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Studies & Degrees in Telematics

Telematics is the part of telecommunications engineering that deals with networks and the services that run on them. The word joins telecommunications and informatics, and the subject sits between the two: a telematics engineer understands how data travels through fixed, mobile and wireless networks and also writes the software that uses those networks. The Universidad de Alcalá describes its degree as a combination of telecommunications engineering and software development.

In Spain telematics is one of the official specialisations of the telecommunications engineering degrees. Order CIN/352/2009, which sets the requirements for degrees leading to the regulated profession of Ingeniero Técnico de Telecomunicación, defines it as the ability to build, operate and manage telecommunications networks, services, processes and applications from the point of view of telematic services.

What students learn

The first two years are shared with the other telecommunications specialisations: mathematics, physics, programming, electronics, signals and the basics of communication systems. The telematics block then covers:

  • network architecture and protocols, including the internet protocols
  • switching, routing and the planning and sizing of networks
  • mobile and wireless networks
  • network and information security
  • distributed systems, cloud services and the programming of networked applications
  • network management and quality of service

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree (grado). Order CIN/352/2009 sets 240 ECTS credits for these degrees: a basic block of 60 credits, a block of 60 credits common to the telecommunications branch, a complete block of 48 credits of one specific technology and a final degree project. Telematics is one of the specific technologies. Some universities offer a degree named after it; others offer a general telecommunications degree with a telematics track.
  • Master's degree. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de Telecomunicación is the continuation that leads to the full engineering profession; there are also specialised master's degrees in networks, cybersecurity and telematic services.
  • Vocational training (FP). The electricity and electronics family includes the intermediate qualification Técnico en Instalaciones de Telecomunicaciones and the higher qualification Técnico Superior en Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones e Informáticos.

Where to study telematics

SpainExchange lists 12 active schools for this subject, all in Spain. They are mainly public universities with a telecommunications school, plus private universities in the Madrid region, Barcelona and Bilbao.

  • The Universidad de Alcalá offers a bachelor's degree in Ingeniería Telemática at its Escuela Politécnica Superior: four years, 240 ECTS credits, with Spanish and English listed as languages. According to the university, the degree qualifies for the regulated profession of Ingeniero Técnico de Telecomunicación.
  • At the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (ETSIT) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, the bachelor's degree in Ingeniería de Tecnologías y Servicios de Telecomunicación lasts four years and has 240 ECTS credits. Students choose one of four tracks in the fourth year, and telematics is one of them. The school states that its graduates meet the entry requirements for the Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de Telecomunicación.

Teaching is mainly in Spanish, with Catalan at the universities in Catalonia and some subjects or groups in English. Because degree names differ between universities, check which specific technology the study plan covers, whether the degree gives access to the regulated profession, and how much laboratory work and company placement it includes.

Careers

The Universidad de Alcalá groups the career paths of its graduates in three fields: telecommunications network engineering, the development of telematic services and the management of telematic systems and services. In practice that means work for network operators, communications software companies, public administrations and the cybersecurity and IT departments of companies in any sector.

Official Spanish employment figures for this specialisation were not found, so the outlook given here is for the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes computer network architects as the professionals who design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks, wide area networks and intranets. It projects that employment in this occupation will grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 9,600 openings a year. BLS adds that these roles usually require a bachelor's degree and experience in a related occupation, such as network administration.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between telematics and computer engineering?

Telematics is a telecommunications degree: it starts from signals, electronics and networks and adds software. Computer engineering starts from software and computing and treats networks as one subject among many.

How long does a telematics degree take in Spain?

Four years and 240 ECTS credits, the length that Order CIN/352/2009 sets for degrees leading to the profession of Ingeniero Técnico de Telecomunicación.

Does the degree lead to a regulated profession?

A degree that meets Order CIN/352/2009 qualifies for the profession of Ingeniero Técnico de Telecomunicación in Spain; the Universidad de Alcalá states this for its degree. Ask each university whether its programme does.

Can I study telematics in English?

Most programmes are taught in Spanish. Some universities list English alongside Spanish, as the Universidad de Alcalá does, so check the language of each subject before applying.