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National University of Distance Education
View on WikipediaThis article contains promotional content. (March 2018) |
The National University of Distance Education (Spanish: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED) is a distance learning and research university founded in 1972 and is the only university run by the government of Spain. The headquarters is located in Madrid, with campuses in all Spanish autonomous communities. There are 14 study centers and 3 exam points in 13 countries in Europe, the Americas and Africa. The University awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as non-degree qualifications such as diplomas and certificates, or continuing education units.
Key Information
UNED is focused on distance learning combined with traditional classroom instruction (called hybrid[6] or blended[7]) and supports over 150,000 students.[8][9]
Origins and methodology
[edit]Founded in 1972 with the stated purpose of providing education opportunities via a distance education system - in which students are taught while not being physically present - UNED awards the same qualifications as other Spanish universities and has the same entry requirements. At UNED, undergraduate students study independently using official course materials provided online or by mail, such as textbooks, study guides, exercises, and multimedia resources. Because UNED is a distance learning university, students must organize their own study schedules and manage their time carefully to keep up with the course content. They can also attend online or in-person tutoring sessions and participate in forums or study groups to clarify doubts and practice.
When it comes to exams, students must register in advance to take their tests at official UNED examination centers located in various cities across Spain and internationally. Exams usually take place at the end of each semester and can be written, oral, or a combination, depending on the subject. During the exam, students are required to demonstrate their understanding of the material by answering questions or completing exercises within a fixed time.
Importantly, all exams are supervised by proctors at these examination centers. The supervisors verify student identity, ensure that exam rules are followed, and monitor the exam room to prevent cheating or any unfair behavior. This supervision guarantees the integrity and fairness of the evaluation process. While some courses may include continuous assessment through assignments or online activities, the final supervised exams are the main method used to evaluate students and award credits toward their degrees.
International presence
[edit]UNED currently has 61 study centers in Spain and - with the co-operation of local institutions - 14 international centers. These locations provide face-to-face sessions with professors once a week. The international centers are located in Bata, Bern, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Frankfurt, Lima, London, Malabo, Mexico City, Paris and São Paulo. There are exam points in Bogotá, Berlin, New York, Rome and Santiago de Chile.
Affiliation
[edit]In 2012 the Spanish newspaper El País featured an article about the launch of UNX, an online platform for teaching entrepreneurship through building mobile apps with App Inventor. UNED is a collaborating partner in this project, along with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Mobile Learning. The UNX online courses are intended to bring technology and entrepreneurship education about to the entire Spanish-speaking world.[10]
Academic profile
[edit]A number of factors have been cited to justify the public prestige of UNED:[11]
- All of UNED exams are supervised
- Exams must encompass the entirety of the program
- Students are objectively graded based on a strictly uniform test
- Distance learning requires additional self-teaching effort and discipline, highly regarded by employers
- Students from UNED are more likely to continue their education and research after graduation day, applying the self-teaching methodologies learned during their studies[citation needed]
In the last 30 years, UNED has awarded almost 2,000 PhD degrees.[12]
Its international reputation is indicated in that it has held the UNESCO chair in distance education since 1997. This chair promotes research, development and documentation in the field of distance education.[13]
Organization
[edit]Undergraduate
[edit]Today, UNED comprises 11 faculties and the following bachelor's degree studies:[14]
- Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering at UNED: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Information Technology
- College of Industrial Engineering: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technologies Engineering, Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's Degree in Engineering in Industrial Electronics and Automation
- Faculty of Sciences: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration: Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management, Bachelor's Degree in Tourism
- Faculty of Political Science and Sociology: Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Bachelor's Degree in Political Science & Public Administration
- Faculty of Law: Bachelor's Degree in Law, Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Bachelor's Degree in Juridical Science of Public Administration
- Faculty of Education: Bachelor's Degree in Social Education, Bachelor's Degree in Pedagogy
- Faculty of Philology: Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature, Bachelor's Degree in English Studies: Language, Literature and Culture
- Faculty of Philosophy: Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Bachelor's Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology
- Faculty of Geography and History: Bachelor's Degree in Geography and History, Bachelor's Degree in Art History
- Faculty of Psychology: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Postgraduate
[edit]- Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering at UNED:[15] Computer Systems and Languages, Advanced Artificial Intelligence: Principles, Methods and Applications, Communication, Networks and Content Management, Systems and Control Engineering
- College of Industrial Engineering: Research in Industrial Technology, Research in Electrical, Electronic and Industrial Control Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering
- Faculty of Sciences: Chemical Science and Technology, Polymer Science and Technology, Advanced Mathematics, Medical Physics, Physics of Complex Systems
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration: Corporate Sustainability and Social, Responsibility
- Faculty of Political Science and Sociology, Social Problems, Politics and Democracy,
- Faculty of Law: Government Intervention in Society, European Union, Fundamental Rights, Security, Insurance Law, Human Rights, Public Management, Public Finance, Public Policy and Taxation
- Faculty of Education Educational Treatment of Diversity, Communication and Education on the Internet: From the Information Society to the Knowledge Society, Innovation and Research in Education, Training of E.S.O., Bachillerato, F.P. and Language Secondary Teachers, Strategies and Technologies for the Teaching Function in the Multicultural Society
- Faculty of Philology: English Literary and Cultural studies and their Social Impact, Literary and Theatre Training and Research in the European Context, The Classical World and its Influence on Western Culture, Applied English Linguistics, Hispanic Literatures (Catalan, Galician and Basque) in the European Context, Language Science and Hispanic Linguistics, Grammatical and Stylistic Analysis of Spanish, Dictionary Development and Quality Control of the Spanish Lexicon, French and Francophone Studies, Information Technologies and Communication in Language Education and Processing
- Faculty of Philosophy :Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
- Faculty of Geography and History : Advanced Methods and Techniques of Historical, Artistic and Geographic Research, Contemporary Spain in the International Context
- Faculty of Psychology :Methodology of Behavioral Sciences and Health, Research in Psychology, Psychological Intervention in Development and Education
People
[edit]Notable current and former academics
[edit]- Ana María Vázquez Hoys
- José Mira Mira
- Ramon Sainero
- Paco Vidarte
- César Alierta
- Javier Paniagua Fuentes
- Juan Manuel Rozas
- Vicenç Mateu Zamora
- Enrique Fuentes Quintana
- Alfonso Vallejo
- José María Moreno
- Ángel Ballesteros Gallardo
- Gustavo Fuertes
- Emilio Lledó
- Edith Checa
- Domingo Vega de la Rosa
- Trinidad Jiménez
Notable alumni
[edit]This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (June 2018) |
- Nadia Calviño
- Ana Estrella Santos
- Ramiro Villapadierna
- Christina Ochoa
- Xavi Valero
- Tomás Marco
- Amaia Montero
- David Janer[16]
- Mónica Naranjo[17]
- Maria Verónica Reina, disability activist
- Paloma García Ovejero
- Lucas Platero Spanish educator and researcher
Honorary doctors
[edit]Educational media
[edit]Radio programs (selected)
[edit]UNED hosted several educational radio programs, broadcast internationally on Radio 3 of RNE. Edith Checa was the director and announcer of the following from 1989 to 2005:
- Rincón literario: tus poemas por las ondas - Weekly poetry radio show[18]
- Informativo Universitario
Television (selected)
[edit]Educational documentaries were broadcast internationally on La 2 on TVE and on TVE Internacional. Edith Checa was a presenter and writer. Recordings of the shows are hosted on the UNED Documentos YouTube channel.
- Literary Rincón
- Ayer y hoy en la poesía - bi-weekly television program about poetry[18]
References
[edit]- ^ UNED (2023). "PRESUPUESTOS 2023" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d "Portal de transparencia de la UNED". UNED. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Campus de Ciudad Universitaria". UNED. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Campus de Senda del Rey". UNED. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ As of March 11, 2021. "Fundaciones y asociaciones". UNED. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Tabor, Sharon W (Spring 2007). "Narrowing the Distance: Implementing a Hybrid Learning Model". Quarterly Review of Distance Education. 8 (1). IAP: 48–49. ISBN 9787774570793. ISSN 1528-3518. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ Vaughan, Dr Norman D. (2010). "Blended Learning". In Cleveland-Innes, MF; Garrison, DR (eds.). An Introduction to Distance Education: Understanding Teaching and Learning in a New Era. Taylor & Francis. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-415-99598-6. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Portal de Transparencia". Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-14.
- ^ See List of largest universities by enrollment.
- ^ "Search - Guni Network". www.guninetwork.org.
- ^ Campus de Santiago e Lugo. University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). Archived 2009-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Educación[permanent dead link]
- ^ "UNESCO Chair in Distance Education (241) | | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
- ^ "UNED | Error".
- ^ "UNED | Error".
- ^ "De David Janer ('Águila Roja') a Yon González ('El Internado'): dónde están hoy los ídolos televisivos de 2010". Nius Diario (in European Spanish). 2020-01-29. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
- ^ "Miss Mundo tendrá sello almeriense en sus costuras". www.lavozdealmeria.com (in Spanish). 13 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
- ^ a b "Rincón literario en Radio Nacional: tus poemas en las ondas" [Literary corner on Radio Nacional: your poems on the airwaves]. Kaos en la red (in Spanish). 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
External links
[edit]See also
[edit]National University of Distance Education
View on GrokipediaHistory and Development
Founding and Early Years
The National University of Distance Education (UNED) was established on August 18, 1972, through Decree Law 2310/1972, which created it as Spain's sole public institution dedicated to distance higher education.[1] This founding occurred amid efforts to expand access to university studies in a country undergoing political transformation toward democracy, addressing barriers such as geographic isolation and work commitments that prevented many from pursuing traditional on-campus education.[11] Initially, UNED operated from three modest offices in central Madrid, serving as its foundational hubs before expanding nationwide.[1] Under the leadership of its first rector, Manuel García Garrido, appointed on September 18, 1972, UNED launched its academic activities in January 1973 with a focus on self-paced learning.[12] The inaugural offerings centered on core disciplines, including degrees in Law (Derecho) and Philosophy and Letters (Filosofía y Letras), which encompassed humanities subjects like literature and history.[11] These programs attracted an initial enrollment of 6,312 students, reflecting strong demand for flexible educational opportunities in the early years.[11] Central to UNED's early model was the use of printed didactic units as the primary teaching tool, mailed to students to support independent self-study without requiring physical attendance.[13] This approach emphasized rigorous, university-level content designed for autonomous learning, setting the stage for UNED's role in broadening higher education access during Spain's democratic transition.[12]Evolution and Key Milestones
Following its establishment in the early 1970s, the National University of Distance Education (UNED) experienced steady institutional growth throughout the 1980s, marked by significant leadership milestones and expansions in academic offerings. In 1982, Elisa Pérez Vera was elected as UNED's rector, becoming the first woman to hold such a position at a Spanish public university and symbolizing the institution's progressive ethos in higher education governance.[1][14] By the late 1980s, UNED had evolved into one of the world's "mega-universities," enrolling over 100,000 students, a testament to its expanding reach in distance learning amid Spain's democratic transition and increasing demand for accessible higher education.[15] The 1990s and early 2000s brought further advancements in UNED's technological infrastructure and international recognition. In 1997, UNED established the UNESCO Chair in Distance Education, enhancing its global profile in open and distance learning methodologies and fostering research collaborations worldwide. The introduction of online platforms in the late 1990s and 2000s, including the virtual classroom launched in the 1998/99 academic year and the full virtual campus in 2000 using tools like WebCT, marked a pivotal shift toward digital integration, enabling multimedia content delivery and interactive student engagement.[16][17] This period also saw UNED's budget grow to support these innovations, reaching approximately €215.62 million in total financing by 2023, with significant allocations for personnel and digital infrastructure.[18] The 2010s and 2020s highlighted UNED's adaptability to global challenges and contemporary educational trends. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of hybrid learning models, building on existing digital capabilities to blend remote and in-person instruction, ensuring continuity for its student body amid lockdowns and thereby reinforcing UNED's resilience in distance education.[19] In 2001, Araceli Maciá Antón became the second female rector, serving until 2005 and further advancing UNED's commitment to gender equality in leadership.[20] Student enrollment continued to expand, reaching 137,146 by the 2023–2024 academic year, reflecting sustained demand for flexible learning options.[18] Recent developments under the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan include the launch of new micro-degrees and combined programs, with 21 micro-degrees offered and a 37.45% increase in related credits matriculated in 2023-2024, aimed at providing modular, stackable credentials for lifelong learning.[18] Institutionally, UNED received recognition in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2025, placing 1359th globally out of 21,462 institutions, underscoring its research and educational impact.[21]Educational Model
Distance Learning Methodology
The distance learning methodology at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) centers on autonomous, self-paced study designed to accommodate working adults and those with professional commitments, emphasizing student self-discipline through flexible scheduling without fixed class hours.[22] Students receive comprehensive printed materials, such as textbooks and study guides, distributed via the Central Library and associated centers, alongside digital resources including a virtual library, video lectures, podcasts, webinars, and access to past exams.[8] This approach promotes independent learning, supported by mobile apps and free software tools that enable remote access to course content and progress tracking.[8] Assessment combines continuous evaluation tests (PECs), conducted online or through assigned practices graded by teaching teams, with mandatory supervised end-of-semester exams held at UNED's network of over 80 associated centers in 75 cities across 17 countries.[23] These exams occur in three ordinary periods (February, June, and September) and a special December session for final-year students, ensuring rigorous verification of knowledge under proctored conditions; students must register 15 days in advance and can take exams at any authorized center, including embassies or military bases via agreements.[23] The tutoring system complements this by providing personalized guidance from supervising tutors—specialized educators stationed at associated centers—who offer weekly or biweekly sessions via video conference, interactive whiteboards, or in-person meetings to clarify doubts, monitor progress, and prepare students for evaluations.[24] Historically, UNED's methodology evolved from early reliance on postal correspondence for materials and broadcasts via radio and television for lectures, established upon its founding in 1972, to a modern digital ecosystem centered on the UNED Virtual Campus platform.[22] This platform serves as the primary hub for course enrollment, peer and professor interactions, virtual forums, and remote laboratories, facilitating seamless access to live tutoring and recorded resources.[8] Enrollment is entirely online, requiring students to create a campus account with a username and password, select programs, and complete payment through a secure portal, with support available for new users via induction communities starting in September.[25] Degrees awarded under this system are official public university qualifications, fully equivalent to those from traditional Spanish universities and aligned with the European Higher Education Area for recognition across Europe.[1]Blended and Hybrid Approaches
The National University of Distance Education (UNED) employs a hybrid learning model that integrates virtual classes, online forums, and optional in-person tutoring and examinations to support flexible education. This approach builds on traditional distance learning by incorporating digital tools for interactive engagement, such as live virtual sessions and collaborative platforms, while allowing students to access face-to-face support through over 80 associated centers in 75 cities across 17 countries. Supervising tutors provide guidance either online or in-person, with end-of-semester exams and continuous assessments often conducted at these centers to accommodate varying needs.[22] A significant digital shift occurred post-2010, enhancing the hybrid framework with advanced technologies like the AudioVisual over IP (AVIP) system introduced in 2013, which enables real-time virtual attendance for lectures and tutorials. Central to this is the aLF (aprendizaje flexible) virtual campus, an interoperable platform developed for comprehensive service management, including course delivery, student task planning, and resource access. For international students, adaptations include virtual mobility programs like the Campus Net initiative launched in 2012, facilitating cross-border collaboration with European and Latin American universities without physical relocation. These elements ensure accessibility for learners in remote areas or abroad, promoting equity in higher education.[26][27][28] This blended model benefits diverse learners, particularly working professionals and those in isolated regions, by offering self-paced study that aligns with personal and professional commitments, eliminating entrance cut-off marks and supporting programs for students with disabilities. Enrollment in UNED's hybrid programs reflects growing adoption, with approximately 169,000 students enrolled as of the 2025–2026 academic year.[29] In response to European Higher Education Area (EHEA) standards under the Bologna Process, UNED's policies emphasize student-centered learning through blended approaches, fostering inclusivity and quality assurance in line with EU directives on digital and hybrid education.[1][30]Organization and Governance
Administration and Leadership
The administration of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) is led by the Rector, who serves as the highest authority and represents the institution in legal and academic matters. The current Rector, Ricardo Mairal Usón, a professor of linguistics, was elected in December 2023 with 62.6% of the votes in the first round and took office in January 2024 for a four-year term.[31][32] The Rector is supported by a team of Vice-Rectors responsible for specific areas, including Javier Sanz Gozalo as Vice-Rector for Research, Transfer, and Scientific Dissemination; Laura Alba Juez as Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Multilingualism (and Second Vice-Rector); Maria Elisa Chuliá Rodrigo as Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research Staff; and Juan Claver Gil as Vice-Rector for Planning, among others appointed in early 2025.[33][34][35] Key decision-making bodies include the Consejo de Gobierno, the primary collegiate governing organ that establishes strategic and programmatic lines, exercises regulatory powers, and approves internal regulations such as those on academic planning and resource allocation.[36][37] Complementing this is the Consejo Social, which fosters societal participation in university affairs, promotes collaboration between the institution and external stakeholders, and advises on the delivery of public educational services while ensuring alignment with social and economic needs.[38] The administrative framework is managed by approximately 1,031 staff members in the Personal de Administración y Servicios (PAS) category as of December 2024, handling operations such as budget management, transparency compliance via the university's portal, and support for governance activities.[39] The Rector's election follows a democratic process governed by UNED's statutes and Spanish higher education law, involving universal suffrage among eligible voters from the academic, student, and administrative communities, with voting typically conducted electronically over several weeks every four years.[40][41] UNED's leadership emphasizes policies promoting equity in access to education, gender equality in appointments, and transparent public service delivery, as outlined in its statutes and annual governance reports.[42] Under the current administration, notable initiatives include expansions in internationalization led by Vice-Rector Laura Alba Juez, such as the 2025 establishment of the MIT-Spain UNED Seed Fund to finance collaborative research projects and mobility programs between UNED and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, enhancing global academic partnerships.[43][44]Faculties and Schools
The National University of Distance Education (UNED) is structured around 11 academic faculties and schools, all headquartered in Madrid, which collectively manage the design, teaching, and assessment of its distance learning offerings. These units foster interdisciplinary coordination to support a flexible educational model, drawing on approximately 1,400 academic staff members, including full-time professors, associate professors, and supervising tutors distributed across departments.[45][1] This staffing enables the delivery of content through digital platforms, virtual tutorials, and examination centers nationwide and abroad, ensuring accessibility for a diverse student body. The faculties and schools cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to exact sciences and engineering. Each is led by a dean responsible for academic oversight, curriculum adaptation to distance modalities, and collaboration with UNED's central administration. Below is a summary of the 11 units, their primary focus areas, and current deans where specified in official records.| Faculty/School | Focus Areas | Dean |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Education (Facultad de Educación) | Pedagogy, educational sciences, teacher training methodologies adapted for remote learning | Mario Peña Garrido[46] |
| Faculty of Philology (Facultad de Filología) | Languages, literature, linguistics, and cultural studies with emphasis on digital textual analysis | Rubén Chacón Beltrán[47] |
| Faculty of Sciences (Facultad de Ciencias) | Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences, including computational modeling for distance labs | Ángel Maroto Valiente (acting)[48] |
| Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales) | Economics, management, finance, and business ethics, with tools for virtual case studies | Inmaculada Pra Martos[49] |
| Faculty of Law (Facultad de Derecho) | Civil, criminal, international, and administrative law, focusing on online legal simulations and debates | Sonia Calaza López[50] |
| Faculty of Philosophy (Facultad de Filosofía) | Ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of science, emphasizing reflective online forums | Asunción Merino Hernando[51] |
| Faculty of Geography and History (Facultad de Geografía e Historia) | Human geography, history, archaeology, and cultural heritage, using GIS and digital archives | Sagrario Aznar Almazán[52] |
| Faculty of Political Science and Sociology (Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociología) | Political theory, sociology, international relations, and social policy analysis via data visualization tools | Juan José Villalón Ogáyar[53] |
| Faculty of Psychology (Facultad de Psicología) | Clinical, educational, and social psychology, with virtual assessment and counseling simulations | María José Contreras Alcalde (elected November 2025)[54] |
| Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática) | Software engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and data science, delivered through programming platforms and remote labs | Rafael Pastor Vargas[55] |
| Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales) | Industrial processes, automation, energy systems, and manufacturing, supported by simulation software | Cristina González Gaya[56] |

