Study in Valencia, Spain

Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain which bustles with tourists all year. The city is known for the number of festivals and other cultural activities they hold from time to time. It is also a city popular among international students for the high-quality education that the universities here offer. Students who choose to live in this city will be able to experience the local culture and cuisine of Spain more than people who live in most other cities in the country. Though life in this city is considerably more expensive, students will be able to find affordable options if they look for them.

The city is well-connected with other cities like Barcelona which allows students to travel across the country without much hassle. There are over 10 universities in the city with most of them focusing on arts and fine arts including music and dance. But students will also be able to study at the University of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia both of which are well-known for the different programs they provide.

Benefits of Studying in Valencia

The benefits of studying in Valencia include the obvious benefits that international students will get by immersing themselves in the culture and language of the new city. Since Spanish is the second-most popular language spoken across the world, students will benefit immensely by learning even the basics of this language. Other benefits of studying in Valencia include-

• Valencia is considered to be one of the student destinations of Spain and hence students here will be able to blend in with both the national and international students that stay here. This will help them learn about different cultures and languages that can help them advance in their academics and also create networks that will help them in their work life.
• Universities in Valencia allow student associations to hold different events for international students every year which include outdoor activities, sports, parties, etc.
• Valencia is one of the cities in Spain where accommodation is found in plenty irrespective of the lifestyle the student wants to live. They will be able to find apartments according to their budget and location at any time of the year.
• This city also holds technology-based events like the Webit Festival Europe where technology-based startups gather. Such opportunities provide students with plenty of job opportunities.

Places to Stay in Valencia

Since Valencia is home to over 10 universities, there are different localities that students mostly live in due to the proximity to the university they are studying in and also due to the benefits these localities offer. Most of the student localities will have affordable accommodation options along with enough and more entertainment options that do not require them to spend a lot. Students will also be able to blend in easily with the existing student population in the locality and feel at home.

A few of the popular student localities are-

• Benimaclet- This is one of the locations that are closest to the university campuses and hence is a densely populated student locality. Students will be able to find plenty of shared apartments, studio apartments, and other housing options at affordable rates in this locality. The place also has enough entertainment options and students will be able to explore the cuisine of the city through the different restaurants and pubs located here.
• Algiros- This area is also located close to the university and offers enough accommodation options for reasonable prices. The place has parks, gardens, and sidewalks that are often crowded by students at all times where international students will easily be able to blend in. The bars in the locality hold cultural activities students can indulge in including language exchange activities that can be a learning experience for students.
• Poblats Maritims- This is a student locality with enough accommodation options that can suit the interests of different students. Since it is a coastal area, students will be able to do fun activities on the beaches and since the place is well-connected to other places through the metro students will be able to easily go to the city center if they so wish to. The beaches here have enough pubs, bars, and restaurants that offer the local cuisine.

Cost of Living in Valencia

The cost of living in Valencia depends on the lifestyle the candidate chooses to lead while in the city. The city offers innumerable entertainment options for students which is one of the main reasons that increase expenditure along with accommodation expenses. But if students decide to live in student localities that are not located in the city center, they will be able to limit their expenses. The cost of living in the city is estimated to be around €600 if one does not calculate accommodation expenses.

Accommodation and Utility Expenses

The accommodation expenses that students will have depend on the area in which they decide to live. Students generally live in student accommodations, shared apartments, or studio apartments depending on the amount they can spend. But these options can be affordable based on the locality that students choose to live in. For a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center, they will have to spend around €700 whereas, for a similar apartment outside the city center, they will have to spend only around €500. They will also be able to find accommodation options ranging between €300 to €350 if they opt for shared apartments.

Grocery Expenses

The prices for basic grocery items are-

• Milk- €0.76 per liter
• Cheese- €9.81 per kg
• Apple- €1.81 per kg
• Potato- €1.44 per kg
• Onion- €1.39 per kg
• Wine- €4 per bottle
• Tomato- €1.75 per kg

Transportation Expenses

Students who live in Valencia often choose to live in localities that are close to the university they are studying in so that they can walk or bike to their institution instead of using the local transports. But the best form of transportation in the city is the metro and the local buses both of which are well-connected within the city. The tram service in Valencia often covers areas that are not covered by the metro and costs just €1.50 for a single journey. The cost of a one-way ticket in the buses is also €1.50 but students will be able to take a monthly pass called the Bono for an amount of €37.50.

Programs to Study in Valencia

The best programs to learn in Valencia are in the fields of-

• Philosophy
• Engineering
• Pharmacy
• Law
• Tourism

Top Universities in Valencia

A few of the top universities in Valencia are-

University of Valencia

This university was established in 1499 and is one of the oldest universities in the country. It has a student population of over 65,000 and over 3,300 academic staff. The university offers programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for both domestic and international candidates. They have 18 different schools and faculties which are spread across the three main campuses. The fields in which they offer programs include architecture & engineering, arts & humanities, social & legal sciences, sciences, health sciences, etc. They also offer dual degrees and international dual degrees. The international dual degrees include programs for business management & administration, economics, international business, law, and political sciences.

Valencia Polytechnic University

This university was established in the year 1971 and has a student population of over 38,000 students. They also have over 2,600 academic staff. They have 14 different schools and faculties which are spread across the 3 campuses. The faculties include fine arts, business administration & management, architecture, agricultural engineering, computer science, civil engineering, cartography & surveying, rural environments & enology, telecommunications engineering, building management, etc. The programs are offered at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

Conservatory of Music in Valencia

This is a music college that was established in the year 1869. They offer higher education in music through the pedagogical departments of bow instruments, sonology, musicology, polyphonic instruments, woodwind instruments, percussion, jazz, etc. They also offer master’s in artistic teaching of musical interpretation and performative research and master's in artistic teaching of opera performance.

Art Institute of the Community of Valencia

This public institution was established in the year 2007 and they offer superior titles in the fields of dramatic art, plastic arts, dance, design, and music. They also offer official master’s degrees in the fields of design and music titled Master in Artistic Teaching in subjects like graphic work, fashion & sustainability co-design, creativity & product development, design of analogical & digital publications, interpretation & research of music, musical interpretation & applied research, opera performance, etc.

Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr

This is a private catholic university that was established in the year 2003 and has a student population of over 13,000. They also have over 600 academic staff. The faculties in this university are for fields of study like canon law, law, nursing, psychology, physical activity & sport, physical therapy & podiatry, philosophy, anthropology & social work, economic & business, veterinary medicine, medicine & dentistry which are spread across three campuses. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs to both domestic and international candidates.

Entertainment Options in Valencia

Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain and is also one of the most visited destinations by tourists. The place has fun activities and festivals happening throughout the year. Students will be able to go to the different theatres, museums, parks, and galleries in their leisure time. They will also be able to explore the local cuisine in the city by visiting the different tapas bars, restaurants, and pubs in the city. Though the tapas bars here are not well-known when compared to other cities in the country, students will be able to relish the different rice dishes that the city is famous for. A few of the must-do and must-see things in Valencia include-

Places to Visit in Valencia

Students will be able to find places to go to throughout the city depending on their interests. If they are a person who wishes to learn more about the local culture and history of the place, they will be able to visit the churches, plazas, and museums in the city. If they are art enthusiasts, they will be able to visit the different galleries in the city which exhibit all kinds of art. Students will also be able to experience the love for music that the city has by visiting places like Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia or even the nightclubs. A few of the must-see things in Valencia are-

• Valencia Cathedral - This cathedral is one of the oldest in the city having been consecrated in 1238. It is built in a Gothic style and is considered to be one of the most religious buildings in the country. Students will be able to take a guided tour or an audio tour here but they will have to pay if they wish to enter the church.
• Museu de Les Ciencies Principe Felipe- This is a science museum that was established in 2000. It is known for the architecture of the place that resembles the skeleton of a whale. Students will be able to learn about the cosmos and the universe if they visit this museum and they will also be able to view ideas that are graphically represented.
• Mercado Central- This is a market that was built in 1914 and is known for the Valencian Art Nouveau architecture used. It is one of the largest markets in Europe and students will be able to visit the 1000s of stalls that sell food, souvenirs, and other articles if they visit the place.

Things to Do in Valencia

Students will be able to do a lot of fun activities when in Valencia including visiting the different tourist spots in the city. They will also be able to party all night or visit the different clubs and pubs in the locality close to them. Students will also be able to explore the cuisine of Spain by visiting the best restaurants in the city since Valencia is known for both the modern cuisine and local classical cuisine that they offer. A few of the must-do things in Valencia are-

• Visit the L’Oceanografic- Students who are interested in marine life will be able to visit the local aquarium which is situated on the Turia riverbed. This aquarium has over 4,500 animals which are from 500 different species. The architecture of the place is in the form of a thin-shell structure which attracts a lot of attention since it resembles a hyperbolic parabola.
• Go Around the La Malvarrosa Beach- This beach is located only 1km away from the center of the city and students will be able to visit this touristy Mediterranean coastline. If they are lucky, they will also be able to see festivals like Fallas fireworks, air shows, etc. being conducted on the beach.
• Explore Ruzafa- This is one of the popular hipster areas in Valencia with lots of tapas bars, restaurants, vintage boutiques, and bistros. Students will be able to experience the coffee roasters, brewpubs, and other places they can hang out.