For the first time in Spain, a private university has received official state recognition, potentially changing the approach to researcher training and scientific development in the country. ANECA’s decision to grant accreditation to the Escuela Internacional de Doctorado at Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM) marks a surprising move in the education sector. Now, four doctoral programs at this institution officially meet national quality standards, opening up new opportunities for students and research teams.
In recent years, competition among universities for status and recognition has intensified. Until now, only public institutions could boast this level of trust from ANECA. Now, as reported by RUSSPAIN, UCAM becomes the first private entity to receive such accreditation—and the second among all universities in Spain after Universidad Pública de Navarra. This development may affect resource allocation and spark growing student interest in the private sector.
New standards for doctoral schools
The accreditation covers four areas: Ciencias de la Salud, Sociales, Deporte, and Tecnologías e Ingeniería Ambiental. Over 13 years, the university has awarded more than 1,000 doctoral degrees, and its publications in leading scientific journals have exceeded a thousand—a result rarely seen among Spain’s private universities. Currently, more than 600 postgraduates are enrolled at the Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, working on topical projects in healthcare, ecology, and social sciences.
A key feature of the school’s work is active cooperation with both international and Spanish organizations. In recent years, UCAM has established partnerships with 264 institutions across 29 countries, enabling students to take internships and participate in joint research. More than 110 scientific trips abroad have become possible thanks to these connections, strengthening the international presence of Spanish science.
Links with business and innovation
Special emphasis is placed on integrating science and industry. The university is implementing around 60 joint projects with companies from various sectors, from agribusiness to healthcare. Partners include AromaIbérica, Villapharma, Hidrogea, Martínez Nieto, and AMC Innova. These projects not only fund research but also support the introduction of new solutions into production, increasing the competitiveness of Spanish companies.
The programs feature personalized learning paths: more than 50 specialized activities, including seminars and practical sessions. This approach helps graduate students develop skills in demand on the job market and build professional competencies valued in an international environment.
Global cooperation and prospects
In recent years, Spanish universities have increasingly focused on international projects and knowledge exchange. UCAM actively supports student and faculty mobility, encouraging the development of new scientific fields. Collaboration with foreign universities and research centers helps broaden horizons and implement best practices in the educational process.
Spain has already seen cases where public universities received similar accreditations; however, for the private sector, this is the first experience of such scale. According to russpain.com, these decisions may lead to a review of education quality assessment criteria and intensify competition among universities. In the coming years, the number of joint projects between universities and businesses is expected to grow, along with an expansion of international partnerships.
Recent years have shown a trend in Spain towards strengthening the role of private universities in science and education. A few years ago, Universidad Pública de Navarra became the first to receive ANECA accreditation for its doctoral school. After that, other universities began actively adopting new standards and developing partnership programs. As a result, researcher training levels and the quality of scientific publications have significantly improved, and cooperation with industry has become a key success factor.
