Accessing university from British schools offers an alternative and advantageous pathway for students following this educational model. In Spain, this system allows entry into Spanish universities without sitting the full EBAU exams, taking advantage of the benefits of a globally recognised international qualification.
As a British school in Madrid, we know every detail of this process and would like to share all the key information to ensure your child’s smooth transition into higher education.
Requirements for university entry from British schools
Before starting the process, it is important to understand which academic requirements your child must meet to move from the British system into Spanish higher education.
A-Levels: equivalence with the EBAU and minimum grades
A-Levels form the core of the British curriculum and are fully recognised in Spain. To gain admission to Spanish universities, your child must:
- Successfully complete at least three A-Level subjects during the final two school years.
- Achieve grades between A* (highest) and E (pass).
- Have previously passed a sufficient number of GCSEs/IGCSEs.
The great advantage: students from British schools do not take the full EBAU/EvAU exams. Their A-Level grades are converted directly to a 0–10 scale to calculate their University Entrance Grade (Calificación de Acceso a la Universidad – CAU).
Essential documentation
To begin the admission process, you will need to submit:
- Original A-Level certificates.
- GCSE/IGCSE certificates where applicable.
- DNI, NIE or passport.
- Official UNEDasiss application form.
Thanks to the agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom after Brexit, it is usually not necessary to legalise documents or have qualifications officially recognised. However, it is advisable to check with each university whether sworn translations of academic documents are required.
How the UNEDasiss system works for British students
The Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), through its UNEDasiss service, manages the entire university access process for students from the British education system.
Access Credential without Selectividad: requirements and procedures
The Access Credential acts as the key that opens university doors for your child. To obtain it, you must:
- Register on the official UNEDasiss website.
- Upload documents proving completion of the British education system.
- Pay the required processing fees.
- Indicate the universities and degree programmes of interest.
This credential certifies your child’s eligibility for higher education in Spain based on their British qualifications, exempting them from the Selectividad exams required for students in the Spanish system.
Conversion of A-Level grades to the Spanish system
UNEDasiss converts British grades to the Spanish grading scale through a transparent process:
- Grades A*, A, B, C, D and E are mapped to a 0–10 scale.
- This calculation determines the student’s university entrance score (CAU).
- The maximum CAU in this first phase is 10 points.
This conversion follows official equivalence tables that align British and Spanish grades, ensuring a fair and consistent process for all students.
Improving your admission score: keys to standing out
For certain highly competitive degree programmes, a score out of 10 is not enough. Here’s how your child can enhance their chances of admission.
Specific Competency Tests (PCE)
Your child’s CAU (maximum of 10 points) will grant access to many degree courses. However, some of the most competitive programmes have cut-off marks (the score of the last admitted student from the previous year) above 10. To be eligible for these places, the final admission score must reach up to 14 points.
The Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE) make this possible. These exams assess specific subjects from the Spanish Bachillerato curriculum and are also organised by UNEDasiss. Passing them allows students to add up to 4 extra points to their CAU (a maximum of 2 points per exam). Students typically take two PCEs. The main exam sessions take place in May/June, with an additional opportunity in September.The school prepares a wide variety of PCEs so that students can earn these 4 extra points.
Strategies for the PCE
Success in the PCE exams depends on a good strategy. It is not enough to pass; you have to choose wisely. Select PCE subjects related to your desired university degree. Also, check that the universities you are interested in give them a high weighting (a weight of 0.2), as not all PCEs are weighted at two points. Universities publish tables with these coefficients for each degree. Choose two subjects with a weighting of 0.2 to maximise your score (PCE mark x 0.2 = extra points). Look up these tables on university websites. To help students prepare, the school dedicates several periods per week in the last two years, Year 12 and 13, to preparing for these PCEs.
Steps to access university from British schools
Here’s a complete roadmap divided into four consecutive stages to guide you through the entire process.
Step 1: Complete A-Levels and validate your academic profile
Your child must first successfully complete their British studies:
- Obtain the best possible grades in A-Levels.
- Ensure they meet the minimum requirements (generally 3 passed A-Levels).
- Check if proof of Spanish language proficiency (B1 or B2) is required by the university.
Keep in mind that A-Level subject choices can influence future university options, so it is advisable to plan ahead.
Step 2: Apply for the UNEDasiss Credential (deadlines and documentation)
This phase requires special attention to the deadlines set, but you should not worry because the school manages everything from start to finish:
- We have all the necessary documentation, and if there is anything else we need, we will ask you for it in advance.
- Tenemos toda la documentación necesaria y, si necesitamos algo más, se lo pediremos con antelación.
- We will pay the fees within the established period and then charge you for them on your quarterly invoice.
You do not need to worry about anything, as the school is in constant contact with the UNED to manage your children’s enrolment in the PCE exams.
Step 3: Take the PCE exams to improve your admission score
If your child aspires to pursue highly sought-after degrees at public universities, we will do the following:
- We will enrol you in the PCE exams for strategically chosen subjects.
- We will ensure that you are prepared in accordance with the Spanish syllabus during the last two years of secondary school: Years 12 and 13.
- We will provide transport so that you can attend the examinations on the assigned date and at the assigned centre.
- These examinations are usually held in May and September.
Although PCEs are optional, we strongly recommend them in order to gain admission to degree programmes with high cut-off marks at public universities.
Step 4: Obtain your admission score and pre-register at universities
Finally, with the Access Credential and the PCE results (if taken):
- The final admission mark is calculated (CAU + PCE weightings).
- Pre-enrolment at the chosen universities is formalised within the deadline.
- The specific procedures for enrolment at each centre must be followed.
- The status of the application is reviewed periodically.
Universities will publish their lists of admitted students according to their own timetables.
As we have seen, the path is well defined. With clear information and planning, accessing university from British schools is a perfectly manageable process for your family. Solid academic preparation, combined with knowledge of these procedures, will make it easier for your children to successfully enter higher education in Spain.
References:
- Escuela PCE. (s.f.). La Apostilla de la Haya para estudiar en España. https:// escuelapce.com/que-es-la-apostilla-de-la-haya/
- GOV.UK. (s.f.). Acuerdo entre el Reino Unido y España sobre el acceso a la educación superior: preguntas frecuentes. GOV.UK. https:// gov.uk/government/news/uk-spain-agreement-on-co-operation-and-higher-education-access-questions-and-answers.es
- Montessori British. (s.f.). International A Levels. Montessori British. https:// montessoribritish.com/a-levels-ks5/
- UNEDasiss. (s.f.). FAQs. UNEDasiss. https:// unedasiss.uned.es/faqs
