Edited: Follow us: Vice-Chancellory for Internationalization and Lifelong Learning www.facebook.com/UCLMinternational For further details of the information contained herein, please visit the university’s Twitter: @uclm_inter website (www.uclm.es) or contact the Vice-Chancellory for Internationalization www.internacional.uclm.es and Lifelong Learning at the following e-mail address: [email protected] uclmstudyabroad.uclm.es Foreword from the Rector Welcome to the University of Castilla-La Mancha, a public academic institution which, over the last three decades, has succeeded in becoming one of the foremost universities in Spain. Thanks to the incorporation of modern teaching methodologies, the use of current technology, and the close business ties UCLM has cultivated, which keep students and professors updated with current trends in their field, the University has become a benchmark for high quality teaching, research, and administrative management. The purpose of this guide is to provide an overall vi- sion of UCLM’s academic, cultural and scientific activi- ty, as well as the other services offered throughout this academic year. Please, do not hesitate to contact us regarding any information that would be of interest to you. I am con- fident that we will be able to build a mutually beneficial collaboration that serves both your needs and the ne- eds of your institution as well as those of the UCLM. Best wishes, Miguel Ángel Collado Yurrita, Rector, University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) Index UCLM, University of Castilla-La Mancha 6 Student body 10 Official academics 12 Lifelong learning 18 Internationalization 20 Research 24 University life 26 Facilities and heritage 28 University of UCLM Castilla-La Mancha Founded in 1985, the University of Castilla-La Mancha is spread out over four main campuses within four provinces of the autonomous region 40 36 of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain): Albacete, Ciudad schools departments Real, Cuenca and Toledo. In addition, there are two other university centres located in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo) and Almadén (Ciudad Real). Since its foundation as a public institution for higher education interest for public and private industry. Furthermore, each year these and research, our University now offers 44 Bachelor ’s degree companies offer internships and traineeship programs for students. programs and 39 official Master ’s degree programs, all of which Currently, there are more than 4,000 internships offered. are in accordance with the standards of the European Higher Internationally, the University maintains an affiliation with nu- Education Area. In addition, UCLM offers a wide selection of post- merous academic centers throughout Europe, and also with graduate courses and doctorate programs. several higher education institutions worldwide. This provides many opportunities for teaching and studying in a university There are currently over 25,000 students enrolled in the University community abroad. with a staff of close to 2,400 professors and researchers. In addi- tion, there are nearly 1,100 administrators and service personnel. The geographical location of UCLM has enabled the university to become a pioneer in the incorporation of new technologies. In addition to teaching, research constitutes another fundamen- In addition, the UCLM’s commitment to excellence can be seen tal pillar of UCLM, with over 275 groups dedicated to research. through its outstanding reputation as one of the best universities UCLM currently collaborates with more than a thousand regional, in Spain. It ranks among the top fifteen Spanish universities in national, and multinational companies. This joint collaboration is enrolment, R&D+i funding, and human resources and materials, based primarily on the development of research projects that are of having low dropout rate, and more library space for students. 5 key factors of UCLM international unique and modern and presence specialized innovative studies approach high quality researchers student-centered and teachers 7 4 2 campuses university centres Toledo A city with one of the richest history in Spain. Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together in harmony here for centuries, leaving their indelible mark on Toledo’s streets, monuments and buildings. Its old town was declared a World Heritage in 1986. This center sits majestically above the Tagus River and now, represents one of the most visited sites in all Spain. UCLM has firmed up its presence in Toledo at two different cam- puses: the Faculties settled in the city’s historical quarter and in the old Weapons Factory of Toledo and in Talavera de la Reina, another important city in the city network of the region. Ciudad Real Founded by King Alfonso X in the 13th century, Ciudad Real has consolidated itself as one of the most important cities in La Mancha, the land of don Quixote. It is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes included in the National Parks list. The Ciudad Real Campus is located in the center of the city and is home to the Rectorate of the University. About 100 kilometers away from Ciudad Real, in Almadén, stands the Polytechnic School. It is the result of and also the tribute to the city’s mining tradition, a mining district which in- cludes the world’s largest mercury mine, exploited in a practical- ly continuous way since Romans times. Almadén was declared a World Heritage site in 2012. University of UCLM Castilla-La Mancha Cuenca A city which touches all your senses. In 1996 Cuenca was de- clared by UNESCO a World Heritage City, for its wonderful pres- ervation of the original urban setting with its medieval fortress, its rich civil and religious architecture dating from the 12th to the 18th Centuries and for the exceptional way the city is embraced by its beautiful natural surroundings. Cuenca is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, where history, art, culture, urban and natural landscapes can all be found in one place. The campus of Cuenca is situated in the outskirts of the city with a complex of buildings which preserves all historical and artistic tra- dition determined by the location of a large part of its facilities in a World Heritage City mixed with the most advanced technologies. Madrid Talavera de la Reina Almadén Albacete Located in the historic land of La Mancha and it is the largest city in the region. The Albacete campus can be described as a vast area covering public places and green zones, closely tied to the city’s urban development and its consolidation in trade and in- dustry. At the Albacete campus, all matters referring to university research and technology-transfer projects are coordinated. Student body UCLM provides informational services, personali- zed attention to students with disabilities, and also manages grants and scholarships which give stu- dents the possibility of participating in work place- ment programs in various companies The students at UCLM Centre for Information and the The underlying aim of UCLM is to provide information and help to Promotion of Employment (CIPE) its students starting from the pre-enrolment process and throug- The mission of the Centre for Information and the Promotion of hout their course studies at UCLM. In addition, we continue to Employment (CIPE) is to: provide assistance to the students during their employment sear- • Facilitate our graduates’ professional development. ching process once they’ve graduated, so that they are able to • Help to improve employment prospects by providing career find employment related to their field of study. counselling and training. In order to achieve this, there are a series of services built into the • Setting up initiatives focused on bringing companies and students University’s structure through which UCLM develops and coordi- together. nates its activities and programs. Most notably are the following: • Following the professional development of our graduates. Services for Students with Disabilities, the Centre for Information and the Promotion of Employment, the University Counselling Students’ work placements Service, the Sports Services… Placements in companies or schools are a great opportunity for students to get to know the professional world better through first- Amongst the programs in place, the most representative of these hand experience. This part of the academic program provides are services such as: the information provided to teaching pro- students the opportunity to receive real life training in order to fessionals as well as management of the University’s teaching better prepare them for the world of work that awaits them. In this Centers; the coordination and management of UCLM admis- way, they are better able to witness the newest developments in sions examinations; the channeling and processing of grants and their particular field of interest and see first-hand the inner wor- scholarships awarded to students and student associations and kings of a company. Quite often newly graduated students have unions; internship programs; and finally, the management of stu- difficulty finding gainful employment due to a lack of practical dent placements in other Spanish universities or institutions. knowledge and experience. The placement programs we offer serve to help those students acquiring the needed skills in order University Counselling Service (SAP) to cross the bridge from being University students to successful This free and confidential service is designed to attend to the employees in the labor world. psychological needs of students and staff in relation to problems that may arise from adjustment, emotional difficulties, behavioural Accommodation issues, study-related stress, etc. There are residency halls available that are either private of fund- ed by the regional and local governments. In addition, there is a Service for Students with Disabilities (SAED) variety of rented accommodation. UCLM has an agreement with This service is designed to help students who have a disability or me- the Ministry of Works and Housing to help students find private dical condition that may have an impact on their academic studies.