Guide to studying in Spain: university entry for international students

Your route to a Spanish university

Every step, requirement and administrative process for international students

We know the amount of paperwork and information involved can feel overwhelming, especially as the process varies depending on your home country, chosen university and degree. We have brought together the key information and update it every year, so you can find everything you need in one place.

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International students preparing to apply to a Spanish university
Step by step

How to study in Spain as an international student

If you are an international student planning to study at a Spanish university, these are the stages you will need to complete.

  • 1

    Have completed an upper secondary qualification or equivalent outside Spain.

  • 2

    Have your upper secondary qualification officially recognised in Spain. Here we explain how the process works and, if you need us to, we can manage it for you. View our fees.

  • 3

    Choose the degree programme you want to study and where. The process varies depending on the city and degree. In this article we explain the available options. We recommend Valencia as a destination — here are a few reasons why. If you choose another city, we can still advise you.

  • 4

    Improve your Spanish if your level is below B1. We offer courses designed specifically for PCE students.

  • 5

    Prepare for the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE UNEDasiss). You can study online from anywhere or attend classes in person. La Llibreta is a UNEDasiss partner centre, and our students achieve excellent results year after year. View courses.

  • 6

    Complete the PCE registration process. Registration usually takes place in March/April for the main exam session and in July for the resit session. La Llibreta is a UNED-accredited centre, and we can manage this process for you.

  • 7

    Sit and pass the exams at your chosen location, either in Spain or abroad. We will let you know when results are published and explain how to request a review or appeal if necessary.

  • 8

    Provide proof of your Spanish level: many universities require a B1 or B2 certificate for entry to certain degrees. Check here which degrees have this requirement.

  • 9

    Apply to the Spanish university where you would like to study — you can apply to more than one. We can advise you if needed.

  • 10

    Enjoy the experience of living and studying in Spain! ♡

The essentials

What are the PCE exams?

The PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas, or Specific Competency Tests) are exams organised by UNED for international students — or those with a non-Spanish upper secondary qualification — who wish to apply to Spanish universities. They are also known as the university entrance exams for international students, and are a key part of the university admissions process in Spain.

Choosing your subjects

UNED subjects

Once you have chosen your university and degree, this is how to select your subjects.

  • Choose between 4 and 6 subjects from UNED’s official list, depending on the PCE pathway required by your university. We recommend 4 subjects if you plan to study in Valencia.
  • It is best to choose subjects with a 0.2 weighting — check the weighting table to maximise your score.

With you every step of the way

Quick resources

Everything you need at a glance

Administrative procedures

Official recognition of your upper secondary qualification, visa, NIE, local registration and bank account: how to arrange them, or we can manage them for you.

Free

PCE guidance

Join our free course for essential information on preparing for the PCE.

We give you everything you need to know from the outset and keep you up to date through our announcements and news forum. Simply send us your name and email address, and we will send you the link and access details. Access is free for one year.
Choose your course format

Available PCE courses

Choose the option that best suits your preparation: online, full-year, intensive, Spanish + PCE or express.

Online

PCE online learning materials

Buy our self-study courses and study whenever it suits you, at your own pace.

On-demand video lessons

Enrol now

Full course

Full-year PCE course

Classes from October to May giving you plenty of time to prepare in a structured way.

In person and/or online

Enrol now

More intensive

Intensive PCE course

Classes from January to May designed to prepare you for the PCE in a shorter timeframe.

In person and/or online

Enrol now

With Spanish

Spanish + PCE

With at least an A2 level, you can join the full-year PCE course directly and continue improving your Spanish alongside your exam preparation.

In person and/or online

Enrol now

Final boost

PCE express course

A two-week course before the exams, designed to help you revise and consolidate the key content.

In person and/or online

Enrol now

Questions about your application?

Get in touch and we will advise you based on your circumstances, subjects and goals.

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