About Studying at the UGR

About Studying at the UGR

Studying at UGR

The following information highlights some important characteristics of UGR undergraduate programmes which you should be aware of before commencing your studies.


ECTS credit system

The most significant feature of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is that it not only includes in-class work, but it also takes into account the actual effort the student needs to make in order to pass each subject. Each ECTS credit is equivalent to approximately 25-30 hours of work, including the hours of classroom theory and practice, time spent studying, seminars, internships and projects. Generally speaking, on most UGR programmes an academic year of full-time study corresponds to 60 ECTS credits, 30 credits per semester (in the University of Granada, a full-time student who is undertaking a degree needs to complete 60 ECTS credits per academic year, 30 credits per semester)


Grading system

Grading scale: 5 grades, spanning from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) with an overall grade awarded at the end of the degree
NUMERICAL SCORE GRADE
0 - 4.9 Fail
5 - 6.9 Pass/Satisfactory
7 - 8.9 Good
9 - 10 Excellent*


*Teachers may decide to give a “Matrícula de Honor” (a distinction with honours) to 1/20th of the students enrolled on a given subject.

The UGR's international grade conversion table enables you to compare your home country's grading system with the Spanish system.



Academic affairs

GENERAL INFORMATION
Main language of instruction Spanish
Language requirements B1 in Spanish (recommended)
Recommended credit load per undergraduate semester 20-30 ECTS
Teaching methodology Lectures, group work, tutorials, lab sessions, seminars, etc.
Academic calendar Academic Calendar 2016 - 2017
Orientation week for international students 1st semester & full academic year: 12 - 16 Sept 2016 2nd semester: 6 - 10 2017
Language courses Languages Website
Modern Languages Centre Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish CLM
Russkiy Mir Russian Centre Russian Russkiy Mir
Confucius Institute Chinese Confucius Institute
Euro-Arab Foundation Arabic Fundea


For comprehensive information about important dates to keep in mind and information concerning term dates, holidays, and exam periods please consult the current Academic Calendar



Health insurance & healthcare: what if I fall sick?

The Public Healthcare System

You will be treated free of charge:

  • If you come from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and upon showing the European Health Insurance Card.
  • If you come from a non-EU country upon showing documentation to prove you have a healthcare plan.
  • If you come from a country with a current bilateral agreement with Spain, such as Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador,Paraguay or Peru. In this case you will have to ask for a family doctor at the nearest public health centre to your home address in Granada, during the first few days after your arrival in Spain and prove that you have the right to medical care in your home country. More information on the Spanish Social Security website: Social Security web

Important: You must present your ID card or passport.

Non-urgent medical care: To receive non-urgent healthcare treatment you must request an appointment at the nearest public health centre (centro de salud) to your home address in Granada. Medical appointments are generally given within 1-2 days. You can find a directory with a list of all health centres in Granada on the website of the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality: Health centre directory

Urgent medical care: In line with the regulations of the National Health System, urgent medical attention is guaranteed 24/7, 365/366 days a year to everyone in any hospital. In the event that you should require an ambulance, you must call the Emergency Phone Number in Spain (and all EU countries): 112.

Private Healthcare System

  • If you come from a non-EU country and there is no bilateral agreement between your country and the Spanish Social Security System you must take out your own private health insurance.

In this case, if you need medical attention during your stay in Granada, you must provide the official documents from your health insurance policy. Before visiting your doctor, call the number that appears on your insurance policy. During the call you will be asked for your identification number and your policy details. The insurance company should inform you about the medical clinics where you can receive medical care in Granada. In general there are two Hospitals or Clinics in Granada that have an agreement with private insurance companies:
1) Nuestra Señora de la Salud: C/ Nuestra Señora de la Salud, s/n, 18014 Granada. Ph.: +34 958 80 88 80
2) Clínica de la Inmaculada: C/ Doctor Alejandro Otero, 8 18004 Granada. Ph.: +34 958 25 05 23

Urgent medical care: In line with the regulations of the National Health System, urgent medical attention is guaranteed 24/7, 365/366 days a year to everyone in any hospital. In the event that you should require an ambulance, you must call the Emergency Phone Number in Spain (and all EU countries): 112.



Residence permits

Citizens from the EU, Switzerland and the European Economic Area
A valid passport or national ID card is required for entry into Spain. If the stay is for longer than three months, you must apply to be included in the Central Registry of Foreigners in person at the Office for Foreign Residents in Granada. You must submit a valid passport or national ID card in order to apply. You are obliged by law to complete this registration process within the first three months following your arrival. Further information: Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization: Residence Permits


Citizens from other countries
In order to enter and stay in Spain, an application must be made for a visa at the Diplomatic Mission or SpanishGeneral Consulate in your country of residence. Further information: Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization: Residence Permits


Cost of living in Granada

The city of Granada is considered one of the cheapest places in Spain and Europe to live as a student. Obviously, the cost of living for each student depends on their lifestyle, but it tends to vary between €550 - €750 per month.

For guidance purposes, we have calculated the average cost of living in Granada in the most basic aspects:

  • Accommodation in a shared flat in the city centre (water and energy expenses included) varies roughly between €200 - €250 per month.
  • The daily set menu in the University refectories costs €3.50. The takeaway menu costs €4.
  • A single city-bus ticket costs €1.20. If you obtain a bus card, the price is €0.79 per trip and with the University bus pass the cost is €0.57 per trip. A monthly pass costs about €40.



Academic and non-academic services at the UGR

Whether you are looking for academic, technical, employment, language or psychological support services, or want to get involved in the UGR Sports Centre activities, clubs and societies, discover our diverse cultural events, or volunteer in a social outreach project, you can find extensive information about our services and resources via the following link:



International Student Guides

You can find comprehensive information on a wide range of topics related to both studying and living in Granada by consulting the following guides designed for international students. Whether you are looking for academic, technical, employment, language or psychological support services, or you simply want to find out how to get involved in the UGR Sports Centre activities, clubs and societies, or volunteer in a social outreach project, you can find extensive information about our services and resources below.

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Checklist before arrival

EU Students

  • I fulfil the language requirements set by my host faculty.
  • I have my European Health Insurance Card.

Non-EU Students

  • I have checked whether my country has a healthcare agreement with the Spanish Social Security Department. If not, I have taken out private health insurance.
  • I have obtained my type D student visa before leaving my country. You can apply for it at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate. You have to decide whether you will be staying in Spain for more than six months or not in order to choose the appropriate visa, as there is a type D student visa that is limited to 180 days. This type of visa does not allow you to obtain a Foreign Student Residence Permit (TIE) but it does allow you to get a Foreigner’s ID number (NIE). If you plan to stay for longer than six months, you have to apply for an “open” type D visa. In this case, you will have to apply for a Student Resident Card (TIE) within 30 days of entering the Schengen Area. Remember that you cannot renew your visa once you arrive to Spain. A visa is only valid if you obtain it from a Spanish Embassy or Consulate before arriving to Spain.

If you are not from the EU, but have been admitted to a university from another European member state, you are NOT required to obtain a visa to study in Spain. However, you still have to get your Student Residence Permit (TIE).

Remember: all foreign official documents must be legalised and, if required, translated into Spanish.

Checklist: upon arrival

EU citizens

  • I have applied for my Foreigner’s ID number (NIE), if I intend to stay for more than 3 months.

You can do this at any national police station (comisaría) without having to make an appointment. They will register you at the Central Registry Office for Foreigners (Registro Central de Extranjeros) and you will be issued a registration certificate and an ID number (NIE). At the police station you will have to provide the registration form, your passport or National Identity Card (if you are an EU member) and a photocopy or your passport or National Identity Card.

Non-EU Citizens

  • I have applied for the Student Residence Permit (Autorización de Estancia por Estudios).

You have a maximum of 30 from my arrival to do this. Keep in mind that it is only valid for one year, and must be renewed if you decide to stay longer.