Study in Avila, Spain

About Avila

Ávila is a small, historic city in Castile and León, in central Spain, and the capital of the province of the same name. It had 59,107 registered residents on 1 January 2025, according to the official municipal population figures of Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE). The old town is enclosed by medieval walls, and the city is closely linked with Saint Teresa of Ávila, who gives her name to its Catholic university.

For students, Ávila offers a quiet, compact place to live, at about 1,130 metres above sea level, within reach of Madrid by train. It suits students who want a university degree in a small city, an intensive Spanish course away from large crowds, or specialised studies in the conservation of cultural heritage.

Studying in Ávila

Our directory lists 4 active schools in Ávila: 2 universities and other higher-education centres and 2 language schools. The Universidad Católica Santa Teresa de Jesús de Ávila (UCAV) was founded in 1996 under the Diocese of Ávila. It offers bachelor's degrees (grados), postgraduate programmes, doctoral studies and its own qualifications (estudios propios), as well as information for international students on its academic offer and accommodation. Teaching is mainly in Spanish.

The Escuela de Arte y Superior de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales de Ávila was created in 1933 as a school of arts and crafts and has taught higher studies in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage since the 2007-08 academic year. It also teaches vocational cycles in photography, illustration and comics and the arts track of the bachillerato.

For languages, the public Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Ávila teaches German, Spanish, French, English and Italian, and also has sections in Arenas de San Pedro, Las Navas del Marqués, Cebreros and Piedralaves. Letras Castellanas, a small private school of Spanish with seven classrooms, teaches Spanish to foreigners and runs special classes for students preparing the DELE exam. The school presents Ávila as a city in the centre of Spain with little tourism.

Cost of living for students

Ávila is a small city, and the main costs are housing and food. The UCAV does not provide accommodation on campus. According to the university, halls of residence in the city, which are not connected to it, offer single or double rooms with or without a private bathroom for approximately €600 to €900 per person a month, including all meals. Students who stay longer often rent a room in a shared flat, with their own bedroom and a shared kitchen, living room and bathroom. Letras Castellanas also has an accommodation section for its course participants on its website.

We have not found an official page with current city bus fares; the urban bus service is run under the name Avilabús, and the city council refers students to its website and to the "AVILABÚS - Urbano de Ávila" mobile app for routes and timetables.

Getting around and daily life

The historic centre is compact and easy to walk, and city buses cover the newer districts. Ávila has no airport; international students usually fly into Madrid and continue by train. Renfe's regular Media Distancia trains link Madrid-Príncipe Pío with Ávila: a morning service leaving Madrid at 9:06 arrives in Ávila at 10:37, a journey of about an hour and a half.

Because of its altitude, Ávila has cold winters and warm, dry summers. At the AEMET Ávila station (normals for 1983-2010), the average temperature is 3.0 °C in January, with average night-time lows of -1.6 °C, and 20.6 °C in July, when average daily highs reach 28.5 °C. The station records about 20 days of snow a year, so bring warm clothes if you study between November and March.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ávila a good place to learn Spanish?

Ávila suits learners who want a small city and few distractions. Letras Castellanas teaches Spanish to foreigners and offers DELE preparation, and the public Escuela Oficial de Idiomas also teaches Spanish.

Which university is in Ávila?

The Universidad Católica Santa Teresa de Jesús de Ávila (UCAV), founded in 1996, offers bachelor's, postgraduate and doctoral studies. The city also has a higher school for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

How much does student accommodation cost in Ávila?

According to the UCAV, halls of residence in Ávila cost approximately €600 to €900 per person a month, including all meals. A room in a shared flat is the main alternative.

How do I get to Ávila from Madrid?

Renfe's Media Distancia trains connect Madrid-Príncipe Pío with Ávila in about an hour and a half; for example, a train leaving Madrid at 9:06 arrives at 10:37.