Study in Spain

STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN SPAIN

Since the adaptation of the Spanish university system to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the structure of university studies in Spain now comprises three cycles:

• Bachelor's degrees (in Spanish "Grado"), designed to prepare students for professional practice in one or more disciplines.
• Master's degrees, geared to academic or professional specialization or to introducing students in the world of research.
• Doctoral degrees, devoted to the practice of university research.

The bachelor's and the master's degrees are taught in the following areas of knowledge:

• Arts and Humanities
• Experimental Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Social and Legal Sciences
• Engineering and Architecture

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

ECTS credits (ECTS = European Credit Transfer System) are the standard adopted by all the universities in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the process of convergence between Europe’s higher education systems.

ECTS credits are based on the work completed by the student, and cover hours of class, self-study, written work, and practice. An ECTS credit represents 25 hours of study. A student studying full-time is expected to obtain 60 ECTS credits in an academic year.

THE UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR CAMPUSES

Today the Spanish university system is made up of 77 universities, 50 public and 27 private, distributed throughout the country on more than 180 campuses. Currently, there are five distance-learning universities and two special universities which offer specialized postgraduate programs.

Alongside the academic training it provides, the Spanish university system is also actively engaged in research and knowledge transfer. Spanish universities are among the country’s most productive centres of research.

THE COST OF STUDYING IN SPAIN

Enrolment fees for bachelor’s degrees (grado) at public universities in Spain vary between 500 and 1,100 € per academic year. These fees are established officially by the education authorities in the Autonomous Communities (the regional governments). The amount to be paid each year is fixed by the Autonomous Community itself, within the limits proposed by the Conferencia General de Politica Universitaria (the General Assembly for University Policy) and set by the central government. The cost of official postgraduate studies (master’s and doctoral degrees) taught at both public and private universities is established by the education authorities. However, education in Spain comes under the jurisdiction of the regional governments, which are allowed to increase the amounts set by the central government for universities inside their territories.

At private universities the registration fee for bachelor’s degree studies varies between 5,000 and 12,000 euros per academic year, depending on the degree, the institution, and the student’s academic performance. The fees at private universities are established by the university itself.

Both at public and private universities, the amount that students pay varies according to the number of credits for which they enrol, the degree course chosen and their academic performance (students repeating subjects must pay an extra charge when they enrol for the second time).

The fees for official master’s and doctoral degrees at public and private universities are regulated by the government. In the 2009-2010 academic year, the fees will be within a range set between 16€ and 28€ per credit. Therefore, a master’s course comprising 60 ECTS credits may cost from 960€ onwards. The Autonomous Communities may establish their own fees, but they must be within the limits set by the government. In exceptional cases, the upper limit of 28€ per credit may be exceeded, up to a maximum of 30% of the cost.

For more information you can visit Universidad.es Foundation website: www.universidad.es