I’ve recently seen many friends on the forums discussing their children’s education, especially regarding the choice of international schools. Speaking from experience, I want to talk about a very practical issue: after graduating from an international school in Spain, how do you apply to a local Spanish university? Many people assume that attending an international school means you can only apply to universities in the UK or the US. However, staying in Spain is an excellent option, and the application process is more straightforward than you might think.
Basically, for graduates of international schools who want to apply to public universities in Spain, there are two main pathways. One is the familiar route of taking the Spanish university entrance exam, known as Selectividad; the other is applying through credit recognition. Each path has its own pros and cons, suiting different types of students.
A Detailed Look at the Application Pathways
Pathway 1: Taking the PCE Exams
This can be understood as the “Spanish university entrance exam for extra points,” specifically designed for students from international curriculum systems. Students need to have their high school diploma and transcripts accredited through the UNEDasiss system, which converts their grades into a score on the Spanish scale (out of 10). If you’re aiming for popular universities or high-demand majors, this base score of 10 is often not enough. You’ll need to take the PCE exams to earn up to 4 additional points, aiming for a maximum total score of 14.
Pathway 2: Credit Recognition (Homologación)
If a student doesn’t plan to take the PCE exams, or if they feel their PCE results aren’t ideal, this is another option. Simply put, it involves having your international high school diploma officially recognized (homologado) as equivalent to a Spanish Bachillerato diploma. This process requires submitting an application to the Spanish Ministry of Education. Once approved, you can use your accredited grades to apply for university. However, be aware that this path is less competitive for popular majors, as you won’t have the extra points from the PCE, capping your maximum score at 10.
Here’s a simple comparison table to help you understand:
| Application Pathway | Pros | Cons | Best Suited For |
|---|
| Taking the PCE Exams | Can aim for the maximum 14 points, advantageous for popular majors | Requires extra preparation, can be stressful | High-achievers aiming for top universities and competitive programs |
| Credit Recognition | Simpler process, no extra exams required | Lower maximum score, less competitive | Students aiming for programs with lower entry scores or who want to avoid the hassle of exams |
Choosing the right path depends on your child’s academic level, target universities, and desired majors. My personal advice is that if your child is doing well academically and you want to leverage the advantages of international schools, it’s best to try for the PCE exams to give them a shot at a higher score. After all, competition for good universities and popular programs in Spain is quite fierce. I hope this information helps parents who are planning their child’s educational journey! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below to discuss.
