CHARM-EU institutions

University of Barcelona:

The University of Barcelona is one of the top universities in Spain and Europe, consistently ranked among the best for its research output and academic excellence. It is particularly renowned for its strengths in fields such as medicine, biology, and social sciences. Notably, UB has produced several Nobel laureates and influential thinkers, including famous alumni like Severo Ochoa, a Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine.

The University of Barcelona is located in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, known for its stunning architecture, Mediterranean climate, and rich cultural heritage. Barcelona boasts an average of 300 sunny days a year, making it a great place for students to enjoy outdoor activities and explore the city.

Barcelona is home to the world’s most famous unfinished building—Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família. Construction of this iconic basilica began in 1882 and is still ongoing, with completion expected in the 2020s, over 140 years later! This masterpiece of modernist architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts millions of visitors every year.

University of Barcelona campus:

Fun Fact: The University of Barcelona’s historic Raval Campus is home to a unique, 19th-century building known as the Historical Building (Edificio Histórico). It was originally a royal convent and is now a stunning architectural landmark where students can enjoy a beautiful blend of history and modern academic life. The campus itself is located in one of Barcelona’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, just steps away from cultural gems like the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Boqueria Market.

Eötvös Loránd University – ELTE:

ELTE is the oldest and the largest university in Hungary, it was founded in 1635. The first Special Education Teacher Training Course in the world and Europe’s first Teacher Training School was founded by ELTE. 54 modern and 17 dead languages are taught at the courses of the university. About 4600 international students’ study at ELTE from more than 120 countries.

Famous former ELTE students who were awarded Nobel-Prize: Fülöp Lénárd (Physics), Albert Szent-Györgyi (Physiology and Medicine), György Hevesy (Chemistry), György Békésy (Physiology and Medicine), János Harsányi (Economic Sciences).

University of Montpellier:

The University of Montpellier, established in 1289, is among the oldest in the world. Its Faculty of Medicine, founded in the 12th century, is the oldest medical school in the Western world still in operation.

Notable figures associated with the university include:
    -Michel de Nostredame (Nostradamus) (1503–1566): A French physician and astrologer, best known for his book Les Prophéties, a collection of poetic quatrains often interpreted as predictions of future events.
    -François Rabelais (c. 1494–1553): A Renaissance writer, physician, and humanist, famous for his satirical work Gargantua and Pantagruel, which blends humour, social critique, and scholarly wit.

Trinity College Dublin:

Fun fact about Trinity College Dublin, established in 1592 it is the oldest university in Ireland. The iconic campanile was built in 1853 and students do not pass underneath it due to the superstition that if the bell rings while you walk underneath you will fail all of your exams!

Famous alumni from Trinity include Samuel Becket, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, as well as modern-day stars Hozier, Paul Mescal, and Sally Rooney.

Utrecht University:

Famous scholars connected to Utrecht include meteorologist Buys Ballot, ophthalmologist F.C. Donders and philosopher René Descartes. One of the most famous ‘inhabitants’ of Utrecht is Miffy.
With around 110 nationalities working and studying closely together, students at UU learn to operate in an international environment.
Utrecht University was founded in 1636 and is located in the heart of the Netherlands. The city’s central location makes it an ideal base for visiting other cities: Amsterdam is only a 20 minute train-ride away, and it’s just 40 minutes to Rotterdam or The Hague.
Utrecht is believed to be the oldest city in the Netherlands, dating back to the Roman era.
Utrecht is a real cycling city, with 94% of residents owning one or more bicycles. You can easily cycle between Utrecht University’s two campuses, or make your way around the city via Utrecht’s many bike-paths.
Utrecht’s unique two-story canals (with terraces along the water’s edge) make the old inner city a picturesque place to be.

Åbo Akademi University:

Åbo Akademi University, with campuses located in the charming cities of Åbo (in Swedish and Turku (in Finnish) and Vasa, Finland, offers a unique and intimate university experience. It is a small, Swedish-speaking university, and provides a close-knit, family-like atmosphere where students can engage in a wide range of courses, many of which are taught in English.

The university is known for its strong student culture, with lively events and traditions that set it apart – offering a distinctly Nordic university experience that is rare to find outside the region. With its combination of personal connections, a strong sense of community, and rich cultural happenings, close to the stunning archipelago, Åbo Akademi University is an appealing choice for those seeking a vibrant yet welcoming academic environment.

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg:

Würzburg is the sunny side of Bavaria. The city lies in a valley surrounded by vineyards that are perfect for leisurely walks. Winemaking is an important cultural asset in the region. The University of Würzburg (JMU) even owns its own winery. In summer, it’s particularly popular among students to float down the River Main on an inflatable tube with a glass of wine in hand.

Two of Würzburg’s most famous figures include Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who discovered X-rays and received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901, and Dirk Nowitzki, a renowned basketball player.

Hochschule Ruhr West:

Hochschule Ruhr West (HRW) is one of the three youngest public universities in Germany. It was founded in 2009 and moved into brand new campus buildings in 2016. As a University of Applied Sciences, it focusses on connecting science and research to real life topics and the industry. With around 6.000 students, the atmosphere on campus is friendly and relaxed, and the connections between students and staff are close. The vibrant metropolitan Ruhr Region has “a heartbeat of steel” (Quote from songwriter Herbert Grönemeyer about the industrial roots of this area). It has a hands-on mentality and is proud of its soccer teams in the premier league.

University of Bergen:

University of Bergen is the second oldest university in Norway and has 20 000 students. It has a city campus, and some faculties have locations in beautiful, majestic town houses. Former student Jon Fosse received the Nobel Prize in literature in 2023. University of Bergen is a comprehensive university, with approximately 450 courses in English.

Bergen is a city between seven mountains and has fantastic hiking and outdoor opportunities all year round. Because Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe (200 rainy days a year), we have the saying: “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. And once the sun comes out, everybody runs outside!

“My student mobility gave me invaluable experience in both social and academic purposes. My sole option was to try speaking as much french as possible, hence my language improved drastically during my exchange period.”