Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain

Terms used

• ECTS — ECTS credits are the European university credit unit; one year of full-time study is usually 60 ECTS.
• Tutela académica — The tutela académica is the annual doctoral enrolment fee you pay each year until you defend your thesis.
• Documento de compromiso — The documento de compromiso is the document you, your tutor and your thesis director sign after admission, setting out each side's duties.
• Documento de actividades del doctorando — The documento de actividades del doctorando is your personal record of training and research activities, reviewed yearly by the academic committee.
• FPU — The FPU is the national four-year predoctoral contract for training university teachers and researchers.
• FPI — The FPI is a four-year predoctoral contract linked to national research projects.

Key rules

• Supervisor first: Get a supervisor's agreement before you apply, because the programme's committee assigns your tutor and director only after admission.
• Entry requirement: You need bachelor's and master's degrees adding up to at least 300 ECTS, with at least 60 at master's level.
• Duration: Full-time lasts up to 3 years and part-time up to 5 years, each with extensions.
• Funding: Predoctoral contracts are competitive, and each call sets its own nationality, residence and degree-date rules.
• Fees: The annual fee at a public university is typically a few hundred euros, and varies by region.

How you get in

Doctoral entry runs through a supervisor and an academic committee. You do not just apply and wait. Find a supervisor who agrees to work with you, then apply to the programme.

To be admitted you need a bachelor's and a master's that together add up to at least 300 ECTS credits, with at least 60 at master's level. A foreign degree can count if it gives access to doctoral studies in its own country. The university checks the level, and you do not need to have it homologated.

Programmes often add their own requirements: a minimum grade, a CV, a motivation letter, a research proposal, references, language proof or an interview. If you lack research training, the doctoral school may ask you to take bridging courses. Ask the programme what it requires, because each one sets its own criteria. The documents list below shows what to prepare.

Finding a supervisor

Start with the programme's research lines and staff pages. Email possible supervisors with your CV and a short research proposal. Get their agreement before you apply. Many programmes also ask for an endorsement letter from your future supervisor.

After you are admitted, the programme's academic committee formally assigns two roles:

• A tutor, a doctor linked to the programme who oversees your doctoral activity.
• A thesis director, who supervises your research.

One person can hold both roles. The committee can change your director later. Procedures vary by university and programme.

Paying for it: predoctoral contracts

Most people fund a doctorate with a competitive predoctoral contract, which is a paid research job. The main ones are:

• FPU, the national university-teacher training scheme, with a four-year contract.
• FPI, linked to national research projects, also four years.
• Regional schemes, such as those in Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Andalusia and Valencia.
• University contracts and private foundation fellowships.

Calls usually open in the second half of the year or early in the next, but timing varies by scheme. Dates and the number of positions change with each call, so check the current one.

If you are not Spanish, you can generally still apply, because eligibility is usually based on your academic record and enrolment in a doctorate. Each call sets its own rules on nationality, residence and how recently you finished your degree. Some regional schemes require a link to the region. If you are selected, you need valid work and residence authorisation to sign the contract.

What it costs

Public university fees are low compared with much of Europe. The annual fee, called tutela académica, is typically around 200 to 500 euros. In 2025 it was often around 400 euros in Madrid and Catalonia, and lower elsewhere. Expect a small opening-file and administrative fee too, and possibly a thesis defence fee. Contract holders sometimes get fee exemptions. Regions update prices every year, so check your university's current fee schedule.

How long it takes and the stages

A full-time doctorate lasts up to 3 years, extendable by 1 year. In exceptional cases a further year can be added. Part-time lasts up to 5 years, extendable by 2 years.

The stages run in this order:

1. Admission to the programme.
2. Assignment of your tutor and director.
3. Signing the commitment document (documento de compromiso) with your tutor and director.
4. Enrolment and paying the annual fee, repeated every year.
5. Handing in your research plan before the end of your first year.
6. Evaluation each year by the academic committee of your research plan and your activity record (documento de actividades del doctorando).
7. Depositing your thesis, which is authorised and sent for external review.
8. Public defence before a tribunal of three members.

A cum laude grade and an international mention are optional extras on top of the degree. Each university's doctoral school sets the details, so ask yours for its calendar.

The timeline, documents and checklist below walk you through the steps. For general questions about master's and PhD study, see the quick answers at the end.

Timeline and deadlines

• Look at the programme's research lines and email possible supervisors with your CV and a short proposal: before you apply to the programme

• Apply to the doctoral programme with your supervisor's agreement: after a supervisor agrees to back you

• Get a tutor and thesis director assigned by the academic committee, then sign the commitment document: after you are admitted

• Enrol and pay the annual fee (tutela académica): every year of your doctorate

• Go through the academic committee's evaluation of your research plan and activity record: every year

• Deposit your thesis for authorisation and external review: when your director agrees it is ready

• Defend your thesis in public before a tribunal of three members: after the deposit is approved

Documents you need

• Your bachelor's and master's degrees, adding up to at least 300 ECTS credits (university credits), with at least 60 at master's level. A foreign degree is accepted if it gives access to doctoral studies in its own country; the university checks the level, and you do not need homologation.

• A CV, a motivation letter and a short research proposal, if the programme asks for them.

• References and proof of language level, if the programme asks for them.

• A letter from your future supervisor endorsing your application, which many programmes ask for.

• Valid work and residence authorisation, if you are a non-Spanish national selected for a predoctoral contract. You need it to sign the contract.

• The commitment document (documento de compromiso), signed after admission by you, your tutor and your thesis director.

• Your research plan, handed in before the end of your first year, and your activity record (documento de actividades del doctorando), which the academic committee reviews every year.

Checklist

• Read the programme's research lines and staff pages to find a possible supervisor.

• Ask your supervisor for an endorsement letter if the programme requires one.

• Check the programme's extra criteria, such as a minimum grade, motivation letter, references, language proof or interview.

• Check the current FPU, FPI, regional and university contract calls for dates and terms.

• Read each call's nationality, residence and degree-date rules before you apply, especially if you are not Spanish.

• Ask whether contract holders get a fee exemption.

• Sign the commitment document with your tutor and director once the committee assigns them.

• Hand in your research plan before the end of your first year and keep your activity record up to date for the yearly evaluation.

Quick answers on master's and PhD study

How long does a master's degree in Spain last?

An official master's lasts 1, 1.5 or 2 years full time. It has 60, 90 or 120 credits (ECTS), and 60 credits make up one academic year.

How long does a PhD in Spain last if you study part time?

A part-time doctorate lasts up to 5 years, extendable by 2 years, against up to 3 years full time. Time on authorised leave, such as illness or maternity, does not count towards the limit.

Can I do a master's in Spain taught in English?

Yes, many programmes are taught in English, but you usually need to show B2 English, and some ask for C1. A certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL is the usual proof. Many universities also accept a previous degree taught in English.

Can I study a master's part time or online while working?

Yes, many universities let you take fewer credits per year, often spread over two years, and many offer online or blended options. Non-EU students who need a student visa normally must study full time in person, so online-only study will not support that permit.