University of Navarra
Universidad de Navarra
A private Catholic university in Pamplona with its own admission tests, a university hospital and IESE Business School.
- Students
- 13,577
- 9,532 undergraduates
- International
- 29%
- of students
- Tuition
- €11,750
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1952
About UNAV
The University of Navarra began teaching in Pamplona in 1952, founded on the initiative of Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei; it describes itself as a Christian-inspired, non-profit university. Its main campus is on the edge of Pamplona, with further campuses in San Sebastián (Tecnun engineering school) and Madrid, and its graduate business school IESE operates in Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, New York and São Paulo. The Clínica Universidad de Navarra, its university hospital, anchors medicine and health sciences.
It has 13,577 students (9,532 undergraduates, 2,988 master's students and 1,057 doctoral candidates), and 28.8% of them are international, from 115 nationalities. It offers 37 bachelor's degrees, 14 of them double degrees, across schools including Medicine, Law, Economics and Business, Communication, Sciences, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Nursing, Education and Psychology, Architecture and Tecnun engineering, with 1,224 professors.
As a private university it runs its own admissions: you apply online through miUNAV, sit the faculty's own admission test, and hear back within about six weeks. Fees are much higher than at Spanish public universities, from about 11,750 to 20,400 euros for the first year in 2026-27, but the university offers personalised cost studies, discounts and needs-based Alumni scholarships. It suits students who want a close-knit, residential campus experience with strong professional programmes.
Why students choose UNAV
Early, rolling admission: apply by 9 December 2026 for a place decided on 21 January 2027, long before Spanish public university results.
28.8% of students are international, from 115 nationalities.
Many degrees can be combined with English-language add-on programmes such as Global Affairs, Tech and Data, or the International Science Program.
The university's own hospital, the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, and IESE Business School are part of the same institution.
Admissions
2027/28 entry (autumn 2027)
Selectivity
The University of Navarra does not publish an overall admission rate. Each faculty runs its own admission test to assess applicants' abilities; Medicine requires an average grade of at least 7 (out of 10) and places in other degrees are filled in successive rounds until full.
Typical entry requirements
| Spanish Bachillerato + PAU | Admission test plus first-year Bachillerato grades; PAU required for enrolment |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | Choose the ordinary procedure or the IB diploma route if you meet the degree's minimum conditions |
| Other foreign qualifications | Recognition (homologación) of your diploma; PAU not required for official degrees |
Deadlines
- December round (all degrees; Medicine for international students only) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~2 months9 December 2026
Admission test 12 December 2026; decision 21 January 2027; enrol by 23 February 2027.
- March round (all degrees) Non-binding In ~5 months9 March 2027
Admission test 13 March 2027; decision 15 April 2027; enrol by 31 May 2027. Medicine requires an average grade of 7 or higher.
- April round (degrees with places available) Non-binding In ~6 monthsFrom 15 April 2027
Tests every Thursday, decision the following Tuesday; enrol by 31 May 2027.
- Summer round (degrees with places available) Non-binding In ~8 months31 May to August 2027
Tests on Thursdays from 31 May until places are filled; one week to enrol after the decision.
The application period for 2027/28 opens on 1 October 2026. Spanish students apply for Medicine in the March round; international students can apply for Medicine in December or March, with a specific format for the Medicine test.
How to apply
Register on the miUNAV portal, submit an application for each degree with your penultimate-year grades, ID and a 100 euro processing fee (covers two degree choices), then sit the faculty's admission test on the scheduled date. You can also request a personalised cost and scholarship study while applying.
What admissions looks for
- Performance on the faculty's own admission test, which assesses your abilities and aptitudes for the degree.
- Your grades from the penultimate year of secondary school (1º de Bachillerato or equivalent).
- For Medicine, an average grade of at least 7 out of 10.
Tips for applying to UNAV
- 1 Apply in the December round if you can: more degrees have places and you get a decision by 21 January.
- 2 One 100 euro fee covers two degree applications; a third requires another payment.
- 3 Request the 'Estudio de Coste y Becas' when applying to see your personalised price and scholarship options.
- 4 Apply early to colegios mayores, whose places are limited; the university also partners with CampusHome for housing.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
The university offers a personalised cost and scholarship study during admission, which can lower the ordinary price through discounts or its incentive plan. The Becas Alumni programme, funded by donors, supports students with excellent grades and financial need, with personalised amounts that can cover tuition and housing.
- 100 euros (covers two degree applications)
- Application processing fee
- 20,400 euros (340 euros per ECTS)
- Medicine first-year price (2026-27)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Medicine
Taught alongside the Clínica Universidad de Navarra; 20,400 euros for the first year, with an optional International Program.
Journalism and Audiovisual Communication
From the Faculty of Communication, with add-on tracks such as Global Affairs, Tech and Data, and Screen Studies.
Law
Available with a Global Law track or as double degrees with Business Administration, International Relations or Philosophy.
Engineering at Tecnun
Biomedical, industrial, mechanical and AI engineering degrees in San Sebastián at 16,350 euros for the first year.
Architecture
A dedicated School of Architecture, also offering a Design degree.
Research
- The Clínica Universidad de Navarra, the university hospital, includes a Cancer Center.
- Research institutes include the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DATAI), the Biodiversity and Environment Institute and the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS).
- The university also runs the Museo Universidad de Navarra and a Science Museum.
Schools & faculties
- School of Architecture
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Communication
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Education and Psychology
- School of Nursing
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition
- Faculty of Humanities (Filosofía y Letras)
- Faculty of Medicine
- Tecnun School of Engineering
- IESE Business School
Student life
The Pamplona campus is green and self-contained, with the Sadar stream running through it, and most first-year students from outside Navarre live in colegios mayores (halls of residence) or university clubs, which the university recommends for their academic and social life. About 29% of students are international. The university has its own art museum and science museum, a chaplaincy, clubs and sports, and San Sebastián and Madrid campuses offer other settings.
- Colegios mayores recommended for first-year students, plus a housing partnership with CampusHome.
- 3,920 international students from 115 nationalities.
- The Museo Universidad de Navarra and a Science Museum on campus.
- Campuses in Pamplona, San Sebastián and Madrid.
Housing. The university recommends colegios mayores or university clubs for first-year students; places are limited, so apply to several, and CampusHome offers more rooms.
Location
Pamplona is a compact city in northern Spain and the capital of Navarre, best known for the San Fermín festival. The main campus sits on the city's south-eastern edge, so daily student life combines a green, self-contained campus with an easily reached city centre. The university also has campuses in San Sebastián and Madrid.
Nearest airport: Pamplona Airport (PNA)
Notable alumni
- AG Arancha González LayaFormer Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs; law graduate
- PM Pedro MorenésFormer Spanish Minister of Defence and ambassador to the United States; studied law
- JH José Horacio GómezArchbishop of Los Angeles; doctorate in theology
- ME María ElóseguiJudge at the European Court of Human Rights; PhD
- NI Nerea IrigoyenVirologist and Cambridge research group leader; studied pharmacy
- PS Pedro SánchezPrime Minister of Spain; business leadership programme at IESE
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of Navarra cost?
First-year prices for 2026-27 run from about 11,750 euros (Pedagogy) to 20,400 euros (Medicine), for example 15,900 euros for Law and 16,350 euros for engineering. International students pay the same prices.
What is the University of Navarra application deadline for 2027?
The first round closes on 9 December 2026 (test on 12 December, decision on 21 January 2027). There is a second round closing on 9 March 2027, then rolling rounds for degrees with places left.
Does the University of Navarra have an entrance exam?
Yes. Each faculty runs its own admission test. Spanish students must also pass the PAU; international students with a recognised qualification do not need it for official degrees.
Can international students study Medicine at Navarra?
Yes. International students can apply in the December or March round and need an average grade of at least 7; the Medicine admission test has its own format.
Does the University of Navarra offer scholarships?
Yes. You can request a personalised cost and scholarship study when applying, and the donor-funded Becas Alumni programme supports high-achieving students with financial need.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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