Studying in Spain: bac homologation, public universities and visa

Architecture, design, business, tourism, health sciences, agronomy: Spain has an excellent reputation in many fields, moderate fees at public universities and a cost of living more accessible than in France or the United Kingdom. But access to public universities follows a specific route for non-European bac holders. Here is how to study in Spain from Tunisia.

Why Spain?

• Public universities with moderate fees, often from a few hundred euros per year depending on the region and programme.

• Renowned private schools and universities, notably in business and design.

• A growing number of English-taught programmes, especially at master's level and in business.

• A reasonable cost of living, particularly outside Madrid and Barcelona.

• The right to work during your studies, within the limits set by law.

Public or private: two different routes

• Private universities and schools: direct application, often based on your file and an interview. The route is simpler and faster.

• Public universities: you must have the Tunisian bac recognised and obtain an access grade, then take part in pre-enrolment alongside Spanish students.

Step 1: homologation of the bac

The homologation of the Tunisian bac to the Spanish título de Bachiller is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education. It requires:

• the bac diploma and the transcripts from the last years of secondary school, legalised;

• their official translation into Spanish;

• payment of a fee.

The procedure can be long (several months). A proof of submission generally allows you to continue the procedures while waiting for the decision. Start it as soon as you obtain your bac, or even prepare the documents during your final year.

Step 2: UNEDasiss accreditation and the access grade

For public universities, foreign applicants generally go through UNEDasiss, the service of the Spanish distance-learning university (UNED) that issues an accreditation with your access grade, calculated from your bac grades.

To raise this grade and access selective programmes, you can take the PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas), subject-specific exams held in spring and summer, sometimes at centres abroad. This is the equivalent, for foreign students, of the famous selectividad.

Step 3: pre-enrolment

With your accreditation, you submit your pre-enrolment (preinscripción) to the public universities of your chosen region, generally at the beginning of summer, ranking your choices in order of preference. Admissions are based on the access grade and the number of places.

High-demand programmes (medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, architecture, some engineering degrees) require high grades: the PCE are then essential.

Language

• Spanish-taught programmes: a B2 level is often required (DELE or SIELE).

• English-taught programmes: IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent.

For the visa, proof of proficiency in the language of instruction may be requested.

Step 4: the study visa

With your admission, you apply for the study stay visa at the Spanish consulate. Usual documents:

• admission letter;

• proof of funds for the entire stay, calculated from a Spanish reference indicator;

• health insurance covering the stay with no deductible;

• medical certificate;

• criminal record extract, legalised and translated (for adults);

• proof of accommodation in some cases.

On arrival, you apply for your foreigner identity card (TIE).

What budget should you plan?

• Public universities: fees set by each region, from a few hundred to a few thousand euros per year depending on the programme; some regions apply different rates to non-EU students.

• Private universities: from a few thousand to more than €10,000 per year depending on the institution.

• Daily life: generally allow €700 to €1,100 per month, more in Madrid and Barcelona.

Recommended timeline

• During your final year: choice of programmes, preparation of documents to be legalised.

• Right after the bac: homologation application, UNEDasiss accreditation.

• Spring – summer: PCE if needed, then pre-enrolment.

• Summer: admission, visa, housing.

For private universities, the timeline is more flexible, often with several admission rounds during the year.

Fields where Spain excels

• Architecture and design: internationally renowned schools and universities.

• Business and management: major business schools in Madrid and Barcelona, prominent in the rankings.

• Tourism and hospitality: a major sector of the Spanish economy.

• Health sciences: very selective in the public sector.

• Agronomy and food science: recognised programmes.

• Arts, audiovisual and communication.

Choosing your city

• Madrid and Barcelona: the largest offer, international life, expensive housing.

• Valencia, Seville, Granada, Salamanca: very lively student cities, more affordable.

• Zaragoza, Murcia, Alicante, Málaga: a good compromise between university offer and cost of living.

As public university fees are set by each region, your choice of city also affects the cost of your studies.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• transcripts from the last years of secondary school and the bac diploma, legalised or apostilled;

• official translations into Spanish;

• valid passport;

• criminal record extract (bulletin n° 3), legalised and translated;

• medical certificate;

• proof of funds;

• language certificate (DELE, SIELE or IELTS depending on the programme).

Start the legalisations as soon as you obtain your bac: this is the step that determines the homologation and therefore everything that follows.

Key takeaway: for Spanish public universities, everything starts with the homologation of the bac. Start it as soon as you obtain your diploma, then go through UNEDasiss and, if needed, the PCE. Private institutions remain a faster alternative.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose between public and private, start the homologation, obtain the accreditation and prepare for the PCE, then put together the visa file. See our page Studying in Spain and our guide Equivalence of the Tunisian diploma abroad.

👉 Fees and dates vary by region and university: talk to an advisor for a Spain plan tailored to your profile.