Recognition of University Degrees in Spain
The recognition of a university degree in Spain can be obtained through three mechanisms: Homologation, equivalence, and validation.
To homologate professional degrees, the title must first be validated, and this must be done through a Spanish university that the applicant can choose. This process applies to regulated professions, which are those governed by specific laws that define their practice and establish certain conditions.
The degrees regulated in Spain are:
Updated by Royal Decree 822 of 2021
The fields of knowledge in which official Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are registered are as follows:
- Physical activity and sports sciences.
- Architecture, construction, building, urban planning, and civil engineering.
- Biology and genetics.
- Biochemistry and biotechnology.
- Agricultural sciences and food technology.
- Biomedical sciences.
- Behavioral sciences and psychology.
- Economics, business administration, marketing, commerce, accounting, and tourism.
- Education sciences.
- Environmental sciences and ecology.
- Social sciences, social work, labor relations and human resources, sociology, political science, and international relations.
- Earth sciences.
- Law and legal specialties.
- Nursing.
- Gender studies and feminist studies.
- Pharmacy.
- Philology, classical studies, translation, and linguistics.
- Physics and astronomy.
- Physiotherapy, podiatry, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, optics and optometry, and speech therapy.
- Art history and artistic expression, and fine arts.
- History, archeology, geography, philosophy, and humanities.
- Cultural industries: design, animation, film, and audiovisual production.
- Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, and telecommunications engineering.
- Industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, automatic engineering, industrial organization engineering, and navigation engineering.
- Computer and systems engineering.
- Chemical engineering, materials engineering, and natural environment engineering.
- Mathematics and statistics.
- Medicine and dentistry.
- Journalism, communication, advertising, and public relations.
- Chemistry.
- Veterinary science.
- Interdisciplinary.
For law degrees, homologation cannot be done. A qualifying master's degree must be pursued instead, so the process would be through validation.
For degrees that require a master’s degree
Validation is a process through which a university degree is recognized in Spain, i.e., its equivalence with the curriculum of the Spanish university offering that degree.
Typically, Spanish universities do not validate 100% of studies completed abroad. Instead, they recognize a certain percentage, depending on the foreign curriculum and the one offered by the Spanish university. This is known as partial validation. In such cases, the applicant must complete the additional subjects indicated by the Spanish university to obtain the corresponding degree.
Once the additional subjects required by the Spanish university are completed, the applicant will receive the degree from that university, which does not mention the foreign studies. In other words, the applicant will hold a Spanish professional degree in their field.
In theory, any degree can be validated as long as a Spanish university offers that field of study.
The procedure will depend on the university. For example, Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona has stricter requirements than the Autonomous University of Barcelona, so only a general guideline of what the university might require is provided here.
- Academic certification proving the level and type of studies to be validated.
- Curriculum or syllabus.
- Grades obtained and grading scale.
Equivalence, on the other hand, grants the foreign degree in Spain the same effects as degrees earned in Spain.
This process must be carried out before the Spanish Ministry of Universities, which will grant the corresponding equivalence.
The professions eligible for equivalence are: business administration, arts, journalism, humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences, chemistry and geology, mathematics and statistics, information technology, unlisted engineering degrees, agriculture, forestry, fishing, philosophy, and literature.
It is not possible to duplicate the homologation process if it has already been done in person.
There are 82 universities in Spain, each with its own requirements and academic plans, so the applicant must choose the university that best meets their needs.
HOMOLOGATION FORM
Ministry of Universities:
Homologation Form
Process for homologation of non-university degrees:
Assistance Guide
Payment for foreign applications:
Payment Portal
Additional Homologation Information:
Homologation Process Information
Procedure:
- Submit the application.
- Once submitted and registered, the applicant can check the status of the application at any time.
Documentation:
- Document certifying identity and nationality (PASSPORT).
- If the applicant is in Spain at the time of the process, they must declare authorization for verification of their identity. Presenting copies of identification documents is optional, but they must expressly reject the contents of Royal Decree 522/2006.
- Degree diploma.
- Academic certification of studies completed by the applicant, including:
- Duration
- Curriculum
- Subjects studied
- Study load
- Number of credits (ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).
- Declaration certifying the accuracy of the provided information.
- All documents must be legalized with an apostille (except for documents from EU countries, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland).
- Translation into Spanish (if required).
The authority responsible for processing the application will review the request and the supporting documentation. This process cannot exceed 15 calendar days from the time of submission.
If there is any missing documentation or a need to improve the application, the applicant will have 15 calendar days to rectify the issue and submit the required documentation. In case of difficulty obtaining the necessary documents, a 45-day extension may be granted.
If the homologation request involves a regulated profession, a professional report will be requested from the relevant national professional associations. This report must be issued within a maximum of 10 calendar days.
Once the homologation is certified, for regulated professions, it may be necessary to complete additional credits or practical activities at a Spanish university. In some cases, passing an exam, academic work, or study time may be required.
These requirements must be completed at a Spanish university within a maximum of 4 years. If the requirements are not met within this period, the homologation will be considered void. However, the applicant may apply for validation of specific study periods.
If the homologation loses its validity, the applicant CANNOT request homologation for the same degree again.