Higher education consists of: 

• University education (ISCED 6, 7, and 8);
• Non-university education:
  • Advanced vocational training and advanced specialisation courses (ISCED 5).
  • Specialised education programmes:
    • Higher artistic education (ISCED 6, 7, and 8);
    • Advanced vocational education in plastic arts and design (ISCED 5);
    • Advanced sports education (ISCED 5).

2026

New Statutes of the National University of Distance Education

In March 2026, Royal Decree 181/2026 was approved, establishing the new Statutes of the National University of Distance Education (UNED). The aim is to adapt the organisation and functioning of the UNED to the most recent university regulations, particularly the Organic Law of the University System of 2023, thereby updating its institutional framework.

The new statutes regulate aspects such as the university’s governance structure, the rights and duties of the university community, and the organisation of its teaching, while maintaining its character as a public university specialising in distance and blended learning. In addition, the regulation strengthens university autonomy and clarifies responsibilities and internal functioning, with the aim of ensuring a high-quality educational offer adapted to the specific characteristics of non-face-to-face learning.

2025

Changes to the regulation of the university system

In October 2025, Royal Decree 905/2025 was approved, amending several regulations governing the Spanish university system, including the creation of universities, the organisation of teaching, and the awarding of official degrees.

The aim of the reform is to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure the quality of universities and the qualifications they offer. To this end, the requirements for establishing or recognising new universities are updated, and evaluation and accreditation procedures are reinforced.

Among other measures, more demanding criteria are established for teaching staff and research activity within universities. For example, at least 50% of academic staff must hold a doctoral degree, and institutions are required to allocate part of their budget to research.

The regulation also introduces changes to the Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees, the awarding of official university qualifications, and the system for quality assurance in higher education. These measures aim to ensure that universities have the resources, academic structure and capacity needed to provide high-quality education.

New Higher Council for Arts Education

In August 2025, the Higher Council for Arts Education was created through Royal Decree 715/2025 (Real Decreto 715/2025).

The Council is a consultative and participatory body of the State in the field of arts education. Its mission is to advise the Government, propose improvements in the organisation of these studies, and channel the participation of the sectors involved (teachers, institutions, students and administrations).

It is attached to the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports through the State Secretariat for Education, which provides the resources necessary for its operation. Within one year it must approve its internal regulations.

Implementation of the new Higher Arts Education Framework: New Timetable

In July 2025, the Government approved a royal decree (Real Decreto 611/2025) setting out the timetable for the implementation of the new framework for arts education. The regulation has been in force since the day after its publication in the Official State Gazette.

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports is responsible for putting it into practice. Its aim is to provide legal certainty and to progressively organise the changes affecting studies, institutions, teaching staff and students in this field.

The measures envisaged include the adaptation of the Higher Council for Arts Education, the creation of a national register, the regulation of new bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the approval of a basic student statute. Specific rules for teachers and the updating of professional qualifications linked to the National Catalogue of Competences are also foreseen.

The process will be gradual and will take place between 2025 and 2027, with specific deadlines for each stage.

New Internal Regulations of the General Assembly for University Policy

The General Assembly for University Policy agreed to approve its new Internal Regulations, which were subsequently published in the Official State Gazette by means of a Resolution.

The General Assembly for University Policy is the body for consultation, coordination and cooperation on general university policy and it is made up of the head of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, who will chair it, the heads of university education in the Governing Councils of the autonomous communities and five members appointed by the Assembly's presidency. 

In accordance with the new Regulations, the functions of the General Assembly for University Policy are, among others, the following: 

• To plan, inform, consult and advise on the general and multi-annual programming of university education.
• To draw up proposals to ensure the transparency, evaluation, debureaucratisation and efficiency of the main teaching, research, funding and human and economic resource management processes carried out at universities.
• To issue binding reports on the creation and recognition of universities.
• To approve, each year, the general provision of courses and places for official degrees in the university system.
• To propose measures and actions that guarantee access to, continuity in and completion of university studies under equal conditions for all students.
• To draw up reports on the application of the principle of gender equality, anti-discrimination policies and the recognition of diversity in all aspects of university life.
• To establish and assess the general guidelines of university policy, its internationalisation and, in particular, its articulation in the European  Higher Education Area and its interrelationship with scientific and technological research policies.
   

2024

New Law on Higher Artistic Education

In June 2024, the Congress of Deputies passed the Law 1/2024 on Higher Artistic Education, which governs those studies for the very first time. In addition, it has become the education law with the broadest consensus in Spanish democracy.

The new law defines higher artistic studies as those belonging to bachelor’s and postgraduate levels within higher education targeted to the artistic development. These studies include a number of artistic disciplines:

• Music
• Dance
• Drama
• Conservation and restoration of cultural goods
• Visual arts
• Design
• Audiovisual arts, videogames, animation and cinematography
• Creative writing
• Circus arts

The law validates Higher Artistic Education to the European higher education area, aligning them to university studies. It also validates professional artistic education to the National Catalogue of Professional Qualifications, that is, the new Vocational Training system, opening up the possibility to acknowledge and credit the competences acquired by workers in the artistic sector.

This will enable students to undertake part of their studies in a different European country and develop their career beyond their national borders. The dual modality is also implemented, so students will be able to carry out part of their training as internships in companies, organisations, etc. and they will contribute to the Social Security system.

Furthermore, students in Higher Artistic Education can be granted scholarships under the same conditions as university students, including the payment of tuition fees, which were not compensated before.

The main objectives of the artistic education regulation include:

• Quality education: to provide a high-quality artistic education. The law aims to ensure that artistic education programmes enable students to develop their artistic, scientific, humanistic, cultural, research and pedagogical qualification.
• Professional qualification: to enable the qualification for the development of the student’s professional career, ensuring the acquisition of the necessary competences to successfully become integrated into all areas of the artistic sector. This includes the theoretical and practical training, tailored to the current labour market needs.
• Innovation and knowledge transfer: to promote innovation and transfer of knowledge in the artistic field. This includes research promotion, artistic creation and the collaboration between educational institutions and professionals in the sector.
• Contribution to economic development: to support economic growth by developing the creative and technological sectors, which are vital for the development and competitiveness of the Spanish economy.