Spain is the number one country for Erasmus exchange students, and Valencia University is Europe’s most desired university…
Valencia has become a favourite among European students participating in the Erasmus exchange programme, according to European Commission data. The University hosted 2,401 foreign students in the 2019-2020 academic year, ranking first in Europe. Not only that, but the Polytechnic of Valencia, Valencia’s second university, was the fourth most visited university in the whole of Europe.
Valencia has clearly become a popular destination for international students.
So why do students choose Valencia?
Clearly, it is not just to learn. Valencia University does not even rank among the top 400 universities in the world, and the Polytechnic of Valencia barely ranks among the top 300. It is safe to say that the majority of European students come to our city for the unique way of life. The weather is pleasant all year, and the nightlife – outside of restrictions – is also appealing. When you factor in the low prices for not only the courses, but also for accommodation, transportation, and food, it’s easy to see why Valencia is so popular.
Since its inception in 1987, the Erasmus Exchange programme has become something of a miracle, moving around five million students each year across 4,000 universities and 31 countries.
The programme was designed to foster cultural, social, and academic exchanges among European students, as well as to serve as a unifying force in the old continent. And this concept was a complete success. The program’s total budget has grown from modest beginnings to €26bn in 2021, which is more than the total educational budget of many of its members.
Spain has become one of the most active countries in the programme, with the most students from all over Europe. Erasmus enabled 58,830 foreign students to spend a full semester in Spain in 2019. However, it is not a one-way street; Spaniards enjoy studying abroad as well, with 44,000 Spanish students travelling abroad in the same year.
© Valencia University: Europe’s Most Wanted – TheValencian
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