Universities in Granada, Spain

Granada, in eastern Andalusia, had 235,294 inhabitants in 2025 according to the Andalusian Institute of Statistics and Cartography. According to the Universidad de Granada (UGR), about 80,000 students, researchers, lecturers and staff are directly linked to it, which makes it the fourth-largest university in Spain. The UGR says it receives more than 6,000 international students every year, including more than 2,000 Erasmus students.

Besides the university, Granada has centres for higher arts education in design and music, whose degrees are equivalent to a university bachelor's degree, and private schools for business and psychology.

What the universities and higher-education centres offer

The Universidad de Granada is a public university whose foundation was confirmed by a papal bull on 14 July 1531. It offers official bachelor's degrees (grados), master's degrees and doctoral programmes, and its BioTic campus was designated a Campus of International Excellence by the Spanish government in 2009.

Students of art, design and music have several options:

• the Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño "José Val del Omar", on Calle Gracia, awards the Título de Grado en Diseño (240 ECTS) in Graphic, Product and Fashion Design
• ESADA, a private centre authorised by the Junta de Andalucía, says it is the only school in Andalusia that offers all four design specialities (Graphic, Interior, Product and Fashion); its four-year degrees (240 ECTS) are equivalent to a university bachelor's degree, and it also runs master's programmes in video game design and in artificial intelligence applied to design
• the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música "Victoria Eugenia", on Calle San Jerónimo, teaches singing, composition, conducting, guitar, flamenco guitar, music education, piano and orchestral instruments

For business, the Escuela Internacional de Gerencia (EIG) runs ESIC master's programmes in Granada, such as an Executive MBA, as well as an official bachelor's degree in Marketing from ESIC University and UK bachelor's degrees such as a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Finance. The Instituto Superior de Psicología ALBORAN, founded in 1998, offers psychology courses and master's programmes online and in person.

Admission for international students

For a bachelor's degree at a Spanish university, students with foreign secondary qualifications usually start with UNEDasiss, the UNED service that evaluates international students' academic records and runs the tests needed for admission. Documents must often be legalised and translated, and the application itself is made to each university within its own deadlines. At the UGR, access and pre-registration for official bachelor's and master's degrees are handled by the Servicio de Acceso, Admisión y Permanencia.

Higher arts degrees have their own procedure. At EASD Val del Omar, applicants need the Bachillerato or an equivalent qualification, pre-register between 1 and 20 May, and sit a specific entrance test, held on 15 June 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year; only 20% of places are reserved for direct entry by holders of an advanced vocational diploma in art and design. The conservatory also admits students through specific entrance tests (PEA).

Costs

At the UGR, public prices per credit are set by the Junta de Andalucía in Decree 98/2023. Private centres set their own fees: at ESADA, a bachelor's year of 60 ECTS costs €3,660 (€61 per credit), and the first year totals €4,260 including the €250 place reservation and the €350 file-opening fee. ESADA students can apply for grants from the Ministry of Education, the Junta de Andalucía (Adriano grants) and Erasmus. For getting around, the Metropolitano de Granada light metro sells a 30-day pass with unlimited journeys for €24, and a single journey costs €1.35.

Practical tips

• Start the UNEDasiss process early, as documents may need legalisation and translation
• For design or music degrees, plan for the entrance test in June and pre-registration in May
• Use the UGR accommodation service, which collects housing offers and lists colegios mayores and university residences

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Granada?

The main university is the public Universidad de Granada, founded in 1531. The city also has higher arts centres for design and music, such as EASD Val del Omar, ESADA and the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música "Victoria Eugenia", whose degrees are equivalent to a university bachelor's degree.

How do international students apply to the Universidad de Granada?

Students with foreign secondary qualifications usually have their records evaluated by UNEDasiss and then apply to the UGR within its pre-registration deadlines.

How much does a design degree cost in Granada?

At the private school ESADA, a full year of 60 ECTS costs €3,660, and the first year totals €4,260 with the reservation and file-opening fees. Public prices at the UGR are set by the Junta de Andalucía.

Is Granada a good city for Erasmus students?

The UGR receives more than 2,000 Erasmus students and more than 6,000 international students in total every year, according to the university.