Universidad de Almería

• Location: Almeria, Spain,
• Academic activities began: 1993,
• Number of students: No more than 14 thousand,
• Type of institution: Public university,
• Programs: Bachelor's and master's programs in Spanish,
• Institution: The University of Almeria (Universidad de Almería),
• Abbreviation: UAL,
• Campus: Single campus with the university's main building.

The last years of active teaching and research activities of UAL have made him one of the leading universities in Spain. In recent years, he has not left the list of TOP-50 universities in the country. Abroad, its quality of education is also valued, so it is included in 5% of the best educational centers on the planet.

UAL uses Blackboard Learn for distance education. The Language Center offers in-person and online courses in the morning and evening, provides individual advising, and monitors student progress.

In the preparation course for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language, participants complete practical assignments, discuss them, and work together to solve problems. Classes take the form of workshops combining full-group, pair, and small-group work.

OTRI supports the creation and development of university companies. It helps protect research results, including patents, trademarks, and industrial property, and manages collaborative research projects between the university and companies.

OTRI advises on research contracts and services provided to other organizations.

The university has a cultural and sports life.

• Volunteer programs offer several ways to participate and opportunities to work with partner organizations,
• The Language Center holds an in-person multilingual book club for language practice and cultural exchange, with three meetings for each book.

• The Language Center administers official examinations in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German,
• The Language Center issues an official certificate linked to Universidad de Almería,
• The 25th introductory preparation course for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language was recognized by Instituto Cervantes.

The University of Almeria, as an average university, holds no more than 14 thousand students. The academic staff includes about 900 specialists. Students and educators can participate in exchanges between universities.

UAL has at its disposal many buildings, including educational buildings, sports facilities and its own library with a large number of copies. The University of Almeria is a member of the European University Association.

Its facilities include:

• Classrooms and buildings for economics, medicine, engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and law,
• A soccer field, a swimming pool, two sports halls, and athletic courts,
• A student house, university dining hall, childcare center, teaching hospital, and natural history and neuroscience pavilions,
• North and south bus stops and six parking lots.

Classes and examinations are scheduled as follows:

• For undergraduate programs, first-semester classes run from September through December, with main examinations in January and additional examinations in February. Second-semester classes run from February through May, followed by main examinations in June and additional sessions in June and July,
• For master's programs, first-semester classes run from October through January, with main examinations in January and February and additional examinations in February. Second-semester classes run from February through May, followed by main examinations in June and additional sessions in June and July.

The admissions committee decides on the enrollment of the applicant based on the results of the examinations.

The course for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language (ELE) is intended for university graduates, teachers of Spanish as a second or foreign language, teachers of other foreign languages, and volunteers with nongovernmental organizations. It is also intended for undergraduates in their final years and philology graduates who want to specialize in teaching ELE.

• A university degree is recommended for participants,
• The course is designed for participants with no previous preparation in language teaching or fewer than 200 hours, particularly in ELE,
• It is intended for participants with no experience teaching ELE or fewer than 1,500 hours of ELE teaching experience,
• Participants whose native language is not Spanish must demonstrate C1 Spanish proficiency through DELE or SIELE.

• UAL offers tuition and accommodation assistance, merit scholarships, and support for language certification, sports, academic mobility, internships, entrepreneurship, and researcher preparation,
• Each year, the university awards refugees and asylum seekers grants for undergraduate, master's, or doctoral education, provided they successfully complete at least 60% of the course load each semester,
• Instead of a place in a residence, a grant recipient may choose financial support for living in Almería for up to 10 months,
• The refugee grant for Spanish-language courses provides funding for up to 120 teaching hours, materials, and the registration fee for an official certification examination. The grant requires attendance of at least 80% of classes.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision