Study in Vic, Spain

About Vic

Vic is the main town of the Osona district in central Catalonia, in the province of Barcelona. It had 50,405 inhabitants in 2025, according to the Statistical Institute of Catalonia (Idescat), based on the annual population census of Spain's national statistics office (INE). The Universitat de Vic describes the town as lying midway between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, about 70 kilometres north of Barcelona, and as the administrative and service centre for an area of 150,000 inhabitants.

For students, Vic is a small university town and a traditional market town, with a full university and several arts schools. It suits students who want a quieter base than Barcelona while staying connected to it by train and bus.

Studying in Vic

Our directory lists four active schools in Vic: three centres of higher education and one dance school. The largest is the Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC). The Catalan Parliament recognised the Universitat de Vic by law on 21 May 1997, restoring a university to the town after 280 years; since 2013 it has been federated with the Bages University Foundation as UVic-UCC, and in 2017 it gained a Faculty of Medicine with campuses in Vic and Manresa. According to its 2024-25 annual report, more than 11,000 students study at the Campus Vic. The offer includes 24 bachelor's degrees, 10 officially recognised master's degrees, 10 doctoral programmes and six higher vocational training (FP) programmes, in fields from biosciences, engineering, business and communication to education, sport, languages and translation, psychology and health. In October 2026 the CYD Sustainable Universities ranking placed UVic-UCC second among Spanish universities for social and environmental commitment.

Vic also has specialised arts schools:

• the Escola d'Art i Superior de Disseny de Vic (EART Vic), which teaches the arts Bachillerato, intermediate and higher vocational programmes in graphic design, ceramics, sculpture and digital animation, and the bachelor's degree in Design as the Vic campus of the ESDAP Catalunya
• CADVIC – Centre Superior d'Art Dramàtic de Vic, a centre for higher studies in drama
• Thais Dansa, a dance school founded in 1982 as Estudi de Dansa Thaïs, which teaches up to ten dance styles and has been a member of the Associació d'Escoles de Dansa Autoritzades de Catalunya since 2015

Catalan is the main language at UVic-UCC and, together with Spanish, is co-official throughout Catalonia. International students can take a free extensive Catalan course (3 ECTS credits, 75 hours per semester) and free Spanish courses at the university's Language School, which also teaches English, French and German.

Cost of living for students

The university's guide for international students puts the average monthly cost of living at about €550, with €150 to €200 for a room and €150 to €225 for food and drink; the page gives no year, so use these figures only as a rough guide.

UVic-UCC does not run its own halls of residence, but its UHub service lists three in the town:

• RUVIC, the university hall of residence, with 235 places, self-catering rooms and a five-minute walk to the university
• Allotjaments Seminari Vic, with 43 single rooms and full board
• Sant Miquel dels Sants, with 60 single rooms with bathroom and full board on weekdays

The UHub also helps students look for shared flats and runs a car-sharing board for the university community.

Getting around and daily life

Rodalies line R3 trains towards Vic, Ripoll, Puigcerdà or La Tour de Carol leave from Barcelona Sants and Plaça de Catalunya, and all of them stop in Vic. Sagalés buses run between Barcelona and Vic, and Eixbus links Vic with Manresa, Lleida and Girona. The nearest airports are Barcelona-El Prat, about 70 km away, and Girona-Costa Brava, about 60 km away.

Daily life follows a small-town pattern: according to the university's guide, small shops usually open from 10am to 1pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Frequently asked questions

Which university is in Vic?

The Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), recognised by the Catalan Parliament in 1997. More than 11,000 students study at its Campus Vic, which offers 24 bachelor's degrees and 10 officially recognised master's degrees.

Are classes in Catalan or Spanish?

Catalan is the main language at UVic-UCC, and Spanish is also co-official in Catalonia. International students can take free Catalan and Spanish courses at the university.

How much does it cost to live in Vic as a student?

The university's guide estimates about €550 a month, including €150 to €200 for a room, but gives no year for these figures. Check current prices with the halls of residence.

How do I get from Barcelona to Vic?

Take a Rodalies R3 train from Barcelona Sants or Plaça de Catalunya, or a Sagalés bus. Barcelona-El Prat airport is about 70 km from Vic.