The Institut del Teatre’s higher artistic studies, assigned to the University of Barcelona

The agreement establishes that ESAD can offer three degrees: a degree in Theatre Performance, a degree in Stage Direction and Playwriting, and a degree in Stage Design. In addition, the CSD will offer a single degree that will bring together the two specialities that the school currently offers separately and will be called the Degree in Dance: Pedagogy and Choreography. All four degrees will be official university degrees from the UB.

The introduction of the Institut del Teatre’s higher degrees as university degrees is expected to take effect in the academic year 2026-2027.

The general director of the Institut del Teatre, Núria Plana, said that “the affiliation of the Institut del Teatre to the University of Barcelona is a great qualitative leap for our higher degrees in Dramatic Art and Dance, while at the same time opening its doors to increase research in the arts from artistic practice”.

On the other hand, the deputy of the Department of Culture of the Barcelona Provincial Council, Pau González, stressed that the Institut del Teatre “has worked hard for this recognition, especially since 2015, when it was decided by internal vote that university affiliation was the most appropriate way” to give the institution’s higher studies the academic status they deserve.

The rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, said that this agreement “is another step in the firm direction that the UB began a few years ago to become the driving force of the fine arts. A step that we are working to see reflected in the new core of the Arts Campus”. He also stated that “in this journey, the connection with an institution of national and international reference in the artistic field such as the Institut del Teatre is the clearest evidence that science cannot be understood without art and vice versa. Concepts such as research, innovation and transfer are not alien to the reality of the Institut del Teatre: the link with the University of Barcelona is the lever for all this reality to take a decisive step forward”.

A historical demand

For three decades, the national artistic education sector has been calling for the equalization of higher artistic studies with university studies. This agreement finally responds to this demand. 

At the end of June 2024, the new law on higher arts education came into force, establishing the necessary legal framework to bring design, drama, music, dance, audiovisual studies, plastic arts and restoration of cultural assets into line with European standards. In Spain, the arts education sector is made up of some 14,000 teachers and 140,000 students.