Education in Spain
Spain's education system is well organized and offers a wide range of college and university studies at all levels. The country also offers the best opportunities for the studying of Spanish as a foreign language, with a great variety of courses to choose from. Over the past 25 years, the number of Spanish universities has dramatically increased. In addition the founding of a large number of private universities and business schools have rapidly become internationally recognized centers of excellence. The wide range of study options at Spanish universities gives students the freedom to decide what type of education they want.
Spain is home to 73 universities. They are distributed throughout the country but the cities with the highest number of universities are Madrid (13), Barcelona (8) and Valencia (4). Several of the world's oldest universities are located in Spain. The universities are divided in three categories: public, private, and controlled by the church. The public universities are most popular. 23 of the universities are private and 7 of them belong to the Catholic Church. The rest of the universities are public universities, supported by state funding.
Undergraduate university studies are divided into different stages known as cycles. There are three types of programs:
1. Single-cycle programs (or short-cycle studies). These studies do not continue to the second cycle (examples of this type of programs are Library Studies, Nursing, etc.) and degrees awarded are the Diplomatura (Bachelor degree). These are normally three-year programs.
2. Two-cycle studies with an intermediate diploma. The first cycle leads to the award of the Diplomatura (Bachelor), or Bachelor degree in Architecture or Engineering. Students have the option of continuing to the second cycle for the award of the degree of Licenciatura (Masters degree), or Arquitecto and Ingeniero (Architect and Engineer). These are five or six-year programs. Examples are Economics, Law, Architecture, Engineering, etc.
3. Two-cycle studies without an intermediate diploma (or long-cycle studies). These studies are divided into two cycles but it is necessary to complete both to be eligible for the award of the Licenciatura (Masters Degree). Examples are Veterinary Science, Medicine, etc. These are four or five-year programs.
In addition to these official degrees or diplomas, each university offers a wide range of unofficial degrees (Maestrias) as well as graduate programs in a wide range of subjects that qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor (Ph.D.). The unofficial degrees are typically one or two years and usually require having attained an undergraduate or graduate degree and are widely recognized for their labour market value.
Spanish universities' offer of doctoral degree programs typically require four years of study and research. In the area of business administration, the MBAs offered are among the most prestigious centers in the world. For example. In 2006, the University of Barcelona was ranked in the THES - QS World University Rankings top 200 universities in the world.
Language - Why learn Spanish?
Spain is also one of the most popular destinations for learning Spanish as a foreign language. Spanish is the mother tongue of nearly 400 million people around the world and is the official language of 20 countries. In addition to Spain, Spanish is the official language of many countries in South America. It is also widely spoken in other countries including Canada, Morocco, the Philippines and the United States.
Academic Year in Spain
The academic calendar in Spanish universities tends to be similar throughout the country: lectures begin in October and the academic year ends in June. Examinations are usually held at the end of the first semester, in February, and at the end of the second semester, in June.
Admission of international students
In order to gain admission to an undergraduate program in a university in Spain, international students are required to obtain official recognition of their previous studies and pass the official Spanish university entrance exams (Selectividad), which are taken twice a year in many of the countries of origin of the students. Once they have passed the university entrance exams, international students are eligible to study at any public or private Spanish university. Most universities in Spain require students intending to begin an undergraduate program to apply to their faculties or schools. Each university sets its own application and admission schedule. It is important to apply well in advance.
