The Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) awards the same qualifications, which are equally valid, and it operates under general legislation. However, certain features of UNED make it different from other Spanish Universities: it is nationwide in scope, it uses different methodology (distance education), and it has a wide social influence. Under its goals are: to provide access to University and further education for all those who, while capable of pursuing higher studies, are unable to attend on-campus classes for working, financial, residential or other similar reasons; to set up and develop programmes for futher education and for cultural and professional improvement; to promote continuing education and to update and promote university teaching and research. At present, UNED has the largest number of students among all Spanish Universities; each year aproximately 180.000 studentes enrole in their different Faculties, Technical Schools and other courses.