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University of Navarre

Logo: Archivo Fotográfico Universidad de Navarra, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

Private university in Pamplona, Spain

The University of Navarra is a prestigious private Catholic research university located on the southeast border of Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. It was founded in 1952 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, as a corporate work of the apostolate of Opus Dei. The University of Navarra is among the best private universities in Spain.2 It is part of Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Oct 17, 1952Founded1

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Photo: Manuel Castells., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons5

The University of Navarra is a prestigious private Catholic research university located on the southeast border of Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. It was founded in 1952 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, as a corporate work of the apostolate of Opus Dei. The University of Navarra is among the best private universities in Spain. The University of Navarra was third in the "European Teaching Rankings of 2019" following the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge by Times Higher Education's International Rankings. Moreover, the university is ranked #1 in the "CYD Ranking" list of Spanish universities in 2026. It holds a particularly respected position in the fields of business, economics, medicine, and healthcare.2

Corporate structure

University of Navarre sits at the top of its group. 14 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

  • University of Navarre Pamplona
    • Clínica Universidad de Navarra Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • Faculty of Canon Law of the University of Navarra Subsidiary · Spain
    • Faculty of Economics of the University of Navarra Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • IESE Business School Subsidiary · Pedralbes, Spain
    • Institute for Culture and Society (University of Navarra) Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • ISEM Fashion Business School Subsidiary · Madrid, Spain
    • Navarra University Hospital, Madrid Subsidiary · Madrid, Spain
    • School of Communication of University of Navarra Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • Tecnun Subsidiary · San Sebastián, Spain
    • theological faculty of the University of Navarra Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • University Museum of Navarra Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • University of Navarra School of Law Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain
    • University of Navarre, School of Architecture in Pamplona Subsidiary · Pamplona, Spain

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

The story

Founded by Josemaría Escrivá on Oct 17, 1952.1

The institution was founded as the Estudio General de Navarra on 17 October 1952, with the encouragement of Josemaría Escrivá. It began as a School of Law with 48 students and eight professors, under the direction of Ismael Sánchez Bella. The founder described the ideals he wanted to transmit in the university:

We want learned men to be formed here, with a Christian understanding of life; we want this environment, suitable for quiet reflection, to cultivate science rooted in its most solid principles, so that this light might shine over all the roads of knowledgeAfter the foundation of the Faculty of Philosophy in 1955 and the Business School, IESE, in 1958, the Estudio General de Navarra was established as a university by The Holy See on 6 August 1960, and Escrivá was designated as the Great Chancellor. The university received an official accreditation from the Spanish State, on 8 September 1962.

From Wikipedia’s article on University of Navarra, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led University of Navarre, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Board members and other officers (2)

Products and brands

The university faculties and schools have thousands of researchers in different areas. The 8 centers and 17 institutes, located in the five campuses, carry out their research in the fields of Science and the Humanities, as well as the University Clinic of Navarra, the Center for Applied Medical Research and the Institute of Society and Culture.

From Wikipedia’s article on University of Navarra, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Subsidiaries and ownership

Parent company

  • Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei

Subsidiaries

  • Clínica Universidad de Navarra
  • Faculty of Canon Law of the University of Navarra
  • Faculty of Economics of the University of Navarra
  • IESE Business School
  • ISEM Fashion Business School
  • Institute for Culture and Society (University of Navarra)
  • Navarra University Hospital, Madrid
  • School of Communication of University of Navarra
  • Tecnun
  • University Museum of Navarra
  • University of Navarra School of Law
  • University of Navarre, School of Architecture in Pamplona
  • theological faculty of the University of Navarra

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. Oct 17, 1952Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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