Description 

The equivalence of a foreign degree is the recognition of a degree so that it has the same academic and/or professional effects as another, although such recognition does not entitle the person concerned to obtain the degree with which the equivalence is established.

Before submitting the application for the recognition of equivalence of a foreign PhD, applicants must contact the UPF department that deals with the same field of knowledge as the doctoral thesis research in which the doctoral degree has been obtained.
This UPF department must provide a letter of recommendation, which is essential in order to submit the corresponding application, together with all other required documentation.

 Documents

Documentation will be certified at the electronic Registry via the means set forth in Law 39/2015, of 1 October (Read the complete regulations).

Documentation to be submitted:

  • Application for the recognition of equivalence of a foreign PhD
  • Document certifying the identity and nationality of the applicant (certified photocopy of the applicant’s DNI or passport)
  • Letter of recommendation issued by the UPF department that deals with the same field of knowledge as the research of the doctoral thesis for which the doctoral degree has been obtained and is the subject of the equivalence procedure signed by the departmental director.
  • Applicant’s CV in Catalan, Spanish or English.
  • Certified copy of the duly legalized certificate subject to recognition of equivalence or of the certification accrediting the issuance of the duly legalized diploma.
  • Certified copy of the academic certification of the studies carried out by the applicant to obtain their doctoral degree, containing, among others, the official duration of the study programme followed, in academic years.
  • Certificate that includes the date of the thesis defence, the members of the examination board and the grade obtained
  • Report outlining the thesis carried out, drafted in Catalan, Spanish or English, at least ten pages in length.
  • A bound copy of the thesis.
  • Sworn statement of not having obtained the declaration of recognition of equivalence of the foreign doctoral degree at another Spanish university

 Please note

The assessment committee may also require other documents that it deems necessary to accredit equivalence between the work carried out to obtain the foreign qualification submitted and the requirements for obtaining a Spanish doctoral degree, subject to recognition of equivalence.

Any document submitted from abroad must be official and issued by the competent authorities, in accordance with the legal framework of the country in question. In addition, documents must be legalized through diplomatic channels or, where appropriate, by the Hague Apostille Convention. This requirement is not mandatory for documents issued by the authorities of European Union Member States or signatories to the agreement on the European Economic Area.

Any official document not written in Catalan or in Spanish must be accompanied by an official translation, except for documents already submitted in English.

Should there be any doubts as to the authenticity, validity or content of the documents submitted, the assessment committee may take the necessary steps to verify them; they may also contact the competent authority that issued such documents to verify any doubtful aspects.

 Fee

Applicants must pay the fee of 218,15€ for the recognition of equivalence procedure, in accordance with the Decree on prices of the Generalitat (Government) of Catalonia. Proof of payment of the amount is a necessary requirement to begin processing the application. Payment must be made to the current account of the bank shown on the application form by a cash deposit.

In no case will the amount paid to initiate the recognition of equivalence procedure be refunded to the applicant.

 Deadline for resolutionn

The deadline for deciding and notifying the resolution of the procedure is six months from the date on which the University receives the required application and documentation.

The absence of an express decision within the established period indicates that the application for recognition of equivalence has been rejected.

A favourable resolution on the declaration of recognition of equivalence requested with the appropriate credentials will be accredited.

 Regulations

 UPF regulations:

State university legislation: