11 th – 14 th April 2013

María Enriqueta Arias
Ana Hernanz
Carmen Jiménez
Elia Cambón
Isabel Hernández
Mª Carmen González
TEAM

Summary
1. THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
1.1.- Regulated access routes to the Spanish university system.
2. TUITION FEES AT SPANISH UNIVERSITIES.
3. THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH LAW.
3.1.- Nature of the Ombudsman`s remit.
3.2.- Strategies for disseminating the figure of the
University Ombudsman.
3.3.- The University Ombudsman in times of crisis.

THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Public Universities 50
Private Universities 27

Before Bolonia Process
Years
8-9
THIRD
CYCLE
THIRD
CYCLE
3
5
SECOND
CYCLE
FIRST
CYCLE
ECTS
PhD
60
ECTS
THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Bolonia Process
90
ECTS
Professional
MASTER
120
ECTS
MASTER
BEFORE UNIVERSITY (Bachillerato, 17-18 years old)

THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Evolution of number of university students between 2007-
2008 and 2012-2013 academic courses

THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Regulated access routes and percentage of students incorporated through each one
1 a b c
4
5 2+3 Others 6+7
1. University Entrance Examination (PAU)
2. Students EU member states or other states through international agreements
3. Foreign students after homologation of the high school title (Bachillerato)
4. Students holding qualifications from technical colleges, or advanced artistic or higher phyisical education training (a, b and c)
5. Examination for persons over 25 years old
6. Accreditation of working or professional experience (over 40 years old)
7. Examination for persons over 45 years old

TUITION FEES AT
SPANISH UNIVERSITIES
Why this matter is now under discussion in Spain?
Students must directly contribute to finance the academic and administrative services
This contribution is legally established RD 14/2012 “Urgent measures for the rationalization of public spending”.
The University must fix the percentage of the cost that has to be assumed by the student.
The final cost depends on the public prices established by the Autonomous
Community.

TUITION FEES AT
SPANISH UNIVERSITIES
Rates of students contributions to the financial cost of the university services.
Grade and Professional Master.
15 – 25 % First enrolment
30 – 40 % Second enrolment
60 – 75 % Third enrolment
90 – 100 % Subsequent enrolments
Rates of students contributions to the financial cost of the university services.
Master Degree.
40 – 50 % First enrolment
65 – 75 % Second enrolment
75 % Subsequent enrolments
Foreign no-EU students could contribute until 100 %
Madrid
Public Universities:
Costs: 1000 – 1400 €
Private Universities:
Costs: 7000 – 10000 €
Note: fees increase with the experimental level of the course of study.

THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN
IN SPANISH LAW
“The role of the Ombudsman is to ensure that the rights and freedoms of university community members are respected by the actions of university organs and services in the interest of quality and proper operation”
Impartial
Autonomous
Confidential
Independent
Ombudsman
Actions
 not subject to any imperative mandate
 without executive power

THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN
IN SPANISH LAW
Orientate and provide possible lines of action to persons coming to seek consultation.
Supervise claim procedures.
Mediate in solving interpersonal conflicts.
Propose and
participate in managing changes.

Nature of the
Ombudsman`s remit
Ombudsman duties



To ensure the proper general functioning of the university community
Building consensus and agreement
The implementation and consolidation of ethical and scientific values in university contexts
Fomenting and assuring
“good practices”

Nature of the
Ombudsman`s remit
To pursue these aims Ombudsman makes use of:
 Its autoritas
 power of persuasion

Strategies for disseminating the figure of the University Ombudsman.
A presentation of the institution to new students at the beginning of each academic year
Regular meetings with student delegations and representatives of different collectives
Guest attendance
(with voice but no vote) at collegiate organs of the institution
Publication of informative leaflets on the figure and functions of the
University
Ombudsman
Presentation to the
University of an Annual
Report on their actions

The University Ombudsman in times of crisis.
 An increase in the activity
 An increase of students complaints mainly related with the increase of university fees (14 – 25%)
1. An increase of demanding of the services for assessing and grading the skills and knowledge acquired in the subjects in their study plans.
2. More complaints regarding assessment systems and criteria, since failing a subject entails a significant increase in the corresponding academic fees.
3. A downturn in the number of credits matriculated per academic year.
4. Transfer to another university.
5. At the extreme, the abandonment of university studies.

The Impact of the crisis in the university environment
 Great dissatisfaction and concern.
 The need of the design of strategies to prevent the withdrawal of the students.
 Enhancement of the Ombudsman figure to support and counsel students.

Thank you very much for your attention!