home search login
ISEPbernheader



Universidade de Vigo
Directory description

<< Int'l Feature Index

Study at the Universidad de Vigo!

The Universidad de Vigo is an amazing place to spend a semester or year abroad! It offers excellent service to international students, strong academic programs, several land and aquatic sports, and countless social activities. Vigo is located on the Atlantic coast and has an oceanic climate, beautiful beaches, and an active port. The city is a great size for an exchange student because it is big enough to have plenty of culture, entertainment, and recreation, yet small enough to manage.

"I absolutely loved studying in Vigo, Spain! The people are incredibly welcoming and have a passion for life. The city is beautiful and there are so many things to do and see. I can’t wait to return!" - Susan Lorbecki, Spring 2005 ISEP Participant from Southwest Missouri State University

About Universidad de Vigo

Watch the Vigo multimedia presentation (in English)

The Universidad de Vigo is a modern public university located in Galicia, Spain’s northwest corner. Established in 1990, it is committed to the principles of equity, solidarity, democracy, and freedom. Last year, there were over 27,000 students studying in 46 degree programs.

The Universidade de Vigo is a great place for an ISEP student because international students receive individual attention from the ISEP coordinator. Each international student is assigned a Spanish student volunteer who will pick them up from the airport, show them around campus, and orient them during their first few days. The university has many clubs and sports that ISEP students are welcome to join, including a conversation club where students are matched with a Vigo student to practice Spanish and help their partner practice English.

Vigo is located on the coast and is just minutes away from several beautiful beaches. It enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with mild temperatures year round. Summers are warm and pleasant, while winters are rainy. It is the largest city in the autonomous region of Galicia with a population of about 300,000.

Galicia’s Two Official Languages

Vigo is located in Galicia—one of Spain's autonomous regions—where two languages are spoken. Both Spanish and Galician are the official languages. About ninety percent of courses at the university are taught in Spanish. The ISEP coordinator in Vigo assists the incoming students with course selection, so that the language of instruction is not a problem, especially in the first semester of the students’ stay.

Galician is a romance language that bears resemblance to Portuguese and Spanish. Students with a high command of Spanish can understand quite a bit of written Galician and spoken Galician. Courses in Galician are available for international students at the university’s language center. Courses at the language center are not included in ISEP benefits; however, there are reduced fees for ISEP students.

^ back to top

Academic Information

Former ISEP students have been pleased with the professors at Vigo for their flexibility and sensitivity to the special needs of international students. ISEP students at Vigo most often take courses in Spanish literature (philology) and business. While Universidad de Vigo has two satellite campuses, students must choose courses from the Vigo campus.

The Universidad de Vigo offers courses in the following colleges (faculdades):

Academic Calendar

Fall semester: mid to late September to early February (exam period: late January to early February)
Spring semester: mid-February to late June (exam period: June)

Students may request a semester or full-year placement, full-year placement being recommended. Students requesting to be placed for fall semester must note that the calendar may not be compatible with their home university calendar in order to return in time for spring semester courses.

Library and Computer Labs

The university's library has a main library and each faculty has its own library and computer lab. All ISEP students have access to libraries and computer labs.

Course Information

The programs offered at the Universidade de Vigo are currently under revision, as a consequence of the application of the new Education policy in Europe. The vast majority of the ‘old’ five-year degrees (licenciaturas) have been adapted to new four-year grados (Bachelors). ISEP students may only register for undergraduate programs (licenciaturas and grados). Graduate programs (master and doctorado) are not open to ISEP students.

To access course information about licenciaturas, go to Course Links

After the page loads, click on Planes de Estudios de 1° y 2° ciclo and then click on por campus. At the top of the page you will see all the departments in the Vigo campus.
Remember to only choose courses from the Vigo campus. Under each department, all the majors within it are listed. Click on the icon next to each major in order to see the list of courses.
Information on the new grados can be obtained by clicking here.
Remember to only choose courses from the Vigo campus.
The ISEP coordinator will help students choose the best courses to meet their individual needs in either licenciatura or grado programs. Students will attend classes for 2 or 3 weeks before registering.

Language Requirement

Students will enroll in regular university courses with Spanish students. Students must be approaching fluency level in order to study in Vigo (6+ semesters of college level Spanish or the equivalent). Non-native speakers must be in their third year of college-level Spanish and preferably have successfully completed courses at the literature level before departure.

Language Support Courses

Students can enroll in intensive Spanish courses at the university's language center. The language center also offers courses in Galician, Portuguese, French, German, English and a number of foreign languages. Courses at the language center are not included in ISEP benefits; however, there are reduced fees for ISEP students.

"The school itself has a good environment and there are lots of opportunities to immerse oneself in the Spanish culture as well as get to know people from different countries." - Julie Aguilar, Spring 2005 ISEP participant from Elmhurst College

Housing and Meals

Students live in shared apartments in the city center with other ISEP or international students. Students are given vouchers for meals in the university cafeterias and stipends for weekend meals.

Apartments are in the city center, just a short walk from shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. Apartments are furnished and many have scenic views of Vigo's port.

Support

The Oficina de Relaciones Internacionales (known on campus as the ORI) is the resource office for ISEP students and will assist students upon arrival. The ORI holds an orientation and official reception for international students. They organize visits to Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Ribeira Sacra, Portonovo, Santa María de Oia, and Valença do Minho in Portugal. They also plan parties and film screenings for international students.

Sports and Recreation

The university has its own sport facilities, which can be booked by university members. A fitness room can be found at the university sport hall in Vigo, along with a counseling sport service and an indoor swimming pool. The sport service at the university promotes and sponsors sport and leisure activities for the university community. More than 7,500 people register each year to participate in all different activities organized by this service including:

"The ISEP students in our building built a special bond. We coined it Real World Vigo and indeed it was. From Oregon to North Carolina to Puerto Rico, we were quite the diverse group." - Lauren Koeppel, Spring 2003 ISEP Participant from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

^ back to top

About Vigo, Spain!

Vigo, known as the “Gateway to the Atlantic,” is the largest city in northeastern Spain with a population of about 300,000. It is located on a 20 mile long estuary and boasts beautiful beaches and outstanding water sports facilities. Spring and summer are quite warm and sunny, while fall and winter are rainy. Major industries include fishing, shipbuilding, and the manufacture of Citroën cars.

Travel

Vigo is well connected to the rest of Spain via highway, air, and train. ISEP students usually arrive into Madrid and then take a plane, train, or bus to Vigo. There are frequent connections from Charles de Guale International Airport from Paris, France, and low cost-connections from London. For travel within Vigo, students rely on the dependable public bus system or taxis.

Links About Vigo

Vigo - Wikipedia

History

www.vigo.org

www.vigonet.com

^ back to top