Culture Shapes Higher Education. A Comparative Study of the University Systems of China and Spain

Abstract

Culture, understood as a mental program embedded within the social environment, profoundly shapes university governance models, curriculum design, and educational principles. Based on this premise, the present study compares the cultural foundations of the Chinese and Spanish higher education systems, including their philosophical traditions, historical backgrounds, social structures, language policies, and moral education. It analyzes, through a multilevel comparative approach, how these factors shape teaching methods and educational equity in universities.. The findings reveal that China’s higher education is deeply influenced by Confucian thought, a social hierarchy characterized by high power distance, and collectivist values. In contrast, the Spanish university system is mainly shaped by regional autonomy and multicultural coexistence, while the Catholic heritage endures at the symbolic and cultural level..Significant differences are also observed in governance structures, resource distribution, and curriculum development. While China prioritizes national unity and institutional standardization—evident in the nationwide promotion of Mandarin and the unified entrance examination—Spain fosters cultural diversity through multilingualism and decentralized governance. The study concludes that institutional convergence does not imply cultural convergence, as deeply rooted cultural values continue to shape how universities operate and evolve. It offers several policy recommendations to enhance intercultural sensitivity and promote equity in higher education governance, providing useful insights for mutual learning between different national systems.