Spanish courses at Spanish universities: who can join and what you get

Terms used

• DELE — The DELE is an official Spanish-language diploma issued by the Instituto Cervantes, accepted for residence and nationality procedures.
• CCSE — The CCSE is the Instituto Cervantes test on Spanish constitutional and sociocultural knowledge, asked for in nationality procedures.
• SIELE — The SIELE is an online Spanish-level exam, offered through the Instituto Cervantes and partner universities.
• ECTS — ECTS credits are the European university credit system that measures study workload.

Key rules

• Who can join: You do not need to be a student; you need to meet the minimum age and show a passport or ID.
• Visa: Courses over 90 days need a student visa; shorter ones may not, depending on your nationality.
• Residence and nationality: Only DELE or the CCSE exam count, not the university's own diploma.
• Price: Accommodation and exam fees are generally extra.

Can you join if you are not a student?

Yes. University Spanish courses for foreigners are open to the public, and you can enrol as a non-student. You usually need to be at least 16 or 18 (it depends on the course) and show a passport or ID. There is normally no academic prerequisite. Many courses start with a placement test to set your level.

If you already live in Spain on another permit, you can enrol too, subject to the course's own rules.

Which universities offer courses?

Many do. Well-known examples are Salamanca, Alcalá, Granada, Barcelona, the Autónoma de Barcelona, Complutense and Autónoma de Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, Málaga, Navarra and Santiago de Compostela. Formats are intensive, semi-intensive and extensive courses from A1 to C2, plus summer and specialised courses (business, medical or legal Spanish, teacher training). Course names and offers change each year, so look at the language centre's current list.

Do you need a visa?

It depends on your nationality and the course length. On a short course of under 90 days, you may not need a visa. A course of over 90 days needs a student visa. That requires a full-time programme, proof of funds and health insurance. Ask your consulate before you book.

What does it cost?

Expect mid-range prices. Costs depend on the university, course length, intensity and format.

• Part-time evening courses are usually the cheapest.
• Short intensive and summer courses cost less than a full semester or year.
• Full-time intensive programmes cost the most.
• Accommodation and exam fees are generally extra.

EU and non-EU students usually pay the same public price. Ask the language centre for its current price list.

What certificate do you get?

The university gives its own diploma or certificate of attendance and level. Longer programmes often carry ECTS credit. Many centres also prepare you for the DELE and SIELE exams, and some are exam centres, though this varies.

The university's own diploma does not count for residence or nationality. Those procedures ask for the DELE or the CCSE exam, which you take through the Instituto Cervantes. If you need Spanish for either, check that your course prepares you for those exams.

Timeline and deadlines

• Take the placement test if the course asks for one: before the course starts

• Join a short course without a visa, if your nationality allows it: for courses under 90 days

• Get a student visa with proof of funds and health insurance: before you travel, for courses over 90 days

Documents you need

• Passport or ID, which the university language centre asks for at enrolment.

• Proof of funds and health insurance, needed only for a student visa on a course of over 90 days.

Checklist

• Check that you meet the minimum age of 16 or 18 for the course.

• Ask the language centre if the course starts with a placement test.

• Ask your consulate whether you need a visa for the course length and your nationality.

• Ask the language centre for the current price list, including accommodation and exam fees.

• Confirm whether the course prepares you for DELE or SIELE and whether the university is an exam centre.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join a university Spanish course if I am not a student?

Yes, university Spanish courses for foreigners are open to the public, so you can enrol as a non-student. Most ask for a minimum age of 16 or 18 and a passport or ID. There is usually no academic prerequisite, and many courses begin with a placement test.

Do I need a student visa for a university Spanish course?

It depends on how long the course is: courses under 90 days may not need a visa for some non-EU nationalities, while courses over 90 days need a student visa. That visa requires a full-time programme, proof of funds and health insurance. Ask your consulate about your nationality.

Which course type is cheapest at a university language centre?

Part-time evening courses at university language centres are usually the cheapest, and full-time intensive programmes cost the most.

Does a university diploma count for residence or nationality?

No, a university's own diploma does not count for residence or nationality procedures. Those ask for the Spanish A2 DELE or the CCSE test, which come from the Instituto Cervantes. Many university courses prepare you for DELE and SIELE, and some are exam centres.