How to Apply to Universities in Spain (2027): Step by Step

Spain runs a Bologna-structured higher education system of public universities, each set up by an autonomous community, alongside a smaller group of private and Church-run universities. Non-EU applicants normally register with UNEDasiss to have their secondary school record recognised before applying, pay a per-credit tuition rate that each autonomous community sets on its own, and enter on a national student visa that now allows up to 30 hours of paid work a week and a 12-month post-study job search period.

Verified 7 Sep 2026 Sources

Bachelor

Confirm which access route applies: EU/EEA schooling, a system with a recognition agreement or the IB (UNEDasiss profile only), or another foreign system (Ministry of Education homologacion of the Bachillerato first, then UNEDasiss).
Open a UNEDasiss account, upload the required certified and translated documents, and pay the UNEDasiss fee; UNEDasiss issues a credential with a 0 to 14 access mark once it has reviewed the record (and set any required subject tests for systems that need them).
Apply directly to each university's international admissions office with the UNEDasiss credential, academic transcripts and, for English-taught programmes, an English test score.
Pay any university application or pre-registration fee and submit by the programme's own deadline.
Accept the offer, pay the tuition deposit or first instalment where required, and request the acceptance and enrolment documents needed for the student visa.
Apply for the Spanish national student visa at the consulate covering your place of residence, then, if the stay exceeds six months, apply for the TIE foreigner identity card within one month of arriving in Spain.

Master

Check the specific master's own entry requirements; a relevant bachelor's degree is required, and some programmes ask for a Ministry of Education equivalence (equivalencia) of the foreign bachelor's degree rather than UNEDasiss, which mainly covers access below master level.
Apply directly to the university, submitting transcripts, degree certificate, a CV or motivation letter where asked, and an English or Spanish test score depending on the teaching language.
Pay the application fee if the programme charges one, and submit before the university's own deadline; many master's programmes admit in rounds rather than a single closing date.
Accept the offer, pay the tuition deposit or first instalment, and request the documents needed for the student visa.
Apply for the Spanish national student visa, then the TIE card after arrival for stays over six months.