In this article we present the topic of the orientation of university curricula, the pressures that exist today as a response to the demands of the market, and we examine specifically the transformation that has developed in Spain during the last two decades. We have tried to base the statements and analyses that are presented on empirical data obtained from our own research (Education and Labour Research Group--GRET). The motivation to write this document has been to try to add to the debate about the changes experienced by the university, in particular in regards to the curriculum, and to reflect on our experience as investigators in higher education. (Contains 1 table and 10 notes.)