University preparation in Spain for international students
-
Top-50 best Marketing programs in the worldSpainBarcelonaCurrently watching: 8from 4900.00 € / semesterApply with documents
-
from 6285.00 € / yearApply with documents
-
#34 in Europe University Rankings - Southern EuropeSpainSalamancaCurrently watching: 3from 11500.00 € / semesterApply with documents
-
Apply with documents
-
The school has a developed internal infrastructure.SpainMalagaCurrently watching: 1from 6929 € / 22 weeksApply with documents
-
90% of university's students go to the USA on scholarshipsSpainMarbellaCurrently watching: 2from 14700.00 € / 32 weeksApply with documents
-
Individual approach to teaching studentsSpainBarcelonaCurrently watching: 2from 7314 € / 22 weeksApply with documents
-
from 3700.00 € / semesterApply with documents
-
from 3650 € / 10 monthsApply with documents
-
from 3500.00 € / 7 monthsApply with documents
Alternative destinations
Education information
Higher education in Spain attracts a great deal of foreign students. Today, foreign students after grade 11 can enter the chosen university without entrance examinations With Selectividad or Pruebas de Acceso a Estudios Universitarios (PAU ) programs studyingabroad after grade 11 becomes more accessible. SMAPSE offers TOP-10 schools and colleges in Spain where foreign students after grade 11 can prepare for admission to Spanish universities.
Requirements to study at Spanish higer educational institutions
The homologation procedure for the certificate is provided for foreign applicants (not Europeans) of Spanish universities. The first stage involves the apostille on the document, then the certificate is translated into Spanish, certified by the Ministry of Education. The legalized document on education is submitted to the admissions office of the chosen institution.
Homologation is usually performed while preparing for Selectividad. On average, the process takes 6 - 12 months.
Homologation of the certificate is mandatory for applicants of Spanish public institutions. Private universities do not require the legalization of documents on education. There is also no need for homologation when transferring a student from a university to an institution of higher level, when enrolling in a Master's programme, postgraduate study, PEI and MBA.
Entrance examination at Spanish schools and colleges
Admission to a university without the option of Selectividad is not always possible. For applicants of prestigious specialties in medical, pharmaceutical, architectural, engineering, business areas, the examination is compulsory. They also pass the exam to study at the universities of Alicante, Valencia, Catalonia.
The entrance examination is held annually in June, August / September. Examination programme takes 2 days. Exact test dates are determined approximately in March, at the same time registration for the entrance exam is carried out.
Main features of Selectividad
The exam for foreign applicants consists of two parts:
The compulsory phase includes 4 subjects:
- Spanish
- foreign language (Portuguese, Italian, German, French, English for choice)
- history of philosophy or history of Spain
- special subject
The latter is selected from the list in accordance with the direction:
- humanities, social sciences (geography of Spain, economics, Latin, art history, mathematics in social sciences);
- scientific direction (mathematics, technical drawing, physics);
- natural sciences (biology, chemistry).
The Selectividad special phase provides preparation for two more subjects to increase the assessment on the compulsory part. Additional disciplines are chosen in accordance with the priority specialization. A special phase is recommended first of all to entrants of faculties with a large competition (medical, engineering, architectural). The rules for selecting items are similar to those for the 4th block of the mandatory phase.
Preparation for university in Spain
Selectividad is quite a difficult exam for both the Spaniards and foreign students. It requires special preparation. The preparatory course is designed for 8 months. Classes begin each year in October. The studying programme includes subject, language blocks, examining the methodology for passing the exam and acquaintance with the assessment system.
The results of the exam are evaluated on a 10-point scale. The main is the total score for the mandatory part of Selectividad. The estimate for the special part is applied to the main part with the use of special coefficients. The cumulative test result can reach 12 - 14 points. Passing points are different for faculties of Spanish universities. The result of 10 points and higher is required from the entrants of medical, pharmaceutical, engineering faculties. The passing score for the specialty in law, natural sciences, the humanities, mathematics is 5 points or higher.
What is the Spanish higher education system like?
What documents are needed to enter a Spanish university?
How much does it cost to study at Spanish universities?
What scholarships are available for international students?
What are the language training requirements for international students?
Can I get a job in Spain after graduating from university?
What is the process for finding accommodation in Spain for international students?
How long does it take to find a job after finishing your studies in Spain?
What cultural considerations should be taken into account when studying in Spain?
What research and academic opportunities do Spanish universities provide?
Top 5 best schools in Spain 2024
1 | Sotogrande International School |
2 | King's College Madrid |
3 | International School San Patricio Toledo |
4 | Caxton College |
5 | Colegio Base CEIAM |
Learning programs-summary information
Name | Meaning | Equivalent | Min. age | Duration, years |
Next stage | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GCSE | General certificate of secondary education | secondary education (non-accomplished) | 14 | 1–2 | A-Levels | 15,000 USD+ |
A-Levels | Advanced level | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
BTEC | Business and Technology Education Board | secondary special education | 14 | 2–3 | University/ work | 15,000 USD+ |
Oxbridge Preparation | Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge | secondary education (accomplished) | 17 | 1 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
International Baccalaureate | International baccalaureate | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 18,000 USD+ |
Foundation/ Pathway Year | Preparatory year | admission to the 1st year of university | 17 | 1 | University | 14,000 USD+ |
NCUK | The Northern consortium | 2 year university | 17,5 | 1 | 2 year University of NCUK | 13,000 USD+ |
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) | Specialized training | - | 14 | optional | optional | 4,000 USD+ |
Academic English | Academic English | Language school | 8 + | 6–12 months | School or University | 8,000 USD+ |
Top 21 boarding colleges in England 2024
1 | Cardiff Sixth Form College |
2 | National Mathematics and Science College |
3 | Abbey College Cambridge |
4 | d'Overbroeck's College |
5 | MPW London |
6 | CATS Cambridge |
7 | Kensington Park |
8 | DLD London |
9 | King's College St Michael’s |
10 | Bellerbys Cambridge |
11 | Chelsea Independent College |
12 | MPW Cambridge |
13 | Bellerbys Brighton |
14 | CATS London |
15 | St Clare's Oxford |
16 | Bishopstrow College |
17 | CATS Canterbury |
18 | Bellerbys London |
19 | Ealing Independent College |
20 | Cambridge Tutors College |
21 | Abbey Manchester |
Top 15 best universities in Spain 2024
1 | Marbella International University Centre |
2 | EU Business School Barcelona |
3 | Les Roches Marbella |
4 | IED Madrid |
5 | IED Barcelona |
6 | Barcelona School of Management |
7 | Geneva Business School Barcelona |
8 | Saint Louis University Madrid |
9 | LCI Barcelona |
10 | School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Sant Ignasi |
11 | International Business School Barcelona (ESEI) |
12 | UCAM - Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia |
13 | INSA Business Marketing and Communication School |
14 | TBS Barcelona |
15 | BEBS Barcelona Executive Business School |
Literature and references
- Selectividad — Wiki
- Selectividad (examen) — Wiki
- ¿Cuánto cuesta vivir en España como estudiante? Presupuesto de alojamiento, transporte, comida y todo lo que debes saber
- 400 euros per child: the cost of going back to school in Spain
- Cuánto cuesta mantener a un estudiante fuera de casa: esto es lo que tendrás que pagar entre el alquiler, los gastos o la matrÃcula de la universidad
- Lo que necesitas saber sobre el sistema educativo en España