Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university

Terms used

• DELE — The DELE is an official Spanish-language diploma issued by the Instituto Cervantes, available at levels A1 to C2.
• SIELE — The SIELE is a Spanish-level certificate, A1 to C1, issued by the Instituto Cervantes with partner universities.
• EOI — The EOI is an official language school (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas) that issues recognised language certificates.
• Selectividad — Selectividad is the Spanish university access exam taken at the end of school.
• CCSE — The CCSE is the test of Spanish constitutional and sociocultural knowledge required for nationality by residence.

Key rules

• Level: B2 is the most common Spanish level for degrees taught in Spanish, but each university and programme sets its own.
• Accepted proof: DELE and SIELE are widely accepted, but each university has its own list.
• Exemptions: Native speakers and those schooled in Spanish are often exempt, but living in Spain alone usually does not exempt you.
• Nationality: SIELE does not count for nationality by residence, which needs the DELE plus the CCSE.

What level you need

Each university sets its own Spanish level, and you must check the specific programme you want. For degrees taught in Spanish, B2 is the most common requirement. Some programmes ask for B1, and language-focused or demanding ones ask for C1.

Master's programmes usually ask for B2 or C1. C1 is more common in humanities, law and communication.

If your course is taught in another language, Spanish proof is usually not asked for. Check the language of instruction first.

Which proof is accepted

Most universities accept:

• A DELE certificate.
• A SIELE certificate. Many Spanish universities take it, but confirm that yours does.
• A Spanish certificate from an official language school (EOI), a university language centre or the Instituto Cervantes.
• Sometimes the Spanish language exam from the university access exam (Selectividad), or a Spanish school diploma.
• Sometimes evidence that you studied in Spanish before, such as a letter from your school or university confirming the language of instruction.

If you are a non-EU student applying through UNEDasiss, the process includes language evidence where required.

The university's own test

Some universities run their own Spanish tests through their language centres. They use them to place applicants, as an alternative to DELE or SIELE, or when you have no recognised certificate. Many universities still insist on an external certificate, so ask before you book anything.

Who may be exempt

Exemptions are set by each university. Common ones are:

• Spanish is your native language.
• Your earlier education was in Spanish.
• You passed the Spanish university access exam.
• You come from a country where Spanish is the official language, such as Latin America.
• You have earlier university study in Spanish. Some universities want a letter confirming the language of instruction.

Living in Spain does not usually exempt you, and the university may still ask for a test.

If you also want Spanish nationality

SIELE is not accepted for nationality by residence. That route needs the DELE plus the CCSE knowledge test. If nationality is a goal, DELE may save you taking two exams.

What to do

Ask the admissions office to confirm in writing the level and certificate they accept for your programme. Then book the exam before the application deadline. The checklist below walks you through the steps, and the decision below helps you choose between an external certificate and the university's test.

Choosing between options

Should you take an external certificate or the university's own Spanish test?

• External certificate (DELE or SIELE): Fits when the university requires an external certificate, which many still do, or when you want proof that other institutions also accept.

• The university's own test: Fits when the university offers one through its language centre and accepts it as an alternative, or when you have no recognised certificate.

Ask the admissions office what your programme accepts. If it names an external certificate, take DELE or SIELE; if it accepts its own test, that can replace the certificate.

Documents you need

• A DELE or SIELE certificate showing your Spanish level, issued by the Instituto Cervantes (SIELE together with partner universities). Most universities accept one of these.

• A Spanish certificate from an official language school (EOI), a university language centre or the Instituto Cervantes, if you do not have DELE or SIELE.

• The result of the Spanish language exam from the Spanish university access exam (Selectividad), or a Spanish school diploma, where the university accepts it.

• A letter from your school or university confirming that your studies were taught in Spanish, where the university accepts prior study as evidence.

• A result from the university's own Spanish test, if the university offers one and accepts it in place of an external certificate.

Checklist

• Check the language of instruction of your programme, because Spanish proof is asked for courses taught in Spanish.

• Find the Spanish level your programme asks for on the university admissions page. Most degrees ask for B2, some ask for B1 or C1, and master's courses usually ask for B2 or C1.

• Check which proof the university accepts: DELE, SIELE, an EOI or language centre certificate, or its own test.

• Find out whether you are exempt, for example because Spanish is your native language, your earlier education was in Spanish, or you passed the Spanish university access exam.

• Book the exam or the university's test if you need a certificate, before the application deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the Spanish certificate if I studied in Spanish before?

Often yes, if your earlier education was in Spanish or Spanish is your native language, but each university decides. Some also exempt prior university study in Spanish, and may ask for a letter from your school or university confirming the language of instruction.

Does living in Spain count as proof of my Spanish level?

No, a stay in Spain alone does not usually exempt you from the Spanish requirement. The university may still ask you to show a certificate or sit a test.

Can I take a university's own Spanish test instead of DELE or SIELE?

Sometimes yes, because some universities run tests through their language centres, used for placement or when you lack a recognised certificate. Many still require an external certificate such as DELE or SIELE, so ask the admissions office first.

Is SIELE enough if I also want Spanish nationality later?

No, SIELE is not accepted for a nationality application, even though many universities take it for admission.