The University of Alicante (Valencian: Universitat d'Alacant; Spanish: Universidad de Alicante), also known by the acronym UA, was established in 1979 on the basis of the Center for University Studies (CEU), which was founded in 1968. The University main campus is located in Sant Vicent del Raspeig, bordering the city of Alicante to the north. It's a modern campus of one square kilometer. As of 2010/11 academic year, there are approximately 33,000 students studying there. It's the University with a greater proportional growth of students in Spain.
The University inherits the legacy of the University of Orihuela that was established by Papal Bull in 1545 and remained open for two centuries (1610-1808). The province of Alicante, therefore, has an important University tradition whose heritage wealth gives good account the current school of Santo Domingo, building of the former University of Orihuela, recovered today, thanks to the agreement between the Diocese and the University.
The University of Alicante, after more than thirty years of existence, introduces a very important potential for the social-economic development of which is the fourth province in total GDP of Spain. This centre offers more than fifty degrees, and includes more than seventy departments and research groups in areas of social sciences and law, experimental, technology, humanities, education and health sciences, and five University research institutes.
