Polytechnic University of Valencia

The Polytechnic University of Valencia, or UPV, is a university in Valencia on the east coast of Spain.

The city itself is Spain’s third largest, after Madrid and Barcelona. The city has a hot semi-arid climate, with cool winters and long summers.

As well as weather and cityscape, students may be drawn to the cultural activities attracting students from all around the world, including an international film festival and a spring festival called Fallas that features huge paper maché models. As well as the Vera campus site in Valencia, UPV has campuses in the Spanish cities of Alcoy and Gandia. 

Founded in 1968 and established as a university in 1971, UPV was created with a focus on scientific study and research goals. The university sustains a postgraduate studies sector, and offers over 80 doctoral degrees.

There are eight branches of undergraduate study at UPV, ranging from arts and humanities to social and legal sciences. The independent architectural branch at UPV is being slowly phased out, and incorporated within the branch of engineering and architecture. 

A number of outlets at UPV are dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the university’s international outlook. The International Affairs Office on campus co-ordinates international programmes such as Erasmus that UPV is a part of, as well as academic partnerships with overseas universities. Researchers from around the world have been invited to UPV as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Fellowship Programme. 

All students are welcome to use the services offered by the Language Centre when learning Spanish and foreign languages. 

Architect Santiago Calatrava, illustrator Victoria Francés, and politician Alberto Fabra are all graduates of UPV.