Do you need a Spanish certificate (DELE or SIELE) to be admitted?

Terms used

• DELE — The DELE is an official Spanish-language diploma issued by the Instituto Cervantes, available at several levels.
• SIELE — The SIELE is an online-based Spanish-language certificate issued jointly by the Instituto Cervantes and three universities.
• Bachillerato — The Bachillerato is the two-year upper secondary school course in Spain that leads to university access.
• ACLES — ACLES is the association of university language centres in Spain, which accredits university language tests.

Key rules

• Usual level: B2 is typical, and C1 is common for law, humanities, education, translation and health degrees.
• Exemptions: Studying in Spanish, coming from a Spanish-speaking country or passing the Spanish access tests usually exempts you.
• University decides: Each university sets its own level, accepted certificates and exemptions, so confirm with admissions.

Do you need a certificate?

You need one if Spanish is not your first language, your degree is taught in Spanish and you cannot show an exemption. Many public universities ask for nothing extra on the standard access route, because the entrance exams are taken in Spanish. Private universities often set their own entry tests or levels.

If your degree is taught in English or another language, the university asks for a certificate in that language instead.

Which level?

B2 is the usual level for Spanish-taught degrees at public universities. Some programmes ask for C1. These include law, humanities, education, translation and health degrees. Each university sets its own level, so find the degree's admission page and read the exact requirement.

Which certificates are accepted?

• DELE, the diploma from the Instituto Cervantes.
• SIELE, a certificate issued jointly by Cervantes and three universities (UNAM, Salamanca and Buenos Aires).
• The university's own language centre, which often offers a certificate.
• The Certificado Universitario de Español (CERLE) and other ACLES-accredited university tests, which are usually accepted.

The accepted list differs by university, so ask the admissions office before you book a test.

Who is exempt?

You are normally exempt if any of these apply:

• You come from a country where Spanish is an official language.
• You are a native Spanish speaker.
• You studied secondary school (Bachillerato or equivalent) in Spanish.
• You hold a Spanish Bachillerato or a Spanish school-leaving qualification.
• You passed the Spanish-language university access tests.
• You hold a degree taught in Spanish.

Each university decides who it exempts. Ask what proof it wants, such as school transcripts.

When to take the test

Book early. You need the result in hand before the admission deadline, and test sessions fill up. The checklist below walks you through the order.

Documents you need

• A DELE diploma from the Instituto Cervantes, usually at B2 or C1, if you are not exempt.

• A SIELE certificate, usually at B2 or C1, as an alternative to DELE if you are not exempt.

• A certificate from the university's own language centre or another ACLES-accredited university test, if the university accepts it instead.

• Proof of exemption, such as your secondary school studies in Spanish, a Spanish Bachillerato or school-leaving qualification, or a Spanish-language degree.

Checklist

• Check whether your degree is taught in Spanish, English or another language.

• Check whether you are exempt, for example because you come from a country where Spanish is official or studied secondary school in Spanish.

• Find the required Spanish level (usually B2, sometimes C1) on the degree's admission page.

• Ask the admissions office which certificates it accepts: DELE, SIELE or its own test.

• Book the test early enough to have the result before the admission deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a certificate if I do the standard access exams in Spanish?

Often no, because many public universities do not ask for a certificate when you take the standard access route, since the entrance exams are already in Spanish.

Which Spanish level do law, health or education degrees ask for?

Law, humanities, education, translation and health degrees often ask for C1, while most other Spanish-taught degrees ask for B2. The level differs by university and degree, so read the admission page of the exact programme.

Do I need a Spanish certificate for a degree taught in English?

No, a degree taught in English or another language asks for a certificate in that language instead of Spanish. Check the admission page of the programme for the level and the accepted tests.

Does a university test count instead of DELE or SIELE?

Yes, many universities also accept a certificate from their own language centre or another ACLES-accredited university test, such as the Certificado Universitario de Español.