UNIR will launch two university master's degrees in artificial intelligence and business.

The Department of Education and Employment of La Rioja has authorized the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) to implement two new university master’s degrees, one of them focused on artificial intelligence applied to finance. The authorization appears in Resolution 44/2026, of August 11, published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja (BOR) number 155, of Friday, August 14, 2026, in section III. Other Provisions and Acts.

The resolution, signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Universities and Vocational Training, Miguel Ángel Fernández Torroba, gives the green light to two official degrees with which the Riojan university expands its postgraduate offer in two strategic areas: the application of artificial intelligence to the financial sector and the management of business innovation. The proceedings began with the request from the Office of the Rector of UNIR and have had the favorable report of the University and Research Service and the positive verification certificates of the study plans issued by the Council of Universities, in accordance with article 26 of Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, and article 8 of Organic Law 2/2023, of March 22, of the University System.

The two new degrees

The operative part of the resolution expressly authorizes the implementation of the study programs leading to the following degrees:

• University Master’s Degree in Financial Management Assisted by Artificial Intelligence by the International University of La Rioja.
• University Master’s Degree in Innovation and Business Development by the International University of La Rioja.

The first program combines management in the financial field with artificial intelligence systems; the second is oriented toward innovation and business development. Both study plans have already passed the prior verification phase required by university regulations.

Conditions for the start of teaching

The authorization does not imply an immediate start of teaching activity. Point two of the resolution conditions the delivery of the programs on compliance with the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of article 27 of Royal Decree 822/2021, which regulate the registration of degrees and the requirements prior to their implementation. In addition, the text provides:

• Publish the authorization in the Official Gazette of La Rioja (BOR), in accordance with article 5.1.e) of Order 28/2009, of October 7.
• Send the authorization to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for registration in the Register of Universities, Centers and Degrees (RUCT), according to article 5.2 of the aforementioned order.

Regulatory framework

The resolution is based on the regulations governing the University of La Rioja since its recognition: articles 2.1 and 3.2 of Law 3/2008, of 13 October, recognizing the International University of La Rioja; article 4 of Decree 69/2009, of 31 July, which authorized the start of the university’s activities and the implementation of its degree programs; and article 5.1.e) of Order 28/2009, of 7 October, which determines the procedure for implementing official university degree programs within the framework of the European Higher Education Area in La Rioja.

The competence to decide corresponds to the Deputy Ministry of Education, Universities and Vocational Training by virtue of article 10.2.m) of Decree 53/2023, of 14 July, which establishes the organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Employment in implementation of Law 3/2003, of 3 March, on the Organization of the Public Sector of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja. The resolution, dated in Logroño on 11 August 2026, concludes by ordering publication in the official bulletin and referral of the file to the state register of degrees.

The expansion of the offering consolidates UNIR as a postgraduate hub in La Rioja and places the community at the forefront of training in artificial intelligence applied to business, a field with growing demand in the labor market. Once registration in the RUCT is completed, the new master’s programs may begin to be taught and their degrees will have full official validity throughout the national territory.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, No. 155, 14 August 2026, section III. Other Provisions and Acts, pp. 14293-14294 (official reference: BOR-A-20260814-III–3199).