Description 

The equivalence of a foreign degree is the official recognition for it to have the same academic and/or professional effects as another degree. However, this recognition does not entitle the applicant to obtain the degree with which the equivalence is established.

Before submitting the equivalence application, it is essential to contact the UPF department corresponding to the same field of knowledge as the research conducted in the doctoral thesis for which the doctorate was awarded. This department must provide a recommendation letter, which is mandatory for the application and must be attached along with the other required documents.

 Procedure

The application can be completed in two ways:

  • In person: by submitting the required documentation in paper format to the General Registry of UPF.
  • Electronically: through the Electronic Office, attaching the documentation in digital format.

 Required documentation

If the procedure is carried out in person, the documents must be certified at the University Registry or through the means established in Law 39/2015, of 1 October (it is recommended to review the full regulations).

The required documents may vary slightly depending on the application method:

  • Application form for the equivalence of a foreign degree to the academic level of a doctorate.
    • Only for in person processing
  • Declaration of not having obtained the equivalence of the foreign doctoral degree at another Spanish university.
    • Only for in person processing
  • ID/Passport:
    • In person: original
    • Electronic: photocopy
  • Recommendation letter from the UPF department in the same field of knowledge as the doctoral thesis research that led to the awarding of the doctoral degree, signed by the departmental director.
  • Applicant’s CV in Catalan, Spanish or English.
  • Degree for which equivalence is requested properly legalized.
    • In person: original
    • Electronic: certified digital copy
  • Academic transcript including the official duration (in academic years) of the program.
    • In person: original
    • Electronic: certified digital copy
  • Doctoral thesis reading certificate stating the date, tribunal members, and obtained qualification.
    • In person: original
    • Electronic: certified digital copy
  • Thesis summary written in Catalan, Spanish or English (minimum 10 pages).
  • Copy of the thesis.
    • In person: in bound format
    • Electronic: in digital format
If the documentation is not available in a legalized digital format, the original and a photocopy must be submitted to the General Registry of UPF to obtain a certified copy. Affected Documents:
   - Degree for which equivalence is requested.
   - Academic certification of completed studies.
   - Doctoral thesis reading certificate.

 Please note

The examining body may request additional documents deemed necessary to verify the equivalence between the education obtained with the foreign degree and the requirements for the Spanish degree for which equivalence is being sought.

Documents issued abroad must be official and issued by the competent authorities according to the legal framework of the corresponding country. Additionally, they must be properly legalized through diplomatic channels or, if applicable, by apostille of the Hague Convention. This requirement does not apply to documents issued by authorities of European Union member states or countries that are signatories of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

Official documents not written in Catalan or Spanish must include an official translation. However, if the document is in English, a translation is not required.

If there are doubts about the authenticity, validity, or content of the submitted documents, the examining body may carry out the necessary verifications or contact the issuing authority to validate any unclear points.

 Fee

The applicant must pay a €218.15 fee to initiate the equivalence procedure, in accordance with the Decree of Fees of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Proof of payment is a mandatory requirement to begin processing the application. Payment must be made by bank deposit to the account specified in the application form. If the procedure is carried out electronically, payment must be made through the Electronic Office.

Under no circumstances will the amount paid for initiating the equivalence procedure be refunded.

 Deadline for resolution

The period for resolving and notifying the decision on the procedure is six months, starting from the date the University receives the application and the required documentation.

Failure to issue an express resolution within this period will result in the rejection of the equivalence request. 
In the case of a favorable resolution, the equivalence will be certified through the issuance of the corresponding credential.

 Regulations

 UPF regulations:

State university legislation: