Our model

University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia emerged from a regional and citizens’ initiative to continue with a university tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages. UVic-UCC is a public university under private management. It provides a public service in the areas of teaching, research and knowledge transfer in its fields of expertise.

Its mission is to develop knowledge and innovation to serve the region, and it has a distinctive international vocation. It focuses on students and their all-round training, and instils the values of individual creativity, professional rigour and social commitment. The UVic-UCC is closely associated with the local environment and the cultural, social and economic progress of Catalonia.

Governance model

University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia is governed by the Balmes University Foundation, whose board is comprised of 3 representatives from the Catalan Government, 16 from municipal bodies, 12 from civil society and associated entities, and 3 representatives of the university itself. This system of public control and private management facilitates an efficient, responsible, flexible model of governance.

Federative model

The Balmes University Foundation and the Bages University Foundation, which provides university studies in Manresa, were federated in January 2014 to create the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia with two seats: UVic and UManresa.

Training model

The training model at UVic-UCC ensures full personal growth and professional development of students, who are supported throughout their training and provided with personalised teaching. Training is organised through teamwork between teaching staff and all other areas of the university community.

Multilingual education

UVic considers multilingual training key for student and staff mobility, and the study of languages and culture an excellent way to gain a wider awareness of today’s world. Therefore, all undergraduate degrees include a number of courses in English for professional purposes.

Research activity

Twenty-five research groups, sixteen of which are recognised by the Catalan government, and eleven research chairs carry forward UVic-UCC research activity with the clear aim of generating knowledge and transferring it to society.

International profile

The universal scope of UVic-UCC science and training builds on the present-day reality of Catalan society –with the Catalan language as its shared symbol of identity– and Europe as a unifying force. UVic-UCC considers international exchange programmes and internships abroad to be essential.

Social and professional integration

UVic-UCC adopts a practical teaching approach, is open and responsive to the changing needs of society, and takes an active role in ensuring satisfactory professional placement (in Spanish) of graduates.

Teaching innovation

UVic-UCC has an Education Innovation and Training Centre (CIFE) (in Spanish) to promote lifelong learning of university teaching staff, tutorial planning, and the development of innovation to improve teaching quality.

Social and territorial commitment

UVic is a local university, committed to the economic and social development of the surrounding region and Catalonia (in Spanish), through its teaching, research and knowledge transfer activity, imbued with a distinctive European and international vocation.

Ethical code

At UVic-UCC and Balmes University Foundation, ethical behaviour is based on three values: individual commitment, impartiality and scientific truth. The University’s Ethical Code (in Spanish) is comprised of twelve general principles designed to raise people’s awareness of the need for ethical behaviour and of their responsibilities as members of the UVic-UCC community and Balmes University Foundation.