Santander, finalist for “Erasmus Destination of the Year 2026” at the Erasmus Generation Meeting in Split
The five finalist cities were Gothenburg, Istanbul, Munich, Santander and Turin.
The Erasmus Generation Meeting, organised by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), brought together hundreds of students, academic institutions and representatives of European higher education in Split from 16 to 19 April, in one of the most important gatherings of the Erasmus+ programme.
During this international event, the “Erasmus Destination of the Year 2026” award was decided. The award recognises the European cities most attractive to international students for their educational quality, cultural offering and student integration.
In the end, Turin took first place, while Santander achieved an outstanding second place, establishing itself as one of the emerging destinations most highly rated by the Erasmus community across Europe.
This recognition highlights Santander’s appeal as a university city, not only for its exceptional natural surroundings and quality of life, but also for the excellence of its academic institutions. In this regard, the role of CESINE University Centre deserves special mention, as it has become a benchmark for international students who choose the city for their studies.
CESINE has actively helped to position Santander as a top-tier academic destination, offering innovative programmes, an international approach and close ties with the professional world. Its commitment to international mobility and the student experience strengthens the city’s standing within the Erasmus ecosystem.
Santander’s presence among the finalist cities and its second place in this edition of the EGM demonstrate its growing relevance on the European map of university destinations, reinforcing its international profile and its ability to attract young talent from around the world.
