INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE CAMPUS University of Santiago de Compostela INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2
WELCOME TO THE USC The University of Santiago de Compostela, founded more than five hundred years ago, is an institution which boasts a Campus Life International Excellence campus, recognized by the Ministry of Education in 2009. The large number and excellence of the courses taught, and the quality of the research undertaken place the USC among the most prestigious universities in Spain and Europe, and provide the basis for the university s strong international reputation. The USC takes part in a large number of student mobility programmes with universities worldwide. As a result of this, the university receives visits from more than 1200 international exchange students from all over the world. Applicants will encounter a wide ranging offer of courses at the USC, including more than a hundred undergraduate and postgraduate courses in many different fields, as well as significant research resources and the opportunity to obtain work experience in laboratories, institutes and businesses. The USC also has several libraries, university residences, canteens and sports installations, and offers various cultural activities. The USC campuses are integrated within two impressive historical cities in Spain -Santiago de Compostela and Lugo (both on the Camino de Santiago)- where visiting students will encounter a friendly, welcoming university environment. Santiago and Lugo are safe and friendly cities. All university departments are fully integrated in the city, and most students get around by bike or on foot. http://www.usc.es/ http://www.usc.es/internacional http://www.usc.es/oiu 3 University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 4
The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is an initiative aimed at harmonizing the different education systems within the European Union. The aim of the initiative is to facilitate recognition of students qualifications and mobility of teachers and students. The EHEA is also designed to encourage universities to adapt their offers to meet social demands. In this new environment, the performance of students is measured by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit is equivalent to 25-30 hours of study (including lectures and personal study). Higher education in Europe is divided into three cycles _ undergraduate studies covering a wide range of studies _ master s and doctoral studies more specialized studies In Spain, most undergraduate studies are completed in four years, the equivalent of 240 ECTS credits. Master s studies are usually completed in one or two years. The accreditation systems, which consist of an internal and an external evaluation, ensure the quality of each educational centre and its relevance within the EHEA. In addition to the above, a Diploma Supplement (DS) is provided to students who successfully complete their studies. This document, which is attached to the original certificate, details the nature, level, content and context of the qualification, in a standardized format throughout the EHEA. 5 University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
THE USC AND THE EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA The USC is integrated in the new European educational model and is one of the top universities in Europe as regards the number of officially recognised degree courses offered. This has led to important changes as regards new study plans, learning methods and evaluation systems. The USC has invested much effort as regards implementing these changes, including the Plan for Innovative Teaching, with which lecturers have been able to improve their teaching skills, as well as the Programme for evaluation of the quality of teaching, training and research. University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 6
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Health Sciences _ Nursing (Santiago and Lugo campuses) _ Pharmacy (Santiago) _ Medicine (Santiago) _ Odontology (Santiago) _ Psychology (Santiago) _ Veterinary Medicine (Lugo) Sciences _ Biology (Santiago) _ Chemistry (Santiago) _ Mathematics (Santiago) _ Human Nutrition and Dietetics (Lugo) _ Optometry and Vision Sciences (Santiago) _ Physics (Santiago) Social Sciences and Law _ Business administration and management (Lugo and Santiago) _ Political Science and Public Administration (Santiago) _ Commercialization and Logistics (Lugo) _ Audiovisual communication (Santiago) _ Law (Santiago) _ Economics (Santiago) _ Social Education (Santiago) _ Geography and Land Planning (Santiago) _ Infant School Teaching (Lugo and Santiago) _ Primary School Teaching (Lugo and Santiago) _ Pedagogy (Santiago) _ Journalism (Santiago) _ Labour Relations and Human Resources (Lugo and Santiago) _ Social work (Santiago) University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 8
Engineering and Architecture _ Agricultural and Rural Environment Engineering (Lugo) _ Civil Engineering (Lugo) _ Food and Agriculture Industry Engineering (Lugo) _ Geomatics and Topography Engineering (Lugo) _ Forest and Natural Environment Engineering (Lugo) _ Industrial Process Engineering (Lugo) _ Computer Science (Santiago) _ Chemical Engineering (Santiago) Humanities _ Culture and Cultural Diffusion Sciences (Lugo) _ Classical Philology (Santiago) _ Philosophy (Santiago) _ Spanish Language and Literature (Lugo and Santiago) _ Galician Language and Literature (Santiago) _ English Language and Literature (Santiago) _ Modern Languages and Literature (Santiago) _ History (Santiago) _ History of Art (Santiago) USC s own courses _ Criminology and Public Safety _ Hotel Business Management (first and second cycle) 9 University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
POST-GRADUATE STUDIES The University of Santiago de Compostela offers advanced specialized or multidisciplinary training aimed at academic and professional specialization and research, with more than a hundred MA and PhD courses. Official MA and PhD programmes _ Sciences: 16 MA degrees / 15 PhD degrees _ Health Sciences: 12 MA degrees / 16 PhD degrees _ Social Sciences and Law: 17 MA degrees / 18 PhD degrees _ Engineering and Architecture: 7 MA degrees / 5 PhD degrees _ Arts and Humanities: 11 MA degrees / 18 PhD degrees _ Interdisciplinary: 1 MA degree University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 10
The University of Santiago de Compostela provides foreign university students with an opportunity to learn Spanish at either of two different centres. The Modern Language Centre (MLC) offers Spanish courses specifically designed for exchange students, as well as courses in Spanish literature and preparatory courses for the official exams for the Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE). The university s Office of International Studies offers Spanish language courses of different duration, structure and content, so that students can choose the course that best meets their needs. Intensive and year-long courses are available. Courses aimed at teachers of Spanish as a foreign language are also offered in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes. SPANISH LANGUAGE COURSES FOR FOREIGNERS 11 University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
University Residences The University of Santiago de Compostela has available a large number of places in the university residences located on the Santiago de Compostela and Lugo campuses. The residences have single and double rooms with bathroom and use of kitchen; cleaning services are also provided. A large number of places are reserved each year for exchange students from other universities. University cafeteria and canteens The USC has a wide range of university cafeterias and canteens offering catering at reduced prices. The self-service canteens offer a wide range of dishes, in the Atlantic diet style. University libraries The USC libraries provide study spaces for approximately 7000 students, a virtual library, as well as digital newspaper libraries and video libraries. Wi-Fi access and computer rooms The USC has an extensive wireless network that covers all buildings on the Santiago de Compostela and Lugo campuses. At the USC, students will enjoy direct access to the Internet, a personal email account, and free computing and software courses. In addition, if they wish, students can matriculate on-line, and can receive notification of their marks by SMS. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 12
MUCH MORE THAN STUDY Students can practice sport in the sports pavilions, athletics stadiums, indoor swimming pools and gyms. If they prefer, they can take part in activities such as aerobics, hip-hop, batuka, kapoeira, yoga, Pilates, taichi, judo, chess and trekking, amongst others. Students can also enjoy a multitude of cultural activities, such as dance, theatre, photography, music and many others!! 13 University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
ADMISSION TO THE USC FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS Students can gain admission to the University of Santiago de Compostela in one of the four following ways: 1_ To initiate their studies 1.1 Access to degree studies 1.1.1 Students from non-ehea countries can begin their studies at the USC once their previous qualifications have been officially recognized and they have passed an entrance exam. 1.1.2 Students from EHEA countries can access the USC through the credentials offered by the UNED. 1.2 Access to postgraduate studies 1.2.1 Students from non-ehea countries can begin their postgraduate studies by requesting the equivalency of their studies from the university or by requesting that their previous qualifications are recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education. 1.2.2 Students from EHEA countries can access postgraduate courses as long as their previous studies provide access to the MA or PhD degree they wish to study. 2_ Continuing studies at the USC A partial validation of previous qualifications must be requested. 3_ Exchange students At present the USC has agreements with more than 40 countries throughout the world (including EHEA signatories and non-signatories), to enable more than 1500 students to take part in courses for up to one academic year (one or two four-month terms), with full official recognition of the subjects studied. These students must be accredited for the corresponding studies by their home university. Exchange students are exempt from paying university fees. 4_ Visiting students The USC, by means of the visiting student matriculation programme, accepts students from Higher Education Institutions (including those from countries with no agreements with the USC) who wish to obtain between 10 and 60 academic credits, for maximum periods equivalent to one or two four-month terms. Such students must pay the appropriate university fees. University of Santiago de Compostela_ INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 14
SO MUCH TO DISCOVER Galicia is a green, mountainous region, with some 1700 kilometres of coastline facing the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated on the NW of the Iberian Peninsula and has a population of almost three million inhabitants. It forms part of the Celtic world in western Europe, although its traditions and culture also include Roman and Central European influences, which have left their impression on the landscape, culture and character of the people. The cities of Santiago and Lugo, where the two USC campuses are located, reflect this cultural mix, with a predominance of medieval elements in Santiago and a more markedly Roman influence in Lugo.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO The Camino de Santiago (St James Way) is an ancient pilgrims route of enormous importance in the present day: more than one hundred thousand people from Europe, America and Asia travel the route every year. Those who travel the last one hundred kilometres on foot or horseback, or the last two hundred by bike are awarded, by the Roman Catholic Church, a document known as the Compostela, by way of recognition of the pilgrimage. Without losing its spiritual or historical roots, the pilgrimage has become a universal and cultural phenomenon that does not distinguish languages, races or countries and is a unique experience undertaken by many young people. All routes to Compostela converge in Galicia; seven of these are officially recognised and signposted, and enter Galicia by the four cardinal points: these caminos are known as the francés, portugués, inglés, primitivo, del norte, vía de la plata and Fisterra. There are hostals along all of these routes where the pilgrims can rest and refresh themselves during an overnight stay. For more information, see www.usc.es www.usc.es/oiu www.usc.es/internacional The Camino de Santiago was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1993, and declared the first European Cultural itinerary by the Council of Europe in 1987.