Rey Juan Carlos University
All Around Your University
Rey Juan Carlos University Guide
King Juan Carlos University (URJC ) is a large campus university based in Madrid. It is named after the king who helped Spain transition to democracy after the death of Franco. URJC educates nearly 40,000 students annually. Only founded in 1996, the university has grown swiftly, with campuses in 4 of Madrid’s satellite towns – Alcorcón, Aranjuez, Fuenlabrada, and Móstoles – as well as the main campus at Vicálvaro and 2 smaller centres in Salamanca and Argüelles in the city.
- Number of Faculties: 5
- Numbers of students: 43298
- Languages Taught: Spanish and English
- Courses: Undergraduates degrees, Postgraduate degrees and PhD programme
What students like the most
URJC is a relatively young university, but it has grown swiftly and has some fantastic facilities, including sports fields on most campuses, gyms, indoor sport facilities, and even a 3000-seater athletics stadium. Although the Vicálvaro campus is towards the outer edges of the city, it isn’t actually that far from the centre, and has Metro connections on Line 9, as well as a cercanías (train) station which can take you to Sol in under 30 minutes. From there, it is an easy walk to the best nightlife and shopping in the city. Even the campuses outside of Madrid proper are easy to reach on the Metro system or cercanías. The Chocolate Palmiers at the cafeteria in Alcorcon! We shall say no more. There are lots of green areas in each campus where students relax and chat under the trees in the shade – and with nearly 40,000 students from 102 countries, there are a lot of people to get to know.
What students don´t like
The campus is a little far from the city centre (you will need a Metro pass), the campuses are far away from each other and the library could be improved.
What we like the most
- El Mundo ranks URJC 16th overall out of 50 universities in Spain, 1st in Physiotherapy, and top 5 for Advertising & P.R., Environmental Science, Occupational Therapy, and Tourism. (2015 / 2016) The choice: 16 departments in 6 faculties, offering over 40 undergraduate and 38 postgraduate programmes, plus 33 doctoral programmes. Students can access a language school where the following languages are taught: English, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish. A special program for ‘seniors’ is taught, with 3-year courses (plus 2 optional postgraduate years) aimed at people aged 55-and-older who wish to return to studies.
Things to keep in mind
- As URJC offers limited courses in English, you will have a better experience if you are willing to study in Spanish; you must demonstrate Spanish competency, even to study in English; and because URJC is a multiple-campus university, visiting some facilities involves travel. (However, all campuses are accessible by Metro or cercanía.)
Facilities & Activities
- Sports Facilities: Gyms; indoor and outdoor sports fields; a 3000-seater athletics stadium; university basketball, handball, football, rugby, and volleyball teams; and multiple sports-related clubs, included diving and mountaineering. Library: At each campus. Mon–Fri: 09:00–20:30 Arts & Culture: Theatre workshops, the University Choir, and music workshops are available to all students. The University also has a Student Symphony Orchestra. Banking and ATMs: As a city university these services are not supplied by URJC, but there are several options within a 2-minute walk of the Vicálvaro campus.