The National Distance Education University (, UNED) is a distance learning and research university founded in 1972 and is the only university run by the government of Spain. The headquarters is located in Madrid, with campuses in all Spanish autonomous communities. There are 14 study centers and 3 exam points in 13 countries in Europe, the Americas and Africa. The University awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as non-degree qualifications such as diplomas and certificates, or continuing education units. UNED is focused on distance learning combined with traditional classroom instruction (called hybrid or blended ) and supports over 150,000 students.

Origins and methodology

Founded in 1972 with the stated purpose of providing education opportunities via a distance education system - in which students are taught while not being physically present - UNED awards the same qualifications as other Spanish universities and has the same entry requirements.

International presence

UNED currently has 61 study centers in Spain and - with the co-operation of local institutions - 14 international centers. These locations provide face-to-face sessions with professors once a week. The international centers are located in Bata, Bern, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Frankfurt, Lima, London, Malabo, Mexico City, Paris and São Paulo. There are exam points in Bogotá, Berlin, New York, Rome and Santiago de Chile.

Affiliation

In 2012 the Spanish newspaper El País featured an article about the launch of UNX, an online platform for teaching entrepreneurship through building mobile apps with App Inventor. UNED is a collaborating partner in this project, along with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Mobile Learning. The UNX online courses are intended to bring technology and entrepreneurship education about to the entire Spanish-speaking world.

Academic profile

A number of factors have been cited to justify the public prestige of UNED: In the last 30 years, UNED has awarded almost 2,000 PhD degrees. Its international reputation is indicated in that it has held the UNESCO chair in distance education since 1997. This chair promotes research, development and documentation in the field of distance education.

Organization

Undergraduate

Today, UNED comprises 11 faculties and the following bachelor's degree studies:

Postgraduate

People

Notable current and former academics

Notable alumni

Honorary doctors

Educational media

Radio programs (selected)

UNED hosted several educational radio programs, broadcast internationally on Radio 3 of RNE. Edith Checa was the director and announcer of the following from 1989 to 2005:

Television (selected)

Educational documentaries were broadcast internationally on La 2 on TVE and on TVE Internacional. Edith Checa was a presenter and writer. Recordings of the shows are hosted on the UNED Documentos YouTube channel.