Do you want to study in Spain but you’re not sure what to do and how to apply? You’ve come to the right place.
It is important to be well prepared and know what you need before you start these sometimes complicated procedures. However rest assured, when doing one of the University Pathway courses in Spain with us, our educational consultants on location will help you along the way.
In this post, we’ll show you all you need to know to apply to a university in Spain.
Index:
PAU, Selectividad, EBAU, PCE – important terms explained
The Spanish University system
Requirements for applying to Spanish universities
The Spanish University entry exam explained
How to calculate your University access grade (nota de acceso)?
Frequently asked questions
Introduction
Spanish is the language with the second most native speakers in the world (after Mandarin) and one of the most studied foreign languages alongside English and French. Additionally, its great weather, world-renowned cuisine, and bustling nightlife make Spain a favorite destination for international students.
Spain is also home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. So, it’s no surprise that every year more than 600,000 students come to study in Spain.
Whether you’re planning to study in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or any other Spanish city in Spain, there are some things you should keep in mind before arriving. One of the most important ones is the application to the university. That’s why in this post, we’ll show you how to apply to a university in Spain as an international student.
What is the difference between PAU, selectividad, EBAU, PAU and PCE? – important terms explained
PAU (Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad) (in some regions of Spain, they are still called EBAU or EvAU, but PAU is the official name nowadays): It is the system of exams Spanish people take to enter a [public] university in Spain. These exams take place every year in June. In September there is a second round of tests, in case students need to improve their first exam results or can’t take the exams in June. In Catalonia, foreign students can also sit (some of) these exams.
Selectividad: The popular name given to the PAU university entry exams.
PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas): It’s the term used to refer to the individual exams, per subject (asignatura in Spanish). Read here about the PCE exams for students from EU and bilateral agreement countries China, Norway, Switzerland, etc.
UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia): UNED is the biggest public university in Spain and the second biggest in Europe, and allows you to study remotely. The UNED, through its platform UNEDasiss, organizes the PCE exams.
The Spanish University system
Spain is home to more than 80 universities (or universidades in Spanish). Nearly 60% of them are run by the autonomous communities while the rest are private or run by the Catholic Church.
The majority of the most prestigious universities are in Madrid and Barcelona. However, there are also distinguished business schools and universities in other cities such as Valencia, Granada, or Salamanca.
Types of University
Universities can be divided into three groups:
- Public University or Universidad Pública: It’s funded by the national or autonomous community government. Recommended read:
The best universities in Barcelona for international students
The best universities in Valencia for International students
The best universities in Madrid for International Students
Things you didn’t know about The University of Granada (UGR) - Private University or Universidad Privada: They’re funded and run by private organizations. Some of them also receive state funding. Recommended read:
The Best Business Schools in Barcelona - University run by the Catholic Church or Universidad de la Iglesia: They’re run by the Catholic Church and grant official titles and certificates with the same validity as public and private universities. These institutions are usually financed mostly by the students. The main difference with private universities is that church universities are governed by the agreements between the Holy See of Rome and the Spanish State and they have educational projects based on Christian humanism.
Need help on finding the right University in Spain for you? Read our specials on the best Universities for international students in Barcelona, Madrid, Granada or Valencia.
Credits and ECTS
Each academic year in Spain is worth 60 ECTS in accordance with the European Credit Transfer Scheme. As a result, a Bachelor’s Degree (Grado) is worth 240 ECTS (4 years of study) while a Master’s Degree (Máster) is worth 60 to 120 ECTS (1-2 years of study). PhDs (Doctorado), on the other hand, don’t have an ECTS range.
It is important to note that all the universities in Spain accept international students. So, regardless of where you’re from or where you have obtained your secondary school certificate or diploma, any international student can apply to attend a university in Spain.
Before starting at the University of your choice, you will have to go through a series of bureaucratic procedures, which we will explain in the next section of this article.
Requirements for applying to Spanish universities
Master’s Degree
Even though each university might ask you for different paperwork if you want to obtain a master’s degree in Spain, there are some documents and certificates that most of them require such as:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate (officially translated)
- A copy of your passport or ID
- A copy of your transcripts (officially translated)
- An official Spanish level test (DELE or SIELE), certifying B1 or B2 level of Spanish
As requirements vary per study and university, it is recommended you contact the university of your choice in Spain.
Bachelor’s Degree
If you’re an undergraduate and want to earn a Bachelor’s degree at a Spanish university, the requirements vary depending on the country you have studied to obtain your secondary education.
Students from the EU
If you have successfully finished your secondary education in a country within the EU, EEA, Switzerland or a country with whom Spain has a bilateral agreement (such as China), or if you have the International Baccalaureate Diploma, you don’t need to get your diploma recognized (homologación del Bachillerato); however, you do need to create a profile in UNEDasiss and take your first steps to access university through this platform. If you have any doubts about your application, no worries, we guide and assess all our students!
Generally, it is not compulsory to take any of the PAU or PCE tests. However, depending on the university and the studies you want to apply to, and the grades on your secondary education certificate, it may be necessary for you to sit for some of these exams (normally, either PAU or PCE, although we strongly recommend taking the PCE ones -if your future university recognizes them- because of their less complexity). Definitely, taking these tests will significantly improve your chance of admission to the studies of your choice.
UNEDasiss, the body responsible for organizing and distributing the PCE exams, opens its registration period in February and allows students to request their UNEDasiss Accreditation.
The UNEDasiss Accreditation is a digital certificate that enables students to participate in admission processes for universities in Spain. It ensures the standardized evaluation of academic records obtained in international education systems and includes PCE exam scores along with other requested services.
Both students and universities can download it from the UNEDasiss platform.
Students from outside the EU
If you are not from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or a country with whom Spain has a special agreement and you want to earn a Bachelor’s degree at a University in Spain, you will need to go through a series of procedures.
First of all, you will need a student visa to study at a University in Spain. You will already have your student visa if you are doing the University pathway course in Spain or any intensive Spanish language course with Linguaschools for longer than 90 days. In that case, contact us and we will help you extend your study visa.
Apart from that, to enter university you will need:
- Certification (Hague Apostille) and sworn translation of your school certificate.
- Homologación of your school certificate: Get a recognition certificate from your secondary school (homologación). This document certifies that you have obtained the necessary degree to study at a Spanish university.This is a very important step, and the process can take several months — that’s why it’s essential to start the application as soon as possible. The correct procedure for applying for homologación depends on your current place of residence (that is, the city where you are living at the time of the application).For instance:
• If you are currently living in Barcelona, you must submit your application through this website (Generalitat de Catalunya > Tria Educativa)
• If you are living in Madrid, you must apply through this website (Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports > Access to the online application)
• If you are currently living in another country, you must apply through the Spanish embassy or consulate in that country.Each institution has its own rules: some allow you to complete the entire process online, while others require you to do it in person.
In addition, each institution requests different documentation, so it’s essential to carefully check the information provided on the website of the appropriate organization. However, all of them require that your documents be certified and officially translated into Spanish (sworn translation).
Because this process can take some time, it’s very important to request a certificate (volante) confirming that the homologación process has started. With this document, you’ll be able to sit the PCE university entrance exams even if the final approval has not yet been granted.
- Enroll in UNEDasiss: Register on the UNEDasiss platform, create a new application, select all the services you’ll need according to your future university access criteria (essential services: file opening, administrative fees; optional services: admission grade calculation, PCE exams registration, recognition of subjects, language accreditation, etc.), and request your UNEDasiss Accreditation. Upload your documents in the required format, make the payment and submit your application.
- Prepare your PCE exams: Contact your future university to know how many PCE you are allowed to take, check the nota de corte (cutoff score) for each degree, as well as the coeficiente de ponderación (university’s weighting criteria) for each subject.
- Spanish language level certificate: At most universities in Spain, a minimum level (B1 or B2) of Spanish is required to start your studies. This level should be proved by any of the two official tests for the Spanish language: DELE or SIELE. Many of our Spanish schools in Spain are SIELE and/or DELE exam centers.
From a practical point of view, it makes sense to have a high level of Spanish as you will be living and studying in Spain.
Apart from those, some other documents that universities might require when you’re applying for a Bachelor’s degree are:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security Card
- Medical insurance (read here all you need to know about this special health insurance)
- Bank statements
Keep in mind that you need to submit all these documents in Spanish (sworn translation) and that they must be certified by an official authority.
Once the University accepts your application, you will receive an acceptance letter.
NOTE: Each university may have different procedures and they might also ask you to pay an application fee. So check the specific requirements and documentation that you need for the respective university.
If you take the University pathway course in Spain with us, you do not need to dig too far into all these procedures, as we will hold your hand and guide you through the whole process.
The Spanish University entry exam explained
You will read various terms used to refer to the Spanish university entry exam, like Selectivity exam (examen de Selectividad), PAU (Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad), EBAU (Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad) or PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas). Earlier in this article, we explained all the different terms.
We will refer to the university entry exam (for Spanish people and, in some cases, also for foreign students), as PAU. These exams, one for each subject (asignatura), have their equivalent for foreign students: the PCE exams, which are individual subjects that can “adopt” the PAU structure.
The PAU exams are national exams (although every comunidad autónoma sets their own version of exams based on standard criteria) that Spanish students need to take to get into a university.
Depending on each university criteria, foreign students may take PCE (or even PAU) exams to improve their access opportunities. Although in some cases taking these exams is not compulsory, because of the way the admission grade is calculated, in practice it is mandatory if you want to access the studies and university of your choice, especially if you have taken your secondary education outside the EU.
You can choose the number of your PCE exams depending on your university admission criteria. The PCE exams can follow the PAU structure, which means that students select 6 subjects that are divided into two parts: The general phase [fase general] (which includes core/general subjects [materias troncales o comunes] and a specific-track subject [materia de modalidad]) and the specific phase [fase específica] (which includes elective subjects [materias de opción]).
PCE (PAU structure):
General phase
Core/general subjects
In this section, you need to choose 3 out of the following 4 subjects:
1. Spanish Language and literature (Lengua Castellana y Literatura)
2. Foreign Language (can be English, French, Italian, German or Portuguese)
3. Spanish History
4. History of Philosophy
Specific-track subjects
In this section, you need to choose 1 out of the following 8 subjects:
Arts (Artes Plásticas, Imagen y Diseño)
1. Artistic Drawing (Dibujo Artístico)
2. Art History (Historia del Arte)
Science and Technology (Ciencias y Tecnología)
3. Mathematics
4. Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences
General (General)
5. General Science (Ciencias Generales)
Humanities and Social Sciences (Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales)
6. Latin
7. Foreign Language (non-repeated)
8. Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences
Specific phase
In this section, you should choose 1 or 2 of the following subjects:
Design (Diseño)
Artistic Foundations (Fundamentos Artísticos)
Art History (Historia del Arte, non-repeated)
Biology (Biología)
Technical Drawing (Dibujo Técnico)
Physics (Física)
Geology and Environmental Sciences (Geología y Ciencias Ambientales)
Chemistry (Química)
Technology and Engineering (Tecnología e Ingeniería)
Mathematics (Matemáticas, non-repeated)
Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences (Matemáticas Aplicadas a las Ciencias Sociales, non-repeated)
Cultural and Artistic Movements (Movimientos Culturales y Artísticos)
Business and Business Model Design (Empresas y Diseño de Modelos de Negocio)
Geography (Geografía)
Latin (Latín, non-repeated)
The results are typically published 3 weeks after the date of the last exam.
How to calculate your access grade (nota de acceso)?
Your access grade is a score between 5 and 14 points. The maximum grade for the General phase is 10 and you can add an extra 4 points in the Specific phase. The average grade on the (homologated) certificate of your secondary school makes up for 60% of your access grade and the 4 (or 5) test scores of the General phase score will count for the remaining 40% to get to the maximum of 10.
Each University and study establishes different weighing parameters for the test scores and subjects taken in the Specific phase.
The exact calculation is as follows:
NMB=avg. grade of your secondary study
CFG=avg. grade of the general phase
CFE1=grade on specific phase subject 1
WP1=weighing parameter subject 1
CFE2=grade on specific phase subject 2
WP2=weighing parameter subject 2
[NMB x 60%] + [CFG x 40%] (avg. score general phase, max. 10)
+
[CFE1 x WP1] + [CFE2 x WP2] (avg. score second phase, max. 4)
=
nota de acceso (max. 14)
Example: A student got an average score of 8.55 from the general phase. Then in the second phase, they took Physics and Chemistry exams and got a 9 and a 7 respectively. They want to study Architecture, and the University they want to study at considers Physics more important than Chemistry at that degree, so their 9 will turn into 1.8 additional points (9*0.2) and Chemistry in 0.7 more points (7*0.1). The final score will be 8.55+1.8+0.7= 11.05 out of 14 points possible.
It’s worth noting that the test score in the general phase lasts forever, but a test score in the specific phase is valid for only 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
When does the academic year start in Spain?
When is the application deadline for Universities in Spain?
How much does it cost to study at a University in Spain for international students?
Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
How long does it take to validate my secondary school certificate?
Can I extend my student visa without leaving Spain?
Is Spain a good country to study for international students?
Do I need to take an entry test to study at a University in Spain?
Do I need to present my documents in Spanish to apply to a University?
Do I need to speak Spanish to study at a university in Spain?
Is it easy to find accommodation in Spain as an international student?
When does the academic year start in Spain?
At Universities in Spain, the academic year runs from September to June of the following year. Schools are closed on public holidays, which can be national, regional, or local, and holidays such as Christmas and Easter (Semana Santa in Spanish).
When is the application deadline for Universities in Spain?
Although application deadlines may vary depending on the institution, there are usually 3 intakes for studies at Spanish Universities:
- First week of June: for studies beginning in the fall semester (October).
- First week of September: late applications for studies beginning in the fall semester (October).
- First week of December: for studies beginning in the spring semester (February).
How much does it cost to study at a University in Spain for international students?
Tuition fees in Spain are among the lowest in Europe. A Bachelor program can cost between €750 and 2.500 per year at a public university while a private university costs up to € 20.000 per academic year. The fees are calculated and presented according to ECTS credits. However, it’s important to consider that, at some public universities, the cost may be higher depending on the students’ legal status; in addition, it also tends to increase in the case of a second or third enrolment.
Can I work in Spain with a Student Visa?
If you have a student visa and residence permit, you can work part-time up to 20 hours per week. It’s important to note that you’re only allowed to work as long as you have a valid visa.
Read more: Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
How long does it take to validate my secondary school certificate?
Normally, it takes between approximately 3 and 8 months.
Can I extend my student visa without leaving Spain?
Yes! As long as you don’t change studies or universities, you can apply to extend your student visa at the Oficina de Extranjeria from 60 days before your current visa expires and not later than 90 days after the expiration of your visa. Terms might vary per region and these procedures can take time, so we recommend starting as early as possible.
Is Spain a good country to study for international students?
Absolutely! Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world and receives more than 600,000 international students every year.
Great weather, rich culture, good universities, and buzzing nightlife make Spain one of the most attractive options for both students and young professionals.
Even if you don’t speak Spanish yet, you even have some (part-time) job opportunities in Spain.
Do I need to take an entry test to study at a University in Spain?
At most universities, taking a specific number of PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) (or, in some cases, the PAU exams [Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad]) is mandatory for international students. However, it is less common for students who completed their pre-university studies in an EU country or in a country with a reciprocity agreement, as well as those who hold the International Baccalaureate Diploma, to be required to take these exams.
Nevertheless, it is always highly recommended to sit some PCE exams to improve the admission score, as the chances of being admitted increase significantly.
Do I need to present my documents in Spanish to apply to a University?
Yes! You need to submit all the documents in Spanish (sworn translation) and they must be certified (Hague Apostille).
Do I need to speak Spanish to study at a university in Spain?
Even though some universities have courses in English, for many studies you need an official Spanish level test (DELE or SIELE) that certifies, at least, a B1 or B2 level of the Spanish language.
Is it easy to find accommodation in Spain as an international student?
If you take a general Spanish course or University pathway course in Spain with us, you can reserve a stay in one of our shared apartments or host families. There are some attractive prices for students staying long term.
You can also reserve only the first 4 weeks if you need a study visa, and look for a long term solution once you’re in Spain. Spain receives thousands of students every year so there is a wide range of accommodation options for every taste and budget. You can either rent a place once you arrive in Spain or book it from your country.
Read also: how to find a room or apartment for international students in Barcelona.
Other relevant articles
Study visa for Spain
- Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
- How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
- How to renew a Spanish student visa?
- Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
- Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
- What is the NIE and how do I get it?
- What is the TIE and how to get it?
Study at a Spanish University
- How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
- PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
- The best Universities in Barcelona for international students
- The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
- The Best Universities in Valencia for international students
- The Best Universities in Madrid for international students
- Things you didn’t know about The University of Granada (UGR)
Other interesting information
- Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
- The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.
Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!
DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using several different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you check information with official sources before and during the process.
