Enrolling (matrícula) after you are admitted

Terms used

• Matrícula — The matrícula is the online enrolment that confirms your university place and sets your subjects, credits and fees.
• Resguardo de matrícula — The resguardo de matrícula is the receipt that proves you have enrolled and paid.
• ECTS — ECTS are the credits that measure your study load; a full-time year is typically about 60.
• Asignaturas — The asignaturas are the individual subjects you take in your degree.

Key rules

• Deadline: Each admission list has its own enrolment dates, so read the dates on your admission notice.
• Missed window: A missed window usually means waiting for a later list or applying again next year.
• Originals: Scans are usually enough to enrol, but originals may be checked later.
• Receipt: Keep your enrolment receipt as proof that you are enrolled.
• Fees: Non-EU students often pay first-enrolment prices, and repeated subjects cost more.

What matrícula is and why the window matters

Matrícula is the online process that confirms your place. Admission alone does not secure it. You have to enrol within the period set for your admission list. After each admission list you usually have 3 to 5 working days to enrol, and if you miss it the place is lost.

If you miss it, your place goes to applicants on the waiting list. You then generally have to wait for a later list or apply again in the next call. Late enrolment is not usual. A university may accept it only in exceptional, documented cases, and only if places remain. If you were admitted to your first choice and don't enrol, you lose that place. In many systems you also lose your right to higher-ranked options. If you miss a deadline, contact admissions straight away.

What enrolling involves

You do everything in your university's online enrolment system. Your admission notice appears in the pre-registration portal, and the notice states which list you are on and the dates. The step-by-step block below shows the order. In short, you check your personal data, upload documents, choose what to study, pay, and download your receipt.

Choices you make

• Subjects (asignaturas): new students usually take the first-year set.
• Class group: you pick by language or by time.
• Credits (ECTS): about 60 for full-time study. Part-time rules may allow fewer.
• Payment: a single payment, or instalments by direct debit.
• Extras: optional items such as school insurance, and any fee discount you qualify for.

Non-EU students often pay first-enrolment prices. Repeated subjects cost more, so choose carefully.

Documents

Scanned copies are normally enough at this stage, and the university asks for originals later. The documents block below lists what to have ready. Each university sets its own exact list, so check yours in the enrolment system before you start.

If you are abroad

You can usually enrol fully online, with scans and card payment. Some universities check your original documents in person, often at the start of the course. Non-EU students normally need their original legalised documents when they arrive. Ask your university whether it will check originals and when.

First-week tasks

Save your enrolment receipt (resguardo de matrícula) as soon as payment goes through. You will need it as proof of enrolment. Then hand in any original documents the university asks for.

Choosing between options

How do you want to pay your enrolment fees?

• Single payment: Choose this if you want to pay everything at enrolment by card or bank form and have nothing more to arrange.

• Instalments by direct debit: Choose this if you prefer to spread the cost. You pay the first instalment at enrolment and give your bank details for the rest.

If you have a bank account that can accept a direct debit, instalments spread the cost. Otherwise pay in one payment.

Enrolment step by step, from admission letter to student card

From admission letter to student card

• Find your admission notice in the pre-registration portal: As soon as the admission list you were allocated to is published

• Check your personal data and upload your documents: passport, ID or NIE/TIE, access credential, photo, and proof of any discount such as a large-family card: During online enrolment, before you choose subjects

• Add visa or residence papers and health insurance evidence if you are a non-EU student: During online enrolment, with your other documents

• Choose your subjects, groups and credits: After your documents are accepted, in the same online session

• Choose how to pay and pay the fees, or the first instalment, by card or bank form: Before the enrolment period ends

• Download your enrolment receipt (resguardo de matrícula): Right after payment

• Hand in original documents if the university asks for them: Later, often at the start of the course; non-EU students should bring their original legalised documents when they arrive

• Collect or activate your student card and activate your university email and virtual campus accounts: In your first week

• Go to the welcome session, confirm your timetable and groups, and start your TIE (foreigner ID card) appointment if you are a non-EU student: In your first week

Documents you need

• Passport or ID, or your NIE/TIE (the foreigner identity number and card), as a scan you upload.

• Your access credential: the UNED credential, or your recognised diploma and transcript. Have them legalised and translated if the university requires it.

• A passport-style photo.

• Proof that you paid the fees, which you get after paying by card or bank form.

• Health insurance evidence, or payment of the school insurance fee.

• Your visa or residence documents, if you are a non-EU student.

• Your bank details, only if you choose to pay by direct debit.

• Evidence for a discount or exemption, such as a large-family card, proof of disability or a scholarship award.

Checklist

• Pick your class group, by language or time.

• Set your number of credits (ECTS), typically around 60 for full-time study or fewer if part-time rules apply to you.

• Decide whether to add optional items such as school insurance, and claim any fee discount you qualify for.

• Pick single payment or instalments, then pay.

• Keep your enrolment receipt (resguardo de matrícula) once payment goes through.

• If you are enrolling from abroad, ask the university whether it will check your originals in person and when.

What to watch out for

• Missing the enrolment window loses your place: If you do not enrol within the 3 to 5 working days of your admission list, your place is released to applicants on waiting lists. You generally wait for a later list or reapply in the next call. Enrol as soon as your list is published, and have your documents scanned beforehand.

• Not enrolling in your first choice can cost you better options: If you were admitted to your first preference and do not enrol, you lose that place. In many systems you also lose the higher-ranked options. Check how your region treats your preferences before you decide to skip enrolment.

• Late enrolment is rarely accepted: Getting a place back is not usual. Only in exceptional, documented cases may a university accept late enrolment, and only if places remain. If you miss the deadline, contact the admissions office immediately with proof of the reason.

Frequently asked questions

Can I complete my enrolment from abroad?

Yes, enrolment is generally done fully online, so you can complete it from abroad with scanned documents and card payment.

Can I pay my enrolment fees in instalments?

Yes, many universities let you pay in a single payment or in instalments by direct debit, which means you give your bank details. You choose this during enrolment. The first instalment is paid at enrolment.

Do non-EU students pay more when they enrol?

Yes, non-EU students often pay first-enrolment prices, and any subject you repeat later costs more. Look at the price list for your degree before you pay.