17 - Spain - Private education

University tertiary education

In accordance with the legislation currently in force on the creation and recognition of public and private universities and university institutions, those who are owned by an individual or a legal entity of a private nature are considered private universities.

In addition, the necessary requirements for the creation of new universities, both public and private, have been legally established. Both are endowed with legal status and develop their functions autonomously and in a co-ordinated way, which involves all of them.

Private universities, as established in the 2001 Ley Orgánica de Universidades, LOU (Act on Universities), are governed by regulations passed by the State and the Autonomous Communities, by the law of their recognition and by their own regulations of organisation and operation, as well as by the rules corresponding to the type of legal status adopted. Their organisation and operational rules are passed and drawn up by themselves, subject, in every case, to the constitutional principles and effectively guaranteeing the principle of academic freedom demonstrated by academic, research and study freedom. These rules include their governing and representation bodies, as well as their procedures for appointment and dismissal. Individual governing bodies of private universities have exactly the same name as those established for public universities. The structure of private universities complies with the structure set up for public universities.

The structure of private universities is the same as that of public universities and their organisation and running rules are the same as those set for the statutes of public universities.

The possibility of the creation, modification and withdrawal, in private universities, of faculties, escuelas técnicas superiores or escuelas politécnicas superiores and escuelas universitarias or escuelas universitarias politécnicas, as well as the implementation and withdrawal (in private universities) of studies leading to the award of official degrees valid nationally will be carried out at the suggestion of the relevant university.

Non-university tertiary education

The information about private non-university higher education is available in the following subsections.

Advanced vocational training

The opening of private educational institutions is subject to administrative authorisation from the Autonomous Communities, which are in turn responsible for establishing the specific requirements that institutions offering this type of provision must meet.

Enseñanzas de régimen especial

The information about the different private enseñanzas de régimen especial is available in the following subsections.

Artistic studies

The opening of private educational institutions providing this type of education is subject to administrative authorisation from the Autonomous Communities. In addition, if the private institution ceases to meet the minimum established requirements, the relevant education authority can revoke the authorisation.

Those private institutions providing this type of education are called authorised institutions and their name should also specify the provision and level taught.

Sports studies

The opening and running of private institutions providing this type of education is subject to administrative authorisation from the Autonomous Communities, which will be given if they meet the necessary requirements concerning funding for human and material educational resources.

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