Authority responsible for the information
Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
General Secretariat of Universities
Last update: 01-07-2026
Higher education
Content
Organisation
Higher education is the next and final step after secondary education.
Traditionally, such teaching has been imparted through different university studies and higher-level vocational training.
University studies
Bachelor’s degree courses
The purpose of a degree is to enable the student to obtain a general education in one or more disciplines oriented towards work of a professional nature.
Completing a degree gives the student the right to obtain a bachelor's degree with the specific denomination that appears in the Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT), depending on each case.
Master’s degree courses
The purpose of a Master’s degree is to enable the student to receive advanced training of a specialised or multidisciplinary nature oriented towards academic or professional specialisation or to promote the initiation of research.
Completing a Master’s degree gives the student the right to obtain a Master's Degree with the specific denomination that appears in the Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT).
PhD courses
A PhD or doctoral degree course is the third cycle of university studies, which leads to the acquisition of the competencies and skills related to quality scientific research.
Successful completion of a PhD gives the student the right to obtain the title of Doctor, with the specific denomination that appears in the Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT).
Effect of university qualifications
The above university degrees will be official and valid throughout the national territory with full academic effect and, as the case may be, qualify the student to carry out regulated activities of a professional nature in accordance with the legislation that applies in each case.
In the case of degrees providing access to professional activities that are regulated in Spain (for example, the fields of engineering and architecture, health sciences, social sciences and law, professional activities that involve teaching), the Government will establish the conditions to be met by the respective syllabuses, which must also be adapted to the applicable European legislation, where appropriate.
To learn more about the organisation of university studies, consult the information provided by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
Higher-level vocational training
Higher-level vocational education programmes – referred to as Level D in the new planning set out in Organic Law 3/2022 – form part of post-secondary education (not tertiary level). They are linked to the Level 3 proficiency standards in the National Catalogue of Professional Competence Standards and have a duration of two academic years.
To be admitted to Higher-level vocational education programmes, students must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have a secondary school graduation certificate, or equivalent.
- Have passed the entrance exam and be at least 19 years old, or 18 if they have a technician’s diploma in a related field.
- Have a Level 3 Vocational Qualification relevant to the vocational education programme profile.
On successful completion of Higher-level vocational education, students are awarded an Advanced Technician’s Diploma in the corresponding professional profile. This qualification grants access to undergraduate degree programmes, in line with the procedures laid down by the universities, and to Vocational Education Specialisation Courses.
For more information on the organisation of Higher-level vocational education programmes, please consult the information on the website TodoFP.
Relevant links
Information for each Autonomous Community
Legal and/or technical references
