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Studies & Degrees in History of Spain

The history of Spain is studied at three levels: as a compulsory subject at the end of Spanish secondary school, as part of a university degree in history, and as a content course for international students who spend a semester or a year in the country. This page explains what each level involves and what the subject leads to.

What the subject covers

The official curriculum of the Spanish Bachillerato gives a good picture of the field. It presents the subject as an introduction to historical thinking, and it organises the content around themes instead of a simple list of reigns and dates. Among them are:

  • the work of the historian, historiography and historical method
  • the building of the nation and of the liberal state, starting with the Constitution of 1812
  • the meaning of the Hispanic monarchy and of the colonial legacy in contemporary Spain
  • religion, church and state

University courses go further back and further out: Roman and medieval Iberia, Al-Andalus, the empire in the Americas, the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship and the transition to democracy. Students also learn to work with primary sources in archives. Seville, for example, is home to the Archive of the Indies, which according to the Spanish Institute for Global Education holds over a million documents on the discovery, exploration and governance of the Americas.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachillerato. Historia de España is a common subject for all students in the second year of the Spanish Bachillerato, with a minimum of 70 teaching hours in the national core curriculum. In the university entrance exam (PAU), students choose between an exam in Historia de España and one in Historia de la Filosofía.
  • Bachelor's degree. At university the subject is part of a bachelor's degree (grado) in history. An official bachelor's degree in Spain has 240 ECTS credits.
  • Master's degree and doctorate. An official master's degree has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits and allows specialisation in a period or a theme. A doctorate follows for those who want a research career.
  • Courses for international students. Spanish universities and study abroad centres offer single courses on Spanish history that carry credits. Estudios Hispánicos at the Universidad de Barcelona, for example, lists the year-long subject España y Europa: origen y evolución, with 90 hours and 12 ECTS credits, for 2026-27.

Where to study it

The SpainExchange directory lists 2 schools for this subject, both in Spain, and they show the two ends of the scale.

The Spanish Institute for Global Education in Seville is a study abroad centre. Its students can take courses for international students at the Faculty of Geography and History of the University of Seville, in areas that include history, art, anthropology and political science. The institute notes that there are also courses in English for students whose Spanish is not yet strong enough. Its own orientation classes cover Spanish culture, literature and history, and students doing a history project have worked with local historians and researchers in the Archive of the Indies.

The Instituto Secundaria San Isidro in Madrid is a public secondary school that describes itself as a historic institute, bilingual in English and with a French bilingual section. It teaches the Bachillerato, where Historia de España is a common subject, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

For a full degree, look at the history departments of Spanish universities and check the language of instruction. Most degree courses are taught in Spanish, or in the co-official language of the region.

Careers

History graduates work in teaching, archives, libraries, museums, heritage management, publishing, journalism and public administration. Two rules are worth knowing before choosing this path.

In Spain, teaching in secondary education and Bachillerato is a regulated profession that requires an official master's degree in teacher training, with a study plan of 60 European credits, on top of the bachelor's degree.

Research and curating usually ask for postgraduate study as well. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that historians typically need at least a master's degree, and that they work in museums, archives, historical societies and research organisations. It counted about 3,800 historian jobs in the United States in 2025 and projects growth of 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. The occupation is small, so most graduates use their research and writing skills in other fields.

Frequently asked questions

Is the history of Spain a compulsory subject in Spanish schools?

Yes, in the Bachillerato. Historia de España is a common subject for all students in the second year, whatever branch they follow.

Do I have to take a history exam to enter a Spanish university?

Students who sit the PAU take one exam chosen between Historia de España and Historia de la Filosofía. Applicants with foreign school qualifications follow other admission routes, so check with the university.

Can I study Spanish history in English?

For a semester, yes. The Spanish Institute for Global Education notes that the University of Seville has courses in English for international students. Full history degrees in Spain are mostly taught in Spanish.

How long does a history degree take in Spain?

An official bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits, which corresponds to four academic years of 60 credits. An official master's degree adds 60, 90 or 120 credits.