For those of you new to Spain, do you imagine a university graduation straight out of an American movie, complete with caps and gowns, and the chancellor moving your tassel in front of the entire university? Think again
! In Spain, that kind of formal ceremony is virtually non-existent at most public universities!
I was pretty shocked when I first found this out. After talking with some local classmates, I learned that most public universities in Spain traditionally don’t hold a large, official graduation ceremony for everyone. For them, graduating is more like completing an administrative procedure. You finish your credits, submit your thesis, pass your defense, and then you just head to the secretary’s office to pick up a certificate. The whole process is very simple and, frankly, a bit anticlimactic.
But this doesn’t mean Spanish people don’t care about graduating! They just celebrate it differently. Usually, each department or faculty organizes its own small celebration, called an “Acto de Graduación.” It’s more like a big get-together where everyone dresses up, takes photos, listens to speeches from professors and student representatives, and then… that’s it. Afterwards, everyone goes off to celebrate with their own friends. The real essence of a Spanish graduation season is found in family dinners, all-night parties with friends, or a spontaneous graduation trip.
A Comparison of Graduation Celebrations
So, if you’re studying in Spain and about to graduate, what can you expect from Spanish master’s degree graduation ceremonies
and what to wear for a graduation ceremony in Spain? To give you a clearer picture, I’ve put together a simple comparison table:
| Celebration Style | Common in Other Countries | In Spain |
|---|
| Official Ceremony | Large, university-wide event | Mostly non-existent, or only at a few private universities |
| Dress Code | Uniform caps and gowns | Casual or formal wear, no specific requirement |
| Key Moments | Tassel turning, diploma presentation | Departmental speeches, group photos, dinners |
| Main Focus | Solemn ritual and collective honor | Parties and celebrations with friends |
The graduation season in Spain might lack the “official recognition” of a formal ceremony, but it makes up for it with a sense of genuine connection and freedom shared with friends and family. While you might miss out on the thrill of tossing your cap in the air with thousands of peers, celebrating all night with your best friends in Madrid or Barcelona is a unique and unforgettable memory in its own right. How did you spend your graduation season in Spain? Or for those who are about to graduate, what are your celebration plans? Share your stories and ideas in the comments below!
