University of the Balearic Islands

The University of the Balearic Islands is a Balearic Spanish university, founded in 1978 and located in Palma on the island of Majorca.HistoryThe origins of the University date back to 1483, when King Ferdinand II of Aragon authorized the foundation of the in Palma, Majorca. This college was named after the philosopher and writer Ramon Llull. It operated until 1835 when it was closed following intense debate.After 1835, students from the Balearic Islands attended university in Cervera, and subsequently in Barcelona. There was no higher education institution in the Balearic Islands until 1949, when the Estudi General Lul·lià was reinstituted under the auspices of the University of Barcelona. This initially offered courses in philosophy and philology, which were recognized by the University of Barcelona. The faculties of Science and Arts were added in 1972 (attached to the Autonomous University of Barcelona and to the University of Barcelona respectively), followed by the Faculty of Law.The faculties of the Estudi General Lul·lià were separated from their sponsoring universities in 1978, forming the University of Palma.Work on a new campus began in 1983, on the road from Palma to Valldemossa. This was a controversial choice; there was an alternative location near to the original Faculty of Sciences in Palma. In 1998 additional sites were opened in Ibiza and in Alaior, Menorca.