Spain has one of the oldest university traditions in the worldwith over 900 years of history. Some of its higher education institutions were pioneers in the development of the university model in the West.
These establishments They were born as centers of liberal arts education. They taught subjects such as grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, music, geometry and astronomy. Over time, they expanded their offerings and integrated studies in law, medicine and theology.
The origin of universities
European universities appeared in the Middle Ages. In principle, they were organized into guilds of teachers and students. They regulated the admission and promotion of apprentices to masters, by means of a license which allowed them to teach.
In the Middle Ages, Spanish universities are characterized by their strong religious influencefor many of them were connected with the Church. Studies focused mainly on theology, philosophy and medicine, modeled on the universities of Bologna and Paris.
In the Iberian Peninsula, The first universities appear in the 12th and 13th centuries. From this period date universities such as those of Palencia (1208/1214), Salamanca (1218), Lérida (1279/1300) and Lisbon (1288/90), which then moved to Coimbra in 1308. They all followed the model from University University of Bologna
These institutions mainly focused on legal studies meet the needs of the Church and the state administration. On the other hand, universities like Paris and Cambridge placed greater emphasis on liberal arts and theological studies.
Salamanca
THE The first university in Spain is considered to be the University of Salamancafounded in 1218 by Alfonso IX, although it received royal confirmation in 1218. This university became an important center of learning in Europe, attracting students from various regions. Other important universities of the period include the University of Valladolid, founded in 1241, and the University of Barcelona, established in 1450.
Continued expansion
The 16th century marks the golden age of Spanish universities. During this period, the University of Salamanca, the University of Alcalá de Henares and the University of Valencia have become academic references at European level. This academic growth has enabled the creation of new faculties.
The 18th century brought important changes. The objective of the reforms was modernize universities and align them with new schools of thought of Enlightenment. New chairs and disciplines were created and the infrastructure of educational centers was improved.
However, These transformations have not been well received by everyone.. The most conservative sectors are opposed to it, seeing it as a threat to traditions. Despite this, the reforms promoted have contributed to the construction of an education system more open to innovations.
big changes
In the Age of Enlightenment, Spanish universities began to pay more attention to experimental sciences. They incorporated disciplines such as physics, chemistry, botany and anatomy. University laboratories and scientific offices have been renovated. In general, more emphasis has been placed on empirical and scientific knowledge.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Spanish university system underwent another series of reforms. In 1822, the Central University of Madrid was createdintended to coordinate higher education in the country. This center has become a reference for the training of Spain’s scientific, political and cultural elites.
In the same way, New disciplines such as economics, sociology and psychology were introduced. The enactment of the Moyano Law in 1857 laid the foundations of the modern education system in Spain. This law reorganized the universities and established a uniform curriculum.
Reforms and growth
At the beginning of the 20th century, An attempt was made to decentralize the university system with the César Silió law of 1919. This initiative was interrupted by the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. In 1943, the University Planning Act was enacted, which kept universities under state control and linked them to dominant ideologies.
With the General Education Act of 1970, certain elements of autonomy were introduced into university teaching and research. Furthermore, Polytechnic universities were establishedfrom technical institutes.
In 1983, The University Reform Law consolidated the decentralization of universitiesin accordance with the spirit of the 1978 Constitution, this process marked a definitive change in the history of Spanish universities.
Over the past decades, Spanish universities have opted for internationalization and global collaboration. The creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) facilitated the mobility of students and teachers between institutions in different countries, thereby harmonizing European education systems.
News: a diverse university system
Today, Spain has an extensive university system which includes public and private universities, offering a wide variety of programs and specializations. Spanish universities have gained international recognition and many are among the best in the world in various academic fields.
Higher education in Spain continues to evolve, adapting to the social, technological and economic changes of the 21st century, and continues to be a fundamental pillar for the training of professionals and the advancement of knowledge in society.
Recommended Reading
Historical evolution of the Spanish university
University education in Spain
