University preparation in Madrid 2025

Madrid offers a range of university prep courses designed to facilitate successful university entry. These courses, varying in structure and cost, are tailored to meet the diverse needs of students.

Type of Preparation Courses for University in Madrid

• Exam Focus: Courses typically include exam preparation in specific subjects, with optional Spanish language classes. Tailored to individual needs, education can be group-based or one-on-one with a tutor.

• Language Proficiency: Depending on your Spanish proficiency, you have the choice to commence with a language course or delve directly into academic subjects. For direct entry into academic subjects, a minimum Spanish level of B1 (intermediate) is usually required, with some institutions demanding B2 (intermediate to advanced) or C1 (advanced).

• Flexible Scheduling: Some centers offer "closed" packages with fixed schedules, while others allow personalized scheduling, letting you decide the weekly study hours.

• Learning Formats: Colleges offer various formats, including classroom-based and distance learning, or a combination of online resources and individual teacher sessions.

It's essential to check with specific centers, as offerings and fees can vary significantly.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

• Selectividad Exam: A distinctive feature of Spanish universities is the Selectividad exam (Pruebas de Acceso a Estudios Universitarios), akin to the USE exam. It includes Spanish language and history or philosophy, a second foreign language (German, Italian, French, or Portuguese), and specialized subjects. Registration typically opens in March, with exams in June, August, or September.

• Preparation Duration: Comprehensive preparation for Selectividad takes about 8 months. The maximum score is 14, with a passing level of 10 for medical and engineering programs, and 5 for others. While not all universities require this for international students, it is essential for prestigious programs and top universities in Madrid, Catalonia, and Valencia.

• English Proficiency: Many institutions also require proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+.

Legalization of Certificates. In addition to standard documents, school graduates must legalize their certificates to meet local requirements. The review process can take six months to a year, so preparing documents in advance is advisable.

Starting Your Prep Course in Madrid

Planning: Deciding to study abroad requires careful consideration. Consulting with experts is recommended. You'll need to decide on the language of the prep course, with the understanding that Spanish proficiency is eventually essential. Ideally, six months of language preparation is recommended, plus an additional six months for document collection and formalities.

• Start Dates: Courses typically start three times a year: October, January, and May.

• Fees: Expect to pay around 2,250 euros for a 4-month program or 4,200 euros for an 8-month program, excluding living expenses in Madrid and document processing costs. Note that these fees don't cover external exams like the DELE or institution registration fees.

In conclusion, preparing for university in Madrid involves a blend of academic preparation, language proficiency, and understanding the local admission process, all of which are catered to by the diverse university preparation courses available in the city.

Professional Education and Training
This area of education is highly valued and actively promoted in Spain. The country is home to many new prestigious business schools (ESADE, EU Business School, ESERP Business School), whose diplomas rank among the best in the world. These schools often offer dual programs and have branches in many other European countries.

Bilingual Education
Most prestigious universities in the country offer courses in both Spanish and English. Some courses are chosen by the students themselves, allowing them to acquire skills in their specialty in the two most widely spoken languages in the world by the time they graduate. Spanish language courses are also available for international students.

Centuries-Old Traditions
Some Spanish universities were established as far back as the 13th century, so their educational methods are well-established and reputable.

Developed Infrastructure
Green spaces, multi-story libraries, modern lecture halls, and innovative research laboratories are features that many Spanish universities can boast about. Campuses often provide open study areas for independent work, as the weather rarely drops below +15°C throughout the year.

The courses include preparation for exams in specific subjects and may offer Spanish language lessons. Instruction can be conducted in groups or individually with a teacher.

You can also find course packages with a specific number of study hours and set start and end dates. Other centers offer a personalized approach, allowing students to determine their own study schedule and choose how many hours per week would be sufficient to improve their knowledge.

There are academies that organize both classroom instruction and online courses. A blended format is also available: access to online materials in addition to individual lessons with a teacher. Start dates for classes are flexible—most often occurring three times a year: in October, January, and May.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate offers students a unique opportunity to study at almost any university in the world, it covers all levels of primary and secondary education and is designed for children from 3 to 19 years. The IB Diploma is useful for students who choose to enroll in a foreign university. The International Baccalaureate also encourages students to discuss global world issues, learn independently, think critically and solve problems in a meaningful and creative way.

Foundation
One of the main goals of the Foundation program is to help the students adjust to a foreign country and develop valuable academic skills. The structure of the Foundation program consists of core courses chosen by students. Students wishing to improve their English language skills may also choose the English for Academic Purposes program. The program lasts from one to three semesters depending on the knowledge of the core subjects and language proficiency. Students receive a prestigious certificate significantly increasing their chances of admission to a top undergraduate program.

Spanish Bachillerato
Spanish Bachillerato is a pre-higher education program in the Spanish educational system. It is equivalent to high school in other countries, this program offers advanced education for students between 16 and 18 years. It is a compulsory stage before entering a Spanish university.

The Bachillerato program lasts two years and consists of two levels. Students can choose between different types of Bachillerato:

• General - it is the most popular type and it provides the students with a wide range of subjects to study,
• Technological - it focuses on science and technology subjects, such as physics, chemistry, computer science and technology,
• Humanities - this type focuses on literature, history, philosophy and sociology,
• Artistic - it offers an in-depth study of art.

Each Bachillerato program includes compulsory and optional subjects.

• Spanish language and literature, foreign language, history, philosophy, math, social studies and science are compulsory subjects.
• The non-compulsory ones offer students the opportunity to choose advanced studies in areas of interest.

One of the features of the Spanish Bachillerato is that after completing it, teenagers take the compulsory exams Pruebas de Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (PEvAU). It allows them access to higher education in Spain. These exams test students' knowledge of various subjects and are an important step towards university entrance.

Successful completion of the Bachillerato gives students access to various scholarship programs and financial support for further education.

At the time of preparing for higher education, pay attention to subject rankings as well as:

• Regions. Spain consists of 17 autonomous regions and 2 autonomous cities. Each is independent in its internal affairs, including the higher education system, admission procedure and requirements.
• Types of educational institutions. Spain has public and private universities, which vary greatly in tuition fees,
• Language. You can study in both English and Spanish in Spain. Spanish is taught in different dialects depending on the region, such as Catalan in Barcelona, Basque in Navarre, and Valencian in Valencia. English-language programs are also common in Spain, most of them taught in private high schools and business schools,
• Climate. Spain is a southern country. The sun shines all year round and summer temperatures reach 40°C in places like Andalusia. If you can't stand the heat, you should choose your university location carefully.

When a student enters Spain, it is necessary to legalize foreign documents through one of the following procedures:

- Homologación — the recognition that a foreign diploma or certificate is equivalent to a Spanish qualification.
- Convalidación — the conversion of certain courses included in the diploma to a Spanish university for the expedited award of a diploma with the same qualification. This is used when the same document cannot be recognized as equivalent.

There are two steps to obtaining academic recognition in Spain: the diploma/certificate with an apostille and a certificate translated from the national language into Spanish. It is important to ensure that the translator is authorized by the consulate.

Applicants should contact the Spanish consulate or the Ministry of Education to have their documents validated.

The validation of documents takes between two to six months and costs approximately $178. After this, a certificate will be issued, which must be attached to other documents when applying to the university.

How to Apply for a Bachelor’s Degree  
You must validate your diploma (which is recognized as equivalent to the Spanish one), a process that can be lengthy and complicated. Without a validation certificate (Volante Accreditation), it is impossible to enroll in a Spanish university.

Applicants can take one exam of their choice—PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) or Selectividad. These exams are taken at the end of secondary school, but they are not mandatory for Spanish students; however, the results of the PCE are factored into the overall average, which increases admission chances. Furthermore, if you have a Selectividad result, you do not need to take the DELE exam (preparation for which can take 1-2 years).

In Spain, there are several bachelor's programs taught in English, especially in business schools. Admission to these programs requires an IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL.

- Copy of passport
- Diploma of postgraduate studies with a copy
- DELE C1-C2 or IELTS/TOEFL
- Research plan
- Letter of approval from your supervisor and academic advisor
- Motivation letter
- Academic resume
- Two to three letters of recommendation

You may also be asked to attend an interview. All documents must be translated into Spanish or English and certified.

Spain offers a government scholarship program. It covers most of the tuition fee and living expenses in Spain. However, it is rarely available to students from the CIS, it is recommended to look for private scholarships.

Private universities and business schools offer scholarships which cover from 15% to 100% of tuition fees. Most scholarship programs are available for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Athletic students may also be eligible for special scholarships, additional benefits, and awards.

Spain also offers scholarships to students from families with low income .

Applications must be submitted before the start of the semester, but each university has different deadlines. Committees evaluate applicants' academic, scholastic, and other achievements.