Although its origins date back to the thirteenth century, the University of Murcia as we know it was founded in 1915, which makes it the tenth oldest university in Spain.
As the University of Murcia approaches its centenary it is complementing its history and tradition with the latest installations. Its complete approach to education involves the students and commits them to their social environment.
The majority of the University's facilities and buildings are spread over two campuses: the older is La Merced, situated in the town centre, and the larger is Espinardo, just 5 km to the north of Murcia. A third campus for Medical and Health Studies is currently being built next to the suburban area known as Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca, 5 km south of the city.
The University of Murcia is an institution devoted to providing higher education to the public. Among its main objectives are the creation, development and research into science, technology and culture through study and research and the transmission of such knowledge through education.
Accordingly, our University enjoys modern facilities located in the different University Faculties and Colleges and the Experimental Science Support Service (SACE). This is located in Espinardo, next to the Faculties of Biology, Medicine, Chemistry and Veterinary Science, and includes services such as laboratory animals, scientific calculations, cultivation of tissues, agricultural and forestry experiments, radio protection and waste, scientific equipment, microscopy, image analysis, and psychology equipment, as well as research support laboratories.
The University also boasts two extensive libraries with over half a million books and some 10,000 scientific journals that can be consulted in any of the 3,000 reading areas. The Antonio de Nebrija Library is located on La Merced campus. In addition, the Main Library in Espinardo houses a European Documentation Centre.
Sport is also very important to the University of Murcia and it enjoys a great number of facilities. These are mainly in Espinardo although some are in the city centre. These include for example: sports halls, football and rugby pitches, seven-a-side football pitches, aerobic and weight rooms, a gymnasium, tennis and squash courts, a pelota court, training areas, a climbing wall and an indoor swimming pool. The Sports Activities Service promotes and organises sport at all levels and for all the groups making up the university community.