Information Technology Schools and Programs in Spain

Information Technology Studies in Spain

Information technology can be studied in Spain at two official levels: a four-year university degree in computer engineering (grado en Ingeniería Informática) and shorter vocational training (FP) courses in the Information Technology and Communications family (Informática y Comunicaciones). Alongside them, many private academies teach their own courses in programming, networks or office software, which do not lead to an official qualification. Knowing which route leads where is the first decision.

University degrees in computing

Under Royal Decree 822/2021, Spanish bachelor's degrees have 240 ECTS credits (four years) and master's degrees 60, 90 or 120. For computer engineering, the Council of Universities' 2009 recommendations set a 60-credit basic block, a 60-credit common computing block, a 48-credit block in one specialisation and a 12-credit final project. The master's degree in Computer Engineering is linked to the profession of Ingeniero en Informática, with bachelor's and master's together totalling at least 300 credits.

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) is a good example: its degree takes 4 years and 240 credits, with five specialisations (software engineering, computer engineering, computing, information systems and information technology). For 2026-27 it offers 350 places, its cut-off mark was 9.67 and the price per credit is €17.34. The UPV also runs an international double degree with the Universidad de Belgrano in Argentina, and states that all company placements, except those with NGOs, are paid.

Vocational training (FP) in IT

The Ministry's TodoFP portal lists these official qualifications in the Informática y Comunicaciones family:

• Técnico en Sistemas Microinformáticos y Redes (intermediate FP): installing and maintaining computers and networks
• Técnico Superior en Administración de Sistemas Informáticos en Red (higher FP): systems and network administration
• Técnico Superior en Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Multiplataforma (higher FP, 2,000 hours): business, general-purpose and mobile applications
• Técnico Superior en Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Web (higher FP): web development
• Specialisation courses after higher FP, for example in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and big data, Python development and cloud services

A higher FP qualification also opens the way to a university degree, with the possibility of having some modules recognised. When an academy advertises an IT course, check whether it leads to one of these official titles or is the school's own certificate.

Where to study IT in Spain

A search of the Ministry's Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT) for bachelor's degrees in computer engineering returns 91 records, including variants and degrees being phased out. Barcelona and Madrid have the most schools in our directory, followed by Zaragoza, Salamanca and Seville. Examples with an official degree in RUCT:

• Madrid region: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Universidad de Alcalá and Universidad Europea de Madrid
• Catalonia: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Universitat Ramon Llull and the online Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
• Valencia: Universitat Politècnica de València
• Other regions: Universidad de Zaragoza, Universidad de Salamanca, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Universidad de Sevilla (which also has a computer engineering degree in artificial intelligence), Universidad de Huelva, Universidad de Extremadura, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea and Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Online study is a real option: the UOC's degree is 100% online, has 240 credits and is taught in Spanish and Catalan; the university says its prices are regulated by the Generalitat and that the degree costs less than €900 per semester. Whatever the language of teaching, the Universidad de Salamanca points out that most specialist literature is in English.

Admission and recognition

For a university degree, students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply for an accreditation from UNEDasiss, which assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed to enter Spanish bachelor's degrees; they then apply to each university within its deadlines. For FP, a foreign vocational qualification must first be homologated through the Ministry's online office (Sede Electrónica). Holders of a foreign university degree can apply for a declaración de equivalencia (academic level) or convalidación (to continue studies) under Royal Decree 889/2022.

Costs and visa

The autonomous communities set the fees for official degrees at public universities, so prices differ by region; private universities and academies set their own. Students from outside the EU who will study for more than 90 days need a student visa, with proof of means equal to 100% of the IPREM (€600 per month of study in 2026, according to the Universidad Complutense de Madrid) and health insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods.

Careers

FP graduates work as application developers, systems and network technicians or support staff; TodoFP lists jobs such as developing business and management software. University graduates also move into software architecture, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence, or continue with the master's degree in Computer Engineering.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose a university degree or FP in IT?

Higher-level FP courses have 2,000 hours and are very practical; the university degree takes four years and 240 ECTS credits and leads to master's study. A higher FP can later give access to a degree with some modules recognised.

Can I study IT online in Spain?

Yes. The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya offers an official 100% online degree in computer engineering in Spanish and Catalan.

Are IT degrees in Spain taught in English?

Most are taught in Spanish (or Catalan, Valencian, Galician or Basque in some regions), but good English helps, because most specialist literature is in English.

Is a private academy's IT course an official qualification?

Only if it leads to an official FP title such as those listed on TodoFP. Many academy courses are the school's own certificates.