International Welcome Point
Guide for international students
Index
- International Welcome Point (IWP)-International Relations Office
- Addressees
- University of Murcia
- Campus maps
- How to get to Murcia
- Transport to Espinardo Campus
- Accommodation
- Language Service
- Sports Activities Service
- Dining Facilities
- Student Card
- University clubs and societies / Erasmus Student Network
- University of Murcia Wi-Fi connection
- Visa and residence permit
- Healthcare and hospitals
- Tourist information offices
- Other interesting links
- Supermarkets
- Mobile phones
- What is there to do in Murcia?
- The coast and the mountains
- Bars and restaurants
- Videos
- Orientation Sessions
- Buddy Programme
- UMU’s services
- Events
- F.A.Q.
International Welcome Point - International Relations Office
Who we are/Contact data
The International Welcome Point (IWP) offers assistance to international students, researchers and teachers interested in staying at our university.
At Espinardo Campus you can find us at:
Rector Soler building, 2nd floor (n. 18)
30071 MURCIA – SPAIN
- International students, teachers and researchers: e-mail: incoming@um.es
- National students, teachers and researchers: eE-mail: internacionales@um.es phone: +34 868 884074
Accommodation and legalization: vimur@um.es
Phone: +34 868 88 3889
Fax: +34 868 88 8375
We open from Monday till Friday from 10.00 till 13.00 with a previous appointment through https://citaprevia.um.es/citaprevia/SRIMOVIN
You will also be able to organise accommodation and legalization in our Information Point and Enquiries Office at La Merced Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 till 13.00.
At La Merced Campus, we have an Information Point and Enquiries Office located in:
Rector Loustau building, ground floor
30001 MURCIA-SPAIN
Phone: +34 868 888113 – Fax +34 868 888114
E-mail:: internacionales@um.es
We open from Monday till Friday from 10.00 till 13.00 For our office at la Merced Campus it’s not necessary to arrange any appointment.
Addressees
International Students
a) Involved in a mobility programme: students previously selected by their home universities to carry out any kind of studies or research at the UMU through an existing agreement between both institutions.
- Erasmus Studies/Placement, ILA, ISEP, Alban, CUC, Milikin Univ., Oregon St. Univ., Northwestern Univ., Erasmus Mundus, Magisterio México, Prince of Songkla Univ., Simpson College, West Virginia Univ., Bridging the Gap, EU Mare Nostrum, Mover, Spanish courses (SIDI), One More Step, Rep. Dom, CSF Brasil.
b) Not involved in mobility programmes: students from other universities who want to carry out studies at the UMU and are not involved in any mobility programme:
b.1) Visiting student: This condition is hold by foreign students who having legal access to university studies, although not being included in the framework of a programme or mobility agreement, wish to broaden their education by taking courses of official studies at the University of Murcia in an extracurricular way. Visiting students will be considered students of the University of Murcia during the period of their enrollment, and will also be subject to all academic and organizational standards of our university. Regulation
b.2) Master Students: Students admitted for Master studies. Admission
b.3) Phd Students: students admitted for Doctorate studies
b.4) Students who have completed their secondary education in another country and want to enroll in undergraduate studiesb.5) Students who have begun their studies at a foreign university and want to continue in the UMU: The admission criteria and application deadlines for students who have started their studies abroad and want ot continue in our University,are the same as those adopted for the records' transfer admission. The student must contact the Secretary of the center where he/she wants to enrol.
Researchers
From other universities or research centers, foreigners who are temporarily employed by the University of Murcia for the development of teaching and research activities, according to the research and teaching of the different departments or colleges of the University of Murcia.
Researcher protocol.
Administrative staff from foreign universities:
http://www.um.es/internacionales/europa/movilidad/
University of Murcia
The University of Murcia has 5 different campuses:
- Espinardo Campus is located just 5 km to the north of the city centre. The great majority of the students are based in 16 Faculties and 1 University School located here.
- La Merced Campus. Located in the city centre. Faculties of Law and Arts.
- Medical and Health Studies Campus. Located next to the suburban area known as “Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca”, 5 km south of the city.
- Sports Sciences Campus. Located in San Javier, 44 km south-east of the city.
- Lorca Campus. Located 70 kms away from Murcia city. Recently built. Nursing and nutrition studies.
All academic information can be found in: http://www.um.es/web/estudios/
Campus maps
- Campus La Merced
http://www.um.es/universidad/planos/merced/index.php - Campus Espinardo
http://www.accessia.es/ - Campus Ciencias del Deporte/Sports Sciences
http://www.um.es/universidad/planos/sanjavier.php - Campus Ciencias de la Salud/Medical and Health Studies
http://www.um.es/universidad/planos/ccsalud.php
How to get to Murcia
AirportsAeropuerto de San Javier (Murcia), 47 km a Murcia.
Tel:+34 968 17 2000
Aeropuerto de El Altet (Alicante) , 68 km a Murcia.
Tel:+34 966 91 91 00/ +34 966 91 94 00
Estación de El Carmen (Murcia). Tel:+34 968 25 25 72
BusesEstación de autobuses de San Andrés (Murcia). Tel:+34 968 29 22 11
Motorways and toll roadsAutopista del Mediterráneo A-7: France, Barcelona/Valencia/Alicante/ Murcia
Autovía A-30: Madrid/Albacete/Murcia/Cartagena
Autovía con Andalucía E-15
Transport to Espinardo Campus
- Bus: line 39. The easiest bus stop to find: Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo (next to Banco de España, direction Plaza Circular). Bus service each 15 minutes. At the Espinardo Campus, alight at the "Químicas" stop.
- Tram: line 1B. Departure from Plaza Circular. Stop at Espinardo Campus: "Centro Social" (Social Centre). Rector Soler is building number 18, 2nd floor.
How can I buy a ticket/bus pass?
For the bus
- On the bus. Approximate price: ticket 1,50 euros
- UNIBONO: to apply for it, you need a University of Murcia e-mail address.
For the tram
- At the ticket dispensers of the tram stops.
- UNIBONO It costs 20,40 euros/month with unlimited travel. Only for students. To apply for it, you need a University of Murcia e-mail address.
If you need more information, enter at: http://www.um.es/alumnos/transporte/
Accommodation
- Vivir en Murcia Project: the options are sharing accommodation with other students, renting accommodation by yourself or living with a host family. We offer the possibility of renting for less than 3 months.
- Other accommodation possibilities: private Halls of Residence, and the “Colegio Mayor Azarbe”.
- Alternative accommodation service in which university students live with elderly people: this is organised in collaboration with the University and Murcia City Council.
Language Service (SIDI)
Offer foreign students the opportunity of studying Spanish in the following forms:
- Intensive courses for International programmes (free): in September and February, centered on providing the students who have recently arrived with the linguistic tools necessary to manage in both the social and academic life. 30 teaching hours (3 credits ETCS) and three levels: A2, B.1.1 y B.1.2.
- Four-month courses: two calls each academic year, from October to January, and from February and June. They consist on 60 teaching hours (6 credits ETCS) and seven levels, from A1 to B2+.
- Spanish language and Hispanic culture: two calls every year, from September to December, and from January to May. This course addresses university students and foreign professionals who want to expand their knowledge in Spanish language whereas they study the aspects about the Spanish culture as well as the Spanish-speaking countries. It is divided into two groups from different levels: Level I (Spanish B1 level) and Level II (Spanish B2 level). They are 300 teaching hours in total (30 credits ETCS).
- Training course for DELE exam of the Instituto Cervantes: 30 hours course addressed to those students who want to do the exams to obtain the official DELE certificate. The aim is making candidates familiar with the structure and contents of the tests. Two groups are organized, training for both DELE B2 and DELE C1.
- Distance course of Spanish AVE: A course developed online through Aula Virtual de Español del Instituto Cervantes which offers a multimedia learning atmosphere. Appropriate for students who can not attend a regular course. All levels are offered, from A1 to C2. It is a 40 hours course.
Through the Language Service (Servicio de Idiomas) of Murcia University you can also do the tests to obtain DELE Certificate (Diploma Español de Lengua Extranjera) which is issued by the Instituto Cervantes. Regarding May call, the registration widow usually starts from the end of March.
You also have offer for the following courses: English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Japanese.
Further information at: http://www.um.es/idiomas
Language Service courses are extracurricular and Scheduled depending on demand.
Sports Activities Service
A wide range of facilities. These are mainly at the Espinardo Campus:
- Sport halls
- Football, rugby and seven-a-side football pitches
- Aerobic and weight rooms, gymnasium
- Tennis, squash and “pelota” courts
- Training areas, a climbing wall and an indoor swimming pool.
The Sports Activities Service promotes and organises sport at all levels and for all groups in the university community.
Dining Facilities
Servicio de Calidad Ambiental, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición
- Five canteens available for general use: City centre: La Merced Campus and ”Colegio Mayor Azarbe”.
- Espinardo Campus: “Centro Social Universitario”, “Apartamentos Campus” and Faculty of Economics and Business.
- Dining facilities (lunch time) available from 1.00 pm. to 3.30 pm
- Extensive cafeteria services in the majority of the university buildings (available from 8.00 am to 7.30 pm)
Student Card (Smart Card)
Student ID card which incorporates a chip where information about the cardholder is stored.
Uses:
- Library services
- Access to computer rooms
- Consulting academic records
- Enrolment on elective courses
- Booking sports facilities
- Access the virtual campus (SUMA) and information on the university with guaranteed safety.
It serves many other purposes:
- Access to the Virtual Secretaries’ Offices
- Payment in telephone booths, taxis, shops, vending machines, etc
University clubs and societies / Erasmus Student Network
The University favours the integration and participation of all those at the University of Murcia through the creation of societies, such as departmental organisations, University "tunas" (traditional music groups), co-operation for development, etc. http://www.um.es/alumnos/servicios.php
The Erasmus Student Network in Murcia (ESN-Murcia) is a key society which helps international students to further integrate into Murcian society by organising activities such as parties, tours, coffee meetings, etc. Facebook
University of Murcia Wi-Fi connection
These are the steps for wi-fi connection:- Right click on the icon:

- Select the wireless network "Icarum". The connection icon will pass through several phases:

- EU CITIZENS:* Please, bear in mind that if you are a student from the EU staying less than 3 months, you do not need to apply for this unless advised otherwise. (If you are coming to the University of Murcia as an employee, you need the NIE number to sign the contract). This procedure is called “Inscripción en el registro oficial de extranjeros” (Inscription in the official foreigners registry). There’s no need to arrange an appointment for this procedure. You must go directly to the police station and state that you wish to register on the “registro oficial de extranjeros”. The applicant must carry his/ her passport. One of the administration officers will provide you with the relevant form and process your application. After that, a new appointment will be scheduled in order to obtain the corresponding certificate that will include the NIE number (Foreigners Identity Number) assigned to the applicant. In order to obtain this certificate a fee must be paid.
- NON- EU CITIZENS: There’s no need to arrange an appointment for this procedure. You must go directly to the police station. This procedure is called “Solicitud de certificado de NIE” (Application for NIE certificate). In order to apply for this, you must fill in two copies of the EX-13 form, and provide your original passport, photocopies of all its pages, including the one with the visa and the blank ones. The NIE certificate is immediately issued after the payment of the relevant fee.
- EU CITIZENS: This procedure is called “Inscripción en el registro oficial de extranjeros” ONLY FOR RESEARCHERS AND CONTRACTS. (Inscription in the official foreigners registry). There’s no need to arrange an appointment for this procedure. You must go directly to the police station and state that you wish to be registered on the “registro oficial de extranjeros. The applicant must carry his/ her passport. One of the administration officers will provide the relevant form and process your application. After that, a new appointment will be scheduled in order to obtain the corresponding certificate that will include the NIE number assigned to the applicant. In order to obtain this certificate a fee must be paid.
- NON- EU CITIZENS: Appointment needed. Paperwork to be carried out at both the Police Station and the Foreigners office. The name of this procedure is “Solicitud de la tarjeta de residente” (Application for the resident card). For this, the applicant must fill in two copies of the EX-11 form, and provide their original passport, photocopies of all its pages, including the one with the visa and the blank ones, 3 photos and the “certificado de empadronamiento” (although this can be done later on in the year). The resident card will be ready in around 30 days. For the interim period, the applicant will be issued with a receipt bearing their NIE number.
- RENEWAL OF THE “TARJETA DE RESIDENTE” (RESIDENT'S CARD): In order to renew this card the same documents used to apply for it, in the first instance are requested. Apart from that, it is necessary to have repatriation insurance and be able to prove economic solvency.
- OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT: We strongly recommend those in need of a NIE number not to open a bank account until they have been issued with one in order to avoid the payment of unnecessary fees.
- EU CITIZENS: If you need healthcare while on a temporary stay in another member state, you can go directly to a care provider with your European Health Insurance Card or equivalent paper form.
- NON-EU CITIZENS: Swiss citizens from outside the EU Switzerland, and EEA must take out a medical insurance policy in their country before travelling or with a Spanish provider immediately on arrival. If the policy is not in Spanish, it must be translated and state that it covers international medical assistance in case of accident or illness. In any case, we advise to consult these requirements with the Spanish consulates at the home country.
- Caravaca de la Cruz. Los Caballos del Vino
- Cartagena. Carthagineses y Romanos
- Lorca and its Easter Week
- MERCADONA (you will find them all around the city)
- EL ÁRBOL
- DIA
- SUPER DUMBO
- Carrefour Atalayas near La Flota neighbourhood
- Carrefour Espinardo at the end of Juan Carlos I Avenue
- VERÓNICAS (the oldest and biggest one) in front of Segura River (Manterola’s Bridge)
- SAAVEDRA FAJARDO, just a couple of minutes walking from the Faculty of Law.
- EL CARMEN in the popular “Barrio del Carmen”
- VISTABELLA
- SAN ANDRÉS in front of the Bus Station.
- MediaMarkt and Saturn: home appliances
- Ikea: homewear, home accessories: storage options, lighting, decor products, kitchen appliances.
(located in the suburbs. Bus line 1 and Tramway serve the city centre and malls area)
Business Hours: 10:00-13:30 17:00-21:00 - Where can I get help on applying for a student visa? You can contact the International Welcome Point (IWP). Staff members will help you with all visa procedures. Remember that all students coming to study in Spain must obtain a Type D Student visa before leaving their home country.
- What should I do upon arrival? The first and most important thing is coming to our IWP office at Espinardo Campus, Rector Soler building, 2nd floor. There, we will provide you with all necessary information and documents to correctly start your stay in our university.
- How can I find accommodation before getting to Murcia? The accommodation service VIMUR, part of the international relations service and included in the IWP, can help you find a place to live in. Contact us in http://vimur.um.es or send an e-mail to vimur@um.es
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6. Ready for use.
Obtaining a Visa and Residence Permit
Stays of less than three months:
Stays of three months or more:
More information at: http://ouemurcia.cgsmurcia.org
Healthcare/Hospitals
For emergencies: In Spain, public hospitals receive emergencies regardless the nationality or the health insurance of the patient.
For emergencies, call into:
Hospital General Universitario Morales MeseguerC/ Marqués de los Vélez, s/n - 30008 (Murcia) |
Hospital Reina SofíaAvda. Intendente Jorge Palacios, 2, 30003 (Murcia) |
Tourist Information Offices
C/. Santa Clara. |
Plaza de Belluga. |
Other interesting linksMás inf
More information about the Region of Murcia, festivals, Easter Week, etc.:
http://www.murciaciudad.com
http://www.murciaturistica.es
Cultural activities:
Information about some towns of Murcia and their festivals:
Supermarkets
There is a wide range of supermarkets all around the city from small grocery store to big chains in the outskirts of the city. Those with the best prices and a wide range of products are the following:
Big Chains in the outskirts:
El Corte Inglés Department Store Supermarket: it is not cheap but you will find a huge variety of named brands
“Plazas” (markets): They are a popular places to do the daily shopping. There you will find a big variety of fresh daily products at very good prices. They only open in the morning. In Murcia you will find them in the following places:
There are two weekly markets on Thursdays in La Fama and Santa María de Gracia.
Malls: located in the suburbs. Bus line 1 and Tramway serve the city centre and malls area: Nueva Condomina and Thader.
Home appliances and accessories:
Mobile phones: There are 4 major cell phone companies in Spain: MOVISTAR, VODAFONE, ORANGE, YOIGO and SIMYO. Each one have offers and promotions.
You can also stop by TELECOR (Telecommunications Department of El Corte Inglés Department Store). Information about the companies is available there. El Corte Inglés. Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo.
Living in Murcia
What is there to do in Murcia?
Murcia is an ancient, Mediterranean and hospitable city which was founded and fortified in 825 AD by Abderraman II with the name Mursiya in the fertile planes of the River Segura. Murcia - a paradise of light and orange blossom - is a cheerful, outgoing city, crowned by its Cathedral, the Church of Our Father Jesus (home to the museum of the celebrated sculptor, Salzillo), the Episcopal Palace, the Convent of Santa Ana, the Church of Saint Michael, the Monastery of Santa Clara la Real, El Almudi, the Sancutary of la Fuensanta, the Gardens of the Malecón, and the Casino. Other points of interest are the Museum of Murcia and the Hydraulic Museum, as well as the water mills of the Segura river in Murcia and the surrounding villages which make up our Region.
Murcia also enjoys a wealth of festivities: carnivals (February), Holy Week(March- April), the Spring Festivals (March/April), the Fair of Murcia (September), and Christmas (December), which, together with cinema, theatre, and music festivals, conferences, and art exhibitions make up the exciting cultural life in the city. Many of these events take place in the "Teatro Romea" and "Centro de Congresos" of the Region of Murcia while others are sponsored by the various savings banks (cajas de ahorros).
The coast and the mountains
In our Region, you can enjoy the coast practically year-round, but above all during the Easter holidays and summer. There exists a huge variety of water activities in which you can take part including sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving, etc.
The average temperature during the year ranges from 12°C in winter to 25.5°C in summer. The climate is dry, hot in summer and mild in winter and Murcia is among the cities in Spain which receive the most sunshine throughout the year.
A spit of land, La Manga, runs parallel to the coast of Murcia forming a small sea of its own, known as the Mar Menor, while its other beaches are bathed by the Mediterranean. The resorts of the Mar Menor include San Javier, La Ribera, Los Alcázares, and, of course, La Manga itself. If you fancy hiking rather than swimming, we would recommend the Natural Park of Calblanque and the beautiful coves and coastal areas which surround this area.
For the nature lover, there are a number of activities in the mountains. You can enjoy the walls of the Leyva in the Sierra Espuña or the Panocha in El Valle, where you can climb, cycle, trek or simply hike.
Bars and Restaurants
You have probably already heard of the famous Spanish "tapas." In Murcia, there are a great number of bars and squares where you can enjoy a delicious appetiser in the open air. The most well-known Murcian tapas include: pisto, zarangollo , la ensalada murciana, etc., all of which are prepared with vegetables from our abundant Murcia markets.
Some of the most popular bars are El Palomo and Los Toneles, both located in C/ Cánovas del Castillo, the Pepico del Tío Ginés in C/ las Mulas, Los Zagales in C/ Polo de Medina, El Patio in C/ Paco and La Parranda in the Plaza San Juan. At weekends, the bars serving tapas in Plaza del las Flores, la Plaza Mayor, and Alfonso X el Sabio are always full. If you want a formal meal, there exist restaurants in every part of the city where you will find top quality food at a friendly price.
For further information:
Videos
Orientation Sessions
Upon arrival, these sessions are held to inform the international students about academic and administrative procedures to be followed in the UMU.
Buddy Programme:
The Buddy Programme's aim is to connect international students with local students from the University of Murcia to give some advice, even before arrival, in order to ease their integration in the university. This programme is intended for international students who are not familiar with the customs and way of living in Spain, and can be very useful to meet local students to help them with the language and to adapt to the university and the city itself.
UMU’s services
The University favours the integration and participation of the entire university community through partnerships, such as delegations of students, tunas, cooperation for development, etc…
Further information: http://www.um.es/alumnos/servicios.php
Events
International welcome, UMU’s welcome, Staff Week, stands fair…





