University Pathway Programs
Prepare for Spanish university access
Accessing a university in Spain as an international student can be challenging. You may need to improve your Spanish level, prepare for university entry exams and understand the academic and administrative steps involved before applying to a Spanish university.
The Linguaschools University Pathway Programs are designed for international students who want to prepare for access to undergraduate studies in Spain. The programs combine an intensive Spanish course, preparation for the PCE university entry exams, cultural activities and guidance with practical steps such as student visa preparation, NIE/TIE information and, if needed, the university application process.
Linguaschools supports students throughout the process with academic guidance and practical administrative support. We help students improve their Spanish, prepare for the required entry exams and understand the steps involved in applying to Spanish universities. Admission requirements, exam results and university access depend on the student’s academic background, chosen degree, university requirements and official application procedures.
Students can choose between a full Year Pathway Program and a shorter Fast Track Pathway Program, depending on their Spanish level, available time and study goals.
General Spanish course
The general Spanish course is based on the intensive 20 with 4 Spanish lessons per day from Monday to Friday. The aim is to help students build the Spanish level needed before starting focused university entry exam preparation.
For many students, the recommended level before starting PCE exam preparation is around B1–B2, depending on the chosen subjects, academic goals and previous Spanish level.
If your student visa approval is delayed and you cannot arrive in Spain in time to start the program, you can switch temporarily to an online intensive course without any extra charge.
University entry exam preparation
In order to access a Bachelor’s degree at a university in Spain, most of the international students need to take the PCE exams, which are the equivalent of the PAU/EBAU/Selectividad exams (you can find the different terms explained here).
Generally, the PCE exams take place every year in May. The exam results, together with the grades on your secondary school certificate, will determine the probability to access the study of your choice.
PCE exams generally take place once a year, usually in May. Your exam results, together with your secondary school grades and the specific requirements of the degree and university, influence your chances of admission.
Before starting the university entry exam preparation, students have a private interview with one of our tutors. This helps us understand your academic goals and design a personal study plan based on your target degree, university options, current Spanish level and required subjects.
Official exam fees are not included unless specifically stated.
Year Pathway
Level: For all levelsThe Year Pathway Program is designed for students who want the maximum time to improve their Spanish and prepare for university access in Spain. Students can start this program with no previous knowledge of Spanish, although starting earlier in July or August can give extra time to build a stronger language base before the main pathway schedule begins.
Duration: 52 weeks
Start: September
Price: € 5400
Course curriculum (pdf)
Fast Track Pathway
Level: minimum A1 levelThe Fast Track Pathway Program is designed for students who already have a basic level of Spanish and want a shorter pathway option. Because the Spanish language preparation period is shorter than in the Year Pathway Program, this option is recommended for students who can already communicate at a basic level before the program starts.
Duration: 47 weeks
Start: October
Price: € 4750
Course curriculum (pdf)
Frequently asked questions FAQ
Students from European Union countries do not need a student visa to study Spanish in Spain.
Students from some non-EU countries can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, depending on their nationality and personal situation. If you plan to study in Spain for more than 90 days, you will usually need to apply for a Spanish student visa or study stay authorization before arrival.
Visa rules depend on your nationality, length of stay, course type and the Spanish embassy or consulate where you apply. Always check the current requirements with the Spanish embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence before booking your course.
Linguaschools can provide an official Letter of Acceptance for students booking a visa-eligible Spanish course in Spain. We also provide personalised student visa guidance for students booking a visa-eligible program.
You can also read our paperwork guide for Spanish language students, with articles about student visas, NIE, TIE and other procedures for studying in Spain.
Linguaschools provides the Letter of Acceptance free of charge for students booking a visa-eligible Spanish course.
Before issuing the Letter of Acceptance, we require payment for the full program, including course and accommodation where applicable. We can send a digital copy by email.
If your visa is denied, please inform us as soon as possible and send us a copy of the official visa denial letter by email.
In some cases, we may be able to advise you on possible next steps or help you understand what additional information may be needed. If your visa is definitely rejected and you need to cancel your reservation, you can receive a refund according to our terms and conditions.
Please check the current booking conditions for the exact cancellation and administrative fee rules.
For a long-term study visa or study stay authorization in Spain, students need to enrol in a full-time, visa-eligible course. For Spanish language courses, the minimum course intensity is 20 lessons per week.
The most common Linguaschools options for student visa purposes are the Intensive 20 Spanish course, long-term Intensive 20 options and the University Pathway Programs.
Contact Linguaschools before booking if you need a student visa. We can help you choose a suitable course and provide personalised guidance on course documentation, timing and application preparation.
For more background, see our paperwork guide for Spanish language students, including articles about student visas, NIE and TIE procedures.