“Challenges in times of crisis”

1. THE FIGURE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN IN
SPANISH
UNIVERSITIES.
“Challenges in
times of crisis”
11th
– 14th
April 2013

2. María Enriqueta Arias
Carmen Jiménez
Ana Hernanz
Elia Cambón
Isabel Hernández
Mª Carmen González
TEAM

3. Summary
1. THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
1.1.- Regulated access routes to the Spanish university
system.
2. TUITION FEES AT SPANISH UNIVERSITIES.
3. THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH LAW.
3.1.- Nature of the Ombudsman`s remit.
3.2.- Strategies for disseminating the figure of the
University Ombudsman.
3.3.- The University Ombudsman in times of crisis.

4. Public Universities 50
Private Universities 27
THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

5. THIRD
CYCLE
FIRST
CYCLE
Years
Before Bolonia ProcessBefore Bolonia Process
BEFORE UNIVERSITY (Bachillerato, 17-18 years old)
THIRD
CYCLE
SECOND
CYCLE
3
5
8-9
60 ECTS
120
ECTS
90
ECTS
PhD
MASTER
Professional
MASTER
60–120ECTS
240ECTS
300ECTS
ECTS
Bolonia ProcessBolonia Process
THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

6. THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Evolution of number of university students between 2007-
2008 and 2012-2013 academic courses

7. Regulated access routes and percentage of students incorporated
through each one
1. University Entrance Examination (PAU)
2. Students EU member states or other states through international agreements
3. Foreign students after homologation of the high school title (Bachillerato)
4. Students holding qualifications from technical colleges, or advanced artistic or higher
phyisical education training (a, b and c)
5. Examination for persons over 25 years old
6. Accreditation of working or professional experience (over 40 years old)
7. Examination for persons over 45 years old
1 a b c 5 2+3 6+7Others
4
THE SPANISH
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

8. TUITION FEES AT
SPANISH UNIVERSITIES
Why this matter is now under discussion in Spain?
Students must directly contribute to finance the academic
and administrative services

9. TUITION FEES AT
SPANISH UNIVERSITIES
Rates of students contributions to the
financial cost of the university services.
Grade and Professional Master.
15 – 25 % First enrolment
30 – 40 % Second enrolment
60 – 75 % Third enrolment
90 – 100 % Subsequent enrolments
Rates of students contributions to the
financial cost of the university services.
Master Degree.
40 – 50 % First enrolment
65 – 75 % Second enrolment
75 % Subsequent enrolments
Foreign no-EU students could contribute
until 100 %
Madrid
Public Universities:
Costs: 1000 – 1400 €
Private Universities:
Costs: 7000 – 10000 €
Note: fees increase with the
experimental level of the course
of study.

10. “The role of the Ombudsman is to ensure that the rights and freedoms of
university community members are respected by the actions of university
organs and services in the interest of quality and proper operation” (RD 2001)
THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN
IN SPANISH LAW
not subject to any imperative mandate
without executive power

11. THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN
IN SPANISH LAW

12. Nature of the
Ombudsman`s remit
Consultations
Claims or complaints
Mediation and conciliationOmbudsman
duties
PERFORMANCE

13. Nature of the
Ombudsman`s remit
To pursue these aims Ombudsman makes use of:
Its autoritas
power of persuasion

14. Strategies for disseminating the
figure of the University Ombudsman.

15. The University Ombudsman
in times of crisis.
 An increase in the activity
 An increase of students complaints mainly related
with the increase of university fees (14 – 25%)
1. An increase of demanding of the services for assessing and
grading the skills and knowledge acquired in the subjects in
their study plans.
2. More complaints regarding assessment systems and
criteria, since failing a subject entails a significant increase in
the corresponding academic fees.
3. A downturn in the number of credits matriculated per
academic year.
4. Transfer to another university.
5. At the extreme, the abandonment of university studies.

16. The Impact of the crisis in the
university environment
 Great dissatisfaction and concern.
 The need of the design of strategies to prevent
the withdrawal of the students.
 Enhancement of the Ombudsman figure to
support and counsel students.

17. Thank you very much
for your attention!
Marcelo Gomes Freire