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Philosophy Schools and Programs in Spain

29 schools in Spain teach Philosophy.

Double Degree In Philosophy (International)

This undergraduate double degree program in Philosophy allows students from la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to do part of their studies in the Universidad Completense in Madrid and vice-versa. The objective of this course is to train graduates with basic philosophical knowledge of both historical and systematic nature, giving them the capacity to identify, analyze, criticize and improve the ideas that make up the contemporary world. Graduates should be capable of transmitting philosophical knowledge in the different educational and training fields and sectors where they are demanded. Some of the courses include: History of the contemporary world, Political Philosophy I, Philosophical Anthropology I, Fundamental ontology, History of ancient philosophy, Contemporary literature, Basic psychology, Esthetic, Philosophical Anthropology II and Medieval Philosophy's history.
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors  
Language of instruction: Spanish  
Location: Madrid

Philosophy

SLU has promoted philosophical thinking for almost two hundred years. SLU-Madrid’s program in philosophy is categorised by a diversity of methodologies and interests. SLU-Madrid’s teaching staff have strong backgrounds of scholarly achievement in many fields of philosophy, including socio-political philosophy and ethics. Students will learn to value the rich history of philosophy because their courses include information from four historical periods (medieval, modern, ancient and contemporary). Saint Louis University-Madrid offers a full assortment of courses in philosophy, including courses on Spanish philosophy, business ethics, the meaning of life, medical ethics and Latin American philosophy. Courses that satisfy SLU’s liberal arts core conditions count toward both the philosophy major and minor.
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors  
Language of instruction: English  
Location: Madrid

Philosophy & Critical Thinking

Philosophy is the study of the most elementary questions that result from pondering the nature of the globe and the place people occupy in it. Studying philosophy offers students one of the best chances to improve their analytical, critical, expressive and interpretive skills and the opportunity to develop both spoken and written arguments and react to them. Bircham University’s Philosophy & Critical Thinking program also suggests utilising philosophical knowledge as a way to cope with life, whether for a specific problem or general depression. Subjects covered on this course include: Perception & Knowledge, Philosophy & Critical Thinking, Multicultural Diversity, World Myths & Beliefs, The Search for Meaning, Philosophic Trends, Esoteric Traditions, Philosophy of Religion, Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Ethics & Law and Metaphysics. Subjects account for 3 academic credits each. The Philosophy & Critical Thinking 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

Philosophy Studies in Spain

Philosophy is taught at most Spanish public universities and at several private and Church-run ones. The bachelor's degree (grado) trains students to read classic and contemporary texts, argue rigorously and analyse problems of knowledge, ethics, politics and art. Most programmes are taught in Spanish, so a good level of the language is needed.

How the degree is organised

Under Royal Decree 822/2021, Spanish bachelor's degrees have 240 ECTS credits, organised as 60 credits per year, and master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 credits. The Grado en Filosofía therefore lasts four years. At the Universidad de Salamanca, for example, subjects are semester-long units of 6 ECTS: basic training is concentrated in the first year, compulsory subjects run through all semesters, and the final year combines 54 credits of electives with a 6-credit final project (trabajo fin de grado).

The subjects follow the classic fields of the discipline. Salamanca lists them as theoretical philosophy, history of philosophy, logic and philosophy of science, aesthetics and theory of the arts, and ethics or moral philosophy. Many universities also offer double degrees: Salamanca combines Philosophy with Political Science and Public Administration, and the Universidad de Navarra combines it with Law.

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

A growing number of universities offer an interdisciplinary degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. RUCT, the Ministry's register of official degrees, lists PPE degrees run jointly by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and another joint degree by the Universidad de Deusto, the Universidad Pontificia Comillas and the Universitat Ramon Llull. The Universidad de Navarra's PPE degree is taught in Spanish and English in Pamplona, with 50 places.

Where to study philosophy in Spain

A search for "Filosofía" in RUCT returns 50 records, including combined degrees and some older plans that are being phased out. Barcelona, Murcia, Salamanca and Valencia have the most schools in our directory. Examples of universities with an official Grado en Filosofía in RUCT:

  • Madrid region: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad Pontificia Comillas
  • Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Bellaterra) and Universitat Ramon Llull
  • Valencia: Universitat de València and Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir
  • Castile and León: Universidad de Salamanca, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca and Universidad de Valladolid
  • Andalusia: Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Málaga and Universidad de Sevilla
  • Other regions: Universidad de Murcia, Universidad de Navarra (Pamplona), Universidad de Oviedo, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Zaragoza, Universidad de La Laguna (Tenerife) and the Universidad del País Vasco
  • Distance learning: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

Programme size varies. The Universidad de Murcia offers 60 first-year places, the Universidad de Navarra 60 and the Universidad de Salamanca 40 for 2026-27, all taught in Spanish. In Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Galicia and the Basque Country some classes may be taught in the co-official language, so check the language of each course.

Admission and language

Philosophy is usually not among the most competitive degrees: at the Universidad de Murcia the cut-off mark for 2025-26 was 5.386. Students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply first to UNEDasiss, the UNED service that assesses international students' records and runs the tests needed to enter Spanish bachelor's degrees, and then apply to each university.

Master's degrees

After the grado, students can specialise with an official master's degree (máster universitario). Examples in RUCT include the Máster Universitario en Estudios Avanzados en Filosofía at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and, jointly, at the Universidades de Salamanca and Valladolid; the Máster en Filosofía Analítica run by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, the Universitat de Barcelona, the Universitat de Girona and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Filosofía Contemporánea at the Universidad de Granada; Filosofía, Ciencia y Ciudadanía at the Universidad de Málaga; and Filosofía: Ciencia, Sociedad, Tecnología at the Universidad del País Vasco.

Recognition and careers

Royal Decree 889/2022 sets out how foreign degrees are recognised in Spain: equivalence (equivalencia) certifies the academic level of a degree, convalidation (convalidación) lets you continue university studies, and homologation (homologación) is needed only for regulated professions.

The Universidad de Salamanca lists the main career profiles: university teaching and research in philosophy, secondary-school teaching (after the corresponding master's degree), civic, publishing and cultural management, and advice and consultancy in fields such as bioethics and corporate responsibility. To teach in a Spanish secondary school, a graduate needs the official 60-credit teacher training master's degree (Máster en Profesorado), because secondary teaching is a regulated profession in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a philosophy degree take in Spain?

The Grado en Filosofía has 240 ECTS credits and lasts four years. An official master's degree adds 60 to 120 credits.

Can I study philosophy in Spain in English?

Most philosophy degrees are taught in Spanish. Some interdisciplinary degrees use English as well: the Universidad de Navarra teaches its Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree in Spanish and English.

How do I apply with a secondary school qualification from another country?

Most students apply for accreditation through UNEDasiss, which assesses international students' records for access to Spanish bachelor's degrees, and then apply to each university within its deadlines.

Can I teach philosophy in a Spanish secondary school?

Yes, after the degree you need the official 60-credit teacher training master's degree, since secondary teaching is a regulated profession.