Entering from A-levels, US high school or the IB after Brexit

Terms used

• UNED — UNED is Spain's national distance university, which issues the access credential to students with foreign qualifications.
• PAU — The PAU is Spain's university entrance exam, which can raise your admission grade.
• PCE — The PCE is the competence test that some foreign students sit for university entry in Spain.
• Bachillerato — The Bachillerato is Spain's two-year upper secondary school course that leads to university.

Key rules

• A-levels: You need at least two passed A-level subjects.
• US diploma: A US high school diploma alone is not enough; you need the UNED credential.
• SAT and AP: These support your credential and do not replace the PAU.
• IB: Your IB points out of 45 are converted to a mark out of 10.

The short version

Your route depends on your qualification. A-levels and the IB are accepted. A US high school diploma alone is not enough. In every case you normally need a credential from UNED, and the PAU is optional or university-specific.

A-levels (UK)

The UK is no longer in the EU, but A-levels are still accepted. You need at least two passed A-level subjects. UK students normally need the UNED credential, which includes your access grade.

Many UK students also sit the PAU. The A-level subjects you choose can count in the PAU to raise your grade.

US high school diploma, SAT and AP

Your diploma alone does not get you in. To get the UNED credential, you show your US school-leaving documents plus SAT or AP results, as UNED requires. The usual requirement has been SAT Reasoning plus AP, often with a minimum number of subjects, such as two or more AP exams. Ask UNED for the current list before you pay for any test.

The SAT and AP are used for the credential. They do not replace the PAU. They can still improve your admission grade as competence tests. Some universities also ask US applicants to sit the PAU, so ask each university on your list.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB diploma is treated like the Spanish Bachillerato. It gives direct access to universities. You apply through the regional university system, and the credential comes from the ministry or UNED where needed. Your certificate may need a ministry homologation, which is an official recognition of your foreign document. Ask before you apply.

Your total points out of 45 are converted to a mark out of 10 using the Ministry of Education table. The minimum pass of 24 points becomes 5, and 45 points becomes 10. That mark is your base for general admission, with a maximum of 10.

You do not have to sit the PCE. You can sit the exams optionally to raise your mark, up to 14 points.

Should you also sit the PAU?

If your mark is enough for your course, your credential alone may be fine. If you want a higher admission grade, the PAU can help. The decision, documents, checklist and FAQ below help you choose and prepare.

Choosing between options

Should you sit the PAU as well as getting your UNED credential?

• Enter on your credential alone: You hold the IB or European Baccalaureate, your converted mark is enough for your degree, and your university does not ask for the PAU.

• Also sit the PAU: You want to raise your admission mark. This fits A-level holders, who often sit it using their chosen subjects, and US applicants, whose SAT and AP results do not replace it.

Sit the PAU if your university requires it. Otherwise it is your choice: it is optional for IB and European Baccalaureate holders, and it can raise the mark to a maximum of 14 points.

Documents you need

• Your US school-leaving documents, issued by your high school, to show you have finished US secondary education. A US diploma alone is not enough.

• Your SAT or AP results, issued by the testing body, as UNED requires. The usual requirement has been SAT Reasoning plus AP, often with two or more AP exams.

• Your IB diploma certificate showing your total points out of 45. It may need a ministry homologation, which means an official recognition of the certificate in Spain.

• The UNED credential (credencial de acceso), which UNED issues to you once your file is accepted. It is what you present to the regional university system.

Checklist

• Count how many A-level subjects you have passed, and make sure it is at least two.

• Ask UNED which SAT and AP results it currently requires for a US high school diploma, including the minimum number of AP exams.

• Gather your US school-leaving documents together with your SAT or AP results before you ask for the credential.

• Look up your IB total points in the ministry conversion table to see your mark out of 10.

• Ask whether your IB certificate needs a ministry homologation before you apply.

• Ask each university on your list whether it also requires the PAU from US applicants.

Frequently asked questions

How many IB points do I need for a pass in the Spanish mark?

The minimum IB pass of 24 points converts to a 5 out of 10 in the Spanish mark, and 45 points converts to a 10. The Ministry of Education table converts your total points into this 0 to 10 mark.

Can I enter with only one A-level subject?

No, A-levels give you access only if you have passed at least two A-level subjects. You can also use the subjects you chose in the PAU, the university entrance exams, to raise your grade.

Do my SAT and AP results replace the PAU?

No, SAT and AP results do not replace the PAU. They count towards your UNED credential and can improve your admission grade as competence tests.

Can I sit exams to raise my IB mark?

Yes, IB holders can sit the exams optionally to raise their mark, up to a maximum of 14 points. You can enter with your converted IB mark alone if you prefer.