SPAINUniversity of the Basque Country

Campus of Biscay (Leioa-Bilbao) & Campus of Gipuzkoa (San Sebastian)

The University of the Basque Country is composed of three campuses, but only two are involved in the TASSEP program.

The Campus of Biscay (main campus) is located in the town of Leioa, 14 km far from the city of Bilbao, the biggest city of the Basque Country. Bilbao (almost 400,000 inhabitants) is a modern city, full of cultural and sport activities all around the year. The Campus of Biscay receives more than 15,000 students everyday and the connection with Bilbao and surrounding towns is served by several bus lines. The biggest Center at the Campus of Biscay is the Faculty of Science and Technology with more than 2,500 students. The Faculty of Science and Technology offers 9 degree programs (Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electronical Engineering, Geology, Mathematics and Physics) and 1 double degree in Electronical Engineering and Physics. Lessons are taught in Spanish and Basque, and a growing offer of courses in full English. In addition, several of the courses taught in Spanish have been recently accredited as English Friendly Courses, where professors can attend incoming students in English and the students can complete exercises and exams in English. Furthermore, the Faculty of Science and Technology has a buddy programme and all incoming students are assigned to a native buddy during her/his stay in Bilbao. The Campus of Biscay offers free Spanish and Basque language lessons for incoming students, assistance with accommodation procedures (Help Centers), Main Library services and psychological assistance services. The Office for International Relations is located in the Campus of Biscay.

The Campus of Gipuzkoa with 10,000 students is located in San Sebastian (population 240,000), which is about 12 miles from the French border at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in the province of Gipuzkoa. Its spectacular bay on the Atlantic Ocean has made San Sebastian a tourist attraction hundreds of years. The campus of the University lies within walking distance (about 30 minutes) of the medieval quarter of the city, which serves as the entertainment center - filled with restaurants, tapas bars, etc. Although in the Basque country where native Basque people speak Basque, everyone in San Sebastian speaks Spanish, and the university courses are given in Spanish. The university has departments in Architecture, Economy, Teaching, Law, Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Nursing, Polytechnic and Chemistry. The chemistry department has particular strength in applied and polymer chemistry. Students get lots of individual attention.