How to validate subjects and avoid starting from scratch
Since the LOMLOE law came into effect, the education system has been revitalised to update programmes, content, and approaches to learning. This renewal has brought attention to an issue many students are familiar with: how to continue an academic path without starting from zero. Or, in other words, the validation of subjects.
It is not a shortcut or a loophole, but a legitimate way to recognise prior work, better organise your efforts, and move forward meaningfully within the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Those who have invested hours in classes, projects, internships, and study deserve to have that knowledge properly reflected in their academic record. Still, the process can feel like a maze: internal regulations, equivalency percentages, workload requirements, academic committees… Everything sounds technical and distant until you truly understand it.
If you are in the middle of an educational transition (moving from vocational training to university, changing degrees, or starting a Master’s), at Planeta Formación y Universidades we want to help you understand how to navigate the process and what steps to take so your effort genuinely counts. And if you are exploring new academic paths, you can take a look at our extensive programme offering.
What is subject validation and why is it important?
Validation is essentially a university recognising your previous studies. If you have taken a similar subject in another programme or institution, you can request credit for it and avoid repeating the course. It really is that straightforward. This not only prevents duplication, but also helps you progress more efficiently and focus on what you truly need to complete your new academic stage.
It is a very practical tool when you change degrees, move from vocational training to university, or transfer from one institution to another. Your previous academic work is integrated into your new study plan, allowing you to continue without redoing what you have already accomplished.
Requirements and criteria for validation in the EHEA
Within the European Higher Education Area, all universities follow a common set of criteria to determine whether credit transfer is possible. First, your previous studies must be officially recognised. Second, the subjects must be comparable; it is not enough for them to be vaguely similar — they must share objectives, competencies, and a similar academic level.
The system is not designed to create obstacles, but to ensure that recognised subjects truly align with the requirements of the new degree. For that reason, each university thoroughly reviews the programmes and requests specific documentation before making a decision.
In the institutions of Planeta Formación y Universidades, this process is designed to be clear and supportive, minimising uncertainty. We analyse each application individually, verify the real equivalence of content, and guide students from the beginning so they know what to expect from the outcome.
The content sufficiency principle: 75–80% equivalence
Most universities operate under a key principle: if two subjects overlap significantly in content and competencies, it is reasonable to validate them. This threshold is usually around 75–80%, although each institution may apply its own criteria. What matters is that the subject you have already completed covers the same academic foundations as the one you wish to validate.
Equivalence of academic workload and ECTS credits
Alongside content, workload is also assessed. In the EHEA, this is measured through ECTS credits, which reflect not only class hours but the overall effort the subject requires. If two subjects involve a comparable workload, your case becomes stronger. It is the most objective way to show that both demand a similar level of dedication.
Step-by-step process to request subject validation
1. Review of internal regulations and study plans
Before submitting anything, you must review your university’s regulations. Each institution has its own rules. It is useful to check which credits can be transferred, how the application works, and the deadlines. You should also examine your new degree’s curriculum to identify the subjects that genuinely align with your previous experience. This first overview will give you much greater clarity.
2. The critical documentation you must gather
You will usually need your academic transcript, syllabi or course guides of the subjects you have completed, and information about credits and content. If you are coming from another country, you may need official translations or legalisations. And if you are applying for recognition of professional experience or vocational training, you must provide specific certificates. The more complete your documentation is, the easier it will be for the committee to assess your case.
3. Deadlines and enrollment: when to submit the request?
Universities usually set very strict deadlines. Often the application is submitted alongside enrolment, while in other cases there is a separate period for credit transfer requests. In some institutions, you may need to register provisionally for the subjects you are requesting validation for until a decision is made. Meeting the deadlines is essential, as late submissions are rarely accepted.
4. The academic committee’s decision and its implications
Once everything is submitted, your application goes to an academic committee that evaluates whether a real equivalency exists. If the decision is favourable, the credits are added to your transcript and you will no longer need to take those subjects. However, they usually appear as “pass” or an equivalent, meaning they do not receive a numerical grade and may not count towards your overall average. Some subjects (such as final projects or certain core modules) cannot be validated due to institutional policy.
Most common types of validations
Validating subjects from one undergraduate degree to another
When you move from one degree to another, it is common for several subjects to share similar content. If the overlap is significant, the university can recognise those credits and add them directly to your new transcript. This tends to occur especially in the first years, where introductory subjects often share a common foundation across different degrees.
These validations also make career changes less daunting, because you do not start from scratch and can focus sooner on the more specialised subjects of your new degree.
Validating vocational training (VT) to a university degree
More universities now recognise credits from students coming from higher-level vocational training programmes. In these cases, entire modules are not automatically validated, but the parts of the programme that genuinely coincide with university content may be recognised.
There is usually a limit to how many credits can be transferred, and this depends heavily on the degree. Even so, for students coming from vocational training who want to continue in a related field, this recognition represents considerable time savings. Importantly, when the connection between the vocational programme and the degree is strong, the transition is usually quite straightforward.
In institutions such as iFP (Innovation in Vocational Training), which forms part of the Planeta Formación y Universidades ecosystem, many advanced vocational programmes are designed with competencies and approaches that align closely with university degrees in the same field. This makes it easier for students who want to continue studying in a related area to build a clearer bridge to university and obtain official recognition for part of their previous academic work.
Validating subjects in an official master’s program
You can also request credit transfer within a Master’s programme, especially if you have already taken similar subjects in another postgraduate course or during your undergraduate studies. It is not guaranteed, because Master’s degrees operate with more specific requirements, but when there is clear content overlap, some universities accept the credit. This is particularly common in Master’s programmes that include introductory or foundational modules.
Conclusion: is validation the best option for you?
Validating previous studies can be a real advantage if you have already made progress and want that effort to count. It is a tool that lightens your workload, prevents you from repeating subjects, and helps you move forward more smoothly. However, to benefit from it, you must carefully review your case, compare content, and accept that not everything can always be recognised.
Even so, when equivalency exists and deadlines are met, validation often becomes an ally. It is a way to honour your academic journey and plan your next step without losing what you have already learned. If you are at that transition point, it may be the right moment to consider it carefully and see whether this path suits your goals.
A helpful tool to support you in that process is the test offered by Planeta Formación y Universidades, designed to assess your educational profile and help you determine whether your previous vocational training or academic experiences align well with new study routes.
