
The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is a public research university in Salamanca, Spain. It is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world that is still operational. The university has a student population of over 30,000 from 50 different nationalities. It is also known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers, which attract more than 2,000 foreign students each year. The university's multicultural environment is enhanced by its participation in the Erasmus programme and agreements with universities from Asia, the Americas, Oceania, and many European countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled | 30,000 |
| Number of nationalities represented | 50 |
| Percentage of foreign students | 25% |
| Number of countries foreign students come from | 70 |
| Number of foreign students enrolled in Spanish language courses | 4,000+ |
| Number of foreign students enrolled in English courses | N/A |
| World ranking | #=539 in QS World University Rankings 2025 |
| Ranking in Spain | #1 |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Salamanca has over 30,000 students from 50 nationalities
- The university is the top-ranked in Spain for the number of students from other regions
- Foreign students make up 25% of the student body, coming from 70+ countries
- The university's Spanish courses attract more than 2,000 foreign students annually
- The University of Salamanca was at its peak in 1584, with almost 7,000 students

The University of Salamanca has over 30,000 students from 50 nationalities
The University of Salamanca is a public research university in Salamanca, Spain. Founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, it is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world that is still running. The university has over 30,000 students from more than 50 nationalities, with foreign students making up around 25% of the total student body. The university is a multicultural hub, with students coming from over 70 countries. It is ranked 769th in the Best Global Universities and 539th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
The University of Salamanca has a rich history and was one of the leading centres of learning in Europe during its peak in 1584, with nearly 7,000 students. It is known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers, attracting more than 2,000 foreign students each year. The university's status in this field was affirmed by the Spanish government when the Instituto Cervantes assigned it the task of elaborating and evaluating the yearly DELE exams, which are used to accredit advanced Spanish language students worldwide. The university has also played a significant role in the development of science and technology, with important advances and personalities emerging from its Salamanca studio, such as Torres Villarroel and Abraham Zacut.
The University of Salamanca has a beautiful and historic campus, with many faculties still located in the heart of the city. The university library, situated in the historical centre, holds more than 160,000 volumes, including important manuscripts and incunabula from the 11th to 14th centuries, and approximately 40,000 books printed between the 16th and 18th centuries. The university offers a range of academic programmes, including faculties of Law, Liberal Arts, Science, and Medicine, with numerous highly regarded academic units.
The University of Salamanca has a strong research focus, with 51,121 scientific papers published and 923,106 citations received. Its research profile covers a diverse range of fields, including Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Biology, Philosophy, Chemistry, Medicine, Environmental Science, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, and Biochemistry. The university also offers financial aid programs and on-campus housing for its students.
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The university is the top-ranked in Spain for the number of students from other regions
The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is a public research university in Salamanca, Spain. It is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world that is still operational. The university has over 30,000 students enrolled in upwards of 250 academic programs across nine campuses. The student body is diverse, with individuals from 50 different nationalities accounting for around 25% of the total population. The university is ranked #769 in the Best Global Universities and #=539 in QS World University Rankings 2025.
The University of Salamanca is a top choice for students from other regions within Spain and internationally. Its Spanish courses for non-native speakers attract more than 2,000 foreign students annually, with a total yearly enrolment of over 4,000 foreign students and language teachers. The university's status as a leader in Spanish language instruction is recognised by the Spanish government and the Instituto Cervantes, which assigned the university the task of developing and evaluating the DELE exams for advanced Spanish language students worldwide.
The University of Salamanca has a rich history and was one of the leading centres of learning in Europe during its peak in 1584, with nearly 7,000 students. The university has produced notable alumni, including scholars and poets such as Luis de León and Francisco de Salinas. It has also played a significant role in the development of science, geography, and cartography, as well as the study of economics, philosophy, and theology.
The university's multicultural atmosphere is enhanced by its participation in the Erasmus program and agreements with universities from various European, Asian, American, and Oceanian countries. This facilitates student exchange and further contributes to the diverse student population. The University of Salamanca's reputation, academic offerings, and international appeal make it a top-ranked destination for students from other regions in Spain and worldwide.
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Foreign students make up 25% of the student body, coming from 70+ countries
The University of Salamanca is a public research university located in Salamanca, Spain. Founded in 1218, it is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world that is still operational. The university has a student body of over 30,000 students from 50 different nationalities. Foreign students make up around 25% of the total student population, hailing from a diverse range of over 70 countries worldwide. This multicultural aspect is a notable feature of the university, which actively promotes its Spanish language courses to international students. These courses attract more than 2,000 foreign students each year, with an additional yearly enrolment of more than 4,000 foreign students and language teachers from across the globe. The university's Spanish language instruction is highly regarded, as evidenced by its collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes in developing the annual DELE exams for accrediting advanced Spanish language students.
The University of Salamanca's appeal to international students is further enhanced by its participation in the Erasmus programme, facilitating student exchanges with universities in many European countries. Additionally, the university has established agreements with a diverse array of international universities spanning Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, thus broadening the opportunities for global student mobility.
The university's nine campuses are distributed across Salamanca, Ávila, Zamora, Béjar, and Villamayor, encompassing 26 faculties and colleges, as well as 12 research centres. The main campus in Salamanca boasts a vibrant atmosphere, with numerous student cafeterias, libraries, bookshops, theatres, and student activities. The university library, located in the historical centre, holds an impressive collection of over 160,000 volumes, including valuable manuscripts and incunabula from the 11th to 14th centuries, and approximately 40,000 books printed between the 16th and 18th centuries.
The University of Salamanca has a rich history and has produced many notable alumni, including influential scholars and thinkers. It continues to be a leading institution, ranked #769 in the Best Global Universities and #=539 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. With its diverse student population, distinguished academic programmes, and extensive research capabilities, the University of Salamanca maintains its reputation as a top educational institution in Spain and beyond.
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The university's Spanish courses attract more than 2,000 foreign students annually
The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world in continuous operation. The university has over 30,000 students from 50 different nationalities, with foreign students making up around 25% of the total student body.
The university is well-known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers, which are offered all year round and attract more than 2,000 foreign students annually. In fact, the University of Salamanca is considered a pioneering force in the field of Spanish language instruction, with its Spanish language and cultural courses recognised by the Spanish government. The university's Cursos Internacionales, or Spanish language institute, is one of the biggest learning centres for students of Spanish as a foreign language. It has been leading the teaching of Spanish in Spain for more than 80 years and is recognised for its prestige both within Spain and internationally.
The Spanish courses at the University of Salamanca offer a wide variety of programmes of different lengths and content. Students can choose from summer camps, semester-long exchanges, or full academic years to study Spanish in an immersive context. The university also provides extracurricular activities and access to campus facilities as part of every language course.
The University of Salamanca's Spanish language programmes are further enhanced by the rich history and culture of the city itself. The university is located in the historic centre of Salamanca, providing a youthful atmosphere with its many student cafeterias, libraries, bookshops, theatres, and student activities. The university's main library, located in the heart of the city, houses over 160,000 volumes, important manuscripts, and incunables, offering a wealth of resources for students of Spanish literature and language.
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The University of Salamanca was at its peak in 1584, with almost 7,000 students
The University of Salamanca is a public research university in Salamanca, Spain. Founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, it is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth oldest in the world that is still operating. The University of Salamanca was at its peak in 1584, with almost 7,000 students. This was nearly three hundred years before its annual population reached 30,000 students, the number it hosts today.
The university's long history is filled with notable achievements. In the 16th century, it was one of the leading centres of learning in Europe, ranking alongside the universities of Paris, Bologna, and Oxford. During this time, the university defended the theory of unknown territories to the west and supported Columbus' voyage, believing that new lands could be discovered. This was also when Francisco de Vitoria laid down some of the fundamental principles of international law in his lectures from 1526 to 1546. The scholar and poet Luis de León also lectured at the university from 1561 until his death in 1591.
The University of Salamanca has always been a multicultural hub, with foreign students making up around 25% of its total student body, coming from over 70 countries. The university is known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers, attracting more than 2,000 foreign students each year, and its Spanish language and cultural courses have had a yearly enrolment of over 4,000 foreign students and language teachers worldwide since 1929. The university's status as a leader in Spanish language instruction has been affirmed by the Spanish government and the Instituto Cervantes, which assigned the university the task of elaborating and evaluating the yearly DELE exams used to accredit advanced Spanish language students globally.
The University of Salamanca has produced several notable alumni, including great thinkers and statesmen such as Enrique Iglesias, Jacques Delors, and Adolfo Suárez. The university's nine campuses are distributed across Salamanca, Ávila, Zamora, Béjar, and Villamayor, and it has one of the most important and beautiful university libraries in Spain, with more than 160,000 volumes, important manuscripts, and incunabula.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Salamanca currently has over 30,000 students enrolled from 50 different nationalities.
The University of Salamanca has over 4,000 foreign students enrolled in its Spanish language and cultural courses. Foreign students make up around 25% of the total student body, coming from over 70 countries.
The University of Salamanca was at its peak in 1584, with nearly 7,000 students enrolled.










































