USAL

The Universidad de Salamanca, commonly abbreviated USAL, is a public research university located in Salamanca, Spain. Founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX of León, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest in Spain. The institution has long been a center for higher learning in the Iberian Peninsula and across the Spanish-speaking world.

Historically, USAL developed as a medieval center of study under royal and papal recognition, contributing to the advancement of law, theology, humanities, and the sciences. During the early modern period it played a key role in the intellectual life of Spain and attracted students from across Europe and the Americas. Over the centuries it has hosted notable scholars and teachers and contributed to the spread of Spanish-language scholarship and education.

In the contemporary era, USAL operates from its main campus in Salamanca and maintains multiple faculties, including arts and humanities, sciences, health sciences, engineering, social sciences, and education. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and participates in international exchange programs such as Erasmus+. The university supports extensive libraries, research centers, and cultural institutions that collaborate with national and international partners to advance teaching and research.

The university is closely tied to the city’s historic identity, with its historic buildings, collegiate houses, and teaching spaces forming part of the cultural heritage of Salamanca. As a modern public university, USAL continues to engage in research, international collaboration, and higher education in Spain and beyond.