Study in Spain at UCAM – Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia
Spain is becoming one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to study dentistry, psychology, or veterinary science in English. Located in the vibrant region of Murcia, UCAM – Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia offers a unique opportunity to earn a European degree while enjoying Mediterranean culture, affordable living, and modern academic support.
With over 10,000 international students and a reputation for strong clinical training, UCAM provides English-taught programmes that combine academic theory with hands-on practice. Whether you're passionate about becoming a dentist, psychologist or vet, UCAM offers a welcoming, multicultural environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.
About Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia
UCAM is one of Spain’s leading private universities. Founded in 1996, it has quickly become known for its health sciences, sports science, and psychology programmes — attracting students from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.
The university has two main campuses:
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Murcia – the central campus with state-of-the-art health sciences facilities
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Cartagena – home to UCAM’s dedicated dental faculty
UCAM combines strong academic standards with Christian values, a community spirit, and a personal approach to education.
Accreditations and Recognitions
UCAM is a fully accredited private university, officially recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education. All degrees are issued according to the regulations of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), also known as the Bologna Process, which means that your qualification will be valid across the European Union. The university is a recognised member of ENQA (the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education) and is committed to high academic standards, regular programme reviews, and international best practices in teaching.
Specific programmes carry their own additional recognition. For example, the Business Administration degree is accredited by ACCA, the global body for professional accountants. Health sciences degrees follow EU training guidelines, and UCAM is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, which is essential for graduates applying for international licensing or postgraduate training.
University Ranking
While UCAM is a relatively young university, it has quickly gained international visibility. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UCAM is placed in the #1201–1400 global bracket, which reflects a growing academic reputation. Within the QS Europe Rankings, UCAM has earned a spot in the #551–600 tier, showing particular strength in internationalisation and student support.
UCAM also appears in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings in the #1201–1500 band, placing it among thousands of institutions reviewed globally. Its Psychology programme is ranked particularly high in U-Multirank, placing within the Top 50 psychology faculties in Europe, thanks to its strong research output, practical curriculum, and career-oriented approach.
Additionally, UCAM has received 5 QS Stars in categories such as Teaching Quality, Internationalisation, and Inclusivity, reinforcing its commitment to student-centred learning and diversity.
Degrees Offered at UCAM
UCAM offers several high-demand programmes for international students, fully or partially taught in English. These include:
Study Dentistry in Spain (5 years)
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Campus: Murcia or Cartagena
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Language: Fully taught in English
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Tuition Fees: €14,750/year
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Curriculum Highlights:
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Oral Anatomy & Histology
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Dental Biomaterials
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Operative Dentistry
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Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics
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Clinical Practice from Year 2
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Career Prospects:
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Private and public dental practice across the EU
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Postgraduate specialisations in Oral Surgery, Endodontics, and Orthodontics
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Access to GDC registration (UK) without ORE for now
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Study Veterinary Medicine in Spain (5 years)
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Campus: Murcia
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Language: Bilingual (English & Spanish)
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Tuition Fees: €11,300/year (EU students) and €12,990/year (Non-EU students)
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Curriculum Highlights:
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Anatomy & Animal Physiology
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Veterinary Pharmacology & Surgery
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Animal Nutrition & Pathology
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Fieldwork and Clinical Rotations
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Career Prospects:
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Work in private vet clinics or hospitals
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Government or EU regulatory roles
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Animal welfare, research, or wildlife conservation
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Study Psychology in Spain (4 years)
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Campus: Murcia
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Language: Fully taught in English
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Tuition Fees: €7,700/year
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Curriculum Highlights:
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Biological and Cognitive Psychology
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Clinical Psychology
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Educational and Social Psychology
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Research Methods & Internships
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Career Prospects:
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Psychologist in educational or healthcare settings
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Foundation for Master's or PhD in Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, etc.
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EU-recognised qualification (additional registration may be needed in some countries)
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Clinical Training and Facilities
UCAM places a strong emphasis on practical learning, ensuring students gain hands-on experience through state-of-the-art facilities and clinical training.
Dentistry
UCAM’s Dentistry students begin hands-on learning early in their studies. In the first years, they practise in high-tech simulation labs, using dental mannequins and digital training tools. From the third year onwards, students begin seeing real patients in UCAM’s on-campus dental clinic in Murcia and Cartagena, supervised by experienced practitioners. The facilities are modern and designed to meet EU clinical training standards.
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary students train in both lab and field environments. UCAM’s facilities include animal care labs, surgical theatres, diagnostic labs, and partnerships with farms and clinics. From the third year onwards, students rotate through different veterinary specialities and gain real-world clinical experience with small animals, farm animals, and horses. These rotations are often conducted in Spanish, which is why language preparation is integrated into the course.
Psychology
Psychology students benefit from a combination of classroom learning and real-life experience. Practical elements are built into the programme through internships at hospitals, clinics, schools, and research centres. UCAM provides dedicated psychology labs and therapy simulation rooms, allowing students to practise therapeutic techniques, testing methods, and data collection tools in a safe environment before working with clients or patients.
Entry Requirements
To apply to UCAM, students must meet the following criteria:
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Dentistry:
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To apply for Dentistry at UCAM, candidates must have completed secondary school with strong performance in science subjects — especially Biology and Chemistry. Proof of English language proficiency is required (B2 minimum), with IELTS 6.0 or equivalent as a guide. In some cases, applicants may be asked to attend an entrance interview to assess motivation and suitability for the programme.
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Veterinary:
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The Veterinary Medicine programme requires secondary school completion with science-focused subjects — especially biology, chemistry, and physics. A B2 level of English is required for admission into the English-taught portion of the programme. However, since the final years involve clinical rotations in Spanish, students will need to reach a functional level of Spanish by their fourth year. UCAM offers Spanish language support to help with this transition.
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Psychology:
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Applicants for the Psychology programme need to hold a high school diploma and show good academic standing. While specific subjects aren’t mandatory, strong performance in subjects like biology, social sciences, or psychology is an advantage. English proficiency is required (B2 level), and some applicants may be invited to a brief interview as part of the admission process.
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Tuition Fees and Cost of Living
Tuition Fees
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Dentistry (5-Year Program): €14,750 per year
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Veterinary Medicine (5-Year Program): €11,300/year (EU students) and €12,990/year (Non-EU students)
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Psychology (4-Year Program): €7,700 per year
Cost of Living in Murcia and Cartagena
Living in Murcia or Cartagena is relatively affordable for international students. You can expect to pay €300 to €500 per month for private student accommodation or shared apartments. Basic living expenses — including food, transport, mobile phone, and leisure — typically range between €200 and €300 per month. Both cities are compact, safe, and student-friendly, with excellent public transport, cycling paths, and easy access to beaches, shops, and healthcare.
Students should budget between €800 and €1,000 per month to cover accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses. This estimate may vary based on lifestyle choices and accommodation preferences.
Diversity and Cultural Environment
UCAM takes pride in its diverse and inclusive student body. With over 10,000 international students from more than 100 countries, the university actively promotes cultural exchange, respect, and global citizenship. There are international student welcome programmes, English-speaking support teams, and dedicated staff to help with visas, accommodation, and settling into life in Spain. Campus life includes a wide range of events, clubs, and sports activities that make it easy to connect with other students and feel part of the UCAM community.
Places of Worship
Murcia and Cartagena offer a welcoming environment for students of all faiths. UCAM itself has a Catholic foundation and includes chapels and a pastoral care team. In the wider city, there are churches for various Christian denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox), mosques and Islamic centres for Muslim students, synagogues for Jewish students, and several meditation centres and temples for those practising Hinduism or Buddhism. Most worship spaces are accessible by public transport, and many offer multilingual services.
Why Study at Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM)?
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English-taught degrees in high-demand fields — Dentistry and Psychology are fully taught in English; Veterinary Medicine is bilingual with English in early years
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Modern clinical and simulation facilities — including dental clinics, veterinary labs, and psychology training rooms
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Early hands-on experience — students begin clinical and practical training from the early stages of their studies
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EU-recognised qualifications — degrees comply with the Bologna Process and are valid across Europe (and beyond, depending on local regulations)
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Affordable tuition — significantly lower than in the UK or US, with instalment options available
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Safe, student-friendly cities — Murcia and Cartagena offer Mediterranean living with a low cost of living
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Diverse international student community — with over 10,000 international students from 100+ countries
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Support for Spanish language learning — especially important for Veterinary Medicine students in later clinical years
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Excellent rankings in Psychology and Health Sciences — UCAM is ranked in U-Multirank and QS Europe for teaching and internationalisation
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Trusted application support via Desire2Study — one-to-one guidance to help you choose your degree, pass interviews, and settle into life abroad
Apply Now to Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia – Full Application Support Available
As an official representative of Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia, Desire2Study provides full application assistance, including:
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University Selection Guidance
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Entrance Exam & Interview Preparation
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Visa Application Support
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Accommodation Assistance
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Student Life & Relocation Guidance
📌 Interested in studying in Spain? Contact us today or explore another university in Spain - Universidad Europea,