Erasmus guide University of Alicante
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain.
Study abroad at University of Alicante: overview
The University of Alicante (UA) is a public university with about 26,700 students (2025โ26) on one large, landscaped campus in San Vicente del Raspeig, next to Alicante and linked to the centre by TRAM line 2. Exchange students choose subjects from the study area named in their bilateral agreement, in faculties that range from translation and interpreting, tourism and Spanish studies to sciences, engineering, law and education. Official subjects are generally taught in Spanish (B1 recommended), with some groups in English (B2 recommended) or Valencian, and places in each group are limited. Your home university nominates you by email by 1 June for the first semester or full year and by 1 November for the second; you then apply online through UACloud and UMove by 15 June or 15 November. The honest trade-off: the campus is outside the city, so daily life means planning around the tram, and English-taught options are limited compared with the Spanish catalogue.
Enrollment
About 26,700 students in 2025โ26 (UA annual report).
International Mix
See the UA International Relations Service for current numbers.
Why students choose it
Single campus in San Vicente del Raspeig, about 25 minutes from central Alicante by TRAM line 2 (Universitat stop), next to exit 70 of the A-70.
Language of instruction: Spanish (most subjects; B1 recommended), English in some groups (B2 recommended)
Exchange & application at University of Alicante
Exchange at the University of Alicante: your home university nominates you by 1 June or 1 November, and you apply online by 15 June or 15 November.
Official links
-
Open page
Exchange page
The universityโs own page for incoming exchange students.
โ Requirements
Nomination by email (name, email, study area and stay period), then online application, UACloud registration and stay data in UMove, uploading your ID or passport, transcript of records and insurance.
๐จNomination Process
Your home university emails the nomination to the UA International Relations Service; the UA then sends you the application instructions by email.
๐งญOrientation Week
Recommended arrival: Before orientation week: 1โ4 September 2026 (first semester) or 18โ22 January 2027 (second semester).
Sign up through the link you receive for one of the orientation information sessions; immigration steps are explained there.
Events hub: https://sri.ua.es/en/movilidad/incoming-students/fact-sheet.html
๐๏ธDeadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| First semester or full year (SeptemberโJanuary) | 1 June | 15 June |
| Second semester (JanuaryโJune) | 1 November | 15 November |
Arrival Checklist
- Download your acceptance letter from UMove
- Arrive for orientation week (1โ4 September 2026 or 18โ22 January 2027) and sign up for an information session
- Bring your passport or ID, insurance proof and Learning Agreement
- Non-EU students: follow the immigration steps explained at orientation
- Get a Mรณbilis Jove card for TRAM line 2
Academics & courses at University of Alicante
Most subjects are taught in Spanish (B1 recommended), with some groups in English; 6 ECTS per subject and 30 per semester.
๐Course Registration
Subjects must come from the study area in your agreement; groups have limited places, so the subjects in your Learning Agreement depend on availability.
๐Credit System
ECTS: 6 per subject; 30 per semester is a full load, and the UA recommends 3โ5 subjects (18โ30 ECTS) for international students.
๐ฏGrading System
0โ10 scale; 5 to pass. Matrรญcula de Honor and Sobresaliente (9โ10), Notable (7โ8.9), Aprobado (5โ6.9), Suspenso (0โ4.9).
โ๏ธExam Culture
Final exams are concentrated in exam periods: 7โ25 January 2027 for the first semester and 26 May โ 15 June 2027 for the second, with resits from 26 June to 15 July 2027. Transcripts go to your home university in March, July and late July (resits).
Tuition & fees at University of Alicante
Exchange students pay no UA tuition; degree students pay about EUR 12.79โ17.34 per credit at first enrolment.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | No UA tuition: you stay enrolled and pay at your home university | The optional 60-hour Spanish course for exchange students has no registration fee but costs EUR 60 for materials and gives 6 ECTS. |
| Full degree, first enrolment, price per ECTS credit (2026โ27) | EUR 12.79 (Primary Education) to EUR 17.34 (Biology) per credit; about EUR 770โ1,040 for 60 credits | Prices vary by degree and rise sharply for second and later enrolments of the same subject. Non-EU students should check whether a different rate applies in โฆ |
No UA tuition: you stay enrolled and pay at your home university
The optional 60-hour Spanish course for exchange students has no registration fee but costs EUR 60 for materials and gives 6 ECTS.
EUR 12.79 (Primary Education) to EUR 17.34 (Biology) per credit; about EUR 770โ1,040 for 60 credits
Prices vary by degree and rise sharply for second and later enrolments of the same subject. Non-EU students should check whether a different rate applies in โฆ
Fees change annually โ verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Alicante
Most students rent a room for about EUR 450 a month in San Vicente del Raspeig or central Alicante; the UA language centre also arranges homestays and residences.
University of Alicante offers official housing
Full housing guide
Find housing in Alicante
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Alicante
The International Relations Service handles nominations, orientation and transcripts, and runs orientation weeks each semester.
๐ฅCampus Clinic
See the UA medical assistance page for incoming students.
๐ง Mental Health
Ask the UA student services about counselling and support.
European Health Insurance Card (EU/EEA students)
Free from your home health system
Check whether you also need private cover for repatriation, which the UA requires.
Campus services
International Relations Service โ incoming mobility
Nominations, applications, acceptance letters, orientation and transcripts.
Spanish course (Centro Superior de Idiomas)
60-hour Spanish course for exchange students, EUR 60 for materials, 6 ECTS.
Sports pass
15 or 30-use pass for the gym, paddle tennis, tennis, squash, athletics track and climbing wall (the pool is closed for renovation).
Student life at University of Alicante
A big green campus, a cheap Spanish course and Alicanteโs beaches and castle a tram ride away.
Student Clubs
- ESN-UA and AEGEE-Alicante student associations
Buddy Program
ESN-UA volunteers help incoming students settle in and run outings (UA international guide)
Sports & Recreation
- UA sports facilities with a multi-use pass
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend an orientation session
- Get a Mรณbilis Jove card for the tram
- Sign up for the Spanish course
- Walk up to Santa Bรกrbara Castle
Key exchange dates at University of Alicante
Classes run 7 September โ 21 December 2026 and 26 January โ 21 May 2027.
-
1
First semester classes
7 September โ 21 December 2026; exams 7โ25 January 2027
UA Fact Sheet 2026โ27
-
2
Second semester classes
26 January โ 21 May 2027; exams 26 May โ 15 June 2027
UA Fact Sheet 2026โ27
-
3
Resit exams
26 June โ 15 July 2027
UA Fact Sheet 2026โ27
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