1 : Universidad : University
2 : Facultad : Faculty
3 : Universidad Politécnica : Polytechnic University
4 : Colegio Universitario : University College
5 : Escuela Técnica Superior : Higher Technical School
6 : Escuela Técnica : Technical School
7 : Escuela Universitaria : University School
8 : Instituto Universitario : University Institute
9 : Centro de Estudios Superiores
Pre-Higher Education System
entry:6
exit:16
Primary : Colegio de Educación Primaria
Length of program:6
Age level from:6
Age level to:12
Secondary : Institutos de Educación Secundaria, Colegios Privados and Colegios Concertados
Length of program:4
Age level from:12
Age level to:16
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Título de Graduado de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria
Higher Secondary : Institutos de Educación Secundaria, Colegios Privados and Colegios Concertados
Length of program:2
Age level from:16
Age level to:18
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Título de Bachillerato or Título de Técnico
Primary education lasts for six years. Compulsory secondary education (ESO) lasts for four years (from 12 to 16), split in two cycles (from 12 to 15 and from 15 to 16). At the end of the second cycle the student is awarded the Título de Graduado de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). This certificate is required for a) Bachillerato studies (age 16 to 18) and b) intermediate VET (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio). Students who go into VET training are awarded the Título de Técnico.
Bachillerato students who have successfully completed all subjects are awarded the Título de Bachiller. Since 2018-2019, students must sit the Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU) for admission to university education (also known as Evaluación para el Acceso a la Universidad - EVAU).
Higher Education System
Higher education is provided by both public and private universities. Universities are divided into facultades universitarias, escuelas técnicas superiores, escuelas universitarias, institutos universitarios, and other centres, notably the centros de estudios superiores and the colegios universitarios. The Consejo de Universidades (where the Ministry and the universities are represented) constitutes an advisory board on academic matters. The legislation on university autonomy provides for administrative, academic and financial autonomy.
Real Decreto 967/2014 (2014)
Description:Regulations for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications
Ley Orgánica 8/2013 (LOMCE) (2013)
Description:Improvement of Education Quality
Ley Orgánica 4/2007, modifying Ley Orgánica 6/2001 (2007)
Description:Universidad
Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de Educación (LOE) (2006)
Description:All institutions
Ley Orgánica de las Cualificaciones y de la Formación Profesional (LOCFP) (2002)
Description:Professional qualifications
Ley Orgánica de Universidades (LOU) (2001)
Description:Universities
Ley Orgánica del Derecho a la Educación, no. 8 (LODE) (1985)
Description:Right to education
Spanish, Basque, Galician, Catalan
Non-university level
Description:Centros de formación profesional especifica de Grado superior offer to holders of the Título de Bachillerato two year full time courses leading to the title of Técnico Superior in several areas. Higher education studies in Music, Dance and Drama lead to a Título Superior de Música, Danza, Drama which is equivalent to the former Licenciado degree. Higher education courses on Preservation and Restoration of historical works of art and Design lead to qualifications that are equivalent to the former Diplomado degree.
University level first stage : Grado
Description:These three- to four-year (180-240 ECTS) courses have a professional orientation and are concluded with a trabajo de fin de Grado (a graduation paper). After completion of the programme students are awarded the Título de Graduado. Studies are formally grouped around the following areas of knowledge: arts and humanities, science, health-care sciences, social sciences and law, and engineering and architecture.
University level second stage : Máster
Description:These are official advanced university programmes that can be accomplished after obtaining the title of Graduado. They are of a specialised character, last one to two years (60-120 ECTS) and conclude with a graduation paper (trabajo de fin de máster). Some of them are mandatory for the practise of regulated professions. In general, admission to these programmes is open to students who hold the degree of Graduado.
University level third stage : Doctorado
Description:Students with an academic Master's degree can be admitted to a doctorate programme. The former Diploma de Estudios Avanzados/ Diploma de Suficiencia Investigadora continues to offer direct admission to doctorate programmes.
Senior professors of University should hold a Doctoral degree. Lecturing staff that do not hold a Doctoral degree may be employed in certain cases.
There are a number of accredited HEIs offering distance learning, both public and private. The Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED),a state distance learning university awards diplomas and degrees after completion of HE studies in most fields. UNED also organizes courses giving direct access to university for adults over 25 or 45 who do not hold the required qualifications.
Bodies
Role:Government ministry responsible for carrying out national higher education policies.
Street:162 del Paseo de la Castellana
City:Madrid
PostCode:28046
www:https://www.universidades.gob.es
Contacts:- Joan Subirats Humet (Head), Job title : Minister
- José Manuel Pingarrón Carrazón (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación - ANECA
Role:Autonomous body, attached to the Ministry of Science and Innovation and Ministry of Universities, created in 2014, which aims to contribute to improving the quality of the higher education system through evaluation, certification and accreditation of teaching, teaching staff and institutions.
Street:C/Orense, 11, 7ª planta
City:Madrid
PostCode:28020
Contacts:Mercedes Siles Molina (Head), Job title : Director
Asociació Catalana d'Universitats Públiques - ACUP
Street:Av. Tibidabo, 39
Province:Barcelona
PostCode:08035
Contacts:- Jaume Puy Llorens (Head), Job title : President
- Josep Vilalta (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Secretary
CRUE Universidades EspañolasStreet:Plaza de las Cortes, 2. 7ª planta
City:Madrid
PostCode:28014
Tel:+34(91) 360-1200
Contacts:- Juan Como (Head), Job title : President
- María Teresa Lozano Mellado (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
Asociación Iberoamericana de Educación Superior a Distancia - AIESAD
Role:The association works to promote distance higher education, especially among the 13 nations that make up the association. The Association seeks to contribute to the academic life of managers, teachers and students of its member universities, through its various projects and quality assurance in distance education.
Street:Secretaria-Permanente UNED Calle Bravo Murillo, 38-6 planta
City:Madrid
PostCode:28015
Contacts:- Jaime Leal Afanador (Head), Job title : President
- Laura Alba Juez (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Permanent Secretary
European Association for University Lifelong Learning - EUCEN
Role:The aim of the association is too contribute to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere, and to foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.
Street:Balmes, 132-134
City:Barcelona
PostCode:08008
Contacts:Carme Royo (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Secretary
Global University Network for Innovation - GUNI
Street:Avinguda Tibidabo, 39
City:Barcelona
PostCode:08035
www:http://www.guninetwork.org
Contacts:- Jaume Puy (Head), Job title : President
- Josep M. Vilalta (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Director
Grupo Compostela de Universidades
Role:A non-profit association aimed at fostering cooperation and promoting dialogue in all fields related to higher education.
Street:Casa da Cuncha rúa da Conga,1
City:Santiago de Compostela
PostCode:15782
www:http://www.gcompostela.org
Contacts:- Marek Kreglewski (Head), Job title : President
- Teresa Carballeira (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Secretary
International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education - INQAAHE
Role:The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) is a world-wide association of over 200 organisations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education.
Street:c/o AQU Catalunya Enric Granados 33
City:Barcelona
PostCode:08007
Contacts:Deb Adai (Head), Job title : President
Role:A non-profit institution that represents and coordinates joint action in higher education, research and culture of a number of universities from 4 different European countries. Since 1994 it has offered a platform leader in services for universities, public and private organizations and society. Its main objective is contributing to the construction process of this cross-border interuniversity region in Mediterranean Europe and its social and economic development.
Street:c/o Universitat Jaume I Edifici Àgora, local 10 Av. Sos Baynat, s/n
City:Castelló de la Plana
PostCode:12006
Contacts:- Francisco Javier Lafuente Sancho (Head), Job title : President
- Ignasi Casadesús i Olucha (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Exectuve Secretary
Subdirección General de Títulos y Reconocimiento de Cualificaciones
Role:The Subdirección General de Títulos y Reconocimiento de Cualificaciones is part of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and is responsible for the recognition of higher education diplomas.
Recognition for institution:yes
Recognition for profession:yes
Street:c/o Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte Alcalá, 34
City:Madrid
PostCode:28014
Services provided and types of students dealt with:NARIC España provides general information to individuals and institutions regarding the procedures for recognition of higher education diplomas. NARIC España does not assess qualifications nor takes part in the administrative procedures.
Recognition for institution:no
Recognition for profession:no
Street:Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, SG de Títulos y Reconocimiento de Cualificaciones, Paseo del Prado, 28
City:Madrid
PostCode:28014
Tel:+34(91) 506-5593
Fax:+34(91) 506-5706
Admission to Higher Education
Título de Bachiller
Requirement for:Formación Profesional de Grado Superior
Título de Técnico Superior
Requirement for:Formación Profesional de Grado Superior
There are four other ways to gain admission to non-university higher education studies:
• having a university degree or equivalent qualification;
• having passed the university entry exams for students aged 25 or older;
• following an entrance examination for the general subjects with the Título de Técnico with an entrance examination for both general and vocationally oriented education.
Título de Bachiller
Requirement for:Universidades (i.e.: Facultades, Colegios Universitarios, Escuelas Superiores Técnicas, Escuelas Universitarias, Centros de Estudios Superiores)
Título de Técnico Superior
People over 25 and over 45 years of age may be admitted to the university on the basis of an entrance examination, Bachillerato and a specific aptitude test for artistic studies. Admission can also be granted on the basis of competencies acquired elsewhere, i.e., through work experience for people over 40 years of age. Título de Técnico Superior grants direct admission to university higher education.
Students must sit the Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU)
Depending on the number of vacancies ofeered for a certain degree, a minimum admission grade may be requested.
Admission Requirements:Foreign students must have completed their secondary education studies and have them recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education in order to access Spanish university studies. However, they can access Spanish university studies directly if there is an agreement with the authorities of the student’s country of origin, namely, the UE member states, Andorra, China, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and the same applies to any student who has earned the European Baccalaureate diploma or the International Baccalaureate diploma. These applicants must be qualified to enter university in their home country.
Health:Health visa.Entry Regulations:Foreign students from outside the EU must have a residence permit and financial guarantees.Application to Individual Institution:Yes Recognition of Studies
Regarding the recognition of foreign higher education diplomas regulated by Royal Decree 967/2014, there are two differentiated procedures. Please read this information carefully and chose the one applicable to your specific case:
1) HOMOLOGATION: This procedure is exclusively reserved to those diplomas (Graduado or Master) that are a mandatory requirement for the exercise of a certain regulated profession included in Annex I of the aforementioned decree.
2) EQUIVALENCE between a foreign diploma and an official higher education diploma in a branch of knowledge and specific field contained in Annex II and to the academic level of Grado or Master.
For Access to Non-University Post-Secondary Studies:Academic recognition of secondary school diploma is requested.
For Access to University Level Studies:Academic recognition of secondary school diploma diploma which in the home country grants access to the same level of studies is requested.
For Access to Advanced Studies/Research:Access to Master level is regulated by Royal Decree 1393/2007, modified by Royal Decree 861/2010.
Access to Doctoral studies is regulated by Royal Decree 99/2011
For the Exercise of a Profession:Directive 2005/36/EC is applicable.
Orden de 30 de abril de 1996 (1996)
Lisbon Recognition Convention (1997)
Convenio Andrés Bello (2001)
https://www.ciencia.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN/menuitem.26172fcf4eb029fa6ec7da6901432ea0/?vgnextoid=47e9656691165610VgnVCM1000001d04140aRCRD
Student Life
Is there social security:Yes
Is there social security:Yes
By Road:Yes
By Rail:Yes
By Air:Unknown
Available to Foreign Students:Yes
Credentials
Título de Bachiller
Description:Diploma awarded after two years upper-secondary education, following the Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. The Título de Bachiller allows the holder to acces either to higher vocational education or to university.
Título de Técnico
Description:Intermediate vocational studies lasting two years, following the ESO certificate. it can provide access to the labour market or admission to higher vocational studies under certain conditions.
Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad
Description:University entrance examination after completion of upper-secondary education (Bachillerato).
Acronym:EBAU
Entrance exam test at National level:no
Título de Técnico Superior
Description:Diploma awarded at the end of advanced non-university vocational studies lasting 2 years, giving access either to university studies or to the labour market. Corresponds to non-university higher education (formación superior no universitaria). It awards up to 120 ECTS.
Credential required for entry:Título de Técnico
Título de Bachiller
Título de Graduado
Description:The Graduado replaced the former programmes leading to the titles of Diplomado, Arquitécto Técnico, Ingeniero Técnico, Maestro, Licenciado, Ingeniero and Arquitecto. These four-year (240 ECTS) courses have a professional orientation and are concluded with a trabajo de fin de Grado (a graduation paper). After completion of the programme students are awarded the Título de Graduado. These studies are formally grouped around the following areas of knowledge: art and humanities, science, health-care sciences, social sciences and law and engineering and architecture.
Acronym:Grado
Credential required for entry:Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad
Título Superior de Arte Dramático
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in drama. The diploma specifies the specialization, and gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in dramatic art corresponds to an academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Título Superior de Artes Plásticas
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in the visual arts. The diploma specifies the specializationand gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in visual arts corresponds to an academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Título Superior de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in the arrea of conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. The diploma specifies the specialization and gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage corresponds to an academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Título Superior de Danza
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in dance. The diploma specifies the specialization and gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in dance studies corresponds to the academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Título Superior de Diseño
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in design. The diploma specifies the specialization and gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in design corresponds to an academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Título Superior de Música
Description:Degree awarded at the end of higher studies in music. The diploma specifies the specialization and gives access to a profession and / or to further studies. The higher diploma in music corresponds to an academic level of Grado (level 2 in the National HE Framework (MECES).
Máster Propio
Description:These diplomas, which are not officially recognised by the Ministry of Education, are awarded by the rector of a university and do not grant any academic level.
Entrance exam test at National level:no
Entrance exam test at Institution level:no
Máster Universitario
Description:The study programmes leading to the diploma of Máster Universitario have a duration of one to two years (60-120 ECTS) following the Graduado and are completed with a research dissertation (trabajo de fin de máster). In general, admission to these programmes is also open to students who hold the degree from the old system (Licenciado, Arquitecto, Ingeniero, Diplomado, Arquitecto Técnico, Ingeniero Técnico). The Máster Universitario diploma is granted on behalf of the Spanish King and registered in a central system. Some of them are mandatory in order to duly exercise regulated professions.
Entrance exam test at National level:no
Entrance exam test at Institution level:no
Doctor
Description:The current doctorate is exclusively comprised of independent research in preparation for the writing of a doctoral thesis. Students with a Máster Universitario can be admitted to a doctorate programme. Holders of degrees under the old system (Licenciado, Ingeniero or Arquitecto) may also be admitted but should undertake of programme of supervised research training under the Máster Universitario. The former Diploma de Estudios Avanzados / Diploma de Suficiencia Investigadora will continue to offer direct admission to doctoral programmes.
Acronym:Dr.
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universidad (University)
Data Provided by
From:2019
To:2020
IAU from the website of the Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional, and Spanish NARIC information, September 2020. Bodies updated May 2022.
Updated on 04-09-2020