Universidad de Cádiz - UCA
speciality: Marketing

Things I liked: some passionate teachers, the events that take place in there such as Mad Festival, the people working there and their website.
Things I disliked: Some rude teachers (in tourism at least), the organisation is truly horrible, the “Pasaporte Cultural”, we don’t have time between clases anymore, some information is not quite accesible or updated.

Studying Marketing at UCA (Jerez Campus) has been an experience with ups and downs. At first, the classes were somewhat theoretical and with many outdated PowerPoints, but over time the practical subjects and group work have made everything more dynamic.

There are teachers who really get involved and make the classes interesting, while others just read slides. The worst thing is the lack of real projects and the scarcity of company trips, which makes the training too theoretical and not very connected to the working world.

The atmosphere on campus is calm, but there are events, talks and activities that give it some life. In short, if you like marketing and are looking for a public university, UCA delivers, although there is room for improvement in some aspects.

I’m from Cáceres and I came to Jerez to study Marketing, and the truth is that I couldn’t be happier here. The city is full of life, it’s super warm and welcoming, and although it’s not huge, it’s not so small that you’ll get bored either. There’s always something to do, especially during festive times like Christmas with the zambombas.

As for university, as everywhere, there are horrible subjects that you have to take until the end of your degree (yes, those that nobody wants), but there are also other more interesting ones. The professors are a bit of everything: some are quite strict, but others are wonderful and make things very easy for you. The exams are usually multiple choice, which sometimes helps and sometimes not so much. In general, the experience has been very good, and if I had to choose again, Jerez would still be on my list.

Well, to be honest, when I started at the University of Cadiz (UCA), Jerez Campus, it wasn’t what I expected. I started in the middle of COVID and, honestly, it was boring. Online classes, zero university atmosphere and I barely knew anyone. But over time things have changed and, honestly, it has been a much more enriching experience.

The best thing has been that throughout the course they have organised excursions, festivals and activities that have made university life more felt. Events such as talks, theme days and even the occasional university party have given the campus some life. This is very much appreciated because at first it felt like we were studying in a ghost place.

As for the teachers… well, there are all kinds. Some of them clearly enjoy teaching and make the classes enjoyable, but others are there because they have to be. They seem more interested in their research than in transmitting knowledge. And that is noticeable.

Now, the worst by far: the teachers’ PowerPoints. My goodness, what a mess. Many of them seem to be taken from 2005 and some just read what is written without adding anything else. Seriously, if someone from the UCA reads this: please, renew the presentations. A little design and more visual diagrams wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Despite everything, in the end the experience has been quite good. The atmosphere on campus has improved a lot, and when you surround yourself with good people, any place becomes bearable. Of course, if you ask me about the quality of the classes… there is room for improvement, but hey, that’s what university is about, right? Learning and surviving. 😂💙

The University of Cadiz has three main campuses, and I study at the one in Jerez. The city itself is very lively, especially as there are several festive seasons throughout the year. At Christmas, for example, the zambombas fill the streets with music and atmosphere, which gives Jerez a special charm. However, the university could do a lot better in terms of the university atmosphere, because it doesn’t really feel like a student city. At least the facilities are good and do their job, but in general, it lacks that university spirit that you get in other cities.

Studying at the University of Cádiz, particularly at the Jerez campus, has been a good experience overall, but there are aspects that could improve. The campus doesn’t have the vibrant student atmosphere you’d expect at a university. Maybe it’s because the campus is small, which limits activities and the general university vibe.

The university seems to be trying to modernize its system, with new initiatives and plans for expansion. However, they still maintain certain traditional practices that can sometimes feel outdated or even frustrating for students. These traditions might discourage engagement and make the learning experience feel less dynamic.

That said, they have recently started offering activities like small professional festivals, job fairs, escape rooms, and events through a programme called Pasaporte Cultural. This initiative creates social spaces and organizes talks with professionals and even influencers, which is a great idea. However, these activities don’t always have enough participation. To really enjoy them, you need to actively search for an engaged group of people to join in and make the most of it.

The professors in my Advertising and Public Relations degree have been amazing. They have motivated me to push myself further, and their supportive and friendly approach made me feel part of a small community. We even had the chance to bond outside of classes, sharing fun moments like going out for drinks. It feels more personal and familiar, which I really appreciated.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed that this close connection is less common in the Tourism degree, perhaps because of the different dynamics or age groups.

Academically, the programme isn’t extremely difficult, but it requires regular effort to succeed. Sadly, I’m graduating soon, so I won’t benefit from the university’s recent efforts to improve and expand the campus. Hopefully, these changes, combined with the new activities, will create a better experience for future students.