Eligibility

Who Can Study in Spain: Entry Rules for 2027-28

What students from India and Pakistan need to enter a bachelor's or master's at a Spanish university.

Example checklist

Example: master's applicant from India

Degree that gives access to a master's

Done

Example: a bachelor's degree from India.

University access check

Check

Example: an access permit from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), form 080, or Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)'s own check.

English B2 (a good working level) or a test

Needed

Example: needed for one UPC master's.

Example only, not your result

Check

This is an example, not your own result.

Key Entry Rules

The main rules for 2027-28.

Bachelor's

Spain must accept your school studies as equal to its school-leaving diploma (homologación). You then get a UNEDasiss accreditation. UNEDasiss is a service of UNED, Spain's national distance university. It checks school papers from other countries.

PCE exams

Public universities also ask you to take subject exams (PCE) through UNEDasiss. It advises at least 4 subjects.

Master's

If your degree is from outside Europe's shared university area (EHEA), Spain must accept it as equal to a Spanish degree, or the university checks this itself.

PhD

Since 11 August 2026, official doctorate students need a research residence permit (a permit to live in Spain for research), not a student stay permit.

Each University Decides

Admission rules differ by university and programme. Check your programme page.

Rules by Level

Spain has three levels: Grado (bachelor's), Máster (master's) and Doctorado (PhD).

Bachelor's, master's and PhD

1Bachelor's (grado)

Proof of homologación of your school diploma, or proof you asked for it.
UNEDasiss accreditation.
PCE exams for public universities.

2Master's (máster universitario)

A bachelor's degree that your chosen university accepts for that master's.
UCM example: a degree accepted by Spain, or an access permit (form 080).
UPC example: passport, degree, marks, CV (a list of your studies and work), letters and English B2.

3Doctorate

Since 11 August 2026: research residence permit for official doctorate students.

Entry Exams

Standardized Testing Requirements

Undergraduate Tests

1PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas)

Subject exams run by UNED for international bachelor's applicants.

For public universities.

Note: Some programmes may ask for GRE or GMAT. Check yours.

Language Proof

English Proficiency Requirements

English-taught programmes ask for English. Spanish-taught ones may ask for Spanish.

Test	Undergraduate	Graduate	Notes
English B2 (a good working level), or an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge score at the same level	-	B2 or higher	Example: one UPC master's.
DELE (Spanish)	Set by programme	Set by programme	DELE is a Spanish test from the Instituto Cervantes. Levels run from A1 (beginner) to C2 (top).

Important Considerations

Score Validity

Check the test provider’s score validity rules and your university’s requirements.

For Students From India and Pakistan

International students face several additional requirements beyond those for domestic applicants. These ensure that you can successfully transition to studying in Spain and comply with immigration regulations.

Apostilled papers

Foreign papers need an apostille (an official stamp that proves a paper is real) or an embassy stamp (legalisation).