As a future student in Spain, you have probably realized that you will have to prove your level of Spanish.
Only one organization can issue an official Spanish language certificate: the Instituto Cervantes.
We strongly advise you to do so, as having a certificate of your Spanish language level will often facilitate your admission process to study in Spain.
Your level of Spanish will range from A (lowest level) to C (highest level).
If you would like to find out more about these levels, evaluate your current level...
You have 3 options for obtaining certification of your Spanish level for studying in Spain:
- Two are external through the Instituto Cervantes (DELE and SIELE)
- the third is a test organized by the universities themselves.
- This diploma is issued by the Instituto Cervantes, on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education.
- It has the advantage of not having an expiration date.
- The exam consists of 4 tests: written comprehension, written expression, oral comprehension, oral expression.
- The examination centers can be consulted at examenes Cervantes and you can register directly with the center you have chosen. Some centers allow online registration on their website.
- You must register for a specific level (A1-A2-B1-B2-C1-C2): be careful to make the right choice when you register because, if you fail the exam, you will not obtain a certificate for a level other than the one presented. You will either pass or fail.
- There are 8 sessions per year. You will find the dates on this link.
- Registration is done at the latest one month before the exam. The results are obtained approximately 3 months after the exam.
- The price is between 100 euros and 200 euros and varies according to the level presented.
- Once you have registered, practice with the exams from previous sessions
- This certificate is issued by the Instituto Cervantes.
- The exam consists of 4 tests: reading comprehension, written expression-interaction, listening comprehension, oral expression-interaction.
- The examination centers in France can be consulted on this link.
- Registration, examination, results and certificate are only available from a computer.
- You will not register for a specific level (A1-A2-B1-B2-C1-C2). You will obtain a result on each of the 4 tests. Your result may vary from one test to another.
- The number of sessions varies according to the organizing examination center.
- The results are obtained approximately 3 weeks after the exam.
- The rate (2021) is 165 euros.
- Once registered you have access to preparation modules
- Some of our partner language schools are test centers! Ask them about it! You can find their contact information on our Spanish language preparation page.
- Some universities organize their own test for all students who complete an admission process.
- Other universities offer their own test for students who do not have the DELE or SIELE.
- These tests are sometimes performed on site, sometimes performed online.
- We advise students to take the tests on site because it is often difficult to adapt to the technical constraints and therefore to take the university tests in good conditions. The result can then be lower than the real level.
DELE or SIELEWhat are the differences and which exam to choose?
How do you certify your Spanish level depending on the university you choose?
Since each university has its own admission process, each university will accept different ways of certifying the level of Spanish.
This information is fundamental to your admission process if you are planning to study in Spain.
- IED - School of Design:
B2 certified by the DELE or SIELE - ESIC - Business school specialized in marketing:
B2 certified by the DELE or SIELE.
If you wish to study in English, you must also prove a B2 level in English by providing an official English language diploma. - ESADE - School of business, finance, law:
B2 certified by the DELE or SIELE.
If you wish to study in English, you must also prove a B2 level in English by providing an official English language diploma. - UAX - Dental, Physiotherapy, Veterinary, Architecture, Podiatry, Business, Pharmacy, Engineering... :
A Spanish test is organized by the university and is taken at the same time as the other entrance tests, on campus MUST be taken during the open days. A B1 level is required for the UAX test and even C1 for medicine.
Students who have the DELE or SIELE, attesting to at least a B1 level, also take this test but this may allow them, if they wish, to be exempted from the 3-week pre-entry Spanish course. These 3 weeks of Spanish classes are MANDATORY for all those who were not able to present a diploma or official certificate issued by the Instituto Cervantes, regardless of the result obtained in the UAX Spanish test. - Nebrija - Physiotherapy, engineering, architecture, business... :
B2 certified by DELE or SIELE or university test. - EMU - Dental, physiotherapy, audioprosthesis, architecture, engineering, business, pharmacy... :
Whatever the level required (B1 or B2 depending on the course) in Spanish or English, it is the university that evaluates the students.
- U-TAD - Creation of video games, cartoons... :
B1 minimum attested by the DELE or SIELE B2 is recommended. - UEV - translation/interpretation, dentistry, physiotherapy, architecture... :
the university evaluates the students. Level B1 or B2 required depending on the chosen bachelor degree - UEC - Kiné, architecture, tourism:
it is the university that evaluates the students.
There are many technical problems with the distance tests, if you travel to the Canary Islands to visit the university, take advantage of the opportunity to take your language tests (English + Spanish tests MANDATORY, no matter what language you choose) on the UEC computers. - UFV - Kine, pharmacy, engineering, communication, architecture... :
B1 minimum attested by DELE or SIELE mandatory. - CEU San Pablo - Physiotherapy, architecture, journalism... :
B1 minimum certified by DELE or SIELE or university test. B2 is recommended. An interview can be conducted to confirm this level.
If you wish to apply to a university that we have not selected
please contact us directly so that we can provide you with the details.
Where can I take a test to find out my level of Spanish?
Most language schools that offer Spanish courses can and will give you a test as a prerequisite to enrolling in a course.
You will find the ones that several of our students have already worked with on this link.
You will also find at this link an access to the online test of the Instituto Cervantes (the public Spanish language school), which although a little optimistic, gives a fairly reliable indication of your level of Spanish.
