The University of Rovira i Virgili (URV) was established in 1991, created by the Catalan parliament from centres of learning that already existed in and around the city of Tarragona, Catalonia.
Officially known as the University of Southern Catalonia, it is named for Antoni Rovira i Virgili, a Catalonian politician. Today the university exists over a number of campuses spread out across the Catalan cities of Tarragona, Reus and Vila-Seca.
The bulk of the university’s facilities are based in the city of Tarragona, close to the Catalonian capital of Barcelona. As a city, Tarragona has much to offer prospective students, being situated on the Mediterranean Sea with warm summers and mild winters, and comprised of a blend of modern architecture and older, more classical areas. Tarragona is also within reach of Barcelona, which offers a huge array of sights and is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
The university itself offers over 40 undergraduate courses across a range of subjects, as well as a number of postgraduate and Masters Degrees and doctorate opportunities. Numerous opportunities are also available for international students to study and immerse themselves in the Catalonian culture and way of life.
The university has well established relationships with both local and international business and society, which was cited as one of the main reasons why the URV has been recognised as a "Campus of International Excellence" by the Spanish Ministry of Education.
In terms of alumni, Rovira i Virgili has produced some notable people from Catalonia, including politicians such as Meritxell Ruiz i Isern and Martí Barberà.
