A Young University

The University of Cantabria was founded in 1972 with the creation of the Faculty of Medicine, the integration of various colleges of education and the taking over of two centres that depended on the University of Valladolid: the School of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Sciences. From these beginnings, the UC has expanded its range of qualifications, incorporated new centres and broadened its educational and investigational activities. 1985 saw another step forward in the University’s process of consolidation with the approval of the Statutes which remained in force until 2003, when they were replaced by a new set of Statutes elaborated in compliance with the 2001 National University Law. Since 1996, the institution has depended on the Autonomous Region of Cantabria, after the decentralization of State competences in Education.

Everyone’s Project

Spanish Universities enjoy a good measure of autonomy. Government of the University is undertaken by the Directive Council and its collegiate bodies: the University Council, the Governing Board, the Advisory Board and the Social Council, in which representatives of the social interests of the Autonomous Community participate. Instruction and research are organised on two basic levels: the centres, which are responsible for the administration of academic courses, and the departments, the basic units of teaching and research.

Both the general governing bodies and the centres and departments include representatives of teaching staff, students and administrative and service personnel. The decisions of these bodies are subject to the principles of transparency and democratic participation.