Graphic Design Schools and Programs in Spain

Graphic Design Studies in Spain

Graphic design in Spain can be studied along three official routes: the higher artistic education system (enseñanzas artísticas superiores de Diseño), university degrees, and two-year vocational cycles. Many private schools also run their own courses. Knowing which route a programme belongs to matters, because it decides the qualification you receive, how you are admitted and how the title is recognised.

Higher artistic education in design

The Ministry of Education describes the enseñanzas artísticas superiores de Diseño as part of the European Higher Education Area, aimed at training future design professionals. They are organised in two cycles, grado and máster, and under Law 1/2024 of 7 June specific doctoral programmes can also be created.

Royal Decree 633/2010 sets the content of these studies: four academic years of 60 credits, 240 credits in total, in four specialities: graphic, product, interior and fashion design. The resulting titles are official and valid throughout Spain. In our directory, IED Madrid offers the Título de Grado en Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño in areas including graphic design, and Hacer Creativo in Zaragoza offers official degrees in graphic design and fashion design. Admission requires passing a specific entrance test that assesses artistic aptitude.

University degrees

Universities teach graphic design within the general system of Royal Decree 822/2021: bachelor's degrees of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60 to 120. The ministry's RUCT register lists five bachelor's degrees with "graphic design" in their name:

• Diseño Gráfico y Multimedia at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, also registered as a Bachelor in Graphic Design and Multimedia
• Diseño Gráfico y Creatividad Digital at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville
• Diseño Gráfico y Motion Graphics at the Universidad de Deusto
• Diseño Gráfico y Tecnologías Creativas at the Universidad Europea de Valencia
• Diseño Gráfico Digital at the Universidad Europea de Canarias

Some schools also award foreign degrees in Spain: IED Madrid, for example, offers BA (Hons) degrees awarded by the University of Westminster.

Vocational cycles

The professional studies of plastic arts and design are offered at intermediate and higher level and lead to the titles of Técnico and Técnico Superior de Artes Plásticas y Diseño. They are practical, and every cycle includes a work placement in companies, studios or workshops. The higher cycle in Gráfica Publicitaria (advertising graphics) lasts 2,000 hours. Applicants need the Bachillerato or a vocational technician title and must pass a specific test, unless they hold the arts Bachillerato or another exempting qualification. Hacer Creativo, for example, offers higher cycles in illustration and advertising graphics, and the public Escuela de Arte de Oviedo teaches graphic and audiovisual communication. Within general vocational training (FP), the graphic arts family includes the Técnico Superior en Diseño y Edición de Publicaciones Impresas y Multimedia.

Admission for international students

For a university degree, students with a foreign secondary-school qualification usually apply through UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed to enter a Spanish bachelor's degree, and then apply to each university within its deadlines. For higher artistic education and the art-and-design cycles, the key step is the specific entrance test. Most programmes are taught in Spanish. For English, look at programmes such as the Universidad Europea de Madrid degree, registered under an English title as well, and IED Madrid's British BA programmes.

Recognition and careers

Graphic design is not a regulated profession in Spain, so a foreign university degree in the field cannot be homologated. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities can instead issue a declaration of equivalence, which certifies its academic level (bachelor's or master's).

The ministry's description of the advertising graphics cycle gives an idea of the roles in the field: graphic designer, art director, creative, production coordinator, typography specialist and artwork and quality-control technician. Graduates can work for advertising agencies, design studios, companies and institutions, either employed or freelance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an artistic design degree and a university design degree?

Both are official four-year studies of 240 credits. Higher artistic education in design is taught at schools of art and design and requires a specific entrance test; university degrees are taught at universities and follow the general university admission process.

Can I study graphic design in English in Spain?

Yes, at some schools. The Universidad Europea de Madrid registers its degree as a Bachelor in Graphic Design and Multimedia, and IED Madrid offers BA (Hons) degrees of the University of Westminster.

Is there a shorter route into graphic design?

Yes. Higher vocational cycles such as Gráfica Publicitaria (2,000 hours) lead to an official Técnico Superior title and include a work placement.

Can I get a foreign graphic design degree recognised in Spain?

Graphic design is not a regulated profession, so homologation does not apply. You can apply for a declaration of equivalence of your degree.