European convergence and internationalization of Doctoral Studies: An overview of trends towards change in Spain

Abstract

The adaptation of Doctoral studies to the European Higher Education Area has involved a complex regulatory change in Spain aiming at harmonizing this stage of training with European guidelines. Royal Decree 99/2011 established a new organizational structure for the Doctorate and sets out the guidelines, conditions and procedures that are to regulate the new Doctoral studies. In this paper we describe some of the most significant changes, including, among others, the novelty of the creation of Doctoral Schools, and, likewise, we present a succinct descriptive overview of some data resulting from the  implementation of the regulations on the configuration and putting into practice of the new Doctoral studies. We conclude that these transformations are complex at the levels of management, organization and operation, although they have involved a move towards training that qualifies candidates in research competencies within a setting of internationalization and European mobility.