Welcome from the Rector

Daniel Sada Castaño

“We aim to be the catalyst for a ‘Human Revolution,’ where each student is challenged to think holistically, to solve problems from diverse perspectives, to interact with people from different educational backgrounds, and to contribute to the common good.”

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Our History

In 1993, a group of professionals envisioned a people-centered university, convinced that knowledge only expands when it addresses fundamental questions about the meaning of life.

1990: BEGINNINGS

1992

On 24 December the Governing Board of the Universidad Complutense approved the affiliation of the Centro Universitario Francisco de Vitoria (CUFVI). As a result, José Manuel Salord, Father Florencio Sánchez, Daniel Sada and José Manuel García commenced its activity.

1993

On 25 October classes began with 381 students. From the beginning, the Humanistic Formation Plan and the Social Practices were the differentiating elements of CUFVI.

1994

The first Disciplinary Regulations were published, outlining what CUFVI aspired to be. Additionally the Faculty Guide, was issued to explain the project to those considered ‘the heart of the institution’, and the Student Guide, which reminded students that “being a university student is a privilege and a source of pride, but above all, an enormous commitment.”

1995

The University Master’s Degree in Philosophy the precursor to the Master’s in Humanities, commenced, and UFV enrolled over 1,100 students.

1996/97

The Department of Institutional Development was established, responsible for growth and expansion. The increasing number of students and programs (Law, Business Administration and Management – both degree and diploma –, Economics, Journalism, and Audiovisual Communication) led the Centro Universitario Francisco de Vitoria to consider the possibility of becoming a private university. This gave rise to a strategic plan that lasted until the year 2000.

1998

Undergraduate enrollment reached 1,900 students, with an additional 270 postgraduate students, alongside a considerable increase in the teaching staff. In November, the first diplomas were awarded to CUFVI graduates: the first cohort had completed their studies.

2000 – 2010: GROWTH

2000

Began the University Degree in Biochemistry under the auspices of the Universidad Miguel Hernández de Alicante.

2001

Officially began the process of becoming the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria. The Excellens program was launched, offering a University Dual Degree in Law and Business Management and a University Master’s Degree in Human and Business Leadership, developed over six years with the participation of companies and law firms.

2002

In October, the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) commenced its activity as a private university, with Clemente López as provisional Vice-Chancellor, offering eight university undergraduate degrees, three engineering programs, two diplomas, and a dual program in Law and Business Administration and Management. CETYS also opened, offering Higher Vocational Training.

2003

Daniel Sada appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.

2004

The Aula Magna and the UFV Library were inaugurated. The Universidad Francisco de Vitoria joined the Erasmus program, establishing agreements with 52 universities worldwide.

2005

The Region of Madrid awarded the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria the European Excellence Award. Several institutes began to operate, focusing on cultural activities and research: the John Henry Newman Institute, the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the Institute for Integral Development, and the Robert Schuman Institute for European Studies. Thanks to a donation, the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria hall of residence was inaugurated, with 200 places.

2006

The School of Architecture began operating with 40 students.

2008

The first edition of the University Leadership School (ELU) was held in collaboration with Santander Group, and the UFV Leadership Program was launched. The University Degree in Design was introduced, and the first doctoral theses were defended at UFV.

2009

The Pozuelo Town Council awarded UFV the Social Seal for its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

EXPANSION

2010

With the implementation of the Bologna Plan, the UFV restructured the academic programs from 5-Year University Degrees to 4-Year University Degrees. This is how the university began a period of rethinking about the subjects, as well as the educational principles that would distinguish the institution as being centered on the person. The Faculty of Medicine was established, and the University Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences was launched.

2011

The University Degree in Pharmacy (4 years) and the University Dual Degree in Pharmacy and Biotechnology (6 years) were introduced. The Cooking School Le Cordon Bleu opened its doors on the UFV campus offering nine programs, including Le Grand Diplome. The Center for Family Studies was established.

2012

UFV had over 3,500 students. The University Degree in Psychology and the University Dual Degree in Labour Relations and Law were introduced.

2013

The 20th anniversary of the UFV project was celebrated, andthe UFV Alumni Association was founded.

The for Integrated Clinical Simulation Center was inaugurated, serving as a premier teaching tool for both Medicine and Nursing.

2014

The Institute for Biomedical Research and the Institute of Bioethics were established. The International Politics Observatory was also founded.

2015

Three new university degrees were introduced: Gastronomy, Criminology, and International Relations (with university dual degrees linked to Law and Business Administration and Management) and Journalism. With these, UFV’s offerings increased to 23 undergraduate degrees, 12 university dual degrees, three bridging courses, and the entire postgraduate program.

2016

UFV had over 4,600 undergraduate students. The 3Eras School of Rare Diseases was founded.. The UFV Sports Center was inaugurated. Launch of Editorial UFV.

The first edition of the Expanded Reason Awards, in collaboration with the Vatican Foundation Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI, was launched. Following Benedict XVI, Expanded Reason is understood as that which seeks to truly understand the surrounding world, encompassing all aspects of reality through a harmonious synthesis of knowledge that integrates theology and philosophy.

2017

The Faculty of Communication building was inaugurated, equipped with the most advanced technology for hosting radio studios, television sets, newsrooms, and advertising agencies. The Expanded Reason Institute was established.

2019

The number of university degrees available increased, and the studies related to Business Administration and Management, International Relations, and Law were reorganized within the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government.

2020

Due to Covid-19 emergency all classes moved online in less than a week.

2021

Students returned to campus in person, with over 9,700 undergraduate and more than 3,700 postgraduate students, alongside CETYS and Le Cordon Bleu. At that time, UFV had over 1,300 professors, nearly 300 mentors, and 637 administrative and service staff (PAS).

2022

The Technical School building was inaugurated, and construction began on the new Chapel and the CRAI, planned to be the largest building on campus to date, featuring classrooms, shared workspaces, a library, and research areas.

2023

UFV introduced five new university degrees: Economics and Finance; International Business Management; Genetics; Social Work; and Artificial Intelligence Systems Engineering. UFV College was launched, offering a disruptive methodology within the Spanish university landscape. A new brand identity was unveiled, supported by a refreshed visual image and an evolved logo, under the concept of Human Revolution.

PRESENT

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10.595

Undergraduate Students

+ of 2,900

Postgraduate Students

+ More than 1,000

Students in the “Take Charge of Your Future” Program

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15

Employability Training Programs

72

Support Workshops for Final-Year Student

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11

Research Centers and Institutes

565

Articles Indexed in Web of Science (WOS) and SCOPUS

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1.412

Teaching Staff

252

Mentors

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12.500

Beneficiaries in Social Action Projects

OUR EDUCATIONAL MODEL

  • Comprehensive Educational
  • Christian identity
  • Education model
  • Leaders in support
  • Social action
  • Open reason
  • The campus

“Our aim is to provide education:to shape behaviour in order to help our students lead lives that are meaningful, valuable, and fulfilling. To provide professional training,, so they find their place in the professional world and transform it from within. This is achieved through quality teaching, advanced research, and the experience of support. And tocreate a community where everyone, supported by each other, works together to build a better society.”

María Lacalle,
Vice-Chancellor of Teaching Staff and Educational Model

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is a Christian institution that draws its inspiration from the principles of the Gospel, the true source of human revolution. We actively promote a youthful and creative pastoral ministry that seeks to awaken the religious question within each individual through various initiatives, events, and programs.

The UFV is a reality born from the experience of the international Regnum Christi movement, which has created an open space where all ecclesial sensitivities can work in communion towards building university life. Thus, on our Campus, we find not only people from different groups, movements, or associations within the Church but also individuals of other beliefs, religions, or views on the meaning of life, all of whom are welcome if they wish to join wholeheartedly in this university project of seeking truth and goodness.

We believe in a human revolution founded on the newness of Christ, on the greatness of His message and His presence in every age. He teaches us how to be truly human in the circumstances we encounter.

We consider ourselves Catholics passionate about reality, about the human being and their culture, with a deep affection for individual freedom, knowing that this is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. We aspire to be a community that is trusting, welcoming, and joyful, dedicated with intelligence to the development of students and society, in an environment that fosters the growth of inner life, where the Christian message can be understood and deepened.

Currently, our students and faculty already enjoy the fruits of this approach to the world: a broad and varied education in the Humanities that is integrated into all UFV degrees, postgraduate programs, and training cycles, where we strive to understand and convey what university education entails, what it means to be a person and how one flourishes, how to embrace and pursue truth, goodness, and the meaning of life, as well as an appreciation for History, Literature, Art, and beauty.

We understand that openness to transcendence has the capacity to expand the horizon of reason and the various sciences, allowing for a better understanding of reality and fostering encounters and fraternity.

See More

See Less

Our educational model is our way of expressing who we are and what we aim to contribute as a higher education institution. Its dynamism is centered on the the relationship emerges from the encounter between professors and students, and between both of them and reality. This model influences our teaching methods, how we design curricula, and the organization and management of UFV at every level. Through our “Train to Transform” model we seek to embody UFV’s mission within the field of higher education, following a framework composed of five levels: educational, pedagogical, didactic, curricular, and organizational. We consider the university as a living reality, so we propose a model that marks a path to be discovered and concretized in constant dialogue with life, in order to promote the human revolution.

See More

See Less

“The person is a relational being: the experience and background of others can serve as a guide and reference. Knowing how to mentor is an art; knowing how to be accompanied is a gift. This is what we have been observing for more than 30 years”.

Maleny Medina,
Director of the UFV’s Support Institute.

At UFV, every student is unique. Discovering, valuing, and developing one’s own gifts and qualities is a task that only the individual can accomplish, but it cannot be done alone. Support is part of our culture, central to the mission we feel called to, and is the vocation that sets us apart. We have a unique Support Program for our students, where, through self-reflection, engagement with their mentors, and interactions with others, they can discover the meaning of their actions, how these connect to their education, and how they can contribute to society as professionals. This program is supported by a dedicated team of 300 accredited mentors, who guide and support students throughout their educational journey.

See More

See Less

“To ‘see the world through another’s eyes’, means to mature, the ultimate goal of any educational plan. To see it through the eyes of the patient, the client, the student, the defendant, the listener, the person. This perspective makes us more understanding of fragility and brings us closer to wisdom”.

Teresa López Monje,
Department of UFV University Outreach

In all UFV degree programs, we integrate student participation in a Social Action program, which is complemented by mentorship and the Social Responsibility, course during the second year. Together, these form a holistic approach with three dimensions: practical, personal, and academic. As a result, UFV has earned the Newman Accreditation as a Socially Responsible University, achieving the highest score in all parameters assessed in social responsibility.We aim to extend the Human Revolution to all of society, impacting approximately 12,000 people each year—children, the sick, the elderly, and migrants—through agreements with over 170 institutions. For many students, this experience, along with other integral education opportunities (culture, sports, or student societies), makes their time at UFV a defining period in their lives and motivates them to reflect on their own professional vocation.

See More

See Less

By “Expanded Reason,” as understood by Benedict XVI, we refer to a reason that seeks to truly understand its surroundings, encompassing all aspects of reality through a harmonious synthesis of knowledge that integrates theology and philosophy.

At UFV, we view the university as a place where students learn to think, connect ideas, and synthesise knowledge, expanding their horizons and beginning to engage with the big questions.

A professor of Expanded Reason, in both teaching and research, is not only an expert in their field but also consistently considers four fundamental questions: the anthropological, the epistemological, the ethical, and the question of meaning.

We promote networking and collaboration with professors from other universities in both research and teaching, as well as in curriculum design. For this reason, our Expanded Reason Institute annually organises a training course for university professors. The aim is to reflect, both individually and as a community, on the ultimate purpose of university work and how to incorporate the four fundamental questions into teaching and interactions with students and researchers. This reflection is an ongoing process.

See More

See Less

“I meet up with my friends, we arrange to study or work on a project, there are plenty of places to eat, outdoor communal spaces, I can go swimming or do other sports, attend a lecture, take part in a play, go to driving school… But above all, there’s life beyond classes, so much life!”.

Marta Villagrán,
2nd Year Nursing Student.

Our campus is designed to make our students’ university years a truly life-enriching experience, creating an environment of community and activity. In constant expansion, in 2023 the Polytechnic School was inaugurated and in 2024 the construction of the new UFV university chapel was completed, as well as a new building (CRAI) equipped with classrooms, work rooms, library and research areas, in addition to the expansion of areas for socializing, events and sports. UFV also includes theFrancisco de Vitoria Hall of Residence , which, through its educational program, promotes community living and a vibrant collegiate dynamic among students.
Additionally, the globally renowned Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School  has its Madrid campus at UFV. Every year, hundreds of students train in our facilities to become distinguished professionals, ready to work in the finest kitchens in Spain and around the world.

The UFV Campus is accessible via various sustainable mobility options, including express bus routes and a car-sharing app.

See More

See Less

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OUR EDUCATIONAL MODEL

“Our aim is to provide education: shape behaviorin order to help our students lead lives that are meaningful, valuable, and fulfilling. To provide professional training, so they find their place in the professional world and transform it from within. This is achieved through quality teaching, advanced research, and the experience of support. And tocreate a community where everyone, supported by each other, works together to build a better society.”

María Lacalle,
Vice-Chancellor of Teaching Staff and Educational Model.

proposito 1 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is a Christian institution that draws its inspiration from the principles of the Gospel, the true source of human revolution. We actively promote a youthful and creative pastoral ministry that seeks to awaken the religious question within each individual through various initiatives, events, and programs.

The UFV is a reality born from the experience of the international Regnum Christi movement, which has created an open space where all ecclesial sensitivities can work in communion towards building university life. Thus, on our Campus, we find not only people from different groups, movements, or associations within the Church but also individuals of other beliefs, religions, or views on the meaning of life, all of whom are welcome if they wish to join wholeheartedly in this university project of seeking truth and goodness.

We believe in a human revolution founded on the newness of Christ, on the greatness of His message and His presence in every age. He teaches us how to be truly human in the circumstances we encounter.

We consider ourselves Catholics passionate about reality, about the human being and their culture, with a deep affection for individual freedom, knowing that this is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. We aspire to be a community that is trusting, welcoming, and joyful, dedicated with intelligence to the development of students and society, in an environment that fosters the growth of inner life, where the Christian message can be understood and deepened.

Currently, our students and faculty already enjoy the fruits of this approach to the world: a broad and varied education in the Humanities that is integrated into all UFV degrees, postgraduate programs, and training cycles, where we strive to understand and convey what university education entails, what it means to be a person and how one flourishes, how to embrace and pursue truth, goodness, and the meaning of life, as well as an appreciation for History, Literature, Art, and beauty.

We understand that openness to transcendence has the capacity to expand the horizon of reason and the various sciences, allowing for a better understanding of reality and fostering encounters and fraternity.

proposito 2 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

Our educational model is our way of expressing who we are and what we aim to contribute as a higher education institution. Its dynamism is centered on the relationship emerges from the encounter between professors and students, and between both of them and reality. This model influences our teaching methods, how we design curricula, and the organization and management of UFV at every level. Through our “Train to Transform” model , we seek to embody UFV’s mission within the field of higher education, following a framework composed of five levels: educational, pedagogical, didactic, curricular, and organizational. We consider the university as a living reality, so we propose a model that marks a path to be discovered and concretized in constant dialogue with life, in order to promote the human revolution

proposito 3 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

“The person is a relational being: the experience and background of others can serve as a guide and reference. Knowing how to mentor is an art; knowing how to be accompanied is a gift. This is what we have been observing for more than 30 years”. Maleny Medina, Director of the UFV’s Support Institute. At UFV, every student is unique. Discovering, valuing, and developing one’s own gifts and qualities is a task that only the individual can accomplish, but it cannot be done alone. Support is part of our culture, central to the mission we feel called to, and is the vocation that sets us apart. We have a unique Support Program for our students, where, through self-reflection, engagement with their mentors, and interactions with others, they can discover the meaning of their actions, how these connect to their education, and how they can contribute to society as professionals. This program is supported by a dedicated team of 300 accredited mentors, who guide and support students throughout their educational journey.

proposito 4 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

“To ‘see the world through another’s eyes’, means to mature, the ultimate goal of any educational plan. To see it through the eyes of the patient, the client, the student, the defendant, the listener, the person. This perspective makes us more understanding of fragility and brings us closer to wisdom”.

Teresa López Monje,

Department of University Extension of the UFV.

In all UFV degree programs, we integrate student participation in a Social Action program, which is complemented by mentorship and the Social Responsibility, course during the second year. Together, these form a holistic approach with three dimensions: practical, personal, and academic. As a result, UFV has earned the Newman Accreditation as a Socially Responsible University, achieving the highest score in all parameters assessed in social responsibility.We aim to extend the Human Revolution to all of society, impacting approximately 12,000 people each year—children, the sick, the elderly, and migrants—through agreements with over 170 institutions. For many students, this experience, along with other integral education opportunities (culture, sports, or student societies), makes their time at UFV a defining period in their lives and motivates them to reflect on their own professional vocation.

proposito 5 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

By “Expanded Reason,” as understood by Benedict XVI, we refer to a reason that seeks to truly understand its surroundings, encompassing all aspects of reality through a harmonious synthesis of knowledge that integrates theology and philosophy.

At UFV, we view the university as a place where students learn to think, connect ideas, and synthesise knowledge, expanding their horizons and beginning to engage with the big questions.

A professor of Expanded Reason, in both teaching and research, is not only an expert in their field but also consistently considers four fundamental questions: the anthropological, the epistemological, the ethical, and the question of meaning.

We promote networking and collaboration with professors from other universities in both research and teaching, as well as in curriculum design. For this reason, our Expanded Reason Institute annually organises a training course for university professors. The aim is to reflect, both individually and as a community, on the ultimate purpose of university work and how to incorporate the four fundamental questions into teaching and interactions with students and researchers. This reflection is an ongoing process.

proposito 6 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

“I meet up with my friends, we arrange to study or work on a project, there are plenty of places to eat, outdoor communal spaces, I can go swimming or do other sports, attend a lecture, take part in a play, go to driving school… But above all, there’s life beyond classes, so much life!”.

Marta Villagrán, 2nd year Nursing Student. Our campus is designed to make our students’ university years a truly life-enriching experience, creating an environment of community and activity. In constant expansion, in 2023 the Polytechnic School was inaugurated and in 2024 the construction of the new UFV university chapel was completed, as well as a new building (CRAI) equipped with classrooms, work rooms, library and research areas, in addition to the expansion of areas for socializing, events and sports. UFV also includes the Francisco de Vitoria Hall of Residence , which, through its educational program, promotes community living and a vibrant collegiate dynamic among students.
Additionally, the globally renowned Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School has its Madrid campus at UFV. Every year, hundreds of students train in our facilities to become distinguished professionals, ready to work in the finest kitchens in Spain and around the world.

The UFV Campus is accessible via various sustainable mobility options, including express bus routes and a car-sharing app.

proposito 7 The Human Revolution Estudiar en Universidad Privada Madrid

OTHER COMMITMENTS

Social Responsibility and Service

This stems from our aspiration as a community where our students receive a comprehensive education both professionally and personally, with opportunities to grow through encounters with others, personal relationships, and society.. We believe that the university must foster a sense of social responsibility and service in our students, teaching staff, and administrative staff, equipping them with the necessary tools to assist the most vulnerable.

Social engagement is an essential part of our educational model, common to all UFV degree programs, and inclusion in our educational community are key to fulfilling this commitment.

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Care for Our Common Home

We align with ecological sensitivity and responsibility towards creation, a value deeply rooted in the Christian worldview promoted by Pope Francis in the Encyclical *Laudato Si’*.

We pursue this mission through various projects aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to extraordinary Chairs, we focus on accessibility and mobility on campus, promoting the university as a healthy space that cares for the well-being of all UFV community members, as well as energy sustainability. We also maintain numerous partnerships with local administrations and businesses that help us drive economic, social, and environmental transformation to care for our common home.

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Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Campus

At UFV, we care for the health, inclusiveness and physical integrity of all. We prioritize the health, inclusion, and physical well-being of everyone. We aim to build a healthier future through actions that promote a culture of preventive, holistic well-being within our university community. We provide the necessary resources to ensure accessibility and effective inclusion for individuals with disabilities, those in vulnerable situations, and those at risk of exclusion. To achieve this, we offer a variety of services, including SAPNE (Support Service for People with Educational Needs), GOE (Educational Guidance Office), CAIF (Integrated Family Support Center), IA (Support Institute), as well as services of safety, health, and well-being services, among others.

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Extended Community

At UFV, our community extends to all those connected with our educational project. This includes our Alumni , who are former undergraduate, postgraduate, and higher vocational training students. It also encompasses the Elumni, former students of the University Leadership School (ELU). Additionally, we have broadened our community to include Families, those who are part of our students’ lives, sharing and engaging with our educational proposal, values, and mission. Throughout each academic year, we organize a variety of activities, ranging from sports, educational, and cultural events to reunions, trips, and charitable initiatives. Since 2021, we have also launched an Alumni Scholarship project. This initiative offers our former students the opportunity to contribute to a fund that helps current students facing financial difficulties.

INSTITUTES AND CENTERS

11 institutes and centers that are axes of education, research, and knowledge dissemination, with 56 established research groups. We are dedicated to fostering professional excellence and contributing to societal progress through learning and collaboration.

ACADEMIC OFFERING

We invite you on a journey of discovery and growth. Our academic programs will prepare you to lead a meaningful Human Revolution, transforming the world from its roots through your education and purpose.