Admission requirements to study in university in Spain

When applying for university admission requirements in Spain, you’d need to complete your application beforehand. Lucky for you, filling out the application is simple and easy, and can take only a couple of hours. Here are the usual requirements to admission and to study in a university in Spain.

University admission requirements in Spain for international students

Requirements in universities in Spain vary depending on whether you’re applying for an undergraduate or a postgraduate program. 

For a Bachelor’s Degree

Here also, the application process for an EU student is different for a non-EU international student. 

EU citizens

University admission and application takes place through the Spanish National University for Distance Education (UNED). The application, the solicitud de inscripcion starts usually in April of every year. And once you’ve submitted all the necessary documents and the application successful, you’ll receive a Credencial de Accesso within three months. You, then, need to send this document to the university you wish to attend. 

Non-EU citizens

International students from non-EU countries, you need to have a recognition of your high school diploma. This ensures your diploma is valid according to the requirements in Spain. If that’s the case, the Spanish embassy of your country will deliver a Volante Acreditativo, which you will use to apply to the university you wish to attend. 

Next, you will also have to pass an entrance exam called Selectividad or Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad. This is an exam that takes place twice a year everywhere and determines your eligibility to apply in any public or private university in Spain. 

For Masters Degree

Like for undergraduate programs, admission to university for a master’s program in Spain vary depending on the institution and the area of study. But, you must have a bachelor’s degree or a related equivalent degree. 

For PhD

In case you are a candidate for doctoral studies, you should have a diploma or a relevant master’s degree program.

Get more details in our article on the higher education and the teaching languages in Spain

How to apply to university in Spain?

Although you might find it hard at the beginning, there isn’t really much of a procedure as long when you apply to university in Spain as your documents are in order. And the rewards that you will find in the end would totally be worth it!

“Selectividad” entrance exam

International students who are not from the EU need to pass this entrance exam successfully to be eligible for admission in Spanish universities. The Selectividad consists of 4 components: 

• Text analysis in Spanish
• Foreign language exam where you can pick between French, English, German, Italian, and Portuguese
• Questions about Spain’s history or philosophy (the choice is up to you)
• Personal choice where you choose a subject between Art, Fine Arts, Dance and Music; or subjects related to Science and Technology.

The Spanish Language

According to the Spanish regulations, there is no need to bring specific certificates to prove your knowledge of the Spanish language.

In general, while applying to a university, you can show your level of proficiency in Spanish by presenting your DELE (Spanish Language Diploma) test. You can also submit the results of your studies in school.

Your university will check whether your level of Spanish is okay to pass or not.

The English Language

If you studied in English, you can demonstrate your level of English proficiency by presenting the results you received in your course. Always check with your university to see if your English studies are okay for you to meet this requirement.

Generally, higher education institutions in Europe require a student to have a proficiency level in English. This should be equivalent to B2 level according to the scale in the European language passport.

Class One or: Nota de corte

It’s being knows as the minimum class point requirements to undergraduate studies (first cycle) in Spain. For first level studies (Bachelor’s) in Spain, students’ grades are based on the average of the degrees they obtained in the upper secondary level. This is what you have to check with your Spanish university about the minimum study point you need, or what you may know as”Nota de corte”.

Documents required for university admission in Spain

The necessary documents for university application in Spain differ from program to program, and depending on the institution and degree level. But common documents you might be called to provide include: 

• Proof of earning of your previous degree (a high school diploma for a bachelor’s, a bachelor’s for a master and so on)
• A copy of your school transcripts
• A copy of your passport 
• Birth certificate
• Documents related to healthcare and insurance 
• Information regarding the banks and credit institutions in Spain
• Proof of financial means or scholarship. 

Don’t wait until the last minute, and don’t forget to translate all your documents to Spanish. If they are in another language, make sure to hire a certified translator as soon as possible. Submitting these files in another language may result in a delay for the process. 

Once you’ve applied and get accepted in a university in Spain, the next step is the student visa application. Discover how to get a student visa for Spain here.

Now that you know the university admission requirements in Spain, learn also about the best universities in Spain for international students.