Overview of Higher Online in Spain Educations

Spain's higher education system includes a large number of public and private universities as well as other non-university schools of higher education such as business schools and schools that offer programs in tourism, visual and performance art and physical education. An estimated 88 percent of Spain's higher education students attend one of over 45 public universities.

Spain's public higher education system is known to be overcrowded, especially in the first year, before tough exams have weeded out the less committed students. The system is very structured and students are not allowed to move between public schools except for reasons of necessity. Most students live at home and thus the full experience of higher education many students benefit from in other countries is not common in Spain.

Admissions to public universities is based on a student's secondary school grades as well as their score on the PGB university entrance examination given at the end of secondary school. Tuition at public universities and other public schools is fairly low – typically up to about 1000 euros a year for undergraduate programs.

Higher education in Spain is the responsibility of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, which is a newly created organization that is focusing attention on the need for research and innovation in sciences to promote the economic and social development of Spain.

Types of Schools and Degrees

Until very recently, Spain's higher education schools and degrees were quite different from those of most other western countries. As a result of the European Bologna agreement of 1999, which set a goal of standardizing higher education degrees across Europe, Spain has been making significant changes to their higher education structure. Most schools now offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral level degrees but some still offer old-style degree programs as the transition from old to new continues.

Bachelor's degrees, which are referred to as a "graduado degrees" are earned in four years for most programs, master's degrees in another year or two and doctoral degrees in a varying amount of time, depending on the program. Schools may also offer other certificates and diplomas in addition to these degrees.

Students who wish to study engineering or architecture can attend universities that specialize in these areas. Other universities offer a broad range of programs of study while smaller non-university schools offer a limited scope of programs. Foreign universities and colleges attract international students who want to study in Spain. Study programs in Spain's public institutions typically have a fixed curriculum, leaving students with minimal flexibility to explore subjects outside their program of study.

International Students

Less than two percent of higher education students in Spain are from abroad. Those that do choose to study in Spain often do so through an exchange program or choose to attend a private school which is often an American or European school.

European Union citizens are admitted on the same basis as Spanish citizens, substituting their own country's secondary qualifications for Spanish qualifications. Proficient knowledge of the Spanish language is necessary and is confirmed by the individual university. Tuition for international students at public schools is the same as for Spanish citizens which tends to run up to about 1000 euros a year but varies from school to school.

About Spain

Spain is a country of diverse geography, climates, and cultures. It's population of about 46 million people live in higher densities near the capital of Madrid and in coastal areas which exist on three sides of the country. Spain is a popular tourist destination that is well-known for its many historical sites, artistic influences and Spanish architecture.

Spain ranks 15th on the 2007 United Nations Human Development Index and has the 9h highest life expectancy in the world, based on the same report. It's GDP is about the 10th highest in the world. It is a member of the European Union, the United Nations and NATO.

Spain Universities 

Centro Universitario Villanueva -- Madrid

Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea -- University of the Basque Country - Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria- Gasteiz

IE University -- Segovia

Mondragon Unibertsitatea -- University of Mondragón - Mondragón

Schiller International University -- Madrid

Universidad Alfonso X -- Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio - Villanueva de la Cañada

Universidad Antonio de Nebrija -- Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid

Universidad Autonoma de Madrid -- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Madrid

Universidad Camilo José Cela -- Villanueva de la Cañada

Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU -- Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Castellón de la Plana, Elche

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid -- Colmenarejo, Getafe, Leganés

Universidad Católica de Ávila -- Catholic University of Avila - Ávila

Universidad Católica de Valencia -- Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Martir - Valencia

Universidad Católica San Antonio -- San Antonio Catholic University - Murcia

Universidad Complutense de Madrid -- Madrid Complutense University - Madrid

Universidad de Alcalá -- University of Alcalá - Alcalá de Henares

Universidad de Alicante -- University of Alicante - San Vicente del Raspeig

Universidad de Almeria -- University of Almeria - Almería

Universidad de Burgos -- University of Burgos - Burgos

Universidad de Cadiz -- University of Cadiz - Cadiz

Universidad de Cantabria -- University of Cantabria - Santander

Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha -- University of Castilla-La Mancha - Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Toledo

Universidad de Cordoba -- University of Cordoba - Cordoba

Universidad de Deusto -- University of Deusto - Bilbao

Universidad de Extremadura -- Badajoz, Cáceres, Merida, Plasencia

Universidad de Granada -- University of Granada - Granada

Universidad de Huelva -- University of Huelva - Huelva

Universidad de Jaén -- University of Jaén - Jaén

Universidad de La Laguna -- University of La Laguna - La Laguna

Universidad de La Rioja -- University La Rioja - Logroño

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria -- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Universidad de León -- University of Leon - Leon, Ponferrada

Universidad de Malaga -- Málaga University - Malaga

Universidad de Murcia -- University of Murcia - Murcia

Universidad de Navarra -- University of Navarra - Pamplona

Universidad de Oviedo -- University of Oviedo - Oviedo

Universidad de Salamanca -- University of Salamanca - Salamanca

Universidad de Sevilla -- University of Seville - Seville

Universidad de Valladolid -- University of Valladolid - Valladolid

Universidad de Zaragoza -- University of Zaragoza - Zaragoza

Universidad Europea de Madrid -- European University of Madrid - Villaviciosa de Odon

Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes -- Miguel de Cervantes European University - Valladolid

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria -- Francisco de Vitoria University - Pozuelo de Alarcón

Universidad Internacional de Andalucía -- International University of Andalucía - Huelva, Jaen, Malaga, Seville

Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo -- Menéndez Pelayo International University - Madrid

Universidad Miguel Hernández -- Miguel Hernández University of Elche - Alicante

Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia -- National University of Distance Education - Madrid

Universidad Pablo de Olavide -- Pablo de Olavide University - Seville

Universidad Pontificia Comillas -- Comillas Pontifical University - Madrid

Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca -- Pontifical University of Salamanca - Salamanca

Universidad Pública de Navarra -- Public University of Navarra - Pamplona, Tudela

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos -- Rey Juan Carlos University - Madrid

Universidad San Pablo -- San Pablo CEU University - Madrid

Universidad SEK -- International University SEK - Carcelén

Universidade da Coruña -- University of A Coruña - A Coruña

Universidade de Santiago -- Royal University of Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela

Universidade de Vigo -- University of Vigo - Vigo

Universitat Abat Oliba CEU -- University Abat Oliva CEU - Barcelona

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona -- Autonomous University of Barcelona - Cerdanyola del Vallès

Universitat de Barcelona -- University of Barcelona - Barcelona

Universitat de Girona -- University of Girona - Girona

Universitat de les Illes Balears -- University of the Balearic Islands - Palma

Universitat de Lleida -- University of Lleida - Lleida

Universitat de Valencia -- University of Valencia - Valencia

Universitat de Vic -- University of Vic - Vic

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya -- International University of Catalunya - Barcelona

Universitat Jaume I -- Jaume I University - Castellón de la Plana

Universitat Obierta de Cataluniya -- Open University of Catalonia - Barcelona

Universitat Pompeu Fabra -- Pompeu Fabra University - Barcelona

Universitat Ramon Llull -- Ramon Llull University - Barcelona

Universitat Rovira i Virgili -- University Rovira i Virgili - Tarragona

University San Jorge -- San Jorge University - Huesca