Access to Spanish university
In the British education system, the A Level qualification is the standard route into UK universities. However, this credential is also internationally recognised and gives access to Spanish universities.
In this article we look at all the things you need to know as a student or as a parent of a student in the UK system if you are looking to enter the Spanish university system. Our aim is for you to understand how the subjects taken in the last two years of school (Year 12 and Year 13) are key to accessing higher education in Spain.
What are A Levels?
In the British education system, which we follow at English School of Asturias, students study AS subjects (taken in Year 12) and A2 subjects (taken in Year 13) during their final two years. The combination of taking both types of subjects gives the student a full A Level qualification.
The UNED credential: the key to access to Spanish universities
The grade obtained by the student in the AS and A2 exams is essential for access to the Spanish university, as it is used to obtain the UNED credential, an essential document for entry into the Spanish university system.
Broadly speaking, the UNED credential is an official accreditation that certifies that the student has the necessary academic level to gain direct access to the Spanish university system. In addition to the British system of studies, the UNED credential can also be used to validate pre-university studies carried out in other international education systems with the Spanish system.
Requirements for Obtaining the UNED Credential
In order for a student to be awarded the UNED credential, certain requirements must be met. These include having passed a minimum number of A Level subjects and successfully completed at least five subjects from the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme. These subjects are typically studied between the ages of 14 and 16, that is, during Years 10 and 11 in the British system (equivalent to 3º and 4º of ESO in the Spanish system).
In addition to granting access to Spanish universities, the UNED credential includes a specific final grade, which will be used for admission to undergraduate degree courses (some of which have a minimum entry requirement or nota de corte). This grade is calculated based on the student’s A Level results.
Important recommendations for access to Spanish university: subject choice and preparation
Our aim is for our students to have the best possible chance of gaining access to Spanish university if that is what they want to do. For this reason, during the last years of their education we provide them with support and advice so that they can achieve this successfully. These are some of the recommendations we usually give them.
- If the university degree to which the student wishes to apply usually has a cut-off mark, taking Specific Competence Tests (PCE) in official centres will help them to raise their entry qualification. It is essential to choose those tests that have a weighting of 0.2 for the specific degree that the student wishes to enter, which can add a maximum of 4 points to the entrance qualification.
- It may also be interesting for the student to take a language exam, as in some cases it could provide extra points and its study does not require an excessive teaching load if it is planned in advance.
We hope we have helped to clarify some of your doubts about accessing Spanish universities from the British education system. However, at English School of Asturias we are available to answer any questions you may have. So, if you have any questions, we will be happy to help you by phone or email.
