Old Plan

The new, Bologna-adapted degrees started to be introduced this year, and the previous study plans started to be phased out. So what does Bologna mean for you if you are studying under the old plan?

How does the Bologna Process affect degrees that are currently still in force?

The royal decrees that establish the new degrees cannot affect the current qualifications, either academically or professionally.

Can I continue with my old plan?

The study plans that are currently operational will be phased out year-by-year, as the new study plans prepared in line with the new legislation are introduced.

What if I have outstanding subjects to complete?

The syllabus of subjects and their related reading lists, etc., must be approved at the start of each year. This means that, before the process of adapting to the EHEA is completed, some students may find they have an outstanding subject that is suddenly going to be taught or evaluated in a different way. However, the fact that a subject is going to disappear or change as a result of the differences between the old and new study plans should not be a cause for concern, because once a course has been phased out, the universities must ensure they have procedures in place to allow students to finish their course over the next two academic years.

Is it still possible to take second cycle studies under the previous study plans?

Universities may continue to offer second cycle study programmes as a continuation of first cycle studies until the 2010-2011 academic year, but these will all disappear in the future, when master’s degrees will be offered to allow graduates to specialise in a subject.

Will there be a change in the length of time students can take to complete degrees, or to the academic timetable?

Both of these may change according to decisions made by each university. Many universities are introducing changes to their calendars, because the new model is based on a different teaching methodology, which may make it more useful for the academic year to be broken down in a different way.

What happens if I have to, or want to, change to an EHEA-adapted degree or master’s?

When universities draw up the proposals for their new study plans, they must incorporate structures to ensure recognition for the credits of students studying under the old system.

Graduates with official university qualifications obtained under pre-existing university education systems can be admitted into the new official postgraduate programmes, which will provide access to master’s and doctorate degrees.

What must I do to get a place on a master’s course if I have a university diploma?

Graduates holding university diplomas or official qualifications from three year architecture or engineering degrees may get onto official master’s courses without having to meet any additional requirements beyond the specific requirements and merit evaluation criteria of the universities. This means that it will still be necessary to fulfil certain prior educational requirements in some disciplines.

How about doctorates?

The requirements for those seeking to join the Doctorate Programme during the training phase are the same as for the master’s degree, while those applying for the Doctorate Programme in the research phase must be in possession of an official master’s degree from a university. A development in this area is that a qualification at the same level issued by other EHEA higher education institutions will also be valid. In the case of educational systems outside the EHEA, this qualification does not have to be officially authorised, although proof must be provided that it certifies a level of education equivalent to the corresponding Spanish master’s qualification, and also that it entitles the holder to go on to study for a Doctorate in the country where it was issued.

Candidates may also access doctorate studies after successfully completing 60 credits within one or various university master’s degrees, in accordance with the university’s offer, or having accumulated 300 credits during degree studies.

What must I do in order to obtain the European degree supplement?

At the moment, only students who have gained an official university degree valid throughout the whole of Spain after September 2003 may request the European degree supplement, and only in those universities where the system has been introduced.