Learn Spanish to study at a university in Spain

Why Spanish widens your options

Most bachelor's degrees at Spanish public universities are taught in Spanish, or in a regional co-official language, while English-taught degrees are a smaller share of the offer and more common at private institutions, which set higher fees. Reaching a strong level of Spanish before you start therefore opens the widest choice of programmes and the lowest public fees, and it makes daily life, internships and work in Spain easier.

What level universities ask for

Each university and programme sets its own requirement. For Spanish-taught degrees a B1 or B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference is common, and some programmes ask for more. Check the exact level and the certificates each programme accepts before you choose a course.

Certificates universities recognise

• DELE: Instituto Cervantes diplomas from A1 to C2, awarded on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education; they do not expire.
• SIELE: a computer-based Instituto Cervantes exam that reports your level, with certificates valid for five years.
• University language-centre certificates: accepted by some universities, usually their own, so confirm before relying on one.

Preparing in Spain

Many public universities run Spanish courses for international students through their own language centres, some designed as a preparatory year that ends at the level their degrees ask for. Language schools accredited by the Instituto Cervantes offer intensive courses in most university cities. Compare teaching hours per week, class size, exam preparation and whether the course ends with a DELE or SIELE sitting.

Visas for a Spanish course

A long-stay study authorisation can cover in-person Spanish courses at official language schools (Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas), at centres accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, or at a university when the course is part of its official offer. It is not available for learning the official language of your own country. A language-course stay does not include the automatic right to work up to 30 hours a week that higher-education study carries, and moving on to a degree means applying to extend or change the authorisation with the new admission letter.

Plan the timeline

• An intensive course over an academic year is a common route from beginner to the B1 or B2 level degrees ask for; your own progress depends on your starting point and hours of study.
• Book the DELE or SIELE exam so that the result arrives before the programme's admission deadline.
• Run the access route, UNEDasiss or homologación, alongside the language course rather than after it.

Co-official languages

Universities in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Galicia and the Basque Country may teach some subjects in Catalan, Valencian, Galician or Basque. Programme pages usually state the language of each subject, and universities in those regions usually offer courses in the regional language for international students.