University of Valencia facts for kids
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Universitat de València
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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 30 April 1499 |
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Academic affiliations
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Vives Network |
| Rector | Maria Vicenta Mestre Escrivà |
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Academic staff
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3,300 |
| Students | 65,789 (Total) |
| Undergraduates | 45,000 |
| Postgraduates | 8,000 |
| Location |
,
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Spain
39°28′45″N 0°21′33″W / 39.47905110°N 0.35908730°W |
| Campus | Urban |
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The University of Valencia (Valencian: Universitat de València), often called UV, is a large public school in Valencia, Spain. It is a place where people do a lot of research to discover new things. It is one of the oldest universities in Spain and the very oldest in the Valencian Community. Many people think it is one of the best schools in Spain.
The university started in 1499. Today, about 55,000 students go there. Most classes are taught in Spanish. However, the university plans to offer more classes in Valencian and English soon.
The university is in Valencia, a big city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Valencia is the capital of the Valencian Community and the third-largest city in Spain. One of the university's campuses is also in the nearby towns of Burjassot and Paterna. The current leader of the university is María Vicenta Mestre Escrivá.
Contents
The History of the University of Valencia
How the University Began
The idea for the University of Valencia started a long time ago. In 1246, Pope Innocent IV allowed "estudis generals" (general studies) to be set up in Valencia. This was asked for by James I the Conqueror, a king.
The official rules for the university were approved by the city leaders of Valencia on April 30, 1499. This date is seen as the university's founding day. Later, in 1501, Pope Alexander VI also approved it. A year after that, King Ferdinand II the Catholic gave his royal permission.
The university was founded thanks to Vincent Ferrer, a famous person who later became a saint. A man named Mosen Pedro Vilaragut also helped by donating a building.
Early Studies and Discoveries
When the university first opened, students could learn many subjects. These included Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic. They also studied philosophy, mathematics, physics, theology, church law, and medicine.
The late 1600s and all of the 1700s were a very successful time for the university. Greek, Latin, mathematics, and medicine were especially popular. A famous student from this time was Tosca, a physicist and mathematician. People said it was the best university in Spain for mathematics, humanities, philosophy, and medicine.
Students even made large drawings for anatomy classes. Valencia was the first university in Spain to offer a course on studying plants. Many doctors who studied here became famous. For example, Pedro Ximeno discovered a small bone in the ear. Cavanilles, a well-known botanist, also studied here.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
In the 1600s, the university had disagreements between two groups of thinkers. These arguments were very strong and affected the whole Kingdom of Valencia.
The university once had a library with 27,000 books. Sadly, soldiers destroyed it in the early 1800s. Later, during the Spanish Civil War in 1938, a fire badly damaged the library again.
Many colleges for students who needed help were built around the university. The most famous one was called Corpus Christi. It was founded by Blessed Juan de Ribera.
University Campuses and Locations
The University of Valencia has three main campuses in and around Valencia city. It also has other important buildings in the heart of Valencia. These include the Historic Building, the Botanical Garden, and the Rectorate (where the university's main offices are). There is also an astronomical observatory in the town of Aras de los Olmos.
- The Burjassot Campus is home to colleges for Biology, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Engineering.
- The Avenida de Blasco Ibañez Campus has schools for Medicine, Dentistry, Philosophy, Psychology, Geography, History, and Languages. It also includes Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Nursing.
- The Tarongers Campus is where you will find the Schools of Law, Economics, Business, and Social Sciences. The School of Elementary Teacher Training also moved here recently.
Schools and Study Areas
The University of Valencia has 18 different Schools and Faculties. These are spread across its three main campuses. Each school has different academic departments. They offer programs for undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and PhDs (doctorate degrees).
Studying at the University of Valencia
The University of Valencia offers degrees in almost every major subject area. These include Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences.
The university has programs that let students study at other universities around the world. These include schools in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia. The University of Valencia is one of the top ten universities in Europe for student exchange programs like Erasmus.
Research and Discovery
The university does a lot of important research. This happens in different ways. Academic departments within each school do research. There are also special Research Institutes and a Science Park.
The Research Institutes bring together experts from different fields. Their goal is to solve problems and create new knowledge that helps society and the economy.
Famous People Who Taught Here
Many notable people have taught at the University of Valencia:
- Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934) – He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906 for his work on the nervous system.
- Dámaso Alonso (1898–1990) – A famous poet and literary expert.
- Ernest Lluch (1937–2000) – An economist and politician.
- Álvaro López-García (1941–2019) – A well-known astronomer.
Famous People Who Studied Here
Arts and Science
Many famous people in arts and science studied at the University of Valencia:
- Juan Luis Vives (1493–1540) – A very important scholar during the Renaissance. Some call him the father of modern psychology.
- Joseph Calasanz (1557–1648) – A priest who founded schools for poor children.
- Mathieu Orfila (1787–1853) – He is known as the founder of the science of toxicology (the study of poisons).
- Isabel-Clara Simó (1943–2020) – A well-known journalist and writer.
- Amparo Acker-Palmer (born 1968) – A Spanish cell biologist and neuroscientist.
Politics
Some students went on to become important politicians:
- Gabriela Bravo – A politician.
- Esther Herranz García (born 1969) – A politician.
- Joan Lerma – A politician.
University Rankings
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 301–400 (2023) |
| QS World | 485 (2024) |
| THE World | 501–600 (2024) |
| USNWR Global | 212 (2023) |
The University of Valencia is recognized as a top university in many global rankings. For example, in 2023, it was ranked among the top 301-400 universities worldwide by ARWU.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Valencia para niños
- Vives Network
- List of medieval universities
- Route of the Borgias
