Spain and UNED Launch Plan for 12 New Degrees and 20,000 University Spots
The Spanish government has recently signed a multi-year agreement with the National University of Distance Education (UNED) for the period 2026-2029 to address the shortage of places in public universities. The plan will introduce 12 new undergraduate and 4 master’s degrees, adding approximately 20,000 student spots—an increase of 46%. This initiative focuses on strategic disciplines like Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Cybersecurity, supported by an additional €90 million in funding.
Background and Agreement
Spain’s public universities have been facing a severe supply crisis in recent years. While the number of young applicants continues to rise, the availability of places has not kept pace, pushing admission scores to record highs. As part of its strategy to limit the expansion of private universities, the government has chosen to strengthen the centrally-administered UNED as a solution. The agreement was signed on April 8 by Diana Morant, Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, and Ricardo Mairal, Rector of UNED.
New Degrees Focus on Strategic Fields
The new plan is designed to expand capacity in high-demand and strategically valuable fields. The new undergraduate degrees include engineering-focused areas like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Neuroscience, as well as popular double degrees such as Mathematics and Physics, and Mathematics and Economics. New master’s programs will cover cutting-edge topics like Quantum Technologies and Climate Change Management. Previously, these programs had limited availability in the public system, making admission highly competitive.
Funding and Scale
The government will provide an additional €90 million for this initiative. By 2029, total state funding for UNED will reach €169 million, a 57% increase compared to 2025. The number of new student places is equivalent to the entire annual intake of the Complutense University of Madrid, one of Spain’s largest universities. The plan will also expand the number of spots in some existing programs, further increasing overall capacity.
Expected Outcomes and Future Steps
By expanding through its distance learning model, UNED will be better equipped to meet the needs of students nationwide. Although details regarding the hiring of new professors and the expansion of facilities are still being finalized, the overall goal is to ensure equal educational opportunities and cultivate more talent in strategic national sectors. This move signifies a concrete action by the government to alleviate pressure on the public higher education system by leveraging a central university.
