The University of Miami is a private university in Coral Gables , Florida . Some people call the university `` Miami of Florida , '' `` UM , '' or `` The U. '' The University of Miami ( informally referred to as UM , U of M , U Miami , Miami , or The U ) is a private , non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables , Florida , a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center , and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key .