Access to public universities

in Spain

How to get into a public university in Spain? Everything you need to know before starting a degree at a public university in Spain

Joining a public university in Spain can be a daunting task, both in terms of finding the information you need and in terms of making the application.

The first thing to know about Spanish public universities is that they are selective. Not everyone can get into a public university.

Keywords to know

If you're planning to study at a public university in Spain, it's crucial to master a few specific terms. Here are the essential keywords to help you better understand admissions procedures and optimise your application:

Nota de corte

This term is crucial for admission to a public university in Spain!

It's the mark of the last candidate admitted to a specific course, in a given year, at a specific university.

This "Nota de corte" determines the minimum grade required for admission.

Thus, your A-levels grade will play a key role in your admission to Spanish public universities.

It is calculated on 14 points.

To check whether your file is eligible for a public university, you'll need to calculate your "Nota de acceso" and your "Nota de admisión".

Nota de acceso

The "Nota de acceso" for a student coming from a different educational system is established by the equivalence of the A-levels mark, which implies obtaining the "Credencial".

The Spanish organization UNED is responsible for calculating this Credencial, which is marked out of 10 points. For a French baccalauréat, the grade will be converted from a scale of 20 to a scale of 10.
The maximum Nota de acceso is 10 points, and the minimum is 5 points.

A grade out of 10 on the Credencial is sufficient to gain admission to a private university in Spain. However, to apply to a public university, an additional step is usually required: you'll need to obtain your "Nota de admisión", which is graded out of 14 points.

Nota de admisión

The "Nota de admisión" is your final grade to apply to a public university in Spain.

It's very important, as it allows you to obtain a mark out of 14 points by adding up to 4 points to your "Nota de acceso".

To obtain this 14-point mark, you'll need to take specific exams, known as PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas), or take a "Reconocimiento de asignaturas".

Please note : the choice between these 2 options depends mainly on the public university you wish to attend and the grades you obtained in certain subjects at your A-levels.

FAQ

It’s sometimes easy to think that you can study for free at a public university in Spain. In reality, however, you’ll still have to pay. That said, tuition fees are considerably more affordable than at private universities, making them a more economical option for higher education.

Tuition fees at public universities vary according to region (each autonomous community sets its own fees). In general, fees for a bachelor’s degree (grado) range from €500 to €2,000 per year.

On the other hand, tuition fees at private universities in Spain are considerably higher, reaching several thousand euros per year.

To study at a public university in Spain, a good level of Spanish is essential, as most courses are taught in this language. The recommended level is generally B2, certified by an official diploma such as DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) or SIELE.

 

However, requirements may vary from university to university and from region to region:

  • B2 level minimum: At many universities, this level is required for admission. You will therefore be asked to provide official certification (DELE or SIELE) when you apply.
  • University flexibility: Some universities don’t necessarily require an official certificate, but it’s highly advisable to obtain one, as admission requirements can change at short notice.
  • Courses in English: Some universities also offer programs in English (especially in fields such as business). In this case, an English language certificate (such as TOEFL orIELTS) will be required instead of a Spanish certificate.

Yes, it is possible to study in English at some Spanish universities.

Many public and private universities in Spain offer programmes in English, particularly in the fields of business, economics, engineering and international relations.

These programs often require a good level of English, validated by certifications such as TOEFL or IELTS.

When choosing a public university in Spain, it is essential to consider the following 3 criteria:

  1. Nota de corte: Find out the minimum grade required for the course you’re interested in, and consult previous years’ admission statistics. Please note that a high Nota de corte does not necessarily mean a better quality of training; it simply indicates that the course is in high demand at that university. This is often the case in large cities like Madrid, where the Notas de corte of public universities are among the highest in Spain.
  2. Programs offered: Make sure the university offers the course you want.
  3. Language: Check whether courses are taught in Spanish or English, depending on your language level. Be aware that some regions (autonomous communities) impose teaching in a co-official language. In Barcelona, for example, teaching at public universities may be in Catalan.

After lengthy research and a rigorous study of the possibilities, we have decided to offer support for the following public universities:

  • Universidad de Alcalá
  • Universidad Complutense
  • Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
  • Universidad Carlos III
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • University of León
  • Universidad de Zaragoza (Zaragoza)
  • Universidad de Valladolid
  • University of Murcia (Murcia)
  • Universidad de Córdoba (Cordoba)
  • University of Cáceres
  • University of Las Palmas
  • University of Valencia
  • Universidad Politécnica de Valencia

How can you maximise your chances of getting into a public university in Spain?