Spanish Government to tighten the criteria for the creation and recognition of universities

The Spanish Government approves a Royal Decree to tighten the criteria for the creation, recognition and authorisation of university centres in Spain to "defend the quality, equity and prestige of the university system", on 07/10/2025.

Diana Morant, Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, states: "We want to ensure that all universities are committed to the three functions of the university system: Education, research and knowledge transfer".

The new criteria include:

• Universities must invest 5% of their budget in research and attract external funding equivalent to 2%;
• At least 50% of the teaching and research staff must hold a PhD, and at least 60% must have proven research experience;
• Universities must offer a minimum number of Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral degrees in at least three branches of knowledge, which will also require a minimum of 4,500 students;
• Newly established universities must demonstrate financial solvency by means of a guarantee;
• Every new university established in Spain must offer accommodation equivalent to 10% of its student body…