Studying in Spain as a foreigner isn't a simple process; it involves four steps, and the most costly mistake is trying to complete them all at once. They overlap, and if you wait until you finish one to start the next, you'll be late for registration.
This guide tells you which pieces you need, which one corresponds to your case, and in what order you should start them.
The four pieces
- The access road. It determines everything else, so that's the first thing that needs to be clarified.
- The documentation. Depending on your education system, you may need to have your degree validated or receive direct accreditation.
- Language. A B2 level is usually required to pursue university studies.
- Visa and practical life. Only if you are coming from outside the European Union.
First: which access route corresponds to you
It depends on the education system you studied in, not your nationality. It's the turning point that changes everything.
| If you're coming from… | Your path |
|---|---|
| A European Union system, European or International Baccalaureate, or a country with an agreement | You don't need to validate your qualifications. You can process the accreditation with UNEDasiss and then take the PCE exams to improve your score. |
| Any other educational system | First you validate your high school diploma, then you apply for accreditation and take the PCE exams |
Many people start the homologation process unnecessarily and waste months. Check your case before paying a single fee.
The documentation
If you need to have your degree recognized, expect the process to take months. The most time-consuming part is the legalization: your degree must have the Hague Apostille or go through diplomatic channels, and obtaining it remotely from Spain is much slower than doing it before leaving your country.
There is a document that almost no one knows about that unlocks the course for you: the conditional registration slip , which is generated when you submit the application and allows you to enroll without waiting for the decision.
We explain it step by step in the guide on how to validate your high school diploma.
Language
To attend classes, write papers, and take exams in Spanish, you usually need a B2 level. Starting from scratch, that's about 360 hours of instruction.
It's important to know this early on for scheduling reasons: if your level is far from B2 and you want to start university next year, language skills will determine everything else. And it's the one thing you can start working on from your home country, before moving.
You have the options and timeframes in the guide on how to choose a Spanish course for foreigners.
And a word of advice about the language that's worth more than any study plan: understanding and speaking are developed separately, and it's common to make great progress in the former while getting stuck in the latter. We explain this in Speaking Spanish: Why You Understand but Don't Speak.
Entrance exams
With UNEDasiss accreditation, you already have an access grade. The Specific Competency Tests (PCE) serve to increase it: your access grade goes up to 10, and the specific phase can add up to 4 more points, up to a maximum of 14.
That's where admission to programs with high entry requirements is decided. That's why it's worth carefully choosing which subjects you take exams in: each one is weighted at 0,1 or 0,2 depending on the program and university, and with the same effort, one subject can be worth twice as much as another.
The UNED holds the PCE exams twice a year. You can see how we prepare for them in the Pathway courses.
Visa and practicality
If you are coming from outside the European Union, you will need a student visa, which you can apply for at the Spanish consulate in your country. The requirement that affects the timeline is that you usually need to provide proof of admission or enrollment at the institution where you will be studying, so the visa is issued after the course is finalized, not before.
Requirements and deadlines vary by country, so it's best to check with your consulate well in advance.
And once here, two things that surprise almost everyone:
- You'll need to find accommodation sooner than you think. In Barcelona, student housing options are most active in spring and summer: starting your search in September is too late. Options and prices are listed in the guide. accommodation for international students.
- In Catalonia, Castilian Spanish and Catalan coexist. You don't need Catalan for daily life or to study Spanish, but you will hear it, and some university courses are taught in Catalan.
When to start each thing
Taking as a reference a course that starts in September, and with the 2027 university entrance exams scheduled for June 1, 2 and 3:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| One year before | Start with Spanish if you're coming from a low level. It takes the longest. |
| previous autumn | Start the homologation process if applicable, and get the apostille in your country. |
| Winter | Apply for UNEDasiss accreditation and register for the PCE |
| Spring | Prepare for the PCE exams. Start looking for accommodation. |
| Following the results | University pre-registration and, once enrolled, processing the visa |
Note that language and documentation run in parallel. They're not phases, they're tracks.
FAQ
Do I need to have my degree validated to study in Spain?
It depends on your educational system of origin. If you come from the European Union, the European or International Baccalaureate, or a country with an agreement, no: you process the accreditation directly with UNEDasiss.
What level of Spanish do I need?
To pursue university studies, a B2 level is usually required. Starting from scratch involves about 360 hours of instruction, so it's advisable to start early.
What are PCEs?
The UNED Specific Competency Tests. These tests can raise your admission score by up to 14 points, which is then compared to the cut-off score for each degree program.
Can I start preparing from my country?
Yes, and that's the best approach, both with the language and the paperwork. Both can be done months before you move.
When should I apply for a visa?
After you have been admitted or enrolled, as this is usually a requirement. Deadlines vary by country, so check with your consulate in advance.
Do I need to know Catalan to study in Barcelona?
Not for daily life or for learning Spanish. It is worth knowing, however, that some university courses are taught in Catalan.
When are the 2027 university entrance exams?
The regular exam session is on June 1, 2, and 3, 2027, and the extraordinary session is on July 6, 7, and 8. If your route is UNED-PCE, the exam schedule is the UNED schedule, not this one.
