Welcome for international students in Bilbao
The University of Deusto is preparing to welcome 700 international students joining for either the first semester or the full 2026–2027 academic year, which begins on 7 September. The new students come from partner universities in almost 50 countries and will be based across the University's campuses: 554 will study in Bilbao, 133 in Donostia–San Sebastián, and 43 will study online through the Virtual Campus.
Many of these students are joining through the Erasmus+ mobility programme, reinforcing the University of Deusto's commitment to international exchange, cultural diversity and the global education of its university community. In addition, some students come from universities belonging to strategic networks such as the UNIC European University Alliance and the Association of Universities Entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin America (AUSJAL), further strengthening Deusto's participation in global academic partnerships.
The welcome ceremony for new international students in Bilbao will take place on Thursday, 3 September, at 12:30 in the Ceremonial Hall. The ceremony will be attended by the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto; the Director General for Culture at the Biscay Provincial Council, Begoña de Ibarra; the Vice-Rector for the University Community and the 2030 Agenda, Aitziber Irigoras; and the Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations, Javier Arellano. During the event, an international student will share her experience of studying at the University of Deusto and settling into life in Bilbao.
The event, which will also be attended by several consuls general and honorary consuls based in Bilbao, will conclude with a light lunch. Students will then have the opportunity to discover the city alongside University of Deusto students taking part in the Buddy Programme, one of the University's flagship initiatives, which pairs international students with local students to support their integration and help them settle into university life.
Countries represented by the incoming students (nationalities): Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.