Social sciences and humanities degrees in Spain
Psychology, economics, criminology, international relations, history, translation, philosophy, social education and more: they are social sciences and humanities degrees you can study in Spain.
If you like history or philosophy class, if you're interested in knowing why people behave the way they do or if you follow real cases in podcasts or documentaries, there are degrees that start from that.
How social sciences and humanities are studied in Spain
They are university degrees at public and private universities in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Salamanca or Cádiz, among other cities. You work with texts, data, interviews and cases, and you learn to explain your conclusions with your own arguments; how you are assessed is set by the teaching guide for each subject.
Degrees with the same name can have different approaches depending on the university, so look at the study plan before deciding. To check that a qualification is official, consult the RUCT, the official registry of universities, centers and degrees.
The social sciences and humanities degrees in Spain
Among those studied in Spain are Criminology, History, International Relations and Translation.
Criminology starts from behavior; History reconstructs what happened in other eras; International Relations looks at how states relate to each other; Translation works on moving from one language to another. Economics overlaps with the business and economics degrees in Spain, and Psychology with those in health.
Where to study social sciences and humanities in Spain
Universidad CEU San Pablo (CEU)Madrid · PrivateCriminologyPolitical ScienceEconomicsHistoryLiteraturePsychologyPhilosophyInternational Relations
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)Madrid · PublicPsychologyEconomicsCriminologySocial EducationGeographyHistoryPhilosophyPolitical Science
Universidad Antonio de Nebrija (UANE)Madrid · PrivateLiteratureInternational RelationsEconomicsPsychologySocial EducationCriminology
Universidad Pontificia Comillas ICAI-ICADEMadrid · PrivateCriminologyPhilosophyPsychologyInternational RelationsSocial WorkSworn Translator
Universidad Camilo José Cela (UCJC)Madrid · PrivateCriminologyPsychologyInternational RelationsHuman Resources
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UCAR)Getafe · PublicEconomicsInternational RelationsPolitical Science
Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (CEU)Alfara del Patriarca · PrivatePsychologyPolitical ScienceHistory
Universidad de Cádiz (UCA)Cádiz · PublicPsychologyLiteratureCriminologyHow to choose between them
Pay attention to what you do without anyone asking you to: whether you read current news, follow real cases, keep thinking about a class discussion, whether you like languages.
Then decide at what scale you're interested in looking: a person, a group, society or a historical period. Someone who enjoys understanding behavior might fit in Psychology or Criminology, and someone who prefers the past and ideas, in History or Philosophy.
If you're torn between Psychology and Criminology, compare the subjects: both are interested in behavior, but the plan will tell you how much weight health carries and how much crime and society do. The career test can also give you a clue.
To read before choosing
Frequently asked questions
What degrees are included in social sciences and humanities?
Those that study people, society, culture and ideas, such as psychology, history, philosophy, criminology, economics or international relations.
How long does a social sciences and humanities degree take?
Degrees in this field take a similar amount of time, and a double degree makes it longer.
What kinds of exams and assignments are there?
Papers, text commentaries, presentations and essay exams, depending on the subject. What matters most is being eager to read and argue.
What if I choose the wrong degree?
Each university decides which subjects it recognizes if you switch degrees; before enrolling, ask how credit recognition works.
Can I study one of these degrees online?
It depends on the university: some offer an online or blended version of certain degrees and others are in-person only. Check the format on the degree page.