Spain
As Spain has a federal system of government it should be noted that on university matters the situation may differ considerably between Spain’s autonomous communities, particularly in relation to financial matters. The evaluation on autonomy is nevertheless for Spain as a whole.
Recent developments:
- Public deficit reduction measures since 2011 have affected universities, for example some universities experiencing greater difficulties in accessing borrowing
Organisational autonomy: medium low
The election of the executive head must be validated by an external authority and their selection criteria are stated in the law. The dismissal of the executive head must follow a procedure stated in the law and must be confirmed by an external authority. The main governing body, a board/council-type body, includes a small minority of external members. Universities can decide on their academic structures and can create both for-profit and non-profit legal entities.
Financial autonomy: medium low
Universities receive funding on an annual block grant basis with no restrictions on the allocation of funding. They can keep surpluses and own buildings. They can borrow money with the approval of an external authority. Tuition fees for all students at all levels are set by the regional governments within limits established at the federal level.
Academic autonomy: medium low
Universities negotiate overall student numbers with public authorities. Admission to Bachelor programmes is co-regulated, while at Master level universities can set admission criteria. All new degree programmes at Bachelor and Master levels must be submitted for prior accreditation to be funded, and doctoral programmes can only be introduced after accreditation. Universities are not able to choose either quality assurance mechanisms or providers.
Staffing autonomy: medium low
Universities can only recruit senior staff among candidates already accredited by an external authority following a procedure stated in law. Salaries for all senior academic staff and a majority of senior administrative staff are set externally in line with civil servant status. Dismissals are strictly regulated due to the civil servant status of senior academic staff and most senior administrative staff. Universities can decide on promotions but must follow a procedure stated in law.
Organisational weighted 55% unweighted 60%
0% Selection procedure for the executive head
The selection of the executive head is validated by an external authority
This applies to 11 other countries: Brandenburg, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland
50% Selection criteria for the executive head
The law states that the executive head must hold an academic position
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Flanders, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden
The law states that the executive head must come from within the university
40% Dismissal of the executive head
The dismissal is confirmed by an external authority and the procedure is stated in the law
This applies to 5 other countries: Brandenburg, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Slovakia,
100% Term of office of the executive head
The length of the term of office is not stated in the law
This applies to 5 other countries: Denmark, Wallonia, The Netherlands, Slovenia, United Kingdom
29% External members in university governing bodies
Universities cannot decide as they must include external members
This applies to 23 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland
The appointment is completely controlled by an external authority
This applies to 5 other countries: Hungary, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Serbia, Switzerland
100% Capacity to decide on academic structures
Universities can decide on their academic structures without constraints
This applies to 19 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Capacity to create legal entities
Universities can create legal entities without constraints
This applies to 18 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Serbia, United Kingdom
Financial weighted 55% unweighted 40%
60% Length of public funding cycle
One year
100% Type of public funding
Block grant and there are no restrictions on the allocation of funding
This applies to 15 other countries: Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, Hesse, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom
80% Ability to borrow money
Universities can borrow money with the approval of an external authority
This applies to 4 other countries: Croatia, France, Luxembourg, Slovenia,
100% Ability to keep surplus
Surplus can be kept without restrictions
This applies to 15 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hesse, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Ability to own buildings
Universities can sell their buildings without restrictions
This applies to 9 other countries: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Wallonia, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovakia, United Kingdom
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Bachelor level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Master's level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 5 other countries: Croatia, Flanders, France, Wallonia, The Netherlands,
0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at doctoral level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Bachelor level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Master's level
Only an external authority is allowed to set the level of tuition fees
0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at doctoral level
Staffing weighted 48% unweighted 47%
58% Recruitment procedures for senior academic staff
Other restrictions
58% Recruitment procedures for senior administrative staff
0% Salaries for senior academic staff
Salaries are set by an external authority/civil servant status for all staff
58% Salaries for senior administrative staff
Salaries are set by an external authority/civil servant status for some staff
0% Dismissal of senior academic staff
Dismissals are strictly regulated due to civil servant status for all staff
60% Dismissal of senior administrative staff
Dismissals are strictly regulated due to civil servant status for some staff
This applies to 6 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Ireland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Portugal,
71% Promotion procedures for senior academic staff
The law states who has to be included in the selection committee
71% Promotion procedures for senior administrative staff
The law states who has to be included in the selection committee
This applies to one other country: Croatia
Academic weighted 57% unweighted 58%
60% Overall student numbers
Universities negotiate with an external authority
This applies to 10 other countries: Brandenburg, Denmark, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia,
60% Admissions procedures at Bachelor level
Admission criteria are co-regulated by an external authority and universities
This applies to 11 other countries: Brandenburg, Croatia, Denmark, Hesse, Latvia, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden
100% Admissions procedures at Master's level
Admission criteria are set by the university
This applies to 18 other countries: Brandenburg, Estonia, Finland, France, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, United Kingdom
40% Introduction of programmes at Bachelor level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be funded
This applies to 3 other countries: Croatia, France, The Netherlands,
40% Introduction of programmes at Master's level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be funded
This applies to 3 other countries: Croatia, France, The Netherlands,
0% Introduction of programmes at doctoral level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
100% Termination of degree programmes
Universities can terminate degree programmes independently
This applies to 25 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Language of instruction at Bachelor level
Universities can choose the language of instruction for all programmes
This applies to 19 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Language of instruction at Master's level
Universities can choose the language of instruction for all programmes
This applies to 20 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
0% Selection of quality assurance mechanisms
Universities cannot select quality assurance mechanisms
0% Selection of quality assurance providers
Universities cannot choose the quality assurance agency
100% Capacity to design content of degree programmes
Universities can freely design the content of degree programmes and courses (other than for the regulated professions)
This applies to 25 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom