Hello everyone! I’ve seen a lot of fellow students on the forums asking about the English certificates needed for graduation, and it seems many are a bit confused. I just graduated from the Complutense University of Madrid last year and learned a few things the hard way, so I’m writing this post to share what I’ve found. Hope it helps!
Why is this English certificate necessary? It’s mainly because the Spanish higher education system follows the ‘Bologna Process,’ which requires undergraduate students to have at least a B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Some universities or specific programs even demand a B2. For Master’s degrees, the requirements are usually higher, with B2 being the standard. This certificate is a mandatory document to prove your language proficiency, and failing to obtain it can genuinely affect your graduation!
Commonly Accepted Certificate Types
So, which certificates are actually accepted by universities? The range is quite broad, but the specific regulations vary slightly from one university to another, so the first step is always to check the official documents on your university’s website or at its language center! Generally, the following types have the highest acceptance rates:
1. International Standardized Tests
These are the ones everyone is most familiar with. They are recognized globally, though the registration fees are also higher. If you’re already planning to take the IELTS or TOEFL, you can kill two birds with one stone. The Cambridge English Qualifications are particularly well-regarded in Europe, especially in Spain.
2. Official Language Schools (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas)
The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) is Spain’s official language school. The certificates it issues are recognized by universities and government agencies throughout Spain and are very cost-effective. The downside is that the course and exam schedules are quite fixed and may not be very flexible.
3. University’s Own Language Center Certification
Many Spanish universities have their own language centers (Centros de Idiomas) that offer language courses and exams, often based on ACLES standards. This is the option I personally recommend the most! The exams are usually a bit more manageable than IELTS or TOEFL, the fees are lower, and most importantly, a Spanish university certificate issued by your own university is guaranteed to be accepted by them. You can’t go wrong.
Common Exams and CEFR Level Correspondence Table
To give you a clearer picture, I’ve made a simple table comparing the scores of different exams to their corresponding CEFR levels. Please note, this is just a general reference; you must check your university’s specific score requirements!
| CEFR | Linguaskill | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|
| B1 | 140-159 | 4.0-5.0 | 42-71 |
| B2 | 160-179 | 5.5-6.5 | 72-94 |
| C1 | 180+ | 7.0-8.0 | 95-120 |
This English certificate is a hurdle you have to clear on your path to graduation. My advice is to first consider the exams offered by your own university’s language center, like a Master’s degree certificate from a Spanish university, as they are both convenient and affordable. If your major has particularly high English requirements, or if you plan to pursue further studies in another country, then investing in an IELTS or TOEFL score is also very worthwhile. I hope this post is helpful to everyone, and feel free to add your own insights or ask questions in the comments below! Wishing you all a smooth graduation
!
