The history of education in spain

The history of education in spain

The origins of higher education in Spain date back to Al-Andalus, the period of Islamic rule.

The first medieval European universities were simply groups of scholars, the word "university" being derived from the Latin Universitas, meaning corporation. The University of Palencia appears to have been the oldest university in Spain, while the University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca) is the oldest existing Spanish university. Founded in 1218, during a period of expansion that had begun in the 11th century, this University is considered to be one of the oldest in Western Europe. The university was founded as a "General School of the kingdom" by King Alfonso IX of Leon in 1218 so that the Leonese people could study at home without having to leave for Castile.

Many of the medieval universities in Western Europe were born under the Catholic Church. In the early medieval period, most new universities were founded from pre-existing schools, usually when these schools were deemed to have become primarily sites of higher education. Many historians state that universities and cathedral schools were a continuation of the interest in learning promoted by monasteries.

In Europe, young men proceeded to university when they had completed their study of the triviumРthe preparatory arts of grammar, rhetoric, and logic. Arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.

By the end of the Spanish Golden Age (1550Р1650), the academic quality of all Spanish universities had declined. Professors and students rarely attended classes, degrees were awarded with less frequency, and their prestige receded.

The education system

The Ley Orgánica de Reforma Universitaria С LRU (law for the reform of higher

education) of August 1983 is the legal foundation for the Spanish higher education

system. It defines the areas of responsibility with regard to higher education policy of

the State, the autonomous communities and the higher education institutions.

The 1983 law acknowledges the academic freedom of the universities. This is reflected

in their capacity to devise and approve study and research plans and to issue their

degrees and diplomas.

The institutions of higher education

Spanish higher education is provided almost entirely within the framework of the

universities. There are only a few non-university institutions of higher education.

Non-university higher education now includes only a few specialised institutes, which organise advanced studies in areas such as: courses leading to the qualification of tourism and related activities. Advanced art studies (dramatic art and dance, singing, and conservatories of music).

University higher education

In accordance with the law for the reform of higher education, the functions of

universities are as follows: the creation, development, teaching and exercise of criticism

of culture, the qualifications of students for the exercise of professional activities and

the support of the cultural, social and economic development of Spain and the selfgoverning regions.

The university system in Spain consists of 43 State universities, three private

universities and four universities belonging to the Catholic Church. In principle, these

are full curriculum universities which provide, according to their circumstances, courses

in the various fields of knowledge (experimental science, social science and law, the

humanities, medicine, engineering and technology, etc.) and at all levels (first, second

and third cycles or Doctorado).

However, three of them, known as Universidades Politécnicas, specialise in technical

areas such as engineering and technology. These subjects are also studies alongside

other branches of science and the humanities in the other universities.

The Spanish university system is predominantly a State system with the Catholic

Church universities and, more recently, the private universities having only a minor

influence.

The Facultades, Escuelas Técnicas Superiores and Escuelas Universitarias are the

institutions responsible for organising and administering the courses leading to the

various academic degrees. The courses vary in length and can be long or short.

Facultades and Escuelas Técnicas Superiores organise long-term courses lasting five or

six years. The former deal with science and the humanities while the latter teach only

technology, engineering and architecture.

The 1^st cycle: The Escuelas Universitarias are institutions responsible for shortterm courses lasting three years.

Facultades and Escuelas Técnicas Superiores organise long-term courses lasting five or six years.

The 2^nd cycle: The Escuelas Universitarias are institutions responsible for shortterm courses lasting three years.

The 3^rd cycle of university studies in Spain is devoted to scientific specialization and training in the techniques of research. The course lasts at least four years and includes Doctorado teaching courses and the completion of a doctoral thesis.

After the successful completion of this third cycle, which is taught in university Departamentos and Institutos, candidates obtain the title of Doctor.

Teaching organisation

Generally speaking, apart from postgraduate and doctorate studies, university teaching

is divided into academic years (between the months of October and June). Studies are

undertaken both in the form of lectures and as practical classes or specialised seminars,

depending on the nature of the academic disciplines concerned.

Students must pass the yearly examinations in each subject (examinations are held in

June, with subsidiary ones in September, though some are held every four months). The

qualifications may be negative, which means that the subject in question must be

repeated, or positive.

Diplomas

University official diplomas (that is diplomas awarded after completing a degree

approved by the University Council) take full academic effects, and entitle their holders

to the exercise of the profession and to all the rights attendant thereto. Universities also

have their own diplomas, awarded after completing degrees not approved by the

University Council, which in turn neither take full academic effects nor entitle the

holder to the exercise of the profession. From an academic point of view, this means

that these diplomas do not qualify the holder for the pursuance of officially regulated

university studies, after which an official diploma is awarded. From a professional point

of view, they do not lead to an officially regulated profession.

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