- With a Russian school certificate you need homologation to the Bachiller and an admission test[1].
- UNEDasiss calculates an access grade of up to 10 points: 0.6 of the school grade and 0.4 of the PCE exams; up to 14 at the admission stage[4]. Accreditation applications are accepted from 4 February to 1 December[5].
- Master's. A degree from outside the European Higher Education Area does not need homologation; the university checks the level itself[6].
- Fees. An undergraduate credit at public universities in Catalonia costs 17.69 € in 2026-2027. At the Universitat de Barcelona a master's for non-EU nationals with a study stay costs from 71 to 110 € per credit[7].
- Visa. A study stay requires enrolment for at least 90 % of the credits and paid tuition; you may work up to 30 hours a week[8].
How to enter a Spanish university with a Russian school certificate
Russia is not in the EU and has no reciprocity agreement with Spain, so additional provision 36 of the Education Act applies: the certificate is recognised as equivalent to the Spanish Bachiller and then you pass an admission test[1]. Only graduates from the EU, countries with a reciprocity agreement, the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate (IB) get in without the test[2]. For everyone else universities must set admission procedures[3].
If you have already studied at university, you can enter directly once a Spanish university has recognised at least 30 ECTS credits[2]. How to get your certificate recognised: recognition of school certificates in Spain.
UNEDasiss and the PCE entrance exams
Most foreigners take the test through UNEDasiss, a UNED service. The access grade goes up to 10 points: 0.6 of the average school grade and 0.4 of the PCE exams; at the admission stage, with specific subjects, you can reach up to 14 points[4]. Accreditation applications are accepted from 4 February to 1 December, and the 2026 PCE exams took place from 25 to 29 May and from 2 to 8 September[5]. We do not publish UNEDasiss fees for 2026-2027; check them on the UNED website.
A master's in Spain with a Russian degree
For a master's degree, a degree from outside the European Higher Education Area does not need homologation: the university checks that its level matches the Spanish one[6]. The university may require bridging courses, but not more than 20 % of the programme credits[6]. In detail: how to apply for a master's in Spain.
How much studying in Spain costs
Fees at public universities in Catalonia for 2026-2027 are set by Decret 96/2026[7]. Example of the Universitat de Barcelona:
| What | Price 2026-2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (grado), public universities in Catalonia | 17.69 € per credit | UB, Decret 96/2026[7] |
| One undergraduate year, 60 credits | 1,061.40 € before fees | Calculated from the credit price[7] |
| Master's at UB for residents | from 17.69 to 19.37 € per credit | UB[7] |
| Master's at UB for non-EU nationals with a study stay | from 71 to 110 € per credit | UB[7] |
Master's prices for foreigners may differ at other universities; check your university's website. How much money to show for the visa: funds for a study visa.
The study stay and the student visa
- Studies must be face-to-face or blended; outside universities at least 50 % of classes must be face-to-face[8].
- You must be enrolled for at least 90 % of the course credits[8].
- Language courses qualify for a study stay only at official language schools or centres accredited by the Instituto Cervantes[8].
- Tuition must be paid[8].
- In higher education you may work without a separate permit up to 30 hours a week, only in your autonomous community[8].
How to apply: student visa step by step, on work: working with a student permit, language courses: language courses and the study stay, after your studies: residence and work after studying.
How we can help
The ReloVictory team in Barcelona helps with the student visa and study stay: checking documents against consulate requirements, preparing the file and handling renewals. More: studying in Spain, prices: our fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter a Spanish university with a Russian school certificate?
Do I need to homologate my Russian degree for a master's?
How much does studying in Spain cost in 2026?
Can I work on a student visa in Spain?
Official sources
- BOE · Organic Law 2/2006 on Education, additional provision 36 ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 534/2024, university access, articles 6 and 7 ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 412/2014, university admission, article 9 ↗
- UNED · UNEDasiss: access grade for other education systems ↗
- UNED · UNEDasiss: application and PCE exam dates ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 822/2021, master's degrees, article 18 ↗
- Universitat de Barcelona · fees 2026-2027 (Decret 96/2026) ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 1155/2024, study stay, articles 52, 53, 57 ↗
Sources reviewed on 28.10.2026. Consolidated texts and government reference pages are for information only: applying the law depends on official publications, amendments and the specific circumstances. Reviewed by lawyer Francisco Romero Jiménez (ICAB 33641) on 28.10.2026.
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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 28.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.