Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I talk to within the University of Barcelona about the procedures for validating my doctorate degree?

How much does it cost to validate my degree and where do I pay?

Where can I hand in my application?

Where can I obtain an application form?

Where can I have the documents supporting my application legally authorized?

Which of my documents need to be officially translated?

Who can make the application on my behalf?

What happens if the University of Barcelona requests certain documents but I am unable to present them within the given time period?

When and where will I receive the decision regarding my application?

Who should I talk to within the University of Barcelona about the procedures for validating my doctorate degree?
All enquiries should be addressed to:

The Academic Management Unit - General Affairs and Postgraduate Degrees
Recinte de la Maternitat - Pavelló Rosa
Travessera de les Corts Catalanes, 131-158
08028 Barcelona
Tel. 934 021 754/2
ga.tercercicle@ub.edu

How much does it cost to validate my degree and where do I pay?
Each academic year the Catalan Government establishes the fees for the academic services provided by the public universities. Following the publication of Royal Decree 309/18 March 2005, by which the rectors of the universities are authorized to undertake the validation of university degrees awarded abroad as being equivalent to postgraduate degrees, for the academic year 2007/2008 a fee of 127.95 € was established for validating a doctorate degree (Decree 151/18 July 2007, published in the DOGC on 12 July).

To pay the application fee contact the Academic Management Unit, who will issue you with the necessary payment form. You can then either pay using your bank credit card or by depositing the required fee in a university bank account. Remember to attach the receipt to your application for validation.

Where can I hand in my application?
The application for validating a doctorate degree can be handed in at any of the centres with a General Registry office.

Where can I obtain an application form?
The application form can be obtained from the Academic Management Unit or from the University of Barcelona web page.

Where can I have the documents supporting my application legally authorized?
The Academic Management Unit can certify that copies of documents are true provided they are accompanied by the original documents. No charge is made for this service.

Copies authenticated in front of a notary can also be presented provided that the lawyer is officially allowed to practise in Spain. Applicants presenting such copies do not need to present their original documents.

Documents not issued by the authorities in one of the European Union member states or in a state that is a signatory to the European Economic Area Agreement must be legally approved by the relevant diplomatic authorities or, where necessary, by means of the Hague Convention apostille. This authorization or apostille must appear on the original document, before making the copy you wish to have certified as true.

Which of my documents need to be officially translated?
Documents issued abroad in a language other than in Spanish or Catalan must be accompanied by a sworn translation. This translation can be undertaken by:

• A sworn translator officially authorized to practise in Spain.
• Any diplomatic or consular representative of Spain abroad.
• The diplomatic or consular representative in Spain of the country from which the applicant hails or, where this is the case, of the country in which the document was issued.

The presentation of a sworn translation of a document does not exempt the applicant from having also to present the original or a copy of that document that has been certified as true.

Who can make the application on my behalf?
Any person may be authorized to make the application to validate your doctorate degree on your behalf, provided they are of full legal age (18). The authorization should be attached to the application and must contain the following information:

• Name and family name(s) of the person seeking validation of a doctorate degree, as well as their official identity number (Spanish national identity number - DNI, identity number for a foreigner resident in Spain - NIE or passport number).
• Name and family name(s) of the person authorized to present the application, undertake the corresponding procedures and to receive information regarding the progress of the application, as well as their official identity number (Spanish national identity number - DNI, identity number for a foreigner resident in Spain - NIE or passport number).
• A photocopy certified as true of the Spanish national identity card - DNI, foreign resident identity card - NIE or passport of the authorized person.

The authorization form can be obtained from the Academic Management Unit or from the University of Barcelona web page.

What happens if the University of Barcelona requests certain documents but I am unable to present them within the given time period?
If the University asks for additional documentation, you must present the papers within ten days. If you are unable to do so, the University will assume you do not wish to proceed any further with your application and the Rector will issue a letter to this effect. If you subsequently decide you wish to reapply, you will have to make a new application and pay the fees once more for validating a doctorate.

We strongly recommend that when applying you include all the required documentation, in particular those documents that have to be legally authorized.

When and where will I receive the decision regarding my application?
You will be notified of the decision regarding validation at the address included on your application form. Please notify the Academic Management Unit of any changes in address. This can either be done in writing or by email.

You should receive notification of the decision within six months of presenting your application to the University of Barcelona registry office. If you have not heard from the University within this period you can assume that your application for validation has been unsuccessful.