PCE Exam in Spain: How International Students Get Into Spanish Universities

If you or your child completed secondary education outside Spain and want to attend a Spanish university, you will likely need to take the PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) through the UNEDasiss system. This is how Spain evaluates international qualifications against the Spanish grading scale. The process is not difficult, but it requires planning and understanding of a system that is not well documented in English.

Last reviewed on February 15, 2026. UNEDasiss updates its procedures and subject lists annually. Check the official UNEDasiss website for the current academic year's requirements.

Clear promise

By the end of this guide you will understand what the PCE is, who needs it, which subjects to take, how to register, and how to prepare — including realistic timelines for students with limited Spanish.

Quick reality check

This path is relevant if:

• You hold a non-Spanish high school diploma (bachillerato or equivalent) and want to study at a Spanish public university.
• Your child is finishing secondary school abroad and plans to enroll in Spain.

This path is less relevant if:

• You are applying to a private university — many have their own admissions tests and may not require PCE.
• You are an EU citizen with an EU secondary qualification — you may have a simplified equivalence process, though PCE can still boost your admission score.
• You are applying for a postgraduate program — master's and doctoral programs have different admission criteria.

What is UNEDasiss?

UNEDasiss is the service run by UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia) that manages the evaluation of foreign secondary education credentials for university access in Spain.

It provides two things:

1. Credential evaluation (acreditación): Converts your foreign grades into the Spanish 0–10 scale. This gives you a base admission grade.
2. PCE exams: Optional subject-specific exams that can raise your admission grade above the base — essential for competitive programs like medicine, nursing, engineering, and architecture.

Who needs what?

If you just need basic university access

Your foreign diploma gets evaluated by UNEDasiss and converted to a Spanish grade. If that grade meets the minimum cutoff (nota de corte) for your desired program, you are in. Many programs at smaller universities have low cutoffs (5.0–6.0 out of 10).

If you need a competitive grade

Popular programs at top universities have cutoffs of 10–13+ (out of a maximum 14). To reach those scores, you need to take PCE exams, which can add up to 4 extra points to your base grade.

The formula

Your final admission grade is calculated as:

Base grade (0–10) from your foreign diploma evaluation + PCE bonus (0–4) from your best two qualifying subject exams = Final grade (0–14).

The PCE bonus for each subject is: (Subject grade × 0.1 or 0.2), depending on the weighting that each university assigns to that subject for each program.

Which subjects to take

UNEDasiss offers PCE exams in approximately 20 subjects, grouped by knowledge area:

Sciences and health

• Mathematics II
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

Social sciences and humanities

• Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences
• History of Spain
• Geography of Spain
• Economics
• History of Philosophy

Arts and languages

• Spanish Language and Literature
• English (Foreign Language)
• Latin
• History of Art

Key strategy

Choose subjects based on two factors:

1. What your target university weights at 0.2 (double value) for your program. Each university publishes weighting tables — a subject weighted at 0.2 adds twice as much to your grade as one weighted at 0.1.
2. What you can realistically score well in. A high grade in a 0.1 subject beats a mediocre grade in a 0.2 subject.

Most students take 2–4 PCE subjects. There is no penalty for registering for more and dropping one if preparation is not going well.

The registration process

Step 1: Create a UNEDasiss account

Go to unedasiss.uned.es and create an account. You will need your passport or ID number.

Step 2: Request credential evaluation

Upload your foreign secondary school diploma, transcripts, and any official translations. Pay the evaluation fee (approximately €100–€120).

Step 3: Register for PCE subjects

Select which exams you want to take. The registration fee is approximately €80–€100 per subject plus a base fee. Total costs for evaluation plus 2–3 subjects typically run €350–€500.

Step 4: Choose your exam location

PCE exams are held at UNED-affiliated centers in Spain and in many countries worldwide (including the US, UK, Brazil, and Morocco). Dates are typically in May/June, with some centers offering a September session.

Key deadlines (approximate — check annually)

• Registration opens: February/March
• Registration closes: April/May
• Exams: May/June (main session), September (extraordinary session)
• Results: July (main), October (extraordinary)
• University enrollment: July–September

Preparing for the PCE

Language requirements

Here is the reality that surprises many families: most PCE subjects must be taken in Spanish. There is no English-language option for subjects like Biology, History of Spain, or Mathematics.

The exceptions are limited — the Foreign Language exam is in the target language (English, French, etc.), and some scientific subjects may have formulas and notation that are language-neutral enough to manage with intermediate Spanish.

Realistic preparation with limited Spanish:

• If your Spanish is A1–A2, you need at least 6–9 months of intensive language study alongside subject preparation.
• If your Spanish is B1, you can likely prepare PCE subjects in 3–4 months with focused study.
• If your Spanish is B2+, focus on subject content. The exam language will not be a major barrier.

Subject preparation resources

• UNEDasiss publishes past exam papers on their website — study these to understand format and difficulty.
• Spanish academias in most cities offer PCE preparation courses. Prices range from €500–€2,000 for a multi-subject course.
• Online academias offer remote preparation, which is useful if you are still abroad. Search for "academia PCE online" — several established options exist.
• Spanish bachillerato textbooks cover the same content as PCE exams. For subjects like Biology or Chemistry, the standard 2º Bachillerato textbooks from publishers like Santillana, Anaya, or SM are good study materials.

History of Spain

This subject is particularly challenging for international students because it covers Spanish-specific content (Reconquista, Habsburg dynasty, Civil War, Transition to democracy) that is not taught in foreign schools. If your target program weights it at 0.2, invest extra preparation time. If it is weighted at 0.1 or not required, consider skipping it in favor of subjects you know better.

The homologación alternative

Separately from UNEDasiss, you may need to homologar (officially recognize) your foreign diploma as equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato. This is done through the Spanish Ministry of Education.

• Homologación is required for admission to Spanish universities if your country does not have a reciprocal recognition agreement with Spain.
• Processing time: 3–12+ months. The backlog is significant.
• You can start UNEDasiss and PCE while homologación is pending — but you must have the resolution before you can formally enroll.

Submit your homologación request as early as possible. It is the most common bottleneck.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Not checking university weighting tables. A subject that counts 0.2 at one university may count 0.1 or not count at all at another. Always check the specific weightings for your target program at your target university.
• Underestimating the language barrier. Even math exams have word problems in Spanish. Budget time for language preparation.
• Missing the registration deadline. UNEDasiss deadlines are firm. Set calendar reminders in January/February.
• Skipping the homologación. Some students assume UNEDasiss replaces homologación. It does not — you need both.
• Taking too many subjects. Quality over quantity. Two strong results add more than four mediocre ones.
• Not having documents apostilled. Your high school diploma and transcripts need an apostille for official use in Spain. Do this before you leave your home country.

Action plan: what to do this week

1. Check the UNEDasiss calendar for the current academic year's registration dates.
2. Look up the nota de corte for your target program at your target university. This tells you whether you need PCE at all.
3. If PCE is needed, check the university's weighting table for your program and choose your subjects strategically.
4. Start your homologación if you have not already — this is the slowest part of the process.
5. Assess your Spanish level honestly. If below B1, begin intensive Spanish classes immediately alongside subject preparation.
6. Download past PCE exam papers from the UNEDasiss website and do a practice run to gauge your starting point.

Related guides

• The Spanish Education System Explained for Expats
• Validating Foreign School Records for Enrollment in Spain
• Apostille vs Legalization for Spain Documents
• Sworn Translations for Spain Visas