University access for refugees and displaced students in Spain

Key rules

• Lost records: Missing school records do not stop you applying if you are a refugee, asylum seeker or have international or temporary protection.
• Who decides: The university or UNED decides which substitute documents it accepts, so ask before you collect anything.
• Support: Some universities offer reserved places or fee waivers, and UNED has a programme for people in vulnerable situations.
• Timing: Contact the admissions office early, because procedures differ between universities.

The short answer

If you have lost your school records because you fled your country, you can still apply. Spanish universities and the distance university UNED can assess your case and admit you using the papers you do have. This is open to recognised refugees, asylum seekers and people with international or temporary protection.

How the special route works

The university, or UNED, looks at your situation. It may admit you based on:

• the documents you can provide
• a sworn statement of the studies you completed
• where needed, an evaluation of your earlier studies by the Ministry of Education

Where the Ministry knows your country's education system, it can issue a conditional or provisional equivalence of your studies. That lets you move forward while the full recognition is pending.

What to gather

The documents list below shows what to bring. In short: proof of your status, your identity papers, any partial school records, and a sworn statement of your studies. Certificates from the reception system or international organisations can also count as evidence of your studies. The university or the Ministry decides which substitute documents it accepts, so ask before you spend money on translations or certificates.

Reserved places and fee waivers

Many universities run refugee-support programmes with reserved places or fee waivers. UNED also has an access programme for people in vulnerable situations. What is offered differs from one university to another, so ask each one what it has.

If you are Ukrainian

Since 2022, Ukrainians with temporary protection have had a flexible route into university that did not require full documents. The university decides on admission, and fee reductions may apply. The EU has extended temporary protection to March 2027, so these measures may still apply. The Ministry of Universities and your regional authorities set the specific rules and deadlines each year, so ask the university for the current ones.

What to do first

1. Contact the admissions office of the university you want, as early as you can. Procedures differ, and deadlines do not wait.
2. Ask what substitute documents it accepts and whether it has a refugee programme.
3. Ask whether you need an evaluation of your studies from the Ministry of Education, and how long it takes.

The frequently asked questions below cover lost records, fee waivers and Ukrainian students.

Documents you need

• Proof of your status: the red card if you are an asylum seeker, or your residence document if you have protection.

• Your identity papers.

• Any partial school records you still have.

• A sworn statement of the studies you have completed.

• Other evidence of your studies, such as certificates from the reception system or international organisations, if the university or the Ministry of Education accepts them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to university in Spain if my school records are lost?

Yes, if you are a recognised refugee, an asylum seeker or have international or temporary protection, the university or UNED can assess your case without full school records. They may admit you based on the documents you have and a sworn declaration of your studies.

Are there fee waivers or reserved places for refugees?

Yes, some universities run refugee-support programmes with reserved places or fee waivers, but each university sets its own. UNED also has an access programme for people in vulnerable situations. Contact the admissions office early to ask what is on offer.

Do Ukrainian students with temporary protection still get special access?

Measures adopted from 2022 gave Ukrainians with temporary protection a flexible route without full documents, with the university deciding on admission and possible fee reductions.