The UNED La Palma Associated Centre offers for the first time the Degree in Software Development and Testing, a joint title with universities from the Netherlands and Catalonia, taught entirely in English and online. Classes start on September 23.
UNED La Palma has taken a historic step by incorporating into its academic offerings the first international university degree that can be pursued from the island. This is the Degree in Software Development and Testing, a joint title with the Open Universiteit of the Netherlands and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), which will be taught entirely in English and online.
A degree with a European seal
The qualification, comprising 180 ECTS credits spread over three academic years, is the result of more than four years of joint work between the three institutions. It is part of OpenEU, the European alliance that groups together ten universities specialised in distance education. It is one of the first joint degrees accredited by a European university alliance, marking a step forward towards a shared academic offering in the European Higher Education Area.
The director of the UNED La Palma Associated Centre, Juan Carlos Rodríguez, has highlighted that this initiative allows students from La Palma to access top-level training without the need to travel. “It is a unique opportunity to train in a sector with high labour demand, with international faculty and a degree recognised throughout Europe,” he noted.
How to access from the island
Enrollment is now open and classes will begin on September 23, 2026. Interested individuals can formalise their registration and obtain information at either of the two UNED La Palma Associated Centre locations: Santa Cruz de La Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane. The official UNED La Palma website can also be consulted.
The degree is aimed at individuals interested in software development and quality testing, a highly sought-after profile in the European technology sector. As it is taught in English, students will also improve their language skills, an added value in the global job market.
The centre encourages young people from the island to take advantage of this opportunity, as such an offering has not previously reached La Palma. “It is a source of pride to be able to offer an international degree without our students having to leave the island,” Rodríguez added.
A commitment to distance education
UNED La Palma has been consolidating itself as a reference in distance education in the Canary Islands for years. With this new qualification, the island is at the forefront of European higher education, offering a programme that combines the flexibility of online learning with the prestige of three leading universities.
The Degree in Software Development and Testing joins the centre's usual offerings, which include degrees, master's programmes, and access courses. For students from La Palma, this is an opportunity to train in a cutting-edge sector without giving up living on the island. “We want our young people to have the same opportunities as in any European city,” concluded the director.
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