Where you can enrol: three different paths
Spanish education is divided into three levels, each with its own requirements for foreign nationals. Mixing them up is the most common reason people lose a year.
University bachelor’s degree (grado) — four years, admission by grade point, foreign applicants with a non-European school certificate must obtain UNEDasiss accreditation. This is where PCE exams are required.
Vocational education (FP, grado medio and grado superior) — the closest equivalent to a vocational college or technical school. One to two years, a strong practical component, less competitive entry, and grado superior then grants university admission with credit for some subjects. Homologation of your school diploma is required, but PCE exams are not.
A master’s degree (máster) — one to two years after your bachelor’s. For admission, universities typically carry out their own equivalency check, so full homologation is not required at this stage; it will be needed later if you wish to work in a regulated profession — as a doctor, lawyer, engineer or teacher.
| Level | Document recognition | Exams | When they apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (grado) | UNEDasiss accreditation | PCE — required for your entry score | Filing is usually in June–July |
| Vocational training (FP) | Diploma recognition | Not needed | Filing is usually in May–July |
| Master’s degree (máster) | Checking degree equivalency | Not needed | Intake often opens in January, in waves |
Recognition of school and university qualifications: homologation or UNEDasiss
These are two separate mechanisms, and the choice between them determines the entire route. Homologación — the recognition of your qualification as equivalent to a Spanish one through the Ministry of Education. The procedure results in a full Spanish equivalent, but it is a lengthy one: expect several months, and in complex cases, over a year.
UNEDasiss accreditation is the faster route specifically for undergraduate admission. The university receives from UNED a document with your recalculated grade and confirmation that you are eligible to apply. For most applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate, this is the practical option; full homologation may not be needed at all.
In both cases, documents must be submitted with full legalisation: an apostille on the original and a sworn translation into Spanish. A sworn translation means a translation by a traductor jurado accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; an ordinary notarised translation will not be accepted.
PCE exams and the competitive score
PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) are subject-specific exams administered by UNED for international applicants. Candidates sit exams in the subjects linked to their chosen field: mathematics and physics for engineering programmes, biology and chemistry for medicine, and so on.
The core grade contributes up to 10 points, and the two best subject-specific exams add a maximum of 4, giving a ceiling of 14. The distinction matters: entry scores for popular programmes such as medicine stay near the top of that range, and without strong PCE results admission is simply not possible.
Exams are held in two sittings — the main one in spring and a supplementary one closer to autumn. The second sitting offers a chance to improve your score, but by that point some places on popular programmes have already been taken.
- PCE subjects should be chosen to match your intended field of study, not for being easier — otherwise the grades will not count toward the relevant subject weighting
- You may sit more than two subjects: the two best results will count towards the competitive score
- Exam registration closes well before the exams themselves — it is a separate deadline
- PCE results remain valid for more than one year — you typically don’t need to retake the exam when reapplying
Language of instruction and language requirements
Most bachelor’s programmes are taught in Spanish, and universities require a confirmed level — typically B2, B1 for some programmes, and higher for philology and law. The standard proof is a DELE or SIELE certificate; some universities accept their own internal exam.
English-language programmes exist in Spain, but there are noticeably fewer of them; they are concentrated in private universities and at master’s level, and they cost more. IELTS or TOEFL is required for them.
Another practical option is a year of language courses before enrolment: it provides a student residence permit, time to bring Spanish up to B2, and a calm path through document recognition — without trying to fit everything into a single summer.
Calendar: why everything comes down to winter
University applications are submitted in June–July, and everyone works to that deadline. The mistake is thinking June is the starting point — everything should be ready by then, and preparation takes the six months before that.
A realistic timeline looks like this: autumn — apostille and certified translations; winter — UNEDasiss application and PCE registration; spring — exams; early summer — university applications, then enrolment and student visa application. The visa itself takes up to a month, and booking a consulate appointment during peak season can be harder than passing the exam.
Documents
- School-leaving certificate or diploma with transcript — apostilled and with a sworn translation into Spanish
- International passport
- UNEDasiss accreditation (for undergraduate programmes) or a homologation decision (for FP)
- PCE results, if you are applying for an undergraduate programme
- Language certificate — DELE/SIELE for Spanish-language programmes, IELTS/TOEFL for English-language programmes
- For a master’s programme — degree, transcript with grades, and usually a motivation letter with a CV
Common mistakes
- The process started in spring — the deadlines for document recognition and PCE registration have already passed
- Chose easier PCE subjects rather than the ones relevant to the programme — the score did not work
- A standard notarised translation was submitted instead of a sworn translation — the documents were returned
- Applied to only one university for a competitive programme, with no backup options
- They counted on homologation where UNEDasiss would have been enough, and lost a year because of it
- They forgot that a student visa is still required after enrolment and did not allow time for it
Applying to a university or vocational college in Spain
- Finding the right programme and institution for your background, goals, and budget
- Analysis of your itinerary: UNEDasiss or homologation — which one you actually need
- Checking the document package before submission, including apostille and sworn translations
- PCE registration and selection of relevant subjects for your chosen field of study
- Submitting university applications and managing correspondence with admissions offices
- Support with the student visa application after enrolment
- On-the-ground support during the initial settling-in period
A legal consultation — 80 €.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
Can you apply to a Spanish university with a Russian school certificate?
Yes. For undergraduate admission, the school-leaving certificate goes through UNEDasiss accreditation, which converts grades to the Spanish scale, and subject scores are topped up through PCE exams. Full homologation through the Ministry of Education is generally not required for this route — it is needed for vocational college (FP) admission and for working in regulated professions.
Does a foreign student need to sit the Selectividad?
There is no need to sit the Spanish school-leaving exam as such — for international applicants, its role is played by the PCE exams from UNED. It is their results that add up to 4 points to the school diploma grade and form the competitive score on a scale of up to 14.
How much does studying at a Spanish university cost?
Public universities charge per credit, and the cost of a bachelor’s year is typically measured in thousands of euros rather than tens of thousands; for non-residents, the rate is higher in some autonomous communities. Private universities and business schools cost significantly more. The exact amount depends on the autonomous community and the programme — check the specific institution’s tuition schedule for the academic year.
Can you work while studying?
Yes, a student card allows work of up to 30 hours per week, whether employed or self-employed, without a separate permit. The only condition is that work must not interfere with studies. Details are in our guide to Spain’s student residence permit.
How far in advance should you start preparing?
Allow roughly one year before the start of studies. Apostilles and certified translations are done in autumn, applications to UNEDasiss and PCE registration in winter, exams in spring, university applications in June–July. Starting in spring almost always means losing a year.
What to do if you already have a bachelor’s degree and need a master’s?
The route is simpler: the university itself verifies the equivalence of your degree for admission to the programme — a separate homologation for study purposes is usually not required. You will need your diploma with transcripts, an apostille, a certified translation, proof of language proficiency and, in most cases, a motivation letter. Full homologation is a separate matter — required only if you plan to work in a regulated profession.
Verified August 4, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
- University or college admissions1,000 € · with PCE prep courses 1,390 €
People usually add: opening a bank account — 250 € · obtaining the tie — resident card — 200 €. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Prices are all-inclusive; 21% VAT is included.