YOUR SCHOLARSHIP IN EUROPE

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Your Scholarship in Europe 2008-2009
Spain
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT SPAIN
Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula in south-western Europe and includes the Balearic
and Canary Islands, as well as the Moroccan enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The
population of the country is 45 million. The offi cial language is Castilian Spanish with 17%
of the population speaking Catalan, while 7% speak Galician, and 2% speak Basque. All
Spaniards speak Castilian Spanish. The capital of the country is Madrid. The Kingdom of
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The current Spanish Constitution, dating from 1978,
recognises the right of the various regions of Spain to autonomy while emphasising the
indissoluble unity of the Spanish State. Spain is divided into seventeen Autonomous Communities,
each with its own elected assembly and executive government, together with
the two North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, called Autonomous Cities. All of them
enjoy extensive powers, including those related to regional policy. Spain is one of the main
tourist destinations worldwide. In 2006 alone, almost 60 million foreigners visited Spain and
enjoyed its beaches and historical and cultural sites.
THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Higher education is mainly provided by both public and private universities. Universities
are divided into facultades universitarias, escuelas técnicas superiores, escuelas universitarias,
institutos universitarios, and other centres, notably the colegios universitarios.
University level fi rst stage: Ciclo básico, primer ciclo
The fi rst cycle of university studies (short-term courses), which is taken in Escuelas Técnicas
Superiores, Escuelas Universitarias and Facultades, lasts for three years and leads to
Diplomado, Ingeniero Técnico or Arquitecto Técnico degrees.
University level second stage: Segundo ciclo, ciclo de especialización
Study courses leading to Licenciado, Ingeniero and Arquitecto degrees consist of fi rstcycle
and second-cycle studies (long-term studies), but a degree is awarded only when
courses in both cycles have been completed successfully.
University level third stage: Tercer ciclo, ciclo de especialización para la investigación
y docencia
The third stage is open to holders of Licenciado, Arquitecto or Ingeniero degrees and leads
to a Doctors degree (Título de Doctor) awarded after at least four years' further study and
research, and after the submission and defense of a thesis. Another post-graduate degree,