History
Although there had been a Studium Generale approved by King Sancho IV in Alcalá since 1293, the University of Alcalá was founded in 1499 as a completely new educational project by Cardinal Cisneros, the Regent of Spain.
Education
Our vision is to be a leading university in the international context, committed to society, inclusive and open to the world, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the training of citizens by means of quality teaching, excellence in research and the promotion of ethical and socially responsible attitudes.
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
621 -83
2024
538 -27
2023
511
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
701 200
2023
901 -100
2022
801
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
801
2024
801
2023
801
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
865 -21
2023
844
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
At the University of Alcalá you will find a whole range of services and activities so that your stay is enriching and beneficial.
Housing services
San Ildefonso Residence is located in the historic and artistic centre of Alcalá de Henares, in the Patio de Filósofos in the old University building, and provides hotel and residential accommodation for conferences, courses, tribunals, visiting lecturers, etc.
Places: it has 39 bedrooms, of which 12 are double, 26 are single and there is 1 suite.
Library services
The University of Alcalá has 14 libraries on its three campuses, with extensive opening hours throughout the academic year. Students can also order books from other Spanish university libraries using the loan service.
ICT services
Students on international mobility programmes have free access to the computer rooms located in the various faculties. Students have free access to classrooms, and can use the e-mail service and free Internet access. The University of Alcalá has wi-fi in all its buildings.
Medical services
The University of Alcalá Disabled Policies Integration and Coordination Unit provides specialised support and advice services for the full inclusion of differently labelled people in university life.
Campus life
This campus is located in the centre of the city of Alcalá de Henares. In its restored buildings dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are the Faculties of Arts and Humanities; Law; Economics, Business and Tourism and the School of Architecture, as well as the University President's Office, the Learning and Research Resource Centre (CRAI), the Postgraduate School and the Doctoral School.
Sports facilities
To make sure our students keep fit, the University of Alcalá offers them its sports facilities on campus and in the city centre. You can get involved in various sports, such as archery, badminton, fencing, rugby, diving, horse riding and mountain climbing, among many other possibilities.