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Humanities Schools and Programs in Spain

33 schools in Spain teach Humanities.

Classic Humanities

SLU-Madrid’s Department of Humanities offers classes that make you think about some of the most important questions that humans ask, which will prepare you for your future. Classic authors formed their ideas and theories in classical Greek or Latin and are considered the pioneers of Western culture in many areas: theatre, art, literature, philosophy, natural sciences, mathematics and astronomy. Learning Latin is vital for really understanding the Romance languages, it also contributes to a better comprehension of English. SLU-Madrid’s goal is to strengthen students' critical thinking and analytical skills to prepare them to comprehend themselves, others and their place in the world.
Level: Undergraduate Associate  
Language of instruction: English  
Location: Madrid

Humanities

Humanities focus on the importance and significance of examining human beings from an integrated philosophic, historic and artistic standpoint. Through a complete examination of the globe's politics, religion, history, philosophy and art, students study how perspectives influence each other. Art is seen as the expression of the historical incidents and ideas overseeing a particular period. History is thought as the battle between ideas, society and politics and their development. The ideas describing an era originate from the analysis of previous idealistic failures. The Humanities program tackles the major crises of this century: environmental degradation, social chasm, globalization and cultural clashes. Subjects covered on this course include: Human Evolution, World Cultures, Civilization & Culture, Ancient Civilizations, Art History, Ancient History, XXth Century Art, Comparative Historical Analysis, Religion, Comparative Religion, Contemporary Religious Thought, The Search for Meaning, Philosophic Trends, Literature & Culture, Art & Philosophy and Art & Religion. Subjects account for 3 academic credits each. The Humanities program is available at Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's & Ph.D. (Doctoral) Degree levels.
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors  
Language of instruction: English  
Location: Villanueva de la Cañada

Humanities Studies in Spain

In Spain, Humanities (Humanidades) is a degree in its own right, not only an umbrella term. It brings together history, art, philosophy, literature, language and geography in one interdisciplinary programme, and is distinct from single-subject degrees such as History or Philosophy. Newer variants combine the humanities with heritage, cultural management or digital methods.

How the degree is organised

Like most Spanish bachelor's degrees (grados), a Grado en Humanidades has 240 ECTS credits over four years. The Universidad de Salamanca describes its degree as combining a general, interdisciplinary grounding with applied, professional training, and students choose one of three specialisations (menciones): heritage management, international cooperation and development, or text analysis and criticism. At the Universidad de Alcalá the degree covers history, art, philosophy, literature, language and geography, with some optional courses taught in English.

Names vary between universities. The Register of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT) lists degrees such as Humanidades, Humanidades Digitales (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Humanidades: Historia Cultural and Humanidades y Patrimonio (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha), Humanidades y Estudios Culturales (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya) and Humanidades y Gestión de la Cultura (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona).

Official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Examples in the RUCT include the Máster Universitario en Estudios Avanzados en Humanidades at the Universidad de La Rioja, the master's in Humanities: Contemporary Art, Literature and Culture at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, and a research master's in Humanities, Culture and Society at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha.

Admission and language

Students who completed secondary school outside Spain usually apply through UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' academic records and runs the tests needed to enter a Spanish bachelor's degree, and then apply to each university within its deadlines. Groups are small: Salamanca offers 30 first-year places for 2026-27 and Alcalá 20. Salamanca notes that there is no specific entry profile, given the open nature of the humanities.

Teaching is mainly in Spanish, and in Catalonia also in Catalan. Good Spanish is therefore essential for most programmes.

Where to study humanities in Spain

In our directory, Barcelona has the most schools for this subject (7), followed by Madrid (4), and Salamanca and Logroño (2 each). Universities with an official humanities degree include the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, the Universidad de Salamanca, the Universidad de Alcalá, the Universidad de Almería, the Universidad de Huelva and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Humanidades Digitales, at its Getafe campus). For distance study, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya teaches its 240-credit humanities degree fully online, in Spanish or Catalan, at fees regulated by the Catalan government: according to the university, less than €900 per semester.

Recognition and careers

Official degrees can be checked in the RUCT. Holders of a foreign degree can ask the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for a declaration of equivalence, which certifies the academic level (bachelor's or master's); homologation is only required for regulated professions.

The Universidad de Alcalá lists teaching and research, cultural management and tourism, archives, museums and libraries, publishing, communication and documentation among the main career paths. Salamanca adds international cooperation and the dissemination of science and culture. Teaching in Spanish secondary schools requires, in addition, the official master's in secondary teacher training.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Humanities and a degree in History or Philosophy?

A Humanities degree combines several disciplines, such as history, art, philosophy, literature and language, in one programme, while History or Philosophy degrees focus on a single subject. Some humanities degrees add a specialisation, such as heritage management.

How long does a humanities degree take in Spain?

Four years and 240 ECTS credits for the bachelor's degree, plus 60 to 120 credits for an official master's degree.

Can I study humanities online in Spain?

Yes. The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya offers an official humanities degree that is fully online, in Spanish or Catalan.