How to Apply to University in Spain (2026)

Why Study at a University in Spain?

According to latest official data, in the 2024-25 school year, more than 220,000 international students were enrolled in the Spanish university system, representing around 12% of the total student population. The number of international students in Spanish universities is growing every year, and if you spend any time in one of the country’s bustling university cities, it’s easy to see why. Affordable living, great food, and a lively social scene… what’s not to love?

Spain has 96 universities – 50 public and 46 private – offering more than 2,000 degree courses. International students can apply to any of them, but note that the entry requirements may differ depending on which region the university is in. As you would expect, Madrid and Barcelona have some of the country’s (and Europe’s) top-rated institutions, but there are plenty of other highly-regarded universities around Spain – including one of the world’s oldest universities in Salamanca and institutions in popular destinations for international students, like Valencia and Malaga.

If you’re interested in going to university in Spain, this guide will help you understand a bit more about what choices you have and how to apply. If you enroll on a long-term Spanish course with Expanish, our advisors will be able to offer guidance and support on how to get a student visa for Spain and other bureaucratic requirements.

You can also request a free consultation with our Expanish academic advisors to learn more about your university and long-term Spanish course options in Spain.

How to Apply for University in Spain as an International Student

The starting point for most international students is the The National University for Distance Education's UNEDasiss portal. This is where you can validate your secondary education grades according to the Spanish grading system and receive an official accreditation that you will need to use in your university application.

The full university application process differs depending on what country you completed your secondary education in, what subject you wish to study, and which region in Spain you want to study in. So in all cases, it is vital to check what specific admission requirements your chosen university has for the course you wish to study. You should specifically check:

What specific documentation is required for admission at your preferred university;
What entry exams should be taken and what grades are required for the course you wish to study;
Whether a certain level of Spanish is required to be accepted.

The UNEDassis portal includes country-by-country information on what documentation is required for your application.

Note: This guide is primarily focused on public universities in Spain, which generally have a more complex application process through a centralized admissions systems with specific deadlines. Applying to study at a private university in Spain is different, as you will typically apply directly through the university's own admission system.

Is it Hard to get into University in Spain?

Each course at each university will have a minimum grade between 5 and 14 that is required for admission. The number will vary depending on how popular the university and the specific course is. For example, the cut-off grade (nota de corte) to study medicine at the University of Barcelona was 12.685 in 2026, but for other courses a grade of 5.000 is sufficient.

Your overall grade out of 14 will be calculated as such:

Grade out of 10 (provided by UNEDassis) – This is obtained with a weighting of 60% based on the students secondary school grades (once converted into equivalent Spanish score) and 40% based on UNED’s Specific Competency Test scores (see below for more information about these exams).
Up to 4 additional points – Check with your preferred university how you can gain additional points for your final grade, which may be needed for the most popular courses (e.g. medicine). Typically this will involve taking further exams.

Spanish language certificate (if required): Some universities in Spain require you to pass an officially-recognised language exam (DELE or SIELE) at an accredited institute to prove that you have the necessary level of Spanish to enrol on a course. If this is the case for you, then Expanish can help you with specialist exam preparation Spanish courses.

Application Process For EU/EEA Students*

If you completed secondary education (high school) or other studies and meet the requirements for admission into university in these countries*, you can enroll in a university in Spain.

You apply via The National University for Distance Education (UNEDasiss), which validates your secondary education grades and grants you an official accreditation that you will use in your university application. You can read more about the documentation required and the steps to follow here.

You must check the admission requirements for your chosen university, including what entry exams you need to take and whether UNED accreditation is accepted. In most cases it is strongly recommended to take ‘Specific Competency Tests' (‘Pruebas de competencias específicas’, PCE) in subjects related to your chosen field of study. Passing these will improve your university admission score and therefore your chances of being accepted on your chosen course.

*Alongside EU/EEA countries, this also includes students from China, Switzerland, Andorra, or those with a European/International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Application Process for all other Non-EU Students

Step 1: Homologation of high school diploma

The first thing you need is a certificate proving that you completed secondary education and qualify for higher education in your home country. This must then be officially validated (homologation) by the Spanish Education Ministry, which you can request at your local embassy/consulate. The homologation can take several months, but you should receive a ‘volante acreditativo’ showing you have submitted your documents. This can be used in your university application and to take the entry exams, though your admission will be provisional until you submit the official document. Remember that any documents will need to be legalized/apostilled and translated into Spanish before being submitted.

Step 2: Register With UNEDassis & Apply For Accreditation

As an international student, you will most likely need to apply through UNEDassis. This is where you can apply for the accreditation you need to enroll in a Spanish university. Through the UNEDassis portal you can submit an application, upload your academic documents and register for any entry exams you need to take.

This is where you need to decide what subject you want to study and at which university, as this will determine exactly what you need to do to apply. A key point will be the cut off grade, as you might need to take PCE exams to boost your overall grade to be considered for some courses/universities. In generally, taking PCE exams is a good idea as a stronger grade will give you a better chance of being admitted into a Spanish university.

TIP: Universities in different regions have distinct admission rules so always check with your preferred institution if they accept UNEDassis accreditations and if there are any other requirements.

Step 3: Take PCE Exams (if required)

The PCE exams are available through UNEDasiss and are used to assess students’ competency in specific subjects. You can take up to 6 tests, though 4 are typically recommended, and these should be subjects that are tailored to your preferred field of study. Exams are usually held in May/June in UNED centers across the world, but you will need to register to take the PCE exams by April.

Some universities in Spain require all students take the full University Entrance Exam (PAU, previously known as EBAU), as Spanish students do. This is not possible for non-EU students, but via UNEDassis you can take a series of specific PCEs that will be accepted. Find out more here.

Step 4: Submit Your Application For Pre-Enrollment

Once you have your UNEDassis accreditation you can apply to enroll at your chosen university. This application must be submitted to the university before the pre-enrollment deadline, which is usually in early July (in 2026 the deadline for submitting the apply for university admission was 7 July, with the possibility of submitting any missing or additional documents until 31 July).

Step 5: Apply for a student visa (or extension):

Once you have an acceptance letter from a Spanish university you will need to get a student visa to study in Spain. You may already have this if you are already on a long-term Spanish program at Expanish, but will need to apply for a visa extension using your acceptance letter.

With your student visa you will be assigned a NIE, foreigner’s identification number that will be used for all administrative procedures in Spain. Once in Spain you will need to get your foreigner's identification card (TIE), which simply the physical object that contains your personal information – including your NIE, photo, and visa details. Read more in our guide about how to get a NIE and TIE as a student.

When is the Deadline for Applying to University in Spain?

Most university deadlines for pre-enrollment are in June/July (for a September start date), but you should always check the specific dates with your preferred university.

PCE exam dates are typically late-May or early-June. There is another ‘extraordinary’ exam date, usually in early-September, for those that failed the first attempt or wish to improve their grade. However, at this point some of the most popular courses may no longer have any more spaces left for that academic year.

How Much Does it Cost To Go to University in Spain?

In 2026, public university tuition fees in Spain range between €750 and €1,200 per year for a Bachelor's degree for EU students. Non-EU students and post-graduate students will typically have to pay more (though not always). Private universities also charge higher rates, sometimes significantly higher.

Tuition fees are calculated as a rate per ECTS credit and so please note that the actual cost of enrolling at a university in Spain can vary depending on:

Which region you will study in
Whether it is a public or private institution.
What degree you will take
How many credits you will earn in a year (the standard is 60)
Whether you will study at a public or private institution
Whether you have to retake any modules/exams (prices rise with each attempt)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study a Master’s degree in Spain?

How long is the university degree?

Are there any age limitations?

Do you need to know Spanish to go to university in Spain?

DISCLAIMER: This is an informative guide, based on available information from official government and other sources. It does not offer any rights or guarantees. Visa rules can change over time, and vary in different countries or regions, so always check information and requirements with official sources.