With a student population of approximately 38,000, it is the largest university in the Region of Murcia.

The majority of the university's facilities and buildings are spread over two campuses: the older is La Merced, situated in the town center, and the larger is Espinardo, 5km to the north of Murcia.

The first university in Murcia was founded as the Universitas Studiorum Murciana by Alfonso X of Castile around 1272.

The two primary ones are La Merced, the original campus located in the city center,[6] and Espinardo, situated 5 km to the north, which serves as the main hub for most students.

[9] The most recent addition is a health-focused campus in El Palmar, established in 2022 adjacent to the Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, the largest hospital in the region.