Universities in Valladolid, Spain

Valladolid, capital of the region of Castilla y León, had 302,614 registered inhabitants on 1 January 2025, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE). It is a medium-sized city about 200 km north-west of Madrid, with a large public university, a private university and several specialised higher-education schools.

For international students it offers Spanish as the everyday language, a compact centre and a fast rail link to the capital, at a calmer pace than Madrid or Barcelona.

What Valladolid's universities and higher-education schools offer

The Universidad de Valladolid (UVa) is a public university founded at the end of the 13th century, and it marks 800 years of history. According to its language centre, it has about 28,000 students. For exchange students, the UVa runs International Semester Programmes that allow a full semester in English (30 ECTS credits), for example in telecommunications engineering, and it takes part in Erasmus+.

The Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes (UEMC) is a private university that offers bachelor's and double degrees, online programmes, official master's degrees and doctorates. It states that it has more than 1,500 agreements with companies for work placements.

Several specialised schools complete the picture:

• ESI Valladolid - Escuela Superior de Diseño: graphic and packaging, interior and fashion design, with more than 25 years of teaching according to the school
• Escuela Universitaria de Magisterio Fray Luis de León: bachelor's degrees in primary and early childhood education and a master's for secondary school teachers
• Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Castilla y León (ESADCyL): created in 2006, with stage direction and dramaturgy, acting, and a master's in contemporary performance

Admission for international students

Students with foreign secondary qualifications who want a bachelor's degree at a Spanish public university often start with UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' academic records and runs the tests needed for admission. Arts schools such as the ESADCyL hold their own entrance tests for bachelor's and master's studies, and private institutions set their own admission rules. Check each institution's admissions page well before the start of the academic year.

Costs

Tuition depends on the institution: the UVa charges public fees, while the UEMC and the private design schools set their own prices, so ask each one for the current figures. For housing, the UVa's Cardenal Mendoza apartments on the Miguel Delibes campus, about 25 minutes' walk from the centre, are allocated through a public call, with prices that vary according to family income.

City buses are run by AUVASA. A single ticket costs €1.50, and a trip with the standard Bonobús card costs €0.45 (official fare €0.75), according to the operator's tariff page.

Practical tips

• Rail: high-speed AVE, Avant or Alvia trains reach Madrid in about one hour
• Climate: Valladolid has cold winters and hot summers; at the AEMET Valladolid station (1981-2010 normals) the average is 4.2 °C in January and 22.3 °C in July
• Language: most degrees are taught in Spanish; the UVa's International Semester Programmes are an option for students who want to study in English

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Valladolid?

The public Universidad de Valladolid (UVa) and the private Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes (UEMC), plus specialised schools for design, teacher training and drama.

Can I study in English at the Universidad de Valladolid?

Yes, partly. The UVa's International Semester Programmes let exchange students take a full semester of 30 ECTS credits in English, for example in telecommunications engineering.

How far is Valladolid from Madrid?

About 200 km. High-speed trains take around one hour.

Is there university housing in Valladolid?

Yes. The UVa's Cardenal Mendoza apartments are allocated by public call, with prices that depend on family income.