University of Cantabria (UC), in Spanish Universidad de Cantabria, is a public university located in Santander and Torrelavega in Cantabria, Spain. It was founded in 1972 and is organized in 12 schools and colleges. It was selected as Campus of International Excellence by the Government of Spain in 2009. The UC is part, as a founding member, of the Group 9 of Spanish Universities (G9), created in 1997 with the aim of promoting collaboration between academic institutions. The University of Cantabria is divided in 14 schools and faculties. The institution was established as such on August 18, 1972, by decree of the Council of Ministers of Spain with the name of University of Santander. Thirteen years later renamed University of Cantabria. It was created by the affiliation of several schools and colleges that were already established either independently or under other universities since the following dates: In 1970 the City and Province Council of Santander gave the grounds of Las Llamas in the city of Santander to create a campus of 600,000 square meters for the new university. In 1971 the University District of Santander was established. In 1973 the Medical School was establised.