Universidad Isabel I

What Universidad Isabel I does

Universidad Isabel I (legal name: Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla, S.A.U.) is a fully online private Spanish university headquartered in Burgos, Spain, founded in 2011 under regional law (Ley 3/2011) and renamed from "Universidad Privada Internacional de Burgos" in 2012. It is part of Grupo iLERNA, a diversified Spanish educational group encompassing 14 entities spanning vocational training, university education, and continuing professional development. The university is officially authorized by Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU) and accredited by ANECA and ACSUCYL, enabling it to issue nationally and EHEA-recognized official bachelor's degrees (Grados Oficiales), master's degrees (Másteres Oficiales), a doctoral program in Security and Defense, MBA and postgraduate programs, teacher training, language school courses, and complementary professional credentials.

The institution operates across five academic faculties (Law and Economics, Security and Criminology, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences) and delivers all programs through a Moodle-based Virtual Campus (aula.ui1.es) supported by a digital library, document verification infrastructure, and Google OAuth SSO. The technology platform is functional but not proprietary, differentiated by accessibility features (WCAG 2.0 Level A compliance, responsive design, PDF/ebook materials with subtitles and transcripts) and flexible delivery mechanics including trimester-based scheduling, dual continuous/final assessment options, and optional in-person proctored examinations at collaborating centers across Spain.

Universidad Isabel I generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for official degrees, MBA and postgraduate programs, complementary training (including habilitation titles and teacher training), and corporate training funded through Spain's FUNDAE (Formación Bonificada) credit system. The primary customer segment is working adult learners seeking recognized university credentials without on-campus attendance, with secondary segments in education professionals (via ANPE and CSIF union partnerships), corporate clients utilizing FUNDAE credits, and students with accessibility needs or athletes supported through the Program UNARD. Marketing and distribution are executed entirely digitally through the ui1.es website, content marketing via an institutional blog (467+ pages), active social channels, SEO, email, and a partner network of 12+ collaborating educational centers across Spain.

Name

Universidad Isabel I

Legal name

Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla, S. A. U.

Website

https://ui1.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Universidad Isabel I is a fully online private Spanish university headquartered in Burgos, offering MCIU-accredited bachelor's, master's, doctoral, MBA, and continuing education programs to working adult learners, education professionals, and corporate clients across Spain and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE), Online For-Profit Career Universities (EDAHALAJ), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Online university education
• Distance learning degrees
• Higher education programs
• Teacher training courses
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Burgos

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Official Degree Tuition: Revenue from tuition fees for official university degrees (Grados Oficiales), master's programs (Másteres Oficiales), and doctoral programs. Students pay tuition to enroll in recognized Spanish higher education qualifications.
2. MBA and Postgraduate Programs: Revenue from MBA programs and specialized postgraduate degrees (posgrados), including executive education offerings in areas such as Big Data, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and Sports Management.
3. Continuous/Complementary Training: Revenue from complementary professional training programs, teacher training (Formación del Profesorado), language school (Escuela de Idiomas), and professional habilitation titles (Títulos Habilitantes).
4. Funded Training (FUNDAE): The university is accredited for Formación Bonificada (FUNDAE), allowing companies to use government training credits for employee development, generating revenue from corporate training contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Universidad Isabel I is a 100% online private Spanish university offering officially recognized undergraduate degrees (Grados Oficiales), master's programs (Másteres Oficiales), a doctoral program in Security and Defense, MBA and postgraduate studies, teacher training, habilitation titles, and a language school. All programs are delivered through a Moodle-based virtual campus with optional in-person exam centers across Spain, targeting working adult learners seeking accredited qualifications without geographic constraints.

Product overview

Universidad Isabel I is an exclusively online/distance private Spanish university offering a comprehensive digital education ecosystem. The portfolio consists of a Moodle-based virtual campus (Aula Virtual) as the primary learning management system, a digital library portal with academic databases, and accredited degree programs across undergraduate (Grados Oficiales), graduate (Másteres Oficiales), and doctoral (Doctorado en Seguridad y Defensa) levels. The offering is complemented by MBA and specialized postgraduate programs, a Language School (Escuela de Idiomas), continuing education courses (Formación Complementaria and Formación del Profesorado), a scientific research portal, and a career services job board. All academic services are delivered exclusively online with flexible examination options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grados Oficiales (Official Bachelor's Degrees) Official undergraduate degree programs offered fully online across multiple disciplines including Business Administration, Sports Science, Security, Criminology, Law, Education, Philosophy/Politics/Economics, History, Computer Engineering, Speech Therapy, Marketing, Nutrition, Pedagogy, Journalism, and Psychology. Recognized across the European Higher Education Area with the same legal validity as public university degrees.
• Másteres Oficiales (Official Master's Degrees) Official postgraduate master's programs offered online including Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Digital Law, Human Resources Management, Educational Center Management, Project Management, Sports Management, E-Learning Design, Scientific Communication, Special Education, Teacher Training, Intelligence for Security and Defense, Digital Marketing, Neuroscience and Education, Nutrition, Forensic Psychology, General Health Psychology, Psychopedagogy, Sports Performance, Security and Defense Leadership, Educational Technology, Digital Business Transformation, and Occupational Risk Prevention.
• Programa de Doctorado en Seguridad y Defensa Doctoral program focused on security and defense research, the only one of its kind offered by a private Spanish university. Provides research training and doctoral thesis supervision in this specialized field.
• MBA y Posgrados (MBA and Postgraduate Programs) MBA programs and specialized postgraduate courses (university-specific titles, posgrados propios) including Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, HR Management, Project Management, Healthcare Management, Digital Marketing & Analytics, and various expert university diplomas in areas such as Private Security Coordination, Industrial Cybersecurity, and Biogas Plant Management.
• Escuela de Idiomas (Language School) Language learning programs including English courses, Oxford Test of English certification preparation, and Professional English courses for career development.
• Formación Complementaria (Continuing Education) Complementary training programs including teacher continuing education courses, expert diplomas in educational coordination, child protection, digital teaching, and various specialized certificates for ongoing professional development.
• Formación del Profesorado (Teacher Training) Teacher training programs including the MAES (Máster en Formación del Profesorado) and other education qualifications required for teaching at secondary level and for career progression in Spain's public education system. Delivered in partnership with ANPE and CSIF teachers' unions.
• Títulos Habilitantes (Habilitation Titles) Professional habilitation titles that certify competencies required to practice in regulated professions, providing legally recognized professional qualifications for working professionals.
• Biblioteca (University Digital Library) Digital library portal providing access to academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Dialnet Plus, ERIC), electronic books, research repositories, citation management tools, and institutional repositories for student and faculty research activities.
• Portal Científico y Repositorio Institucional Research portal providing access to institutional scientific output, open access publications, and academic research outputs from university faculty.
• Formación Bonificada (FUNDAE Corporate Training) FUNDAE-accredited corporate training service allowing Spanish companies to use government-subsidized training credits (créditos de formación bonificada) to fund employee education. Programs are eligible for corporate training subsidies covering part or all of tuition costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can study entirely online and take proctored exams at collaborating centers across Spain or online, removing geographic barriers to accessing official university education.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ANPE (Sindicato Independiente de Profesores)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorANPE is Spain's largest independent teachers' union in the public education sector. Universidad Isabel I partners with ANPE to reach its member base for teacher training programs, habilitation qualifications (Títulos Habilitantes), and continuing professional development. ANPE promotes the university's education programs to its members and provides referral channels.
• CSIF (Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCSIF is one of Spain's largest public sector unions, with significant membership among public education professionals. The partnership enables CSIF members to access the university's teacher training and professional development programs with preferential conditions or institutional endorsement.
• CESINE (Centro Universitario)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCESINE is a university center in Cantabria with 27+ years of experience in higher education. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I as a supporting center for specific academic programs, leveraging its physical campus and regional student base.
• ICSE (Instituto Canario de Psicología y Educación)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1979 in the Canary Islands, ICSE has delivered over 6,800 training actions to 125,000+ students. Since 2010, it has been an authorized private vocational training center. ICSE collaborates with Universidad Isabel I on education and psychology programs targeting the Canary Islands student population.
• ISEB (Instituto Superior Europeo de Barcelona)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISEB is a Barcelona-based institution specializing in distance postgraduate education across disciplines including business, communication, psychology, education, nutrition, and sports. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I as a supporting center for specific programs delivered in the Barcelona/Catalonia region.
• SAERA (Formación Online especializada en Audiología, Optometría, Logopedia y Neurociencias)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAERA is an online training school specializing in Health Sciences (Audiology, Optometry, Speech Therapy, and Neuroscience). It serves as a collaborating partner for Universidad Isabel I in delivering health-related programs, using its online methodology to reach students across Spain.
• EDITECA (Escuela online de Diseño, Arquitectura e Ingeniería)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEDITECA is an online school specializing in BIM, Virtual Reality, and Industry 4.0 design/architecture/engineering courses. It partners with Universidad Isabel I to support students in technology-related programs, offering courses without fixed start dates or schedules.
• idDOCENTE (Centro de formación online para docentes)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoridDOCENTE is an online training center directed at teachers and educational centers, specializing in teacher professional development. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I on teacher training programs, providing updated, rigorous, and practical content with personalized tutorial support.
• ENEB (Escuela de Negocios Europea de Barcelona)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorENEB is an international business school based in Barcelona offering business management and expert programs in Spanish, Portuguese, or English. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I to support business and management-related academic programs.
• CIFP MICROSISTEMAS (Centro Integrado de FP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Lanzarote since 1981, CIFP MICROSISTEMAS is a private training entity focused on contributing to business development. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I as a regional support center in the Canary Islands.
• Englishpanish (Translation & Communication)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnglishpanish is an academic and professional translation and interpretation service based in Spain and Portugal. Quality control involves a minimum of 2-4 translators/revisors per project. It supports Universidad Isabel I's language and international programs.
• ESHI (Escuela de Salud y Rendimiento)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESHI is a training center specializing in physical exercise and health, focused on professional development. Its educational model integrates scientific rigor with practical methodology. It collaborates with Universidad Isabel I on sports science and health programs.
• APLAZAME (WiZink Bank, S.A.U.)minorOthersAplazame is a financial services provider (brand of WiZink Bank, S.A.U.) integrated into the university's payment gateway for tuition financing. The university may offer installment payment options for tuition through this partner, enabling students to spread the cost of education.
• Fundación Universidad Isabel IcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Universidad Isabel I Foundation (established 2010) is a non-profit private entity with independent legal personality. Its mission is societal improvement through educational, cultural, scientific, and R&D+i activities. It acts as a coordination point for companies and institutions seeking to collaborate specifically with the university, manages knowledge transfer and R&D+i results, promotes Spanish and Portuguese language and culture, and organizes congresses, courses, and events.
• Grupo Ilerna (Ilerna Group of Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversidad Isabel I is one of 14 entities in the Grupo Ilerna educational group. The group includes Ilerna Bidco S.L.U., Ilerna Online S.L.U., Ilerna Onsite S.L.U., Grupo Campus Educativo S.A.U., Progressus Formación Profesional S.L., Centre Integral de FP Ilerna S.L., Ilerna Tarragona S.L., Formación Profesional Albor S.L., CDP Albor Madrid S.L., CDP Albor Córdoba S.L., Bilbao Formación S.L., Educalive Online S.L.U., and Lets Study Spain S.L.U. The group provides cross-selling opportunities, shared operational infrastructure, and brand leverage across vocational training, university education, and continuous professional development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IE University: Spain-based international private university with extensive online master's and executive education programs. Comparable in offering premium private online degrees, particularly at the master's/MBA level.
• ESIC University: Spain's leading private business school offering official master's, MBA, and undergraduate programs with growing online delivery. Comparable in MBA and postgraduate program offerings targeting working professionals.
• Universidad Camilo José Cela: Madrid-based private university with significant online programs across business, health, and education. Comparable in offering Spanish official degrees with a digital/hybrid model, though broader in scope including onsite programs.

Direct peers

• UDIMA (Universidad a Distancia de Madrid): Private Madrid-based distance-learning university affiliated with CEF, offering official online degrees in business, law, education, and health sciences. Closely comparable as a private Spanish online university targeting working adults.
• UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya): Catalonia's public online university offering official undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs online. Directly comparable in online-only model, official Spanish degree recognition, and focus on working-adult learners.
• Universidad Europea Online: Online arm of Universidad Europea, a leading Spanish private university group. Competes directly in the online official-degree segment, particularly in health sciences, business, and engineering, with similar premium positioning.
• UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia): Spain's public national distance-learning university, the most established online degree provider in the country. Comparable as a fully online, degree-granting institution serving adult learners across Spain, though publicly funded and free/low-cost.
• UNIR (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja): Spain's largest private online university, offering official undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees fully online with similar regulatory authorization from MCIU/ANECA. Directly comparable in business model, target audience (working adults), and delivery format.
• VIU (Universidad Internacional de Valencia): Private Spanish online university within the Planeta Formación y Universidades group, offering official undergraduate and master's degrees fully online. Comparable in delivery model and regulatory framework with broader international reach.

Emerging players

• OBS Business School: Online business school specializing in master's, MBAs, and postgraduate programs with strong international positioning. Comparable as an online-only business school targeting working professionals seeking recognized qualifications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ui1Universidad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXtVBBfaIR3p0OZOLSiwIhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ui1universidad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/universidad-isabel-i/?originalSubdomain=es
• Instagraminstagram.com/ui1universidad/?hl=es

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universidad Isabel I