UNIR implements three master's degrees and removes Digital Twins

The International University of La Rioja (UNIR) is reorganizing its postgraduate offerings with two simultaneous decisions published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja (BOR) number 164, dated August 27, 2026. On one hand, the Vice-Ministry of Education, Universities, and Vocational Training authorizes the implementation of three new university master’s degrees; on the other, it approves the suppression of the Master’s in Digital Twins starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.

Both resolutions, signed by Vice-Minister Miguel Ángel Fernández Torroba, fall under the Ministry of Education and Employment and are published in section III of Other Provisions and Acts of the gazette.

Three new postgraduate degrees

Resolution 46/2026, of August 24, authorizes UNIR to implement three programs leading to official degrees, following a favorable report from the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) and positive verification by the Council of Universities:

• University Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting.
• University Master’s Degree in Advanced Studies in Philosophy.
• University Master’s Degree in International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding.

The start of teaching is conditional upon compliance with the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of article 27 of Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, which regulates the organization of university education and its quality assurance.

Suppression of the Master’s in Digital Twins

Resolution 47/2026, of August 25, authorizes the suppression of the programs leading to the University Master’s Degree in Digital Twins, with code 4317949 in the Registry of Universities, Centers, and Degrees (RUCT), starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.

As a result, UNIR may not offer places for new students in that academic year and must define a phase-out plan that guarantees the completion of studies for those who have already begun them. The authorization will be forwarded to the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities to deregister the degree from the RUCT.

Regulatory framework and scope

The decisions are based on Law 3/2008, recognizing UNIR, Decree 69/2009, and Order 28/2009, which establish the procedure for implementing official education within the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in La Rioja. The suppression of the Digital Twins master’s, implemented in 2022 through Resolution 321/2022, responds to the rector’s request and the favorable report of the University and Research Service.

The reorganization represents a significant change in the postgraduate offering of Spain’s largest online university, with a direct impact on students enrolled in the suppressed master’s degree and on the projection of new training areas such as choral conducting, philosophy, and international conflict management.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, no. 164, August 27, 2026, section III, pp. 14911-14914 (official references: BOR-A-20260827-III–3308 and BOR-A-20260827-III–3309).