Valencia University in situated in Valencia, the capital of the Valencian region, a coastal town brimming with students. Students come from far and wide to study at this university because it is surrounded by great Valencia beaches and good weather, giving it a thoroughly mediterranean atmosphere. However, the beaches are not the only attraction to this city as it also has historical roots as the city itself was founded as long ago as 137 A.C. Its situation on the coast has always given it cultural importance and this is shown by the many monuments that are dotted around the city and the sea side areas of Cabanyal and Nazaret.

Valencia University, although overshadowed by many of the other well-known universities in Spain has its own claim to fame as it was one of the cities conquered by El Cid and then went in to be reconquered by the Muslims and then again by the Spanish; all of these aspects are seen in the old quarter of the city as well as with those of the textile industry that boomed in the city during the XVII and XVIII centuries. However, the university itself, although recognised as being a valuable centre for education was not granted university status untill 1499 by Pope Alexandre VI Borja.

The university is very well known for its faculty of medicine which was one of the first faculties to be set up within the university due to the progress and developments which were being carried out in anatomy and human dissection in the late XV century. Baroque and Neoclassical art have also found their place here, not only in the facades of many of the buildings but also in the Arts and Humanities faculties.

As far as international cooperation and mobility is concerned, this university accepts a many students from universities abroad and in addition, sends their own students to study in foreign institutions. Due to this fact, the university has invested hugley in the promotion of languages, through their language centre and movement of students within Europe, making it a very attractive destination for students wishing to come to Spain to study.

• Departament de Física Teòrica, Facultad de Física, Universitat de València