The management and governance of universities are structured through collegiate and single-member bodies, in accordance with article 44 of Organic Law 2/2003 on the University System (LOSU).

In public universities, the statutes regulate, at least, the following governing, representative and participatory bodies:

• collegiate bodies: University Senate, Governing Council and Student Council, as well as the Social Council and other bodies which may be established;
• single-member bodies: rector, vice-rectors, secretary general, manager, as well as, where appropriate, faculty deans, directors of Schools, Departments or other specific bodies.

Article 98 of the LOSU states that, in private universities, the rules of organisation and operation determine their governing bodies, ensuring the participation of teaching and research staff, technical, management and administration and services staff, and the student body, as well as a balanced composition between women and men.

Requirements for appointment and functions

Collegiate bodies

The statutes of each university establish the applicable electoral rules and establish mechanisms for the participation of the university community in the different bodies.

University Senate

It is the highest body for the representation and participation of the university community and is regulated by article 45 of the LOSU. Its functions include the approval and modification of statutes, the discussion of university policy and the election of representatives to other governing bodies.

Governing Council

It is the highest governing body of the university and is regulated by article 46 of the LOSU. Its competences include strategic planning, academic policy, personnel, budgets, equality, inclusion, sustainability and internal regulation.

Social Council

It is the body for societal participation and representation in the university, serving as a space for collaboration and accountability. Its regulation is established in article 47 of the LOSU, and its functions include the approval of the multi-annual financing plan, monitoring of university activity and promoting the connection between the university and its social and productive environment.

Student Council

It is the highest collegiate body for student representation and coordination, carrying out functions such as defending student rights, participating in governing bodies, and promoting student associations. It is regulated by article 48 of the LOSU. 

Single-member bodies

Article 44 of the LOSU establishes that the full-time dedication of university teachers is a necessary requirement for the exercise of single-member governing bodies, which in no case can be carried out simultaneously.

The rector is the highest academic and managerial authority at a public university. They represent the institution and direct university policy. The Rector is elected by weighted universal suffrage of the university community from among the full-time, tenured teaching and research staff. Its regulation is established in articles 50 and 51 of the LOSU.

Article 50 of the LOSU establishes that the  Vice-Rectors,  the Secretary General and the Management form part of the government team, with functions supporting academic leadership, ensuring the university’s public faith and overseeing administrative and economic management, respectively.

At the faculties, schools and departments, according to article 52 of the LOSU, the Deans, Heads and Directors exercise the direction and day-to-day management of their institutions, being elected in accordance with the statutes of each university. Within the management team of their institutions, they elect a Secretary who certifies the decisions taken.

Conditions of service

In public universities, headship posts are held by civil servant teachers on an indefinite contract basis. Their working conditions are similar to those of other teaching staff, although they have specific remuneration associated with the position and responsibility assumed, in accordance with current regulations (article 2 of Royal Decree 1086/1989).

In private universities, the conditions for the appointment, operation and remuneration of the governing bodies are established by their internal regulations and by the 9th Collective Bargaining Agreement.