Useful advice for your stay at the URV

Answer all your questions about the Rovira i Virgili University

Climate

The local area's climate is Mediterranean, so the temperatures are mild and moderate throughout the year. In winter, the average is 7-10ºC and in summer it is 25-30ºC. Rainfall is low and there are a considerable number of sunny days during the year and thermometers rarely fall below 0ºC.

In winter you will require some warm clothes, although the temperatures are mild. In summer it gets quite hot, so do not forget to bring light clothing, especially if you come for the second semester.

Transport

The province of Tarragona is in the north-east of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. It is well communicated with Europe and the rest of Spain, since they are two airports in the surrounding area: one in Reus, 7 km away, and the other in Barcelona, 82 km away.

Tarragona is connected to the main Spanish cities by rail. You can get to Barcelona in less than an hour and to Madrid in less than three hours. The city also has one of the most important commercial ports in the Mediterranean.

Tarragona is also the junction of two of the most important Spanish motorways: the Mediterranean motorway, which links Alicante with France and the rest of Europe, and the North motorway, which begins in Tarragona and reaches as far as the Basque Country.

Photo: Bonaventura Leris

How much money will I need?

Since 2002, the currency in Spain has been the euro. Living in the cities close to the URV, such as Tarragona, Reus or Tortosa, is more affordable than living in the large European capitals.

Accommodation: The Universitat Rovira i Virgili does not have a residence hall of its own for students. The average price of a residence hall is about 600 – 650 euros per month, with all services included (even cleaning services). Living in a shared flat with other students may cost about 200 – 250 euros per month. If you rent the entire flat for your own, it will cost you about 450 – 600 euros per month.

Food expenses: The University offers catering services in each Campus. The price of the set menu at the university is about 5 – 8 €. The set menu outside the university is about 10 – 12 €, but it is more expensive at night and on weekends. A coffee can cost you about 1 – 1.50 € and a beer about 1.5 – 3 €.

Transport: In order to move around the city, you can take the bus. A ticket costs 1.50 € but you can get a monthly season ticket for 19.50 euros available for students under 25 years. There are also other types of season tickets.

A student needs approximately 600€ a month for accommodation and other living expenses.

Opening a bank account

See Obtaining your NIE

If you wish to open a bank account in Spain you need to have the NIE (identification number for foreigners).

Safety

All the emergency services are coordinated through the telephone number 112. If you urgently need an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police, ring this number.

Opening times

- At the university, all the classes take place between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Lunch is between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The evening meal is between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. And the night starts to get livelier just after 11 p.m.

- Shops are open from Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., although some grocer’s and bread shops may open earlier in the morning. Supermarkets open mostly from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shopping malls tend to close a little later, at around 10 p.m. Note that most traditional shops (whatever they sell) close at lunchtime: from 1-2 p.m. to 4-5 p.m.

- Banks open on weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and some may open one afternoon a week or on Saturday morning.

Meals

The university offers bar-restaurant services in each canteen/cafeteria of the different Campuses. The price of the set menu at lunchtime is 7.65€

Outside the university, the daily set menu (menú del día) in an average restaurant can range between 8 and 12 euros. However, the price is more expensive for dinner and at weekends, when you can usually only order à la carte. The price of a coffee in a cafeteria is between 1€ and 1.5€

If you have the use of a kitchen, you can make the most of your stay and learn how to cook some of the dishes of the Mediterranean diet because you will find many markets where you can buy top quality fresh products.

If you miss the food from your own country, don't forget that our region is getting more and more multicultural and you can find many shops that specialize in foreign products.

Local festivities

The climate and Mediterranean character, the welcoming atmosphere of the streets and the hospitable people turn every town in Catalonia into a large open-air space for leisure, fun and culture. In Catalonia, people celebrate in the streets. Every city has its own festivities throughout the whole year and the celebrations go on for several days before and after the actual day of the festivity.

Tarragona
- Sant Magí (19 August)
- Santa Tecla (23 September)

Reus
- Sant Pere (24 June)
- Festival of Misericòrdia (25 September)

Tortosa
- Festival of the Renaissance (end of July)
- Festival of Cinta (5 September)

Vila-seca
- Sant Esteve (3 August)
- Sant Antoni (17 January)

El Vendrell
- Santa Anna (26 July)

City councils

In the city councils' websites you can find useful information about the city, the formalities you may need and services for the citizens:

Tourism information

Find out everything you need to explore our area:

Contact us

International Center

Telephone:
+34 977 55 81 29
hosting(ELIMINAR)(ELIMINAR)@urv.cat
Avinguda Països Catalans, 17-19
43007 Tarragona