Your Guide to Higher Education Recognition: Official Degrees, Títulos Propios, and More
Understanding accreditation is key to making informed educational choices. Here’s how GBSB Global ensures the highest academic recognition.
What is Governmental Accreditation?
Governmental accreditation is the formal recognition granted by a national or regional government authority to an educational institution or program. It confirms that the institution or program meets established standards of quality, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and infrastructure. This type of accreditation is required for institutions to:
- Offer official degrees recognized by the state.
- Participate in public funding programs (e.g., student loans and scholarships).
- Ensure international recognition of qualifications.
- Enable credit transfer between recognized institutions.
In some countries, government accreditation is required for higher education institutions to legally operate and award recognized degrees, ensuring national standards of quality, transparency, and public accountability. However, in Spain and Switzerland, governmental accreditation is not mandatory for all institutions, particularly private business schools. These schools may offer titles propios (non-official degrees) that are professionally oriented and often only internationally accredited. Due to this flexibility, students must carefully research whether an institution is officially recognized by a governmental body or operates under a different accreditation framework. This ensures that their qualifications will meet their academic or professional goals.
GBSB Global’s official programs are accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and are aligned with the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF). This governmental accreditation ensures recognition across Europe under the EQF (European Qualifications Framework). GBSB Global is also recognized by the Department of Research and Universities of the Catalonia Regional Government (Barcelona campus) and the Department of Education, Science, and Universities of the Madrid Regional Government (Madrid campus).
What is International Accreditation?
It is formal recognition, granted by independent, globally recognized bodies, that confirms an educational institution or program meets established standards of academic quality, integrity, and cross-border relevance. Unlike governmental accreditation, which is issued by national authorities and confers official degree status, international accreditation is awarded by independent professional organizations. It does not make a degree state-recognized or official. Rather, it validates the institution’s commitment to continuous improvement, global standards, and student outcomes. This type of accreditation is valuable for institutions operating across multiple countries or offering non-governmental degrees because it enhances international recognition and employability. At GBSB Global, international accreditations — such as those from ACBSP or ASIC — complement governmental recognition in Spain and Malta. This ensures that both private and state-recognized degrees meet rigorous quality benchmarks.
What is an Official Program?
An official program is a degree formally recognized by the government. It is governed by national and European regulations, follows the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), and is structured into three academic cycles: Bachelor’s (Grado), Master’s (Máster Oficial), and Doctorate (Doctorado).
Only official degrees — those formally recognized by national education authorities — grant access to further academic studies, such as Master’s (Máster Oficial) and Ph.D. or Doctorate (Doctorado) programs. These degrees are the only type of qualification that guarantees eligibility for regulated professions. They are also recognized for immigration purposes, when academic credentials are assessed for points, and they are considered formal higher education in most countries. For these reasons, students must verify that the program they are considering is officially accredited by the relevant government body.
Official programs must be listed in the national register of university programs, such as the MFHEA Database of Accredited Programs in Malta or the Registro de Universidades, Centros y Títulos (RUCT) in Spain.
What is a Título Propio (Private Degree), Continuing Education Program, or Lifelong Learning Qualification?
A Private Degree, or Título Propio in Spain, is a type of non-official academic degree offered by universities and business schools in Spain and Switzerland. Unlike official degrees (Títulos Oficiales), which are accredited by the government and listed in the national registry (RUCT or similar), private degrees are unregulated by the government. They are not recognized as official qualifications for public sector employment, doctoral studies, or immigration purposes.
These degrees are:
- Created and awarded by the institution itself, based on its own curriculum and academic standards.
- Often accredited by international professional bodies, they are validated for quality, but not governmental recognition.
- Highly practical and industry-oriented, they are designed to meet market needs and enhance employability in the private sector.
- Commonly offered by both private and public universities in Spain, including top institutions.
While Título Propio degrees are widely accepted by employers for professional roles, they do not grant access to:
- Regulated professions in Spain or the EU.
- Official Master’s or Ph.D. programs.
- State-funded scholarships or immigration points systems.
Although they are not governmentally recognized, private degrees remain a popular choice for many students because of their flexibility, international relevance, and professional focus. Private institutions typically offer specialized, industry-focused curricula, smaller class sizes, and more personalized learning environments. They also adapt quickly to emerging fields, such as digital innovation, making them attractive to students seeking practical skills and a career-ready education.
Why do some institutions claim that Título Propio degrees are state-recognized?
Programs leading to Private Degrees are legally permitted under Spanish and Swiss law and are often designed to meet specific market or professional needs. While the issuing university may be state-recognized — such as GBSB Global’s partners, Universitat de Vic and Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC) — the Título Propio itself does not carry the same legal status as a Título Oficial.
Some institutions in Spain and Switzerland refer to their private degrees as “state-recognized” because they are issued in collaboration with officially recognized government universities. However, this terminology can be misleading. The recognition applies to the university, not the degree. A Título Propio remains a private qualification that does not grant access to regulated professions, official postgraduate studies, or public sector roles in Spain or the European Union.
What is Validating Partner?
It is an officially recognized university or institution that formally approves and oversees the academic quality of a program delivered by another organization, usually a private business school or training provider. Through this arrangement, the delivering institution can offer degrees or qualifications validated by the partner. This means that the curriculum, assessment methods, and academic standards meet the validating partner’s requirements.
In practice, this means:
- The degree is awarded by the validating partner, not the delivering institution.
- The validating partner ensures the program aligns with its academic regulations and quality assurance processes.
- The delivering institution does not hold any decision-making authority over the academic content, structure, or approval processes of the validating partner’s university program.
This model is common in cross-border education, where private institutions collaborate with universities in the UK, EU, or elsewhere to offer internationally recognized qualifications.
Unlike many business schools in Spain or Malta that rely on external partners, often from the United Kingdom, to deliver their academic programs, GBSB Global is one of only three international business schools in Spain authorized to develop and deliver its own official bachelor’s and master’s degrees. GBSB Global fully owns and academically governs these programs, which are not outsourced or validated by another institution. This gives the school full autonomy over curriculum design, quality assurance, and academic innovation. GBSB Global’s ability to award official degrees independently reflects its recognized status as a higher education institution. This status empowers GBSB Global to respond swiftly to industry trends and maintain academic excellence without external constraints.
Which program should I choose? Official or private?
When deciding between an official degree and a private degree, a Título Propio, it is important to consider your long-term academic and professional goals.
For undergraduate studies, it is strongly recommended that students pursue an official degree. This initial stage of higher education provides a solid academic foundation and ensures eligibility for further studies, such as official master’s and Ph.D. programs. An official undergraduate degree also grants access to regulated professions and public sector employment and is recognized for immigration purposes in most countries. An official undergraduate degree provides the flexibility and credibility necessary to pursue a variety of future opportunities, whether academic, professional, or personal.
When selecting a degree awarded by an institution through a validating partner, students should ensure they understand any additional requirements imposed by the validating partner. These requirements may include passing extra examinations or spending a semester at the validating partner university. Students should also inquire whether the validating partner university will issue a transcript in the event of withdrawal or transfer to another institution. If the transcript is issued by the delivering institution instead, it may not be recognized for transfer purposes.
At the master’s level, the choice depends on the student’s aspirations. If the goal is to pursue a Ph.D., enter a regulated profession, or use the qualification for immigration purposes, an official master’s degree is essential. However, if the student wants to advance in their career, gain specialized industry knowledge, or improve their practical skills, a private master’s degree (título propio) can be an excellent option. These programs are often more flexible, innovative, and tailored to current market needs, making them highly valuable for professional development.
Ultimately, students should carefully evaluate their objectives and ensure the degree they choose aligns with their future plans.