Guide for International Students - Universidad de Alcalá

Guide for InternationalStudentsUniversity of Alcalá1

INDEXI. UNIVERSITY OF ALCALÁ ………………………………………………………………………………….… 4I.1. Introduction (The University at a glance) .......................................................................................... 4I.2. 10 Reasons to study at the University of Alcalá ................................................................................. 5I.3. Facts and Figures ............................................................................................................................... 7I.4 Academic Calendar ............................................................................................................................. 8I.5. How to get to the University of Alcala ............................................................................................... 8I.5.a. Historical Campus in the city ............................................................................................................ 8I.5.b. Scientific and Technological Campus ............................................................................................... 9I.4.c. Campus in the city of Guadalajara .................................................................................................. 10I.5.d Head Office in Madrid ...................................................................................................................... 11I.6 Infrastructures, Languages, Cultural Activities and Sports ............................................................... 11II. BEFORE ARRIVING IN SPAIN……………………………………..…………………………….………. 13II.1. Admission and Registration ............................................................................................................ 13Undergraduate Students; Postgraduate Students; Erasmus Students; Exchange Students (other than Erasmus);Visiting StudentsII.2. Student Visas .................................................................................................................................. 14II.3. Health Insurance ............................................................................................................................. 14II.4. Accommodation .............................................................................................................................. 15II.4.a. In the city of Alcalá ......................................................................................................................... 15II.4.b. In the city of Guadalajara ............................................................................................................... 16III. AFTER ARRIVAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA …………………………………………………… 16III.1. Residence Permit ........................................................................................................................... 16III.2. Student associations and Student Tutors ...................................................................................... 172

International and cosmopolitan atmosphereThe University of Alcalá is visited by more than 5,000 students from all over the worldevery year. That is why we have a great deal of experience in looking after and hostingpeople from different backgrounds and cultures. You will make new friends and have newexperiences during your time with us and we will always do our best to make sure that youfeel at home.We are an international benchmark in Spanish teachingWe are an international benchmark in the teaching of the Spanish language and culture:we have an extensive range of courses in Spanish as a Foreign Language, at all levels andtaught at an internationally recognised level of quality. We are an authorised examinationcenter for the Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language (official diplomas certifying a levelof competence and command of the Spanish language, which are awarded by the CervantesInstitute on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education).Varied range of cultural and sports activitiesAt the University of Alcalá you will be able to participate in a wide range of cultural andleisure activities so that you can enjoy your free time here. You can find out about theseopportunities here.High quality researchWe are one of the most highly ranked institutions among the public Spanish Universitiesin terms of the quality of our research 1 . Our students can begin research work in someBachelor's degree subjects or by registering for one of our research Master's degrees orDoctorate Programs.Professional assistance and orientationWe provide specific orientation programs to help our graduate students to join thelabour market, as well as enterprise and spin-off programs, in cooperation with companies inthe area.Social CommitmentThe University of Alcalá is committed to equality, support for people with special needs,international cooperation and defence of the environment and human rights. Consult oursocial responsibility programs if you would like to find out more.1 "The 2009 Ranking for research at Spanish public universities”, which analyses 48 public higher education centers, places the University of Alcalá infifth position in terms of the number of doctoral theses completed successfully, in seventh position as regards the number of patents and in eighthposition as regards the research productivity of its teaching staff.5

I.3. FACTS AND FIGURES• 16,000 Undergraduate Students• 13,000 Graduate and Continuing Education Students• 2,100 Teaching and Research Staff Members• 450 Research Assistants• 140 Research Groups• 800 Administration and Services Staff Members• 36 Undergraduate Degrees• 47 Official Master’s Programs• 25 PhD Programs• Summer Courses• Student/Instructor Ratio: 9 (Undergraduate Level)More facts and figures are available at the relevant web site.I.4. ACADEMIC CALENDARThe academic calendar for the current academic year and for the following year (whenavailable) can be consulted at:https://portal.uah.es/portal/page/portal/portal_internacional/nuestros_estudios/calendario_academico.I.5. HOW TO GET TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALÁThe University of Alcalá has three campuses:The historical campus in the city centerThe outer campus (Science and Technology Campus) on the outskirts of the cityA third campus in the city of GuadalajaraI.5.A. HISTORICAL CAMPUS IN THE CITYThe historical campus is located in downtown Alcalá de Henares. Teaching and otheractivities are still carried out in the original buildings of the university, many of which dateback to the 16th century and have been recently restored. This campus includes the mainadministration building, the Faculties of Philosophy and Arts, Law, Economics and Business,and Documentation, as well as the Technical School of Architecture and Geodesy. Alsolocated in the historical campus are Alcalingua (the University's Spanish language school), the6

I.6. INFRASTRUCTURES, LANGUAGES, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTSInfrastructures• 9 Schools and Faculties• 16 libraries seating 2.700 students. (European Seal of Excellence 400 +)• 26 computer laboratories with free access for University students and staff• 24 multimedia and videoconference lecture rooms, equipped with the latestaudiovisual and computer technology• 4 Research Support Centers• 3 University Research Institutes:• 1 Scientific and Technological Park• 5 associated hospitals• Juan Carlos I Botanical Garden• Campus of International Excellence in the field of Smart Energy and SustainabilityLanguages• A Spanish language school• English classes taught by the British Council• German taught by the Goethe Institut• A foreign language center for the study of Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian,Japanese, Portuguese, Rumanian, RussianCultural Activities• Fine Arts Workshops• Writing School• Music Workshops• University Choir• University Orchestra• Film club• Theater• Dance• Flamenco• Tuna (University group oftraditional music players)More information regardingcultural activities can be foundhere.9

Information regarding application for admission in graduate programs is available at:https://portal.uah.es/portal/page/portal/portal_internacional/nuestros_estudios/posgrados_y_formacion_continuaII.2. STUDENT VISAS FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERSThe University of Alcalá has created a guide to applying for student visas which explainsthe procedures regarding first-time applications, renewals, and accompanying familymembers. Those interested are urged to consult the information available at Student Visas.II.3. HEALTH INSURANCEAll international students and researchers arerequired to have health and accident insurance for theentire duration of their stay at the University of Alcalá.Those originating from any European Union MemberState or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway orSwitzerland can apply for the European Health Card intheir own country, which allows them access to publicsector health care in Spain. Students and researchersoriginating from countries with special agreementsregarding access to health care should apply for thedocument that certifies this condition and entitlesaccess to the public health system.All other international students and researchersare required to obtain private comprehensive health and accident insurance that includescoverage of all expenses pertaining to repatriation to the country of origin in case of death orsevere injury. Information regarding companies that issue students health insurance isavailable at:https://portal.uah.es/portal/page/portal/portal_internacional/internacionalizacion/seguro_medicoII.4. ACCOMMODATIONThe University Residence Halls can accommodate over 1400 people. It also offersinformation on staying with families, shared flats and other options.11

II.4.A. IN THE CITY OF ALCALÁResidence Halls in the Historical Campus of AlcaláThe San Ildefonso Residence is located in one of the courtyards in the Rector’s Building (thePhilosophers’ Courtyard) in a unique historical setting. It operates like a hotel for short stays.All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, television with satellite, heating and a fax service. Thereis also a café-restaurant in the Philosophers’ Courtyard.The Cardenal Cisneros University Residence is located on the Campus of the CardenalCisneros School of Teaching, just a few minutes from all the University's Faculties andSchools. Surrounded by spacious green areas, it is also near a large shopping center,supermarkets, the railway station, and the bus station.Accommodation in the External Campus (Scientific-Technological Park)The University Residential City (CRUSA) has 140 fully furnished apartments, singleand double bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and living rooms, as well as telephones,Internet and parking facilities. Moreover, the City offers common areas with study rooms, acomputer room and sports facilities.The Giner de los Ríos University Residence can accommodate 327 students in single anddouble rooms with individual and shared kitchens, private bathrooms, air-conditioning,telephones and connections to the University's wireless network. There are common areasto foster social and academic life, TV and DVD rooms, a computer room, study rooms, afitness room and many other facilities.12

Language Exchange Programme (TANDEM Programme)ESN-UAH organizes a language exchange programme called TANDEM, through which itmatches students who wish to converse in different languages, according to theirpreferences. Students interested in participating should fill out the application form availableat http://www.esn-uah.org/content/inscripcion-tandem or send a message requestingadmission to info@esn-uah.org,. The application period is open up to the end of the secondweek of each semester, after which period ESN will proceed to match the students accordingto the languages they know and those they wish to practice. Applicants will be informed ofthe results via email.Participants in the TANDEM Programme will also be invited to participate in LanguageMeetings every other week. These meetings provide the opportunity to meet other languagepairs and exchange experiences with them and with the organizers of ESN-UAH. Meetings willbe announced via email.ESN-UAH will also invite periodically TANDEM members to meet in cafes (Café LinguaMeetings) to practice languages and meet other students. All the students sharing a table areexpected to speak the same language. Café Lingua Meetings will also be announced via email.14