murcia lies in the south-east of Spain bordering Andalucia, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia province. It has a beautiful 176 kilometre coastline, as well as the 50 kilometre long Mar Menor coastline. Temperatures are typically Mediterranean; winters are mild and summers warm, with average temperatures ranging from 15º to 19ºC.

The "huerta" of Murcia, which covers the fertile plains of the River Segura, is very close to the city and is the very essence of the capital where the deep-rooted traditions live in harmony with the driving force behind a modern, prosperous city. Murcia is, moreover, a welcoming city where privileged location right by the Mediterranean means it is a popular choice for conferences, tourism and cultural activities.

Stroll around Murcia. It is the ideal way to discover and enjoy the city.

Further information at http://www.murciaturistica.es

THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA

Although its origins date back to the thirteenth century, the University of Murcia as we know it was founded in 1915, which makes it the tenth oldest university in Spain. As the University of Murcia approaches its centenary it is complementing its history and tradition with the latest installations. Its complete approach to education involves the students and commits them to their social environment. (Further information at http://www.um.es)

UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA STATISTICS (2002-03)

FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA

The majority of the University's facilities and buildings are spread over two campuses: the older is La Merced, situated in the town centre, and the larger is Espinardo, just 5 km to the north of Mucia. A third campus for Medical and Health Studies is currently being built next to the suburban area known as Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca, 5 km south of the city. (Further information at XXXXXXXXX)

The University of Murcia is an institution devoted to providing higher education to the public. Among its main objectives are the creation, development and research into science, technology and culture through study and research and the transmission of such knowledge through education.

Accordingly, our University enjoys modern facilities located in the different University Faculties and Colleges and the Experimental Science Support Service (SACE). This is located in Espinardo, next to the Faculties of Biology, Medicine, Chemistry and Veterinary Science, and includes services such as laboratory animals, scientific calculations, cultivation of tissues, agricultural and forestry experiments, radio protection and waste, scientific equipment, microscopy, image analysis, and psychology equipment, as well as research support laboratories. (Further information at http://www.um.es/sace/)

The University also boasts two extensive libraries with over half a million books and some 10,000 scientific journals that can be consulted in any of the 3,000 reading areas. The Antonio de Nebrija Library is located on La Merced campus. In addition, the Main Library in Espinardo houses a European Documentation Centre. (Further information at http://www.um.es/biblioteca)

Sport is also very important to the University of Murcia and it enjoys a great number of facilities. These are mainly in Espinardo although some are in the city centre. These include for example: sports halls, football and rugby pitches, seven-a-side football pitches, aerobic and weight rooms, a gymnasium, tennis and squash courts, a pelota court, training areas, a climbing wall and an indoor swimming pool. The Sports Activities Service promotes and organises sport at all levels and for all the groups making up the university community. (Further information at http://www.um.es/deportes)

Finally, a word a bout other services provided by the University of Murcia for the benefit of its students. The Information Service (SIU) provides general information to all the members of the university, as well as runs the website and various information data banks. (Further information at http://www.um.es/siux) The Student Welfare Service (SAOP) seeks to respond to the psychological needs, academic performance issues, family problems, and legal questions affecting members of the university community. (Further information at http://www.um.es/saop) Finally, the Careers Office (COIE) provides the link with the world of work by organising courses and providing students with internships in enterprises. (Further information at http://www.um.es/coie) There are many other services and you can find further information about all of them at http://www.um.es/estructura/servicios and http://www.um.es/eng/services.

COURSES

The variety of courses offered by the University of Murcia is organised into official degrees (diplomas, degrees, engineering and technical engineering), Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees, independent degrees, academic specialisation and extracurricular teaching.

Undergraduate degrees

The following university degrees can be studied at the University of Murcia: diplomas, technical engineering, degrees and engineering. Diplomas and technical engineering are three-year courses while engineering and full degrees may be four, five or even six-year courses.

Faculties

- Faculty of Fine Arts (1)

Honours Degree in Fine Arts

- Faculty of Biology (1)

Honours Degree in Biology
Honours Degree in Environmental Science

- Faculty of Documentation Science (1)

Diploma in Library Sciences and Documentation
Honours Degree in Documentation*
Honours Degree in Journalism*
Honours Degree in Advertising and Public Relations*

- Faculty of Industrial Sciences (1)

Diploma in Industrial Relations
Honours Degree in Industrial Science*

- Faculty of Economics and Business (1)

Diploma in Management Science

Honours Degree in Administration and Management
Honours Degree in Economics
Honours Degree in Market Technology and Research*
Honours Degree in Sociology*

- Faculty of Law (2)

Honours Degree in Law
Honours Degree in Political and Administration Sciences*
Diploma in Public Management and Administration
Combined Honours Degree in Law with Administration and Management

- Faculty of Education (1)

Diploma in Social Education
Honours Degree in Education
Honours Degree in Education Psychology *
Teaching. Specialising in Special Needs Education
Teaching. Specialising in Physical Education
Teaching. Specialising in Infant Education
Teaching. Specialising in Music Education
Teaching. Specialising in Primary Education
Teaching. Specialising in Foreign Languages (Specialities in English and French)

- Faculty of Philosophy (1)

Honours Degree in Philosophy

- Faculty of Computer Sciences (1)

Engineer in Computer Science
Technical Engineer in Computer Science (Management)
Technical Engineer in Computer Science (Systems)

- Arts Faculty (2)

Honours Degree in Classics
Honours Degree in French
Honours Degree in Spanish
Honours Degree in English
Honours Degree in Geography
Honours Degree in History
Honours Degree in History of Art

- Faculty of Mathematics (1)

Honours Degree in Mathematics

- Faculty of Medicine (1) (Some classes are given in hospitals)

Honours Degree in Medicine
Honours Degree in Dentistry
Diploma in Physiotherapy

- Faculty of Psychology (1)

Honours Degree in Psychology

- Faculty of Chemistry (1)

Diploma in Optics and Optometry
Honours Degree in Chemical Engineering
Honours Degree in Biochemistry*
Honours Degree in Physics
Honours Degree in Chemistry

- Faculty of Veterinary Science (1)

Honours Degree in Veterinary Science
Honours Degree in Science and Food Technology*

* Second cycle Degrees only,
(1) Espinardo campus,
(2) Merced campus.

University Schools

- Nursing School of Murcia (1) (Some classes take place in hospitals)

Diploma in Nursing

- Nursing School of Cartagena (2) (Linked with the University of Murcia)

Diploma in Nursing

- School of Social Work (1)

Diploma in Social Work

- School of Tourism (3) (Linked with the University of Murcia)

Diploma in Tourism

1.Located in Espinardo campus
2.Located in Cartagena (city 60 km south from Murcia).
3.Located in the city of Murcia, outside the Merced campus.

Postgraduate

The courses offered by the University of Murcia also include Doctoral or third cycle studies, under supervision of Departments, whose aim is Graduate, Engineering or Architect specialisations in a particular field and the research training required to prepare a Doctoral thesis. These are biannual programmes after which the DEA (Diploma in Advanced Studies) is awarded and following which, the candidate must research, write and read their thesis before obtaining a Ph.D.

Independent Degrees and extracurricular teaching

The Education Promotion Service provides and encourages academic and extracurricular academic specialisation and training through the organisation of courses, conferences, one day workshops and seminars covering different levels of training, from postgraduate (Masters, University specialities or training courses) to education promotion courses, which do not lead to a degree.

Further information about all the courses of the University of Murcia is available on ´´Oferta de Estudios´´ (http://www.um.es/estudios/oferta-propios.php) and ´´Centros Universitarios´´ (http://www.um.es/estructura/centros/).

You can come to study here as an exchange student, but without receiving any academic degree from the University of Murcia, by means of:

-An international programme for a fixed period and only to study part of your course (Erasmus, ISEP etc. programmes) or

-Participating in a specific agreement between your centre of study and our University.

It is also possible to come as an independent student if your individual case fulfils one of the following requirements:

1.- You have carried out secondary school level studies in a foreign country following which you would like to begin studying at the University of Murcia.

It is then necessary to follow two steps:

MINISTERIO DE EDUCACIÓN, CULTURA Y DEPORTE
Information:
C/ Alcalá, 36
MADRID 28071
Tel: +34 91 701 85 00
Fax.: +34 91 506 56 98, 91 506 57 06
http://www.mecd.es/inf/comoinfo/titextranj/sistemaseducativos.html

-Pass the University entrance tests (PAAU)

This test is called "Selectividad", and is organised by the National Open University (UNED) (http:// www.uned.es/selectividad/convalidables/index.htm) There are pre-established registration periods according to the country in question and to which examination session is to be set.

For further information please contact

SECCIÓN DE SELECTIVIDAD DE LA U.N.E.D.

C/ Senda del Rey, nº 11 - 28040 MADRID - SPAIN-
Telephone numbers: +34 91 398 66 12/13/16 (opening hours: from 9:00 to 14:00)
Fax: +34 91 398 66 79
E-mail: selectiv@adm.uned.es

Further Information for International Students at http://www.um.es/internacionales

2.- You have started studies at a foreign university and would like to continue at the University of Murcia.

Modules studied abroad can be validated when the content and class hours are equivalent and comply with the following types of study:

-Studies followed partially in the same discipline that you would like to continue with at the University of Murcia.

-A completed course of study which the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport has not validated but has nonetheless specifically indicated that there exists a possibility of validation of some of the components. (http://www.mecd.es/inf/comoinfo/titextranj/homologacion.html)

If you are from an area whose official language is not Spanish, it is likely you will have to pass a language level test.

If you are interested, you should send an application to study at University to the Rector of the University care of the Secretary of the relevant department of the University you wish to study at.

FurtherInformation for International Students at http://www.um.es/internacionales

3.- You have completed studies at a foreign university and have therefore been awarded a University degree by that university.

If you are a foreign student, have a graduate degree (or academic equivalent), awarded by a University or other Higher Education establishment and wish to carry out Doctoral studies in Spain, this can be done in two ways:

-On validation of a foreign degree, carried out in accordance with the Royal Decree 185/1985. Your application must be approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. This is a lengthy process as, once your application has been made and the correct documentation is in order, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture will submit the report to the University Council who will then inform of their decision within the established timeframe.

-By study equivalence (without the need for a foreign degree to have been previously validated). Your application is made directly to the Rector’s Office at the chosen university. On submitting the application, the interested party will be able to enroll for any Doctoral course scientifically related to their university profile.

After this stage, via either of the two ways explained above, you should send your application to register for Doctoral study to the Rector of the University of Murcia and present the documents to:

NEGOCIADO DE TERCER CICLO
C/ Escopeteros, 9, Bajo
Plaza de La Cruz Roja
30003 Murcia (Spain)
Tel: +34 968 36 36 53
Fax: +34 968 36 76 30
http://www.um.es/estudios/doctorado/

Further Information for International Students at http://www.um.es/internacionales

OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation

Various types of accommodation are available. There are four private Halls of Residence, individual and double apartments in Espinardo (Apartamentos Campus) and the Colegio Mayor Azarbe. (http://www.um.es/alumnos/alojamiento)

An alternative accommodation service exists in which university students live with elderly people. This is organised in collaboration with the University and Murcia Council. (http://www.um.es/suv/proyectos/convivencia.php).

If, however, you come to the University of Murcia on an exchange student programme, the International Relations Office will help you find accommodation in rented flats, sharing with other students in the city via the Project ¨Live in Murcia¨. Rooms cost approximately 150 euros/month (http:// www.um.es/vimur).

Finally, it should be taken into account that in addition to rent, students usually need around 300 euros per month to cover other costs, food, transport etc. Expenditure on study material (books, photocopies, notes) depends on the course and varies enormously, although it is also possible to buy second-hand books in the University Information Service (SIU).

Food Halls

There are four canteens available for general use: Centro Social Universitario, the Colegio Mayor Azarbe, Apartamentos Campus and in the Faculty of Economics and Business. There is also an extensive cafeteria service in the majority of the university buildings (http://www.um.es/csa/).

University Societies

The University favours the integration and participation of all those at University through the establishment of societies. Such as the Departmental organisations, the University "tunas", co- operation for development, etc. One important is ESN Murcia ( Erasmus Student Network Asociation), a society of students of the University of Murcia which helps foreign exchange students in our city and puts students from Murcia in contact with people from other countries by organising activities for them.. (http://www.esnmurcia.com )

Cultural Activities

The University is highly aware of the importance of culture at all levels. The aim of the Cultural Activities Service is to promote cultural activities for the University community and to promote the University's image in society through exhibitions, awards, shows, music performances and poetry recitals, plays, workshops, round table conferences, and debates. (http://www.um.es/scultura)

TUITION FEES

The tuition fees of Diplomas and Degrees as well as Doctoral studies vary according to each academic course and the number of scientific experiments that a given course may entail. We advise you to look on the following website for more information http://www.um.es/estudios/normas-academicas/tasas.php.

The cost of modules will be calculated according to the number of credits for each course. The cost of each credit is cheaper for Arts courses than Science courses and similarly, the first enrolment is cheaper than subsequent ones. Doctoral studies are the most expensive. To give an approximate idea, the first year of a full time Undergraduate course costs between 500 and 800euros.

Students will be able to register for full-time courses, modules or optional credits independently of the course. The University is responsible for establishing the maximum and minimum number of credits that may be taken.

The rest of the courses offered by the University of Murcia, e. g. Masters and independent degree courses, are not state financed and vary in price. (Further information at http://www.um.es/estudios/oferta-propios.php)

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE

At the Internacional Relations Office, where the mobility programmes are managed, we will be more than happy to help you with anything you may need. If you are coming to the University of Murcia as a participant in a mobility programme, we will deal with all the necessary documents and will help you take your first steps in our university and city. If you wish to study with us as an independent student, you can also contact us for guidance about what procedures to follow.

Besides dealing with international mobility programmes and orientating international students, our office
organises language courses, including Spanish as a foreign language. You can also take official language exams (such as the DELE exams, of the Instituto Cervantes). We also work with several Spanish and European programmes in order to promote university and development cooperation.

You can also access data bases with information of interest: "Live in Murcia" project (http://www.um.es/vimur), Sabio Internacional (http://www.um.es/internacionales), Eurodirectorio (http://sabio.fcu.um.es/sri-euro.nsf/listapaises), etc.

For all of this and much more, you can contact us at:

Address:
C/ Actor Isidoro Máiquez 9, 3ª planta (Vistalegre)
Edificio Saavedra Fajardo
30007-Murcia (Spain)
Tel: +34 968 36 4074
Fax: +34 968 364130
E-mail:svrelint@um.es
Web page: http://www.um.es/internacionales

We are open: Mondays to Thursdays, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS

To get to know more about our region: http://www.murciaturistica.es

Further information about our University's history: http://www.um.es/historiaUMU

To contact other international students, or for further information on Spanish courses, the Internacional Relations Office and other useful information about Spanish universities: http://www.universia.es

Useful hints to study in Spain: http://www.universia.es/contenidos/internacionales/estudiar_esp.html