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Studies & Degrees in Networking

Computer networking is the branch of computing that connects computers, phones, servers and other devices so that they can exchange data. It covers the cabling and wireless links, the switches and routers that direct traffic, the protocols that devices use to talk to each other, and the services that run on top, from email to cloud platforms. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes network administrators as the people who install, configure and maintain an organisation's local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), data communication networks, operating systems and servers.

Students learn how networks are built and addressed, how to configure switches, routers and wireless equipment, how to run servers and network services, and how to monitor, troubleshoot and secure all of it. The topic list of Cisco's CCNA certification is a fair summary of an introductory course: network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.

Qualifications and levels

  • Vocational training in Spain. Two official qualifications of 2,000 hours each cover networks. The intermediate Técnico en Sistemas Microinformáticos y Redes teaches the installation of wired, wireless and mixed local networks and leads to jobs such as data network technician; entry requires the compulsory secondary education certificate or a higher qualification. The higher Técnico Superior en Administración de Sistemas Informáticos en Red includes a module on network planning and administration.
  • Certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in North America. Community and technical colleges are the main providers. Somerset Community College in Kentucky offers an Associate in Applied Science in Computer and Information Technologies with a Network Administration track. At Camosun College in Victoria, Canada, the Information and Computer Systems Technologist diploma lasts two years and begins with a technician certificate that takes nine months; it prepares for work in network administration and operations, among other areas.
  • Bachelor's degrees. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. The Grado en Ingeniería Telemática of La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona is an official degree of 240 ECTS credits and four years, taught on campus in Catalan, Spanish and English, with 15 places. In the United Kingdom, the BSc in Computer Networking and Cyber Security of London Metropolitan University includes the complete set of CCNA modules and, according to the university, has professional accreditation from the British Computer Society.
  • Master's degrees. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Carnegie Mellon University in the United States offers a Master of Science in Information Networking, which combines computer science, electrical and computer engineering, software engineering and information systems.
  • Industry certificates. Equipment makers and industry associations certify skills separately from academic degrees. To earn the Cisco CCNA, candidates must pass one exam, Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA). The CompTIA Network+ exam (series N10-009) has a maximum of 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes, and is available in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Where to study networking

SpainExchange lists 78 active schools for networking. The United States has 44, most of them community and technical colleges, and Spain has 18. China has three; Australia, the United Kingdom, Greece and France have two each; Canada, Austria, Albania, Argentina and Russia have one each.

In Spain the list includes La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull and the online Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, the Universidad Europea de Madrid, Florida Universitària near Valencia and the vocational centre CEU FP Madrid. In North America it includes Alexandria Technical & Community College, Tacoma Community College, Laramie County Community College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Carnegie Mellon University and Camosun College. Elsewhere it includes London Metropolitan University and Fudan University in Shanghai.

Teaching is in the language of the country, but equipment manuals, command-line interfaces and most certification exams are in English, so technical English is needed almost everywhere.

Careers

Typical jobs are network technician, network or systems administrator, network engineer, support specialist and, with experience, network architect.

The outlook in the United States differs by level, according to the BLS. There were 323,600 jobs for network and computer systems administrators in 2025, and employment is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, although about 13,400 openings a year are still expected as workers are replaced. Employment of computer network architects, who design and implement data communication networks, is projected to grow 8 percent over the same period. Administrators typically need a bachelor's degree in a field related to computer or information science, and some employers accept a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. Architects typically need a bachelor's degree and experience in a related occupation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university degree to work in networking?

Not always. The BLS states that network administrators typically need a bachelor's degree, but that some employers require a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. In Spain, vocational qualifications of 2,000 hours train network technicians and administrators.

Are certificates such as CCNA or Network+ academic degrees?

No. They are industry certificates awarded after an exam: one exam (200-301 CCNA) for the Cisco CCNA, and a 90-minute exam for CompTIA Network+. Some degrees include preparation for them, as London Metropolitan University does with the CCNA modules.

How long does it take to study networking?

It depends on the level. The Spanish vocational qualifications last 2,000 hours, the Camosun College diploma two years, and the Grado en Ingeniería Telemática at La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull four years.