Universities in Zaragoza, Spain

Zaragoza, capital of Aragón, had 693,091 inhabitants on 1 January 2025, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE), which makes it one of the largest cities in Spain. Halfway between Madrid and Barcelona, it combines a large public university with private universities, business schools and public higher arts schools.

For international students the city offers Spanish as the everyday language and a wide choice of degrees, from engineering and business to design and music.

What Zaragoza's universities and higher-education schools offer

The Universidad de Zaragoza is the city's public university. According to its own history, on 10 September 1542 Emperor Charles V granted the privilege that raised the city's school of arts to university rank, and the new university opened on 24 May 1583. Today it covers all fields of study. Its Facultad de Economía y Empresa, for example, offers a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management with a group taught in English, and a degree in International Business.

Other institutions include:

• Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ-CIHEAM): master's programmes and advanced courses with a focus on the Mediterranean region
• Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón (ESDA): graphic, product, interior and fashion design
• Hacer Creativo - Centro Superior de Diseño de Zaragoza: degrees in fashion design and graphic design
• Escuela de Turismo Universitaria de Zaragoza (ETUZ): bachelor's degree in tourism
• Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón (CSMA): a public centre under the Government of Aragón's education department, with its own entrance tests
• CESTE - Escuela internacional de negocios: business and computing programmes that, according to the school, are validated by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David

The city is also home to the Universidad San Jorge and the Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC).

Admission for international students

Students with foreign secondary qualifications who want a bachelor's degree at a Spanish public university usually go through UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed for admission. Arts schools such as the CSMA set their own entrance tests, and private institutions have their own admission procedures.

Costs

At the Universidad de Zaragoza, the tuition fee is the number of credits taken multiplied by the price per credit, which depends on the type of degree. Prices for 2026-27 were set by a decree of the Government of Aragón of 24 June 2026. On top of that come fixed administrative charges, such as €34.05 in fixed costs and €31.90 to open a student file for new students. Non-resident students who are not nationals of an EU member state pay the per-credit prices in a separate table; a stay or study permit does not count as residence for this purpose. Private institutions set their own fees.

For housing, the university's accommodation service lists rooms and flats for rent and the city's halls of residence (colegios mayores). On public transport, Zaragoza City Council keeps a 50% discount on youth passes.

Practical tips

• Fees: if you are from outside the EU, check whether you count as a resident before you enrol, because it changes the price per credit
• Climate: Zaragoza has cold winters and hot, dry summers; at the AEMET Zaragoza Aeropuerto station (1981-2010 normals) the average is 6.6 °C in January and 25.3 °C in July
• Language: most degrees are taught in Spanish, but some programmes, such as one business administration group at the Facultad de Economía y Empresa, are taught in English

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Zaragoza?

The public Universidad de Zaragoza and the Universidad San Jorge, together with higher-education schools for design, music, tourism, business and agronomy.

How much does it cost to study at the Universidad de Zaragoza?

The fee is the number of credits multiplied by the price per credit set each year by the Government of Aragón, plus administrative charges. Non-resident students from outside the EU pay the prices in a separate table.

Can I study in English in Zaragoza?

Some programmes are taught in English, for example a Business Administration and Management group at the university's Facultad de Economía y Empresa.