Calling all Central South University Alumni in Spain
!
Hello everyone! I wonder if there are any fellow alumni from Central South University on the forum? I came to Spain for my master’s degree right after finishing my bachelor’s and have been working in Madrid for over a year now. I ran into quite a few problems when I first arrived, especially with degree recognition and job hunting—it was a real struggle. Now that I have some free time, I thought I’d start a thread to share my experience. I hope it can be a useful reference for future students and help you all avoid the same pitfalls.
All About Degree Recognition
Key takeaway! If you’re planning to stay in Spain long-term, you’ll almost certainly need to get your bachelor’s degree from your home country officially recognized. This recognition process is divided into two types: Homologación and Equivalencia. The former is stricter and required for regulated professions, but for most fields, applying for Equivalencia is sufficient. The most crucial point: Make sure to get your diploma, degree certificate, and academic transcripts notarized and double-certified (legalized)
in China before you come to Spain
! Trying to get it done here is incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.
Recognition Process and Timeline
The entire process is quite long. It took me over a year to get the final result; it felt like I spent my youth just waiting. Here’s a general overview of the process and timeline I put together to give you an idea of what to expect:
| Step (More on graduating from Spanish universities
) | Main Tasks | Approx. Time |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Preparation in China | Notarization and double certification of diploma, degree, and transcripts | 1-2 Months |
| Translation in Spain | Find a sworn/official translator in Spain | 1-2 Weeks |
| Application Submission | Submit documents to the Spanish Ministry of Universities | 1 Day |
| The Long Wait | Official review; may require submitting additional documents | 9-18 Months |
On Job Hunting in Spain
Getting your residency and degree recognition is just the first step; finding a job is the real challenge. For non-EU citizens, language is the primary barrier, followed by the work permit. Even for those of us who have gone through the process of graduating from a Spanish university, this remains true. Honestly, unless you’re an IT guru or have a very rare skillset, it’s quite difficult to land an ideal full-time job right after graduation. Don’t think you can just come here and coast; the reality is pretty harsh. I recommend starting with an internship, as many companies are willing to give interns a chance. Besides being a great experience after the official Spanish university graduation ceremonies, an internship is a crucial pathway to securing a full-time offer. Make good use of LinkedIn and InfoJobs, be proactive in your applications, and also actively participate in offline events. Networking is extremely important.
From my university days on Lushan South Road to my new life in Madrid, the journey has been full of challenges. But the Spanish sun, food, and relaxed pace of life have been truly healing. Every small step forward makes all the effort feel worthwhile. I hope my ramblings are helpful to you all. I also welcome other alumni in Spain to join the conversation, share experiences, and support each other!
