PCE Frequently asked questions
What are the PCE? (Specific Competency Exams)
The Specific Competency Exams (PCE) are exams carried out by UNEDassis for foreign students who want to study in a Spanish University.
Who are these exams for?
They are for International students (non-EU students or from countries having no educational agreement with Spain) whose studies can be recognised as equivalent to Spanish Bachillerato or for Spanish students who have studied or completed their studies in foreign centres associated with UNED.
Are all international students admitted to Spanish Universities in the same way?
What do I need to do if I am a student from a country within the European Union or that has an international agreement?
First, you should contact the university where you wish to study to confirm that they use UNEDasiss Accreditation in their admissions criteria.
Also, you should find out which courses are considered for the degree that you wish to pursue, consulting the weighted system of said university. After being confirmed, you must also validate your final mark of the Spanish bachillerato. The admission score will be calculated by UNED out of a maximum of 10 points.
Taking into account that Spanish universities weigh up to 14 points, it would be advisable to take the entrance examinations if they do not reach the minimum required.
What is the first thing you should do if you are not a student from one of the countries of the European Union or one that has an international agreement?
One of the mandatory procedures is the request for the HOMOLOGATION of your studies with the Spanish high school degree. This is done through the MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS. You may find information on this procedure at the following link: Homologación del Bachillerato.
Since the maximum you can get is a 6 out of 10, it is very important to do the PCE exams to be able to obtain up to 14 and compete equally with the rest of the candidates.
What do I have to do to enroll at university?
To enroll at the university one of the following requirements must be met:
- Certification of the university entrance certificate, as a result of the validation of the student’s bachillerato obtained in the country of origin.
- Certification of the marks obtained in examinations of subjects of the Specific Competency Exams (PCE) carried out at the UNED.
- Certification of qualifications obtained from external assessment tests carried out in the country of origin.
What is UNEDasiss Accreditation?
UNEDasiss Accreditation is a digital certificate that permits students to participate in the Spanish university admissions processes and that consists of the assessment of the academic transcripts obtained from the international education systems in a homogenous and regulated way. It also includes the scores from the Specific Competency Exams (PCE) taken at the UNED, as well as other services requested by the student.
What are the PCE ?
Students can select a maximum of 6 subjects according to the ones that weight the most in the university they want to enter. The official recommendation is to choose a minimum of 4 subjects. Here is the subject list. There is a test whose questions can be found in both Spanish and English. The exam questions have to be answered in Spanish.
Where can I see exams models?
In the following link you have examples of PCE exams by subject. Here you can find the didactic guides .
How is the admission score calculated?
You need to take this into account:
- UNEDassis will give you a maximum score of 10 total points once you do the PCE exams.
- Each university has its own weighting system, in some subjects you can get a higher score than others. Some are 0.2, others 0.1 and some do not grade directly. Here are the grades for the academic year 2019-2020. With this weighting system you can raise your grade to a maximum of 14 points.
We explain how:
The admission score from UNEDassis is obtained with:
-
- 60% – A maximum weighting of 60% from the scores obtained on their academic transcript.
- 40% – From the Specific Competency Exams (PCE taken at the UNED).
The formula to be applied is as follows:
| Admission score = (0,2 x NMB + 4) + (0,1 x E1) + (0,1 x E2) + (0,1 x E3) + (0,1 x E4) |
NMB= Mean grade from high school.
E= Mean score obtained in each Specific Competency Exam (PCE).
This formula will give us the total result over the 10 points indicated above. To obtain a score with a maximum of 14 points you have to multiply the two subjects with the highest qualification which weigh 0.2 according to the Spanish university you want to access.
All subjects can score up to 0.2 according to what each university determines except the subjects of Spanish Language and History that are not weighted as specific subjects.
Click on the following article to find out how to calculate your score.
When is the exam?
There are two calls each year. The first takes place during the months of May / June and the second in September.
The exact dates, the address of the examination centre and times will appear on the student’s application receipt when the payment of the corresponding fees is made.
What level of Spanish is recommended?
According to the European Language Reference Framework a minimum level of Spanish B1 is required, according to the European Language Reference Framework, in order to be able to access the preparation of these tests. It is possible to take an intensive Spanish course before starting the university preparation course. It is important to keep in mind that both the preparation course and the university classes will be in Spanish.
What subjects should I take?
This will depend on the degree you want to study and the university you want to attend. After that, you have to choose from an updated weighting table of subjects that weigh 0.2 (at least three subjects). Remember that it is recommended to choose at least 4 subjects.
If you have doubts do not worry, once you know which university you want to study in and what degree you want to do, we will help you to choose the recommended subjects to access your degree.
How can La Llibreta help me?
We have been successfully preparing the PCE for years and since January 2020 we have been a Collaborating Centre with UNED. We make the necessary arrangements for obtaining accreditations for international students so that they can apply for admission to Spanish universities.
The UNED is committed to La llibreta and therefore the Llibreta with its students to:
- Provide information on the admission policies and requirements of undergraduate studies in Spanish universities.
- Manage and report on the administrative procedures.
- Inform of the results obtained in the PCE exams.
- Report on any changes in admission policies and requirements to Spanish universities, as well as the examination models, programmes, contents, examination dates, etc.
- Give the possibility of contacting the teacher staff that prepare and evaluate the tests in a timely manner.
- Advice in case of complaints or review of exams.
In addition:
- We have been assigned a manager of the UNED for the reception and verification of documentation, as well as the follow-up of our students and attention in any incidents that may arise.
- La Llibreta takes part in a briefing on the most important news at the beginning of the school year as well as in the specific meetings by subject.
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PCE (Specific Competency Exam) UNEDassis. Subject and Weighting.
We explain with an example why it is important to choose subjects that weigh 0.2 in the PCE.
I am planning to study Civil engineering in 2022/23. Politecnico de Catalonia university offers a course 100% taught in English https://www.upc.edu/en/bachelors/civil-engineering-technologies-taught-in-english-barcelona-etseccpb.
As someone who is from Serbia, outside of EU, and cause this particular program is taught entirely in English, do I have to take the Spanish language and literature and Spanish history PCEs on UNED? Or is there an option when the university lets students who are applying for this Bachelor to take just Math, Physics, Chemistry and English? Also do I have to take Chambridge or TOEFL English test as a proof of my knowlege?
Good morning, Gavrilo,
Depending on where you want to study, you need to take different subjects for the PCE exam. If you take the PCE in Cataluña, you must take this option:
EBAU PCE
The EBAU structure means that you must take at least 4 subjects, although generally there are 6
subjects able to be weighted in the university:
– Three core subjects: History of Spain, Spanish Language and Literature, and language (English or French).
– One core modality subject chosen from Mathematics, Mathematics for the Social Sciences, Latin, or Art Foundation.
– Additionally, you can take 2 specific subjects that add weight to, and raise your grade.
Anyway, you have here FAQ of the University and what you need to do in order to study there. I recommend to ask them if you have any questions about how to enter and study in their University.
Regarding the TOEFL test, you need to ask the University if you need to proof your English knowledge (we do not know the specific requirements of each University).
Do not hesitate to contact if there is anything else I can help you with.
Have a nice day!
Best regards,
Bea
Hello
I am an international student interested in studying International Business at the university of Barcelona where the course will be taught 100% in English.I have already gotten an appointment in the Spanish Embassy so as to get a Volante Accreditation.But I was also told that it is compulsory for me to take a test called PCE and that the test is offered in Spanish.But unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish ,and being that the course I’m interested in taking is to be taught 100% in English.Wouldn’t my IELTS exam,Cambridge O level exams ,and high school transcripts make me eligible to apply for the course ?I would also like to know if it’s still compulsory for me to take the PCE test in order to enter the university?
And if the test is compulsory for me how will I be able to take it from outside Spain?
Thank you.
Hello, Bara. The PCE test is a compulsory exam that has to be taken in order to study in any Spanish University. Also, even if your degree will be taught 100% in English at the University, the PCE test has to be taken in Spanish. There is an option where you can choose to have the instructions in English, but the answer have to be written in Spanish. Furthemore, if you want to study in Barcelona, you must take, at least, 4 subjects: three core subjects -History of Spain, Spanish Language and Literature and a foreign language (English or French)- and one core modality subject (for International Business, it has to be Maths CCSS).
These exams are carried out by the UNEDAssis and it is possible to take them outside Spain. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to contact us by email at secretaria@academialallibreta.es.
Hi there! I’m currently studying International Business at Lund University in Sweden. As an international student interested in studying International Business at the University of Barcelona and validate my studies in Spain, I read it is mandatory to take at least 4 subjects. But in an email I got they say I need 2 or 3 subjets. How many subjects should I take into consideration, 2, 3 or 4? Can I choose those subjects, core modality subjects, according to my preference (like Economics, maths and maths applied to social sciences)? I hope it’s not mandatory to do the three core subjects mentioned -History of Spain, Spanish Language and Literature and a foreign language (English or French).
Good afternoon, Sebastian
If you want to study in Spain you must take 4 subjects. Depending on what and where do you want yo study, you need to choose the PCE exam option.
If you want to study in Barcelona, you need to take de PCE EBAU. I am afraid that, in Barcelona, you need to take History of Spain, Spanish Language and Literature and a foreign language. Also, you need to choose between Maths, Maths CCSS, Latin or Art Fundation. As you said before, if you want to study International Business in Barcelona, we recommend to choose Maths CCSS as a core modality subject. You can also choose two more specific subjects in order to raise your grade (but it is nor mandatory).
Do not hesitate to contact if there is anything else we can help you with or need more information.
Best regards,
Isthar y Bea
Hi there, my brother is currently a resident in Spain, Visa granted as part of family reunion type thing. He got his High school diploma in Morocco and wants to study in spain preferably in English-taught courses. is he required to take the PCE test, if so is the enrollment in an institute that provide this is free or with monthly payment, if so how much?
Good morning, Yahya. We have PCE preparation courses in ou academy and you can check all the info following this links: Spanish + PCE course and extensive course. Depending on what he wants to study, he needs to choose the subjects that he needs to prepare. Do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything else we can help you with. Have a nice day!