The University of Alicante was created in October 1979. It was formed on the basis of the CENTRE FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES (CEU) which had come into being in 1968. In this way, Alicante recuperated university studies which had disappeared in 1834 when its predecessor, the University of Orihuela, closed after two centuries of education. The University of Orihuela was created by Papal Bull in 1545 and kept its doors open during two centuries (1610-1808). The province of Alicante, therefore, owns an important university tradition whose historic wealth is easily seen, for instance, in the Santo Domingo College, building at the former university in Orihuela. The building will be soon recovered by means of an agreement between the University and the Dicese.

At this stage, university studies were reinitiated in the academic year 1968-69 with just 230 students. Today there are 33,000 students at Alicante University and consequently it is proportionally the fastest growing university in Spain.

After almost twenty years of experience, the University of  Alicante presents a very high potential regarding the socio-economic development; in fact it is the fourth province of Spain in GBP (Gross National Product). About fifty degrees, more than sixty University Departments  and research unities and groups in Social and Legal Sciences, Experimental Sciences, Technological Sciences, Human Sciences, Education and Health Sciences, five Research University Centres (Water, Environment,  Geographical Analysis, International Economy) cover the expectations of  more than 30.000 students and develop one of the country's most reputable research activity.

Our University is the first institution with more than 2.000 workers (both teaching and administrative staff) and an annual budget around 15.000 milions pesetas. Moreover, it is considered a point of reference for a big amount of firms to which the University of Alicante keeps technical assistance contracts,  technology transfer, student training programmes, post-graduate studies  and continuous training. It is also an appreciated reference point for international relations: agreements, head offices, movility and exchange, co-operation  among different and very innovative projects all over the world (Havana, Turkey, etc..).

The University owns an Industrial  Experimentation Area and  Research Services (Analytics' "Planta Cero", Pilots Plants, Laboratories, Data Process Centre, Advanced Information and Documentation Systems, European Data Centre, Science Park, Employment Advisory Office,  Business Training Area -GIPE-, Transfer of Research Results Office-OTRI-, Mediterranean European Link Centre –CENEMES- Vice-Chancellorship of New Technologies,  Image Workshop, International Relations Centre , etc.)

In addition to all this mentioned above, for which the University of Alicante is considered to be one of the best campuses in Europe, it is worth considering the one-milion square metres with the best urban design and the most innovative architecture in an excellent environmental framework (wide green areas, landscape design and pedestrian, cultural, teaching or sporting areas among others) and also a wide range of services.

This incomparable university site is located in the most strategical area of the province and Spanish Mediterranean: direct communication with the  A-7 (Mediterranean Motorway) and the internal dual carriageway, forming intersection at the Campus boundaries. Five minutes from the city of Alicante, ten minutes from the International Airport El Altet, less than twenty minutes from the main industrial areas, less than fifteen minutes from  leisure spaces nearby (residential areas, beach, golf and so on) and a railway sorrounding the campus and the prospective Science Park.

Besides the determined bet for innovation and technology, the University of Alicante has a solid commitment with everything related to culture and patrimony: one of the best European university museums,  La Alcudia Archeological site, the best Reinaissance valencian building, university head office in Orihuela for two centuries (1610-1808): the Historic University of Orihuela , the  medieval count's Palace in Cocentaina, the  Palace-like Houses in Benissa , etc. which provides an increasing prestige both in the national and international spheres. 

 Therefore, the University of Alicante has the steady aim of gradually shaping one of the best Science Parks in the world. To such effect, the University is planning to progressively materialize some capital investments, around 23.000 million pesetas, requested for substructures as well as for teaching and research equippment for the next years which would form a first-rate university substructure within the European context.