• Universities

The University of Cordoba (Universidad de Córdoba in Spanish or UCO) dates back to the Andalusian region’s Moorish roots.It started off as the Universidad Libre de Córdoba (the Free University) in 1868, made up of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of the Law. However, it was eventually replaced by the University of Cordoba and was chartered in 1972.It now offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies with a focus on humanities, health sciences and physical sciences. Renowned for its natural and health sciences courses especially, it offers degrees in nursing and medicine that are closely tied with the Reina Sofia University Hospital.There are three main campus sites: the Humanities and Legal and Social Sciences Campus, which is integrated in the urban centre; the Health Sciences Campus, in the west of the city; and the Agrifood, Science and Technology campus of Rabanales, in the east of the city.UCO also includes Polytechnic School of Bélmez, located 70km from Córdoba, where mining, engineering and public works and technical engineering degrees are offered.UCO has several research centres including the Andalusian Experimental Centre of Animal Health, the Veterinary Clinic Hospital, the Royal Botanic Garden of Cordoba, the Andalusian Inter-University Institute of Criminology and the Andalusian Centre of Apiculture.The library has an extensive collection of more than 300,000 volumes of reference materials. Sports facilities include basketball and volleyball courts, swimming pools, fitness centres and professional-quality stables and bullring, which is mostly used by the University Riding Club.