UNIVERSITY OF LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA Las Palmas Spain V19/07/17 13:10 Exchanges Portfolio
KEY FACTS Subject Area Tourism & Languages Language Courses are taught mainly in Spanish. Some courses are also taught in English. The University recommends exchange students to have at least a B1 level of Spanish. Academic Calendar Semester 1 Early September to Late January Semester 2 Late January to Early June Module Catalogue Have a look through the module catalogue for modules available to exchange students. Fiancial Support As a UK Erasmus student, you are entitled to receive an Erasmus Grant for your time away at a participating Erasmus institution.
CONTENT 4 The City 5 The University 7 Accomodation & Living 8 Contacts 9 Student Experiences
LAS PALMAS, SPAIN Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded in 1476 by the Castilian conquerors and conserves part of its historical old town,dating back to the fifteenth century (the districts of Vegueta and Triana). It was the first city that the Kingdom of Castile founded in the Atlantic and its architecture was a precursor for that of the colonies in Latin America. The city of Las Palmas has three excellent city beaches, of which Las Canteras is perhaps the most popular, dynamic cultural activities and nightlife, with noteworthy fiestas such as Carnival, Womad and the Music and Film Festivals of the Canary Islands. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria enjoys average temperatures of 17ºC during the winter and 25ºC in summer, thanks to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and the influence of the Trade Winds. The Trade Winds bring cool, humid air from Northern Europe, forming clouds that filter the sun s rays. The marine current of cold Gulf water regulates the fluctuations in temperature, keeping them mild. The resulting climate, according to the Climatology Department of the University of Syracuse (USA) is the best in the world. Crowning an island of tall cliffs to the north and extensive beaches to the south, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city which offers sun, sea and an exceptional historic legacy. The combination of the aboriginal Guanche culture, its colonial past, and the fact that it is only 90 miles from the coast of Africa create a distinctive character resulting from the mix of Europe, America and Africa. 4 MORE INFO lonelyplanet.com grancanaria.com spain.info Population 377,000 Currency Euro Time difference GMT+1
UNIVERSITY OF LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria The ULPGC, established in 1989, has more than 25,000 students and 1,500 lecturers. It has modern facilities and equipment, with Wi-Fi area in all its centres, and shuttle service intracampus. It also manages a nature reserve, Tafira Campus Ecological Reserve. The ULPGC was evaluated in 2005 by the European University Association (EUA) indicating that advances in ULPGC are amazing noting as strengths: infrastructure, highly qualified teaching staff and IT development. In 2007, the ULPGC won the Quality Award for Public Service and Special Mention for Best Management Practices, both from the Government of the Canary Islands. In 2010, the ULPGC was evaluated by an International Comittee and earned the qualification of Campus of International Excellence, from the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. Research activities reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of our 36 Departments: 12 in engineering and architecture, 11 in science and health sciences, 6 in social and legal sciences and 7 in art and humanities. 5 english.ulpgc.es Guide for International Students University Videos
Erasmus code E LAS-PAL01 No of students 25,000 Style of study The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is fully adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This represents a change in methodology and contents, in line with social needs, in order to respond to the training needs required by the labour market. Grade system The Spanish grading system is a decimal system ranging between 0 and 10. These grades will be given in grade lists together with a non-numerical grade. In order to pass a subject, a grade equal to or higher than 5 is required. Spanish Grade ECTS Grade Descriptor 9-10 A Excellent 7-8.9 B Outstanding 5-6.9 C, D and E Pass 0-4.9 F Fail Application Times Please note that you have to apply to the exchange programme in your current year by 20 December. Applications for the host university must be submitted between April and May or September and October (depending on the Trimester), in the year following your initial application. Going abroad in Trimester 1 Going abroad in Trimester 2 Initial Application Form Host University s Form Initial Application Form Host University s Form 20 December (current year) April May (following year) 20 December (current year) September October (following year) 6
ACCOMODATION & LIVING Living Costs The average cost of living for students in Las Palmas is around 600-800 per month. However, the actual costs will vary depending on your lifestyle. Rent for one month 200 350 Food 150-250/per month Average restaurant menu 8-10 Coffee (regular) 1.20-1.40 A cinema ticket 5.50-7.70 Monthly ticket public transport 42 More on Cost of Living in Las Palmas Numbeo.com The University Residences of the ULPGC are just one of the institution s services. They are currently run by the University Accommodation Service (SAU, in Spanish). There are two residences for the University Community, one apartment complex and four bungalows; three of these centres are located on the Tafira Campus and the other one is in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Transport Buses, known as Guaguas (pronounced waa-waa) in the Canaries, are the only means of public transport on Gran Canaria and are operated by two companies; one offering city transport in and around Las Palmas and the other offering routes connecting the rest of the Island. Global SU offer a comprehensive, if not always frequent, service with a large number of routes throughout Gran Canaria, including services connecting the Airport with both Las Palmas and Maspalomas. Guaguas Municipales S.A. is the Bus Company in Las Palmas and offer frequent services throughout the city. Students are able to purchase Bono Estudiante card which allows discounted travel for 80 trips in a calendar month. 7
CONTACT FOR INCOMING STUDENTS If you re interested in the programme or you have any queries, please contact the Edinburgh Napier University s Global Mobility team first: studyabroad@napier.ac.uk 0131 455 4574 or 0131 455 3412 napier.ac.uk/exchanges UNIVERSITY OF LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA International Relations Office La Casita del Estudiante Sede Institucional c/ Juan de Quesada, 30 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria relint@ulpgc.es +34 928 457 443 8
STUD ENT EXPERIENCES Experience new culture & lifestyle! Student Feedback Photos from students 9
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