Comparative evaluation of Spanish-language university programs in Spain, Argentina, and Chile

Spanish Programs for Universities

For this study, we chose the following three courses in Spanish speaking countries of Spain, Argentina and Chile. The universities and the chosen programs in the Spanish speaking countries would be evaluated according to 10 guiding criteria that would include Accreditation, Admission Standards, Career Assistance, Cost/Financial Aid, Culture, Degrees Offered, Faculty, Location, Multicultural/Diversity Opportunities, Physical Facilities

Degree in Electrical Engineering from Salamanca University in Madrid in Spain

This course offers the technological and the socioeconomic principles related to electronic engineering and telecommunications and focuses on the delivery of the creative and the competitive skills required to work in this field. The course is specially designed to develop the skills needed for the designing and producing electronic devices and their systems and has a special focus on the IT and electronics. Apart from the academics of the electrical engineering the program also offers courses on the development of teamwork skills with aid from professionals engaged in similar disciplines, enhancement of decision-making skills which are related to practical considerations like project costing, quality assurance, safety measures, sustainability and maintaining of professional ethics.

Selection Criteria

Accreditation -- one of the most reputed institutions in Spain and recognized in the U.S.

Admission Standards - based on the qualifications and the educational heights achieved by a student. Accords special considerations to students from abroad and adjusts the foreign degree and marks with the local requirements making the process of student evaluation easier and transparent.

Career Assistance -- course designed to have regular interaction with industry

Cost/Financial Aid -- not much financial aid provided

Culture -- culture is cosmopolitan and thus engaging for foreign students

Degrees Offered -- graduate degree

Faculty -- well-qualified faculty -- amongst the best in Spain

Location - separate campus in Madrid yet close to modern amenities

Multicultural/Diversity Opportunities -- students come from many countries hence opportunity for engaging with diverse cultures

Physical Facilities -- well equipped with labs and modern educational facilities

2) Graduate program in Architecture, Design, and Urbanism from the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina

Selection criteria

Accreditation -- one of the most reputed institutions in Argentina

Admission Standards -- recommended completion of Ciclo Basico Comun (CBC) course before starting university course, good understanding of Spanish is a must as all classes are taught in Spanish

Career Assistance -- not much except campus interviews at the end of the program. However, international students can seek a part-time job while studying in Buenos Aires.

Cost/Financial Aid -- not much financial aid provided

Culture -- culture is cosmopolitan and blends with the culture of Buenos Aires

Degrees Offered -- graduate degree

Faculty -- faculties are well-known in Argentina

Location -- no single campus and thus difficulty for students in attending all classes regularly

Multicultural/Diversity Opportunities -- students come from the U.S. and South American countries and hence limited opportunity for engaging with diverse cultures

Physical Facilities -- well equipped with labs and has modern educational facilities

3) Undergraduate Program in Architecture from the Universidad de Chile in Santiago in Chile - the program is aimed at students who have a flair for artistry and a capacity for reflection, analysis along with creativity and is interested in the architectural environment and projection of the same in the business of construction and urbanization.

Selection criteria

Accreditation -- Well revered university and program in Chile and in other places also, recognized in the U.S. also. Program accredited by Accrediting of Architecture, Art and Design (AADA).

Admission Standards -- secondary education and ranks account for 40% of the admission criteria while proof of Spanish language knowledge and communication accounts for 20% of admission criteria. This is a problem for many foreign students applying here.

Career Assistance -- semi-flexible curriculum and hence allowing students to opt for part-time jobs, career assistance is good but not very well defined

Cost/Financial Aid -- financial aid is only provided for scholarship students after a couple of years

Culture -- situated at the heart of Santiago city and hence enjoys a cosmopolitan culture.

Degrees Offered -- graduate degree

Faculty -- faculty is among the best in the field in Chile with practical guidance from professionals from time to time

Location - separate campus in Santiago and located centrally close to important amenities like banks, hospitals, and airport

Multicultural/Diversity Opportunities -- students come from many countries hence opportunity for engaging with diverse cultures

Physical Facilities -- it is one of the better-funded universities in Chile and also enjoys international funding and hence the educational facilities are comparable to any modern university. The program also has modern labs and equipment for practical training purposes.