NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Students holding the qualification of Técnico Especialista can gain direct access to Escuelas Universitarias which maintain
connections with the branch of knowledge and speciality studied in the Formación Profesional de Segundo Grado.
Under the regulations governing university entry, universities have to reserve at least 30% of their places in short-term studies
at such institutions for this type of student. In fact, this percentage may be increased by any university whose Board of
Governors so decides.
Examinations for students over 25
Universities may organise special examinations for the admission of persons over 25 years of age, without preconditions as to
previous studies or qualifications.
This route is exceptional and numerically insignificant. It is valid only
for one particular establishment and university, so that success in the examination gives entry to only the university and the
establishment
which set it.
Some universities organise preparatory courses for this examination. The National Open University (UNED) deserves special
mention because of its activities in this area.
II.2. Intermediate qualifications in
higher education
At the present time, there are no official qualifications attesting the completion of intermediate studies in the various
university curricula in Spain. Although, as noted earlier, long-term studies are structured as a first cycle and second cycle,
they are almost invariably organised as units; the first cycle includes a basic education which has to be continued in the second
cycle, at the end of which a degree can be obtained.
When the first cycle has its own distinctive character it is regarded as final. This is the case with the subjects taught in the
Escuelas Universitarias (see II.3.2).
II.3. Final qualifications in higher education
II.3.1. Final qualifications in non-university
higher education
As was stated earlier, the qualifications which ratify the various non-university higher education studies — with the exception
of art — are generally regarded to be equivalent to the university degrees of Diplomado or Licenciado; they are issued by the
ministry sponsoring the institutions concerned.
II.3.2. Final university qualifications
The government has to prescribe the official designation for each of the official qualifications, each designation being
reserved specifically for the qualification concerned. The designation must include the following specifications: official
qualification valid throughout the country, followed by the relevant qualification (Diplomado, Ingeniero Técnico, Arquitecto
Técnico, Licenciado, Ingeniero, Arquitecto) and the identification of the studies concerned (stating the scientific, technical or
artistic field).