Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 23, 2026, from the Complutense University of Madrid, publishing the modification of the curriculum for the Computer Science Engineering Degree |
|---|---|
| Publication | August 6, 2026 |
| Effective date | September 1, 2026 (academic year 2026-27) |
| Direct stakeholders | Future students of the Computer Science Engineering Degree at UCM from the 2026-27 academic year |
| Indirect stakeholders | Technology companies recruiting UCM graduates |
| Category | Education |
| Total ECTS credits | 240 ECTS |
| Endorsing body | Foundation for Knowledge Madri+d and Council of Universities |
The profile of the computer scientist graduating from Complutense is changing starting next academic year. The Resolution of July 23, 2026 publishes the official modification of the Computer Science Engineering Degree at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), effective September 1, 2026. For HR departments and tech executives recruiting junior talent in Madrid, this means that the UCM candidate will arrive with a stronger foundation in high-demand technologies.
The modification was endorsed by the Foundation for Knowledge Madri+d and approved by the Council of Universities, which guarantees its official validity for accreditation and degree recognition purposes.
What does this regulation establish?
The new curriculum maintains the structure of 240 ECTS credits distributed across four blocks. The modification does not alter the total volume of the degree, but rather its content and training orientation. The distribution is as follows:
| Training block | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Basic training | 60 |
| Mandatory subjects | 150 |
| Elective subjects | 18 |
| Final Degree Project (TFG) | 12 |
| Total | 240 |
The differentiating element of the new curriculum is the strengthening of specific Computing technology, with subjects that directly respond to current labor market demand:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced Programming
- Parallelism
These subjects are integrated within the mandatory block (150 ECTS), which is the core of the degree. The curriculum was endorsed by the Foundation for Knowledge Madri+d and approved by the Council of Universities, following the standard verification and modification procedure for official university degrees in Spain.
A relevant fact for team management: students already enrolled in the degree are not affected by this curriculum change. Only new students entering from the 2026-27 academic year will take the modified curriculum.
Economic and operational impact
For technology companies, this change has a concrete operational impact on their selection and internal training processes:
- Reduction of AI training gap: Graduates from the new curriculum arrive with formal training in Artificial Intelligence, which can reduce the time and cost of onboarding in AI projects.
- Better preparation in parallel systems: The inclusion of Parallelism as a mandatory subject is relevant for companies with high-performance computing needs, concurrent software development, or cloud infrastructures.
- Profile more aligned with the market: The update responds to the most in-demand competencies in the tech sector in 2026, facilitating the integration of juniors in real projects from day one.
- Gradual transition: Over the next 4 years, graduates from both the old and new curriculum will coexist. Selection departments should identify which curriculum each candidate completed to properly assess their profile.
Who does it affect?
- Technology companies with headquarters or operations in Madrid that recruit UCM graduates.
- HR and talent acquisition departments that manage offers for junior profiles in software development, AI, or systems.
- Executives and CTOs who plan the incorporation of university talent in the medium term.
- Technology consulting firms with scholarship or internship programs linked to UCM.
- Future students entering the Computer Science Engineering Degree at UCM from the 2026-27 academic year.
- Current students of the degree: not affected, they continue with their current curriculum.
Practical example
A Madrid-based technology consulting firm incorporates between 10 and 15 junior graduates from UCM each year for its development and data projects. Until now, the company dedicated the first weeks of onboarding to internal training in AI and advanced programming, since the previous curriculum did not cover these subjects with sufficient depth.
With the new curriculum in effect from 2026-27, graduates joining from 2030 onwards (when the first complete cohort of the new curriculum graduates) will arrive with formal training in Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Programming and Parallelism. This allows the consulting firm to redirect that onboarding time toward business-specific training or proprietary tools, reducing the cost of adapting new talent.
During the transition period (2026-2030), the company will receive candidates from both curricula. The recommendation is to include verification of the curriculum completed in the selection process to adjust the incorporation itinerary for each candidate.
What should companies do now?
- Update expected competency profiles for junior candidates from UCM, incorporating AI, Advanced Programming and Parallelism as base competencies from the 2030 cohort.
- Review internship and scholarship programs linked to UCM to align them with the new training profile and leverage new competencies from the start.
- Identify the curriculum completed in selection processes during the transition period (2026-2030), to adjust onboarding depending on whether the candidate comes from the old or new curriculum.
- Communicate to selection managers the expected profile change in UCM graduates, especially in AI, data, and high-performance systems areas.
- Plan the reduction of internal training costs in areas covered by the new curriculum, redirecting that budget toward differential training or specialization.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new UCM Computer Science curriculum take effect?
The new curriculum takes effect on September 1, 2026, applying to students entering the Computer Science Engineering Degree at UCM in the 2026-27 academic year. Students already enrolled in previous years are not affected and continue with their current curriculum.
What new subjects does the UCM Computer Science curriculum 2026-27 include?
The new curriculum strengthens specific Computing technology with three highlighted subjects within the mandatory block (150 ECTS): Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Programming and Parallelism. The total degree remains at 240 ECTS distributed across basic training (60), mandatory (150), elective (18) and Final Degree Project (12).
Does this change affect students already taking the degree?
No. According to the resolution published in the BOE on August 6, 2026, students already enrolled are not affected by the curriculum modification. The new curriculum only applies to those entering the degree from the 2026-27 academic year.
How does this change affect companies hiring UCM graduates?
Technology companies recruiting UCM graduates will receive profiles with formal training in Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Programming and Parallelism from the first complete cohort of the new curriculum (approximately 2030). During the transition period, candidates from both curricula will coexist, so it is recommended to verify which curriculum each candidate completed to adjust the onboarding process.
Who endorsed the modification of the UCM Computer Science curriculum?
The modification was endorsed by the Foundation for Knowledge Madri+d and approved by the Council of Universities, following the official procedure for verification and modification of university degrees in Spain.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17181