IMPORTANT 2025 UPDATE: Due to a change in regulation, after May 20th 2025, all study visa applications for Spain should be done via the Spanish Consulate in your home country. They cannot be done from Spain (BOE).

Read here our complete guide on how to apply for a study visa for Spain.

Because of all the documentation, you need from your home country, if you already know you are going to Spain for a long time, it is recommended to apply for a student visa for Spain at the embassy or consulate in your home country. But if you are already in Spain and decide to study (Spanish) here, it is good to know you can do the whole application process while in Spain.

Who needs a student visa to study in Spain?

It depends on where you’re from. Every non-EU (better: Schengen area) citizen who wants to study in Spain for more than 90 days needs a student visa. More information about who needs a visa to study in Spain.

Who can apply for a student visa while in Spain?

Any non-Schengen area citizen can apply for a student visa while they’re in Spain regardless of where they’re from. [IMPORTANT 2025 UPDATE: Due to a change in regulation, after May 20th 2025, all study visa applications for Spain should be done via the Spanish Consulate in your home country. They cannot be done from Spain.]

How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?

If you want to apply for your visa while you’re in Spain, you should contact the Delegación or Subdelegación de Gobierno in the city or province where you want to start your studies. This might work with a previous appointment or not. Some places even allow applications online.

You will need to submit several documents, which are roughly the same documents you need if you apply for a Spain student visa from your home country:

• Visa application form (Model EX-00) and 2 recent passport size photos
• A valid passport that doesn’t expire during your stay in the country
• Certificates of any study you have completed
• Proof of funds (at least 600€ per month of stay in Spain, read more)
• Proof of housing
• Letter of acceptance for your Spanish course at Linguaschools. All courses with an intensity of 20 lessons per week or more are eligible. So any intensive Spanish course or University Pathway course. You can reserve your course here.
• Medical insurance during your stay (read here all you need to know about this special health insurance)
• A medical certificate signed by a doctor [example medical certificate provided by the Spanish Consulate in US]
• Criminal record check from the place where you have lived the past 5 years (not needed for students <18 years old)
• Parental authorization (only for students <18 years old)

All the documents in another language than Spanish should be legalized and translated into Spanish.

Extra requirements

On top of that, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• You must be in Spain legally, so with a valid tourist visa
• You should apply during the first 60 days of your arrival in Spain or at least 30 days before you are due to leave Spain. The earliest possible is recommended.

What else do I need to know to apply for a student visa while in Spain?

Apart from the requirements, it’s important to note that your student visa will be granted for the duration of the course you’ve enrolled in. This means that if you’ve signed up for a 6-month course at Linguaschools, you will be granted a 6-month visa. So, if you want to stay in Spain for a year, for example, your course should be one year long.

Additionally, you must enroll in a course in an officially recognized Spanish school or institution (all Linguaschools’ schools meet this requirement). Otherwise, your studies may not be valid and your visa won’t be granted.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take to get a student visa to Spain?
• Can I apply for a student visa in Spain if I’m on a tourist visa?
• Can international students stay in Spain after graduation?
• Can I stay in Spain after my student visa expires?
• Are students allowed to work in Spain?

How long does it take to get a student visa to Spain?

In most cases, it takes between 2 and 4 weeks to get a Spanish student visa. It depends on several factors but if all goes well, it shouldn’t take more than a month.

However, we recommend you start the process at least 2 months before your departure date to make sure you have enough time in case there are unforeseen circumstances.

Can I apply for a student visa in Spain if I’m on a tourist visa?

Yes. Until September 2018, non-EU students couldn’t apply for a student visa in Spain. However, the law changed and now it’s to do it from Spain. This means that you can enter Spain with a tourist visa, enroll in a course, and then apply for a student visa without having to leave the country.

This applies to non-EU students who want to study in Spain for more than 90 days. Those non-EU citizens who want to study for less than 90 days and people from the Schengen area don’t need a student visa.

Can international students stay in Spain after graduation?

It depends. Spanish student visas are granted for the duration of the course you’re enrolled in. This means that if you’ve signed up for a 6-month course at Linguaschools, your visa will be granted for 6 months.

However, you can stay in Spain after graduation if you get a new visa. You can either apply for an extension or try to get a new visa. Some of the most popular ones are the job search visa (Autorización de residencia al estudiante para la búsqueda de empleo), the Highly-skilled Professional Visa, and the entrepreneur visa.

Can I stay in Spain after my student visa expires?

It depends on where you’re from. If your nationality doesn’t require a visa to come to Spain as a tourist, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days after your visa or your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) expires.

Are students allowed to work in Spain?

Yes! Spanish student visa entitles you to up to 20 hours per week throughout the duration of your visa.

When you finish your studies, you can legally work in Spain if you get:

1. A regular work permit with a student visa
2. Hired as a highly qualified worker
3. A job search visa (Autorización de residencia al estudiante para la búsqueda de empleo)
4. An entrepreneur visa
5. Spanish residency/citizenship

More information on working in Spain with a student visa

Other relevant articles

• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from abroad)
• How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Looking for professional help? Find the best English speaking lawyers in town.

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using several different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.

Have you checked if you need any visa to study Spanish in Spain? If you’re sure you need a student visa (also referred to as ‘study visa’ or ‘long-term student visa’), let’s have a look at the different student visas, the steps you’ll have to go through, and the paperwork needed to get it.

What student visa do I need?

Should I apply for a student visa from my home country or while in Spain?

Because of all the documentation you need from your home country if you already know you are going to Spain for a longer time, in most cases it is recommended to apply for the student visa for Spain at the embassy or consulate in your home country.

Since 2018, non-EU citizens that come to Spain with a tourist visa can apply for a student visa without having to leave the country.

If you are already in Spain and you want to apply for a Spain student visa while in Spain, please read this article.

IMPORTANT 2025 UPDATE: Due to a change in regulation, after May 20th 2025, all study visa applications for Spain should be done via the Spanish Consulate in your home country. They cannot be done from Spain.

Here we will discuss the Spain student visa application from your home country.

What steps should I take and what documents do I need?

Before arrival

1. Make an appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate
The first step is to find and contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country or the country closest by. Find here country specific information for UK and USA.

These procedures take some time so we recommend that you plan your appointment at least 4 weeks before your planned date of departure to Spain. To allow for unforeseen formalities or requests, 6 to 8 weeks is ideal.

2. Book a Spanish course (and accommodation)
After that, you should enroll for a Spanish course in Spain with Linguaschools. The minimum number of hours per week is 20, typically students book one of the intensive Spanish courses or a University pathway course preparing for the Spanish University Access exam.

Optionally, you can reserve accommodation with us. If you do, the letter of acceptance will be considered to be proof of housing.

IMPORTANT ADVICE: For a type D student visa (>180 days), apart from starting the visa application in time, we advise you to book a Spanish course for a minimum 30 weeks. This because if you travel to Spain after the start of your visa, when applying for the TIE card, the date you enter Spain and your student visa end date will be taken into account. If this duration is less than 180 days, you will not be given the TIE, the temporary residence permit for foreigners. And you will need the TIE for many things, such as opening a bank account, rental contract, get a job, and many things more!

Once we have received your payment in full, we will provide you with the letter of acceptance, confirming you have enrolled and paid in full for the Spanish course (and accommodation if booked). This letter can be sent to you by email (scanned pdf copy), regular mail, or express mail. For most consulates a digital copy is sufficient, but better check with the consulate to be sure. The express mail may take up to 72 hours, depending on the destination.

3. Go to the appointment with the Spanish embassy or consulate
At the time of making the appointment, you should ask the embassy or consulate for the latest requirements to apply for the visa. The documents you will be asked to present may vary depending on your country but they will include:

• Visa application form (make sure to ask for this when making the visa application appointment)
• 2 recent passport size photos
• A valid passport that doesn’t expire during your stay in Spain
• Certificates of any study you have completed
• Proof of funds (at least 600€ per month of stay in Spain, read more)
• Proof of housing (for at least the first 4 weeks of your stay). We can provide for this if you reserve accommodation with your Spanish course.
• Letter of acceptance for your Spanish course at Linguaschools. All courses with an intensity of 20 lessons per week or more are eligible. So any intensive Spanish course or University Pathway course. You can reserve your course here. For the type D visa we recommend a course minimum of 30 weeks.
• Health insurance for the whole duration of your stay (read here all you need to know about this special health insurance)
• A medical certificate signed by a doctor [example of a medical certificate provided by the Spanish Consulate in US]
• Criminal record check from the place(s) where you have lived the past 5 years (not needed for students <18 years old)
• Parental authorization (only for students <18 years old, we can provide you with a template)

Please keep in mind that you should bring all the documents, translated in Spanish by an official translator, and make the necessary copies. The embassy or consulate will normally not make photocopies for you. If you fail to provide them with the required documents, your application will be postponed and you will have to make a new appointment.

You will get a notice of approval or denial of your visa from the embassy or consulate. If your visa has been approved, you must pick it up in person.

With your visa, you will automatically get the NIE number (Foreigner Identification Number). Not to be confused with the TIE, which is the ID card containing your NIE. The TIE you need to get if you have a Spanish study visa D, for stays over 180 days.

Help, my study visa for Spain is rejected/denied. What should I do?

In case your study visa is rejected/denied, you should contact us immediately. Depending on the reason for denial, we can help you with an appeal and in some cases clear the path so you get your visa approved.

In case your visa is denied, we need a copy of the original letter of denial and will refund the whole amount paid minus the administration fee.

After arrival

Settle in and start your Spanish course with us. Get to know the local administrative staff, they are more than happy to help you with all inquiries you might have getting to know Spain and the inevitable paperwork you will need to go through as a foreign student.

If you have the Spanish student visa to stay longer than 180 days, you have 30 days from the day of arrival to start the procedure of getting your TIE card. However, we recommend making the appointment right after arrival, as in many cases you will have to come back with an amended document.

Frequently asked questions

• • How long in advance can I apply for the visa?
  • How long does it take to get a student visa to Spain?
  • How much money in my bank account is required for a Spanish student visa?
  • How much does a student visa for Spain cost?

How long in advance can/should I apply for the visa?

You can apply for a student visa no more than 90 days and not less than 30 days before the beginning of your studies.

To make sure you have enough time to anticipate unforeseen situations, we recommend you start the visa application at least 2 months before your departure date.

If you have a type D visa (>180 days), you will have to get the temporary residence permit (TIE card) when you get to Spain. In order to get your TIE, the date you enter Spain and the end date on your student visa will be taken into account. If this duration is less than 180 days, you will not be given the TIE. And you will need the TIE for many things, such as opening a bank account, rental contract, get a job, and many things more!

To have a safe margin for unforeseen circumstances such as missing paperwork for the visa, flight cancellations, personal situations, we recommend type D visa students not book a course for the minimum duration of 180 days. A course minimum of 30 weeks is recommended.

For example: if apply for the student visa for 182 days and for some unforeseen circumstances you enter Spain 3 days after your visa start date, your stay in Spain is for 179 days and strictly speaking they can refuse the TIE. Unfortunately it has happened in the past.

How long does it take to get a student visa to Spain?

This depends on several things but it usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks to get a Spanish student visa.

How much money in my bank account is required for a Spanish student visa?

One of the requirements to get a Spanish student visa is to have enough funds to support yourself while in Spain. You need at least 100% of the monthly minimum in Spain (IPREM) which comes down to approximately € 600 per month of study. So for example, if you’re applying to study in Spain for 6 months, you’ll need a minimum of 3,600€ (600€ x 6 months) in your bank account. If you can show you have the accommodation in Spain reserved for the whole period, it can be less. Having said this, we recommend not to go for the absolute minimum, but show that you have a bit more than the minimum.

Another option is being sponsored by your parents or other family members. In this case, your will have to provide a proof of the family link (birth certificate and/or statutory sponsor declaration ‘certificación de toma a cargo’) and your sponsor will have to prove that they can sustain both themselves and yourself and provide proof of that with a bank statement, salary statement, etc. and a legalized copy of their passport.

The certificates have to be translated into Spanish and have to bear the Apostille of the Hague Convention.

How much does a student visa cost for Spain?

The cost to get a student visa in Spain is €60 for all nationalities except for Americans (135€ or 160 USD) and Canadians (80€ or 95 USD). This is a fee to process the application and it’s non-refundable.

If you are thinking of working while you study in Spain, make sure you check our guide about how to work with a student visa.

Do you want to study at a University in Spain? Check out our University pathway programs or read how to apply to a university in Spain for international students.

Other relevant articles

Study visa for Spain

• Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
  • How to get a Spain student visa from UK
  • How to get a Spain student visa from USA
  • How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?

Study at a Spanish University

• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
• The best Universities in Barcelona for international students
• The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
• The Best Universities in Valencia for international students
• The Best Universities in Madrid for international students

Other interesting information

• Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
• The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using many different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.

If you are a British citizen wanting to study Spanish in Spain with us, you need a Spanish study visa if you want to come for more than 12 weeks (> 90 days).

Getting a student visa for Spain requires a bit of preparation and patience, but shouldn’t be that complicated if you make sure you have the right documents. At Linguaschools we have many years of experience helping students get their Spanish study visas when travelling from outside the EU. Any questions or doubt, please contact us.

In short we will explain how the Spain visa policy affects UK nationals:

Staying in Spain <90 days
British passport holders travelling to Spain for holidays, a Spanish course or to visit family do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day-period.

Staying in Spain >90 days
British citizens do need visa for travelling for the purposes of residence, studies for period larger than 90 days, work, professional, artistic or religious activities.

If you want to take a Spanish language course or take a University Pathway program in order to access a University in Spain, this is the visa you need.

There are two ways to get a Spanish student visa:

1. Apply from Spain
   You can either travel to Spain for a short stay (less than 90 days) and apply for a student visa while in Spain [update: this option is only valid before May 20th 2025] or;
2. Apply from the UK
   You apply for a student visa from the UK. Because of all the documentation you need from your home country, if you already know you are going to Spain for a long time, this option is recommended. Continue reading here to find out about all the paperworks and steps you need to take to applying for a Spain student visa from abroad.

Once you have clear what documentation you need, you can get an appointment (cita previa) for the student visa application at the Spanish Consulate General. Please mind that each Consulate General has its own jurisdiction and you should apply to the Consulate that corresponds with the area you reside.

Spanish Consulates General contact details:

Consulate General in London
20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ
Tel: 020 7589 8989
Fax: 020 7581 7888
Cog.Londres@maec.es

Jurisdiction: Greater London, the South West, the South East and Eastern regions as well as the two Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey and British Overseas Territories

________________________________________________________________________

Consulate General in Manchester
Instituto Cervantes, 326-330 Deansgate, Campfield Avenue Arcade, Manchester M3 4FN
Tel: 0161 661 42 00
cog.manchester@maec.es

Jurisdiction: Wales, Isle of Man, England:
North West (except Cumbria):Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside;
Yorkshire and the Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire;
East Midlands: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland;
West Midlands: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire.

________________________________________________________________________

Consulate General in Edinbourgh
63 North Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3LJ
Tel. 0131 220 1843
Fax: 0131 226 4568
Cog.Edimburgo@maec.es

Jurisdiction: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear y Tees Valley (Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, Darlington y Middlesbrough

________________________________________________________________________

Other relevant articles

Study visa for Spain

• Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
  • How to get a Spain student visa from UK
  • How to get a Spain student visa from USA
• How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?

Study at a Spanish University

• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
• The best universities in Barcelona for international students
• The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
• The Best Universities in Valencia for international students
• The Best Universities in Madrid for international students

Other interesting information

• Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
• The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using many different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.

If you live in the United States and want to study Spanish in Spain with us, you need a Spanish study visa for courses more than 12 weeks (> 90 days). It shouldn’t be any problem, if you know what you need. At Linguaschools we have many years of experience helping students get their Spanish study visas when travelling from outside the EU. We will help you along the way. Any questions or doubt, please contact us.

First find out IF you need a student visa to study Spanish in Spain.

Staying in Spain <90 days
US passport holders travelling to Spain for holidays, a Spanish course or to visit family do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day-period. So even if you’re taking a Spanish course the full 90 days, this activity is still considered to be tourism.

Staying in Spain >90 days
US citizens do need visa for travelling for the purposes of residence, (Spanish language) studies for period larger than 90 days, work, professional, artistic or religious activities.

If you want to take a Spanish course or take a University Pathway program in order to access a University in Spain, this is the visa you need.

There are two ways to get a Spanish student visa:

1. You either travel to Spain for a short stay (so as a tourist, less than 90 days) and apply for a student visa while in Spain [update: this option is only valid before May 20th 2025] or;
2. You apply for a student visa from the US. Because of all the documentation you need from your home country, if you already know you are going to Spain for a long time, this option is recommended.

You will need the following:
Visa application
2 recent passport size photos
Certificate of completed studies
Proof of funds
Proof of housing
Letter of acceptance (you get after enrollment with your Spanish course at Linguaschools)
Health insurance
Medical certificate
Criminal Record

Here you find a complete list of everything you need to apply for a student visa for Spain.

The requirements are the same for all students over the world. So the documents you bring should have Spanish translations and Apostille authentication. Police Criminal Record clearance must be verified by fingerprints and cannot be older than 3 months from the application date. You must get a police record from the countries you have lived during the past 5 years.

How to get a US Criminal Record for a Spanish student visa?
You can get a US Criminal Record from either one of the following sources:

1. The FBI Records for International purposes, issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. The document must be legalized with the “Apostille of the Hague Convention” from the U.S. Department of State. The FBI background check can take over 12 weeks to be processed, so we recommend to apply well in advance. To reduce the processing time, we recommend to submit your request for an FBI background check either electronically or through an FBI-Approved Channeler. More information on the FBI website.
2. The Department of Justice of the State(s) where you have lived in the past 5 years. The document must also be legalized with the “Apostille of the Hague Convention”, but [important] from your corresponding Secretary of the State. Please visit your state’s website to find instructions on how to request both the background check and the Apostille authentication from your Secretary of State.

Once you have clear what documentation you need, you can get an appointment (cita previa) for the student visa application at the Spanish Consulates General. Please mind that each Consulate General has its own jurisdiction and you should apply to the Consulate that corresponds with the area you reside.

Visa applications must be filed in person. However, applications may also be filed by a duly accredited representative if you do not reside in the town or city where the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office is located. You can ask the Consulate when requesting the appointment.

Spanish Consulates General contact details:

Other relevant articles

Study visa for Spain

• Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
  • How to get a Spain student visa from UK
  • How to get a Spain student visa from USA
  • How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?

Study at a Spanish University

• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
• The best universities in Barcelona for international students
• The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
• The 9 Best Universities in Valencia for international students
• The 9 Best Universities in Madrid for international students

Other interesting information

• Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
• The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using many different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.

If not, we’ll explain, con mucho gusto:

Why do I have to take the CCSE exam?
How to prepare for the CCSE exam in Barcelona
How to enrol for the CCSE exam in Barcelona
When is the CCSE exam in Barcelona?

Why do I have to take the CCSE exam?

To obtain the Spanish nationality, one of the requirements is passing the following exams:
1. The DELE exam Spanish level A2 or higher (only for non-native Spanish speakers)
2. The CCSE exam

How to prepare for the CCSE exam in Barcelona (FREE course)

At Linguaschools Barcelona we have many years of experience in teaching Spanish language and culture to speakers of another language.  We are accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and are an official exam centre for the CCSE exam.

In order to prepare you in the best way for the CCSE exam we offer a FREE preparation session for all those who take the exam at Linguaschools Barcelona. So far, everybody who actively attended the preparation session has passed the exam.

How to enrol for the CCSE exam in Barcelona?

The CCSE exam (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) is an exam created by the Instituto Cervantes in order to evaluate your knowlege of the Spanish Constitution and Spanish social and cultural reality of today. The exam consists of 5 tasks with 25 multiple-choice questions.

When is the CCSE exam in Barcelona?

Dates CCSE exam 2025:

*Free preparation session only at CCSE exam center Linguaschools.

From the moment they arrived, we ensured they felt at home in Spain. The group was warmly welcomed at the airport and taken to stay with local Spanish host families, where they enjoyed full board and got to experience daily life in a Spanish household. These stays allowed them to practice their Spanish continuously and to experience Spanish hospitality and customs firsthand.

Spanish language and cultural immersion

Each day, the students participated in Spanish language classes, working hard to improve their proficiency. Outside the classroom, we had planned a rich lineup of cultural activities that gave them a firsthand taste of Spain’s famous artistic and historical sites. Their cultural exploration included:

• Parc Güell – They marveled at Gaudí’s artistic vision and learned about the cultural significance of this vibrant park.
• Camp Nou – Home to FC Barcelona, where students explored the passion and culture of Spanish football.
• Casa Batlló – Another Gaudí masterpiece, which left a lasting impression with its architectural ingenuity and aesthetic.
• Museo Picasso – The group got an intimate look at the works of Pablo Picasso, exploring his life and evolution as an artist.
• Sagrada Familia – No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing Gaudí’s breathtaking basilica, which continues to inspire awe in visitors.

And, of course, no cultural immersion would be complete without experiencing the passion and artistry of a flamenco show, where the students witnessed the intensity and soul of this iconic Spanish dance.

An experience for life

Staying with host families and exploring Spain together fostered meaningful connections among the students, their teachers, and the people they met along the way. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn were evident, and they embraced each opportunity to improve their Spanish and immerse themselves in Spanish culture.

We’re so grateful to have been part of their journey and look forward to welcoming more international students who come with open minds and hearts to discover the beauty of the Spanish language and culture.

¡Hasta la próxima, amigos!

If you are an international student coming to Granada to study at the University of Granada (UGR) you may want to brush up your Spanish. If your level of Spanish is not high enough to start your studies, or you want to refresh before starting your study then you may want to consider taking a Spanish course at the Granada University.

At Linguaschools Granada we offer Spanish courses to bring your Spanish to the right level to start your university studies. We even offer University Pathway courses preparing non EU students for the EBAU university access exam and help them to apply to the University of Granada.

Even so, you may be interested in studying Spanish at the University of Granada, just because it sounds like a good experience and taking a Spanish course at the UGR may look better on your CV than taking a similar course at a private Spanish language school.

In this article we will explain how the Spanish courses at the UGR work, compare them to Linguaschools Granada’s Spanish courses and explain how you can sign up for the Spanish course at the UGR.

The University of Granada (UGR)

The Granada University has a special department dedicated to language learning, called the Modern Languages Centre (Centro de Lenguas Modernas, or CLM).

Centro de Lenguas Modernas

The CLM has a very good reputation and offers general and intensive Spanish language courses for students and staff at all levels (A1-C2); language and culture courses; and Hispanic studies courses. Apart from this, it offers courses in the following languages: English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, Romanian, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Polish and Czech.

The CLM is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, which guarantees the highest quality of courses. It is located in the Realejo area, close by the Alhambra (https://g.page/clmGranada?share).

20h per week Spanish course

One of the most popular courses is the 20h per week Intensive Spanish Language Courses (CILE), comparable to our intensive 20 course. You have 4 lessons per day, Monday to Friday from 9h to 13h. The courses start every month. The most common is 1 to 4 weeks, but you can also stay longer on request.

CLM versus Linguaschools Granada

How to enroll for the Spanish course at CLM (Granada University)

1. Download and fill in the pdf enrolment form online, can be found at https://www.clm-granada.com/en/esp/cile.html
2. Make the payment of registration and course fee
3. Send the enrolment form and proof of payment to the CLM (email can be found in the pdf)

Source: https://www.clm-granada.com/

If you are a citizen from the European Union or a country with whom Spain has a reciprocity agreement such as China, Norway and Switzerland, you may not need to take the full EBAU exam. You may not even need to take any access exam to enter a public university in Spain. This leaves you more time to focus on learning Spanish with Linguaschools!

Though in order to get access the most popular studies at the best public universities in Spain you may want to consider taking up to 2 PCE exams. Continue reading, and find out.

New to the matter?
Here we explain the difference between the various terms: Selectividad, PAU, EBAU and PCE.
Read how the Spanish University system works

As to the other paperwork: you will not need a student visa if you are from Schengen area. You will need to apply for a NIE, but you can do this once you arrive in Spain.

How to calculate your access grade (nota de acceso)?

You may have read how to apply to a university in Spain for international students. Here we explain that the access grade (nota de acceso) is a number from 5 to 10 based on the average of the grades on the certificate after you have finished secondary school in your home country.

Spain validates your average grade to the Spanish equivalent, in a process called homologación or convalidación. In case of students from EU and other countries mentioned earlier, the validated grade, can be your final grade to access a university in Spain.

How to validate your secondary school degree?

This homologación or convalidación is something all students who have not studied in Spain and want to access a (public) university in Spain have to do. You find the the official information as to how this process works.

Find here the list of countries and corresponding certificates are eligible, and how the validation is calculated exactly.

Sounds too complicated? No worries, if you are taking one of our University Pathway programs in Spain, we help you with this, and all other paperwork, one step at a time.

Why take the PCE University access exams?

Every study has a maximum number of places. If more students apply for a study at a certain university, only the students with the best average grade are granted access to the study of their choice.

Each year, lists are published with the minimum grade you needed to have to enter this studies. The so called cut-off grades. Most popular studies may have a cut-off grade of 8, 9 up to 11, 12 sometimes even above 13. Because 10 is the maximum access grade you can get from homologating your certificate you will find you will not get in to the best or most popular studies.

Taking up to 2 PCE exams, will grant you an extra of 4 points maximum. Each PCE exam grade (from 5 to 10) will normally be multiplicated by 0,2 (the weighing number). You see adding up to 4 points to your access grade will increase your chances to access the studies of your choice.

Example: You want to study ‘Chemistry’ at the UB (University of Barcelona). The cut-off number from 2020 was 9,3. Homologating your average grade gets you a 7,5. You take the PCE exam for Mathematics and the PCE exam for Chemistry. Your grades for both PCE’s are a 7 and an 8. Now your final access is calculated as follows:

7,5 + (0,2 x 7) + (0,2 x 8) = 10,5

Although there are no absolute guarantees, with an access grade of 10,5 you can be pretty sure that you will be granted access to the study of your choice.

What PCE exam should I take?

Each studies has a number of PCE exams that are relevant to this studies and are weighed to the final nota de acceso with a factor 0,1 or 0,2.

The most important PCE exams are in the following subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Economy and Technical drawing.

Spanish language certificate

Apart from a high nota de accesso, at most universities in Spain, a minimum level (B1 or B2) of Spanish is required to start your studies. This level should be proved by any of the two official tests for the Spanish language: DELE or SIELE. Many of our Spanish schools in Spain are SIELE and/or DELE exam centers.

Some universities may accept the certificate from Linguaschools, an Instituto Cervantes accredited private language school. It is recommended to check first with the university of your choice what the exact requirements are.

Also from a practical point of view, it makes sense to have a high level of Spanish as you will be living and studying in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

When does the academic year start in Spain?
When is the application deadline for Universities in Spain?
How much does it cost to study at a University in Spain for international students?
How long does it take to validate my secondary school certificate?
Is Spain a good country to study for international students?
Do I need to take an entry test to study at a University in Spain?
Do I need to present my documents in Spanish to apply to a University?
Do I need to speak Spanish to study at a university in Spain?
Is it easy to find accommodation in Spain as an international student?

Other relevant articles

• Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
• How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
  • How to get a Spain student visa for UK nationals
  • How to get a Spain student visa from USA
• How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
• How to renew a Spanish student visa?
• Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
• Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
• What is the NIE and how do I get it?
• What is the TIE and how to get it?
• How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
• PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
  • The best universities in Barcelona for international students
• Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain

The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.

Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!

DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using several different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you check information with official sources before and during the process.