Study in Granada, Spain

The Alhambra Palace

Both gorgeous and historic, Granada, Spain is a city and the capital of the province of the same name in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city is situated at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at the intersection of four rivers: the Beiro, Darro, Genil and Monachil Rivers.

Known for its unique climate, Granada sits at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet (738 meters) above sea level, yet is only an hour’s drive from the Costa Tropical, or Mediterranean Coast. Nearby is the popular Sierra Nevada Ski Station, where the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are sometimes held.

The city of Granada proper has a permanent population of approximately 250,000 residents, but when you include the entire urban area of the city, the population jumps to nearly half a million, making it the 13th-largest urban area in Spain.

Rich in history and culture, Granada is arguably one of the finest cities in Spain in which to visit. In addition to having a rich multicultural history, the city is home to one of the country’s most famous structures (the Alhambra) as well as many other noteworthy monuments and gardens. Thanks to the University of Granada (80,000 students), the city also boasts a great student-driven nightlife, and its proximity to the Sierra Nevada range not only offers great skiing and other winter-sport activities, but the opportunity to beat the summer heat of other Andalusian cities such as Cordoba and Seville.

No discussion of Granada would be complete without a description of its most famous building: the Alhambra. A castle and a fortress, a royal palace and a town, amazing gardens and a summer retreat, the Alhambra is all of that and much more.

A Moorish citadel and palace, the Alhambra was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and was the crown jewel of the Emirate of Granada, whose territories stretched from part of Córdoba, Seville, Jaén, Murcia and Cádiz, to the whole of Almería, Málaga and Granada. It is without question the most renowned building of the Andalusian Islamic historical legacy and the number one cultural attraction in the region.
In addition to the Alhambra, there are many other interesting places to visit in Granada including the Granada Cathedral, Albaycin and the Zafra Convent.

The Granada Cathedral was built by Queen Isabella immediately after the conquest of Granada on the site of an old Mosque. The cathedral is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance style, with impressive facades and a stunning interior, including a grand altar and several chapels. In the burial chamber of the Cathedral are the tombs of the Catholic kings.

The Albaycin is the old Arab Quarter. It comprises approximately the area between the hill of the Alhambra, the hill of San Cristobal, the Sacromonte and Elvira. The Albaycin is like a different world within Granada. This is due to the strong Muslim influences in this area. Interestingly, it was here that the first Siri court was built in the eleventh century. This part of town once descended from Saint Nicholas to the banks of the River Darro and featured luxurious carmenes and public baths, like the Banuelo that can still be visited today.

With a white facade, the Zafra Convent was built in the year 1540 with funding from the widow of Hernando de Zafra, secretary of the Catholic Kings. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this convent is the Arab House of Zafra dating from the Fourteenth Century, with a tiny courtyard of charming simplicity which affords a sense of peace within its enclosure.

Spain is a country with a long, colorful history – a nation built on foundations of art, exploration and religion. At the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada carries on the tradition of excellence with its dazzling urban nightlife and the daily grind of its hard-working, high-achieving educational institutions. Granada is perfect for those prospective students seeking a city that’s tastefully unique, but not overwhelming.

Most higher education institutions in Granada – and Spain as a whole – are public institutions, although some colleges and universities are privately managed. It is important to understand that many colleges might include religious programs alongside their educational studies, as a majority of the country is thick with Catholic roots. However, such programs are not required in most schools, and Granada boasts a diverse cultural, religious and ethnic student population.

There is a variety of activities for students in Granada, not least of which include flamenco dancing, dining on authentic tapas and touring gothic architecture. The most significant and life changing site for student visitors in Granada? The Alhambra – an ancient, Arab collection of gardens, palaces and courtyards built together to form one of the great new wonders of the world.

Some other considerations for future students of Granada schools include:

Majority of courses taught in Spanish.
Some colleges are religiously affiliated.

Major Fields of Study Granada

It is difficult to select a handful of studies that are most prominent in Granada. This is mainly due to the diverse course set that most institutions offer. With multiple faculties of different universities specializing in certain content areas, students can conceivably purse any major or any course in Granada.

That being said, there does exist a small tendency for schools in Granada to lean towards some educational subjects over others. Fine arts, for example, are not widely pursued in Granada, though programs are more than available. Rather, students flock to technology and engineering programs, especially those related to construction and architecture. Other technical degrees are also common.

As a result, the majority of students in Granada tend to study:

Civil engineering
Building engineering
Computer science
Technology
Architectur e

Naturally, this does not represent all school and all studies available in Grenada. Research specific institutional coursework to find many more educational options in Granada.