Universidad de Málaga

Málaga offers programs in Archaeology, Art History, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering (Chemical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Software), Environmental Science, Fine Arts, Geography, Health Science, History, Math, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Work and more, including unique programs such as Journalism, and Translation studies. All courses are taught in Spanish, and Masters-level courses are not open to exchange students.

See http://www.uma.es/oferta-de-grado/ to see a list of degree programs. After selecting a program, you can click on "Study Plan" for a list of courses offered in that program.

Malaga also offers some courses in English. 

They also offer Spanish language courses both in-person and online. Students from exchange institutions get a discount of 25% on course fees. For more details check the brochure.

1 UCalgary half course equivalent = 6 ECTS credits, and students typically take 24-30 ECTS per semester. 

Student Tips: "The classroom interactions between students and professors was different than what I am used to back in Canada. Here the environment was much more interactive and student participation was expected. Professors are incredibly friendly and helpful, many of them taking a personal interest in students. Many of [my] classes had a case study approach which was a much better learning tool than sitting in a class and taking notes. There was also the opportunity to interact with teachers and receive real world insights into different areas based on their work experience in international organizations, governments, businesses, start-ups, and NGO’s."

The academic year is divided into semesters. The Autumn Semester runs from mid September to mid February and the Spring Semester runs from mid February to early July. It is generally not possible for students to finish the Autumn Semester in December.

Accommodation at Málaga is self-arranged but they can provide support. UMA offers an Accommodation Service that can help students find housing. The Housing Office at Málaga cannot book accommodation for you, but will advise you on your housing options, which include university residences, living with a host family or finding private rental accommodation.

• On-campus residence is approximately €600 per month including meals.
• Off campus apartments cost approximately €600 per month, although it's possible to find shared off-campus accommodation for €200-€400 per month (average €250 p.m.)

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Most courses at UMA are taught in Spanish - as such, applicants must have a command of Spanish at the B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) at a minimum, or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in Spanish. Students do have the opportunity to take Spanish language courses during their stay (see FAQs for more information).

What options are available for improving my Spanish at Málaga?

Málaga offers Spanish courses prior to the start of each semester for 3-4 weeks (starts first week Sept, first week Feb) to improve and consolidate your Spanish skills. This is run by the CIE (Centro Internacional de Español). The course runs for 70 hours, but only has space for 20 - 25 students, and is worth 7 ECTS Credits. Cost is €200, and students that attend 80% of the classes and pass the final exam will earn a certificate.

Spanish language courses are available both in-person and online. Students from exchange institutions get a discount of 25% on course fees. For more details check the brochure.

There are six levels of this course which correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2). These courses are offered providing the minimum number of students required is reached after the completion of the level placement test. On the first day of the course, students will take a level placement test. On the last day of the course, students will take an exam of the level studied - so students with advanced Spanish skills can still improve their Spanish.

What supports or services are available at Málaga?

Once you receive your Málaga student ID on arrival, you will have access to campus libraries, sport centre, and cultural events. For incoming exchange students, they offer a highly recommended Buddy Program where incoming students can be supported by and make friendships with local Málaga student volunteers. For more information, see the brochure attached in the link above, or visit their site. 

For information on accessibility of campuses across Europe, ESN has created https://inclusivemobility.eu/  which allows you to check the accessibility of universities and cities across Europe. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.

What's special about Málaga and the university?

Málaga, the capital of the Málaga province, is the 5th most populated city in Spain due in part to its mild temperatures thanks to the warm winds from the sea and the Málaga Mountains behind the city, which act as a shield from the cold. It is the most Southern of all the large cities in Europe, making it a great stepping off point for adventures to Northern Africa, only 80 miles from its coast. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, this city also garners attention from its consistently sunny skies (over 300 days of sunshine each year) and the warmest winters in all of Europe (average temps 17 degree). 

Dating back more than 3000 years, Málaga makes an excellent base for exploring history from the Phoenicians to the Romans, or to jet off on trips to Morocco, Grenada, or Gibraltar. 

Student Tips: "They have all kinds of facilities throughout the UMA campus. The only difference is the university is distributed differently than at the U of C where everything is in one same campus. Here, you have different campuses depending on your faculty and each of them have their own facilities, libraries, labs, vendors, etc. 
Get to know Malaga as much as you can. It is an incredible city with so much to offer. Head to El Palo in Malaga where the nicest beaches/seafood restaurants and small town Spanish living is. Also, take advantage of group traveling organized by organizations affiliated to the university or ones that you can trust. Attend the first week of orientation to meet all the exchange students who are in the same situation as you. You can meet the people you will hang out with for the rest of the semester."