The title of Doctor, which is issued on behalf of the King of Spain by the vice-chancellor of the university where the corresponding doctoral thesis was submitted, has full academic validity and gives its holder authority to exercise a profession or conduct teaching and research. The title of Doctor is the highest academic distinction that a university can bestow. The purpose of the doctorate is the acquisition of abilities and advanced skills in the field of high-quality scientific research. The doctorate is obtained after presenting and publicly defending a thesis based on an original research project.

“The doctorate is obtained after presenting and publicly defending a thesis based on an original research project.”

The title of European Doctor demands a minimum stay of three months at a university in another European country for the purposes of postgraduate study. The resulting summary and conclusions should be presented in an official language of the European Union other than the official languages of Spain, and have been produced under the supervision of at least two experts based at universities of the European Union. The examination board engaged to evaluate the thesis must include one expert from a university of a member state of the European Union.

The title of Doctor Honoris Causa is the highest honorific recognition that a university can bestow on persons who have distinguished themselves on the basis of their career or merits. The granting of this award, which is proposed by a university department or faculty, has to be approved by that university’s governing board.

Further information on the historic antecedents of the title of Doctor can be found in the book History of the Royal European Academy of Doctors.