Quick Summary
Based in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela is a public with roots dating back to 1495. Ranked #771-780 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 24500 students including 10.5% from outside Spain. Known for strengths in Agriculture & Forestry, Chemistry, Life Sciences, it maintains an acceptance rate of 50%.
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Institutional Profile
Who they are
USC offers over 500 years of academic history combined with cutting-edge research centers and high affordability in a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Subject Strengths
Agriculture & ForestryChemistryLife SciencesPharmacyLaw
Founded1495
TypePublic
Total Students24500
Intl Students10.5%
Faculty Ratio12.8
CampusUrban
Campus Size130 hectares
Affiliated HospitalsComplexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Lugo (CHULA)
AccreditationANECA (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation)
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Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#771-780
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#801–1000
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#401-500
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctorate, Continuous Training, Professional Certifications
Programs
55
PhD Programs
Available
Online Programs
CiTIUS (Singular Research Centre in Intelligent Technologies), CiQUS (Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials), CIMUS (Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases), IGFAE (High Energy Physics)
Research Centers
Very High
Research Output
ANECA (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation)
Accreditation
04
Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate50%
IELTS6.5
TOEFL80
Min GPANot Available
GRENot Available
GMATNot Available
SATNot Available
ACTNot Available
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · July
SPRINGApplication Deadline · October
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
For undergraduate programs, focus on the EBAU/Selectividad entrance exam scores. For postgraduate research, establish early contact with potential supervisors in research centers like CiQUS or CIMUS.
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Cost Ledger
Amounts in Euro
UG Tuition
€1,100/yr
per year · EUR
Living Cost
€8,800/yr
per year · EUR
PG Tuition
€2,300/yr
per year · EUR
Application Fee
$45
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
€11,140/yr
tuition + living + essentials · EUR
Scholarships AvailableMEC Scholarships, Xunta de Galicia Grants, USC Excellence Awards, Erasmus+
Avg Scholarship$2,800
Financial AidAvailable
Work-StudyAvailable
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Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Undergraduate, Master's, Doctorate, Continuous Training, Professional Certifications programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Pharmacy | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| Biotechnology | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Law | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| Mathematics | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Physics | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
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Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$32,000
Average Salary After Graduation
78.5%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementYes
Industry Connections
InditexPharmaMarFinsaTelevésHealth Service of Galicia (SERGAS)
Notable Alumni
Mariano Rajoy (Former PM of Spain), Camilo José Cela (Nobel Laureate), Manuel Fraga Iribarne
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Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
On-campus available
Sports Facilities
Athletics tracks, indoor pools, football pitches, multi-sport pavilions
Student Clubs
Over 60 registered associations including theater, debate, and music groups
Library Resources
University Library (BUSC) with 15 branch libraries and over 1 million volumes
Exchange Programs
Erasmus+, ISEP, Stella, bilateral agreements with Latin American universities
Summer Programs
Available