Miguel A. Carreira-Perpinan: University degrees in Spain

Although the specific structure of Spanish higher education degrees depends on the particular University and is also being subject to a reorganisation (at the time of writing this page, that is, 1997), the following structure is typical of the Science and Engineering courses:

• Short degrees (3 years), such as Ingeniero Técnico or Diplomado, roughly equivalent to a BSc. Usually a dissertation must be submitted to obtain the degree, apart from passing certain subjects (or getting a certain number of credits).
• Long degrees (4 to 6 years), such as Ingeniero Superior or Licenciado, roughly equivalent to MEng or MSc. Usually a dissertation must be submitted to obtain the degree, apart from passing certain subjects (or getting a certain number of credits).
• Doctoral studies are only possible after having obtained a long degree. They require dedicating a minimum of 2 years to obtain a certain number of credits in specialised subjects and require a thesis. They are equivalent to a PhD.

For example, the licenciatura en Informática (equivalent to a MSc in Computer Science) lasts 6 years at the Technical University of Madrid (Facultad de Informática) and requires a thesis that must be presented orally. The licenciatura en Ciencias Físicas (equivalent to a MSc in Physics) at the UNED University lasts 5 years and does not require a thesis.

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