Although located in the city of Zacatecas City, Zacatecas, Mexico, UAZ is a state-sponsored public research university with several campuses across the state.

Established in 1959, UAZ has multiple academic areas: Art and Culture; Basic Sciences; Health Sciences; Engineering; Humanities and Education; Social, Economic and Administrative Sciences; Agricultural Sciences. These organizational sets are further divided into academic unities.

Located in north-central Mexico, the city began as a Spanish mining camp in the mid-16th century. Zacatecas quickly became one of the most important cities in New Spain, and much of its silver enriched the Spanish crown.

Zacatecas City hosts several religious and cultural festivals throughout the year, including the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas during Holy Week, offering visitors more than 130 attractions, and featuring genres from classic to rock.

However, locals also enjoy “callejoneadas” or alley parties. Described as traditional nightlife, attendees can dance, sing and drink mezcal or beer-based punch called “heribertas” for free. According to tradition, a college student named Heriberto started these parties, and although typically held at the end of the school year, no reason is needed to hold one.