About the university

The University of Navarra is a private Catholic research university founded in 1952 in Pamplona by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes in medicine and health sciences, engineering, economics and business, law, communication, architecture, humanities and social sciences, with campuses in Pamplona, San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich and New York. The university is known for its strong research centres, including the Clínica Universidad de Navarra hospital and the CIMA biomedical research centre, and for its international outlook and personalised education. It consistently ranks among the top private universities in Spain and is recognised globally in fields such as business, medicine and communication.

Key information

• Location: Pamplona, ES
• Ranking #3
• QS #120
• THE #251
• US News #385
• National ranking #5
• Institution type: private

Popular faculties

• School Of Medicine
• School Of Economics And Business
• School Of Engineering (Tecnun)
• School Of Law
• School Of Communication
• School Of Architecture
• School Of Humanities And Social Sciences
• IESE Business School

Programs (29)

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Law
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Philosophy
• History
• Linguistics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Education
• Fine Arts
• Music

Student body

• Total students: 13,500
• Undergraduate: 9,800
• Graduate: 4,300
• International students: 31%

Campus life

Campus life at the University of Navarra centres on the green Pamplona campus and the urban sites in San Sebastián and Madrid, where students move between faculties, research centres, chapels, sports facilities and cafés. The university community is very international and offers numerous cultural activities, conferences, entrepreneurship events and volunteering and social outreach programmes in Spain and abroad. Its Catholic identity is reflected in chaplaincy activities and initiatives that integrate faith, culture and professional life. Student services provide academic advising, psychological support, language courses and career guidance, helping students to grow personally, spiritually and professionally.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €400 - €900 / per month

Housing options

• On‑campus and affiliated colleges and residences in Pamplona and San Sebastián
• Private shared apartments near campus
• Homestays with local families
• Student halls in Madrid and Barcelona for specific programmes
• Small studios in city centres
• Short‑term hostels and guesthouses for exchange students

Student clubs and organizations

• Student government and faculty councils
• Academic and research societies
• Cultural and language exchange groups
• Entrepreneurship and innovation clubs
• Social outreach and volunteering groups
• Arts
• music and theatre associations
• Sports and outdoor activity clubs

Sports

• Football
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Athletics
• Rugby
• Padel And Tennis
• Swimming
• Fitness and group training teams

Career & internships

Employment rate: 95%

Partner companies

• Clínica Universidad De Navarra
• CIMA Research Center Partners
• IESE Corporate Partners (McKinsey & Company
• Boston Consulting Group
• Bain & Company
• Goldman Sachs
• J.P. Morgan
• Amazon
• Google)
• Santander
• BBVA
• Telefónica
• Inditex
• Iberdrola
• Local and international hospitals and schools

Internships: The University of Navarra maintains strong ties with hospitals, companies, law firms, media organisations, schools and NGOs in Spain and internationally. Many degree programmes include compulsory or optional internships where students gain supervised professional experience in medicine, engineering, business, law, communication, education and other fields. The Careers Services and faculty placement offices assist students in finding internships, signing agreements and recognizing the experience academically. International placements and summer internships are common, supported by the university’s global network of partners and alumni.

Admission requirements

Required documents

• Online application form
• Passport or national ID
• Official high school diploma or previous degree with transcripts
• University entrance exam results or recognised equivalent where required
• Proof of English and or Spanish proficiency depending on programme
• Curriculum vitae for many degrees
• Motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation where required
• Proof of payment of application fee
• Additional documents requested by the faculty

Minimum GPA: 3

Tuition costs

• €11,000 - €21,000 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 41.00%
• Scholarships available: The University of Navarra offers a broad system of scholarships and financial aid based on academic merit and financial need, including the Alumni Scholarship Programme, Excellence Scholarships and family‑based discounts. Need‑based aid is granted after a detailed financial assessment and can cover a substantial part of tuition for students who meet academic requirements. Additional grants support large families, students from specific regions and those enrolling in priority programmes such as STEM or teaching. Many master’s students receive institutional scholarships or external funding, and international students can request a personalised cost and scholarship study through the university’s portal.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1952
• Teaching languages: english, spanish
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.unav.edu
• mailto:[email protected]
• +34 948 425611