The Community authorizes new university degrees for the 2026-2027 academic year

The Regional Ministry of Education, Science and Universities of the Community of Madrid has authorized the implementation of new official university undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees for the 2026-2027 academic year. The decision is detailed in Order 3489/2026, dated September 1, signed by the regional minister Mercedes Zarzalejo Carbajo and published in the Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid (BOCM) number 220, dated September 15, 2026.

The order authorizes the implementation of the programs requested by the region’s universities and affiliated centers, which received a positive verification resolution from the Council of Universities as of July 31, 2026. The University Council of the Community of Madrid, in the session of its University Planning and Coordination Commission held on July 20, 2026, issued a favorable report on the proposals, which also include reports from the corresponding quality agencies.

Regulatory Framework

The initiative is based on Organic Law 2/2023, of March 22, on the University System, which requires a mandatory and favorable report on the need and academic and social viability of the degree, the verification of the quality of the report by the corresponding agency, and the authorization of the Autonomous Community. Also applicable are Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, which regulates the organization of teaching and its quality assurance, and Royal Decree 99/2011, of January 28, for doctoral programs. Following authorization, the degrees will be registered in the Registry of Universities, Centers and Degrees (RUCT).

The application submission period, established by Order 2123/2019, of July 8, runs from April 1 to April 30 of the year the course begins, except for doctoral programs, which may be submitted throughout the year.

Universities and Affiliated Centers

The order covers both public and private universities and their affiliated centers. Included institutions include:

• University of Alcalá, Autonomous University, Carlos III University, Complutense University, Polytechnic University, and Rey Juan Carlos University.
• Alfonso X el Sabio University, Antonio de Nebrija University, Camilo José Cela University, European University of Madrid, Francisco de Vitoria University, San Pablo-CEU University, UDIMA, CUNEF University, ESIC University, Villanueva International University, International University of Enterprise, and UDIT.
• Affiliated centers such as La Salle, the University Center of the Civil Guard, Felipe Moreno-Nebrija, U-TAD, the Garrigues Center for Studies, ESIC Zaragoza, the Instituto de Empresa, and Alma Mater.

Undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

The authorized offer includes dozens of degrees in face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual modalities, with credits ranging from 60 ECTS for master’s degrees to 240 or 300 for undergraduate degrees. Among the new additions, notable undergraduate degrees include Quantum Technology Engineering (Carlos III), Dentistry (La Salle), or Fashion Design (Camilo José Cela), and master’s degrees such as Artificial Intelligence (Autónoma), Egyptology (Alcalá), or Occupational Risk Prevention (Rey Juan Carlos). Doctoral programs are also authorized, such as Global Studies (Alcalá) and Global Governance and Democracy in the Digital Age (Internacional Villanueva).

The order also provides for joint teaching between Spanish and foreign universities, including degrees with the Erasmus Mundus seal, such as the Master’s in Nuclear Physics or the EMSHIP Master’s in sustainable ship design, as well as the authorization of teaching in affiliated centers based outside the region, such as ESIC Zaragoza or Felipe Moreno-Nebrija (Balearic Islands).

The regulation, which concludes the administrative process, may be appealed for reversal before the regional ministry within one month or challenged before the contentious-administrative jurisdiction within two months. The decision is key for thousands of students who will begin their studies next academic year and defines the map of official degrees in the region.

Source: Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid, no. 220, September 15, 2026, section I.C (Other Provisions), page 302 (official reference: Order 3489/2026, of September 1).