OBJECTIVE to study anxiety and spirituality and the relationship between them in university students. METHODS the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pinto and Pais-Ribeiro Spirituality Scales were used for data collection. RESULTS six hundred and sixty-nine students participated in the study, of whom 91.5% had moderate and high levels of trait anxiety and 92.9% of state anxiety; 93.8% had high spirituality scores. The multiple linear regression test showed a significant relationship between anxiety and the presence of physical discomfort, unusual body movements, and the need for treatment. Furthermore, higher levels of anxiety were associated with the female gender, the lack of leisure activities, and low levels of optimism in the spirituality scale. CONCLUSIONS it is important to develop strategies for coping with anxiety, which in turn can be oriented toward protective factors such as spirituality.