Information about the host institution.

The University of Alicante was founded in 1979, and now offers more than 50 different types of degrees. Most of the classes there are taught in Spanish, however some are also taught in English and Valencian. 

The campus itself takes up 1 square kilometre and is located in San Vicente del Raspeig, which borders the city of Alicante to the north.

In the academic year of 2010/11, the university had 27,175 students and 2,414 academic staff. This is very different from Edinburgh Napier where there are only 802 academic staff and 17,793 students spread out over the 4 campuses.

Upon my arrival to the University of Alicante, I will have to sit a language test to determine my level of Spanish. Upon arrival I will also have to visit the Mobility Office, located at the building "Pabellón de Alumnado” to register and arrange an appointment for my first Information Meeting. The first meeting is supposed to take place in the first week of September, while the second should be in the second week. During the first week there is also a tour of the campus.

Luckily, we are also given the opportunity to try out classes for a week before deciding our final timetable.

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Important dates:

First semester:

Orientation week: 2nd- 6th September 2013

Classes: 9th September - 20th December 2013

Exams period: 10th - 25th January 2014

Holidays:

9th October 2013, 12th October 2013, 1st November 2013, 6th December 2013

Christmas: 21st December 2013 - 6th January 2014.

Second semester:

Orientation week: 20th - 24th January 2014

Classes: 27th January - 23rd May 2014

Exams:  30th May - 14th June 2014

Holidays:

Easter: 17th-28th April 2014 

1st and 2nd May 2014
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In order to get the 120ENU credits that I need to pass 3rd year, I need to get 60ECTS credits. As most of the modules offered by the University of Alicante are worth 6 credits, I have decided to take 4 modules in the first semester and 5 in the second, bringing me to 54 ECTS credits. I am also planning on taking a Spanish class which is worth an additional 4 ECTS credits, and should also get 10ECTS from the Study Abroad module.