DELE or SIELE: Spanish Certificates for University in Spain
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Spain has no single national rule on the level of Spanish a foreign student must prove. Each university decides, and most ask applicants from non-Spanish-speaking countries for B2. Two certificates are accepted practically everywhere: DELE and SIELE. Both are backed by the Instituto Cervantes.
DELE
DELE is the traditional diploma, issued on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education.
- You register for one level, from A1 to C2, and you either pass it or fail it.
- Exams are held on a few fixed dates a year at examination centres around the world.
- Results take around two to three months.
- The diploma never expires.
DELE suits applicants who plan ahead and want a certificate for life, for example because they may later apply for jobs or nationality in Spain.
SIELE
SIELE is a computer-based exam taken at an authorised centre.
- There is one multi-level exam. You cannot fail: you get a score for each skill, mapped to a level from A1 to C1.
- You choose the date with the centre, often at a few days' notice.
- Results arrive in about three weeks.
- The certificate is valid for five years.
- You can take the whole exam or only some of the skills. Universities normally want the complete exam, called SIELE Global.
SIELE suits applicants who are short of time or unsure whether they will reach B2: a strong B1 score is still a usable result, while a failed DELE B2 leaves you with nothing.
Which level do you need?
- B2 is the usual requirement for degrees taught in Spanish.
- C1 is asked for by some degrees with heavy language demands, such as medicine, law or journalism, at some universities.
- B1 is accepted by a few universities, sometimes with a compulsory Spanish course in the first year.
The requirement is published on the admission page of each university. It is separate from the access score: you still need the accreditation or exams described in how to get into a university in Spain.
Who does not need a certificate
Applicants who completed their schooling in Spanish are normally exempt. If you sit the specific competence tests (PCE) organised by UNED, note that they are held in Spanish, and UNEDasiss can also assess language competence as part of its accreditation. Read the instructions for your education system.
Catalan, Basque and Galician
Universities in Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country and Galicia teach part of their classes in the regional language. Admission does not require a certificate in it, but check the language of each group when you enrol. Many universities offer free courses for newcomers.
English-taught degrees
Our catalogue lists 100 degrees in Spain taught in English, most of them at private universities. They ask for an English certificate instead; see IELTS and TOEFL for European universities.
Where to look next
Official sources
- DELE: Instituto Cervantes
- SIELE: exam structure, centres and validity
- UNEDasiss: accreditation for international students
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.