At PCE Spanish School, many international students ask us the same question when they want to study in Spain: “What are PCEs and do I need them to get into university?”
Doubt is normal. If you are coming from another educational system and wish to enroll in a Spanish university, you may need to present academic documentation, request accreditation, and in some cases, take the PCE, which stands for Specific Competency Tests. These tests are related to the system UNEDasiss, a service of UNED that helps international students in the process of access and admission to Spanish universities. UNEDasiss allows requesting accreditations and taking exams such as the PCE, depending on the student's profile and the requirements of the destination university.
In this guide, we explain what PCEs are, what they are used for, who should take them, which subjects you can choose, and how to prepare if you also need to improve your Spanish to study in Spain.
What are PCEs?
PCE, or Specific Competency Tests, These are subject exams that international students can take to gain admission to a Spanish university or improve their admission score.
These tests are part of UNEDasiss services and are designed to assess specific knowledge in subjects related to the university degree the student wishes to study. UNEDasiss includes the PCE within its exams section and offers official information on subjects, calls, centers, rules, and reviews.
Simply put, many people know them as a type of selectivity for international students, although technically they are not exactly the same as the Spanish EvAU/EBAU.
What are PCEs used for?
The PCEs are mainly for improving admission to a Spanish university. Depending on your country of origin, your previous studies, and the university you wish to attend, you may need to take certain subjects to meet requirements or improve your grade.
In many cases, it's not enough to want to study in Spain: you have to check what each university requires, what degree you want to study, and which subjects weigh more for that career.
For example, a student who wants to study Medicine, Engineering, Psychology, Economics, or Communication may need to prepare different subjects. Therefore, before choosing subjects, It is important to review the admission requirements for the university and the specific degree. UNEDasiss indicates that the choice of subjects depends on the educational system of origin and the admission requirements established by the destination university.
Who should take the PCE?
PCEs are usually aimed at international students who have completed studies equivalent to high school outside of Spain and want to gain access to university studies at a Spanish university.
However, not all students need exactly the same tests. The process depends on several factors:
- The country where you studied.
- The original education system.
- The type of high school diploma or degree you have.
- The Spanish university you want to access.
- The degree you want to study.
- The admission note you need.
That's why one of the keys is not to prepare for the PCE “blindly.” The recommended approach is to first analyze your case and then choose a subject strategy.
What is the relationship between PCE and UNEDasiss?
UNEDasiss is the system through which many international students apply for the accreditation necessary to access Spanish universities. Through this service, students can apply for various procedures related to university access and, among them, take the Specific Competencies Tests. UNEDasiss allows you to request accreditation online, and the request must be paid for it to be processed.
Simply put: UNEDasiss is the accreditation and management system. PCEs are the subject-specific exams you may need as part of that process.
What subjects can be chosen for the PCE?
The PCEs are organized by subject. The offerings may include subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Spanish History, Language, Economics, Geography, Technical Drawing, or other subjects, depending on the call and the official UNEDasiss offering.
You can take a maximum of six courses for the PCE, with the minimum being whatever the host university specifies. The choice of these courses depends on the original educational system and the admission requirements of the university where you wish to begin your studies.
How to choose PCE subjects?
Choosing subjects is one of the most important decisions. From PCE Spanish, we always warn about this. It's not always best to choose the subjects that seem easiest. The smartest choice is to pick those that best fit with:
- The university degree you want to study.
- The university's weights.
- Your academic background.
- Your Spanish level.
- The time you have to prepare.
For example, if you want to study a Health Science major, you might be interested in subjects like Biology or Chemistry. If you want to study Engineering, you might need to prepare for Mathematics or Physics. If your goal is a career in Social Sciences, Economics, History, or Applied Mathematics might be more useful.
Ask us and we'll help you put together the best configuration for your university access.
When are the PCE exams?
PCEs usually have two main calls per year: an ordinary session in May/June and an extraordinary session in September. Can you look into the call for applications? on this page.
Important advice on dates
It's not advisable to wait until the last minute. Besides preparing for exams, you have to review documentation, accreditation, courses, the host university, and admission deadlines. At PCE Spanish School, we recommend starting preparation with plenty of time, especially if the student also needs to improve their academic Spanish.
What level of Spanish do I need to prepare for the PCE?
This is a very important part, and one where we are experts. The PCEs are not just content exams. For many international students, they are also a linguistic challenge. Even if you know the subject in your own language, you need to understand statements, explain concepts, write answers, and study academic materials in Spanish. Therefore, if your Spanish level is still low, preparing for the PCEs can be more difficult. The ideal scenario is to work on both at the same time:
- General Spanish.
- Academic Spanish.
- Subject-specific vocabulary.
- Understanding of statements.
- Examination techniques.
- Clear and organized writing.
This is where a combined course can make a difference: it's not just about studying Math, History, or Biology, but about learning to answer correctly in Spanish. The idea is, first, to achieve an acceptable level of reading comprehension. Then, to advance in writing and conversation.
What level of Spanish do universities require?
Many universities require a certified B2 level. This means that before you take the exams, you must have submitted the documentation proving this level. The usual approach is to prepare for the SIELE, which is recognized by Spanish universities and issued by the Cervantes Institute. There are other certifications that are valid, but they are usually exceptional.
Regardless of whether it's requested as a requirement, having a minimum B2 level is the basic foundation for understanding university classes, communicating with professors and classmates, and ultimately enjoying the college experience.
How to prepare for the PCE if you are an international student
Preparing for the PCE requires planning. It's not enough to study hard: you have to study the right things.
- Define what degree you want to study. The first step is to know which degree you want to pursue in Spain. Preparing for the PCE for Medicine, Engineering, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or Communication is not the same.
- Review the university requirements. Each university may have different criteria. UNEDasiss offers informative guidance about universities and reminds you that requirements can be updated, so it is always advisable to check the official information of your target university.
- Choose your subjects wisely. The choice of subjects can directly affect your admission grade. That's why it's important to choose subjects that weigh well for your degree and that you can prepare for with confidence.
- Evaluate your Spanish level. If you need to improve your Spanish, start as soon as possible. A good level of comprehension and expression will help you study better and answer the exam with more confidence.
- Follow a study plan. Organize a realistic calendar with theory, practice, simulations, and error review. The preparation should be tailored to your goals and available time.
Spanish Course and PCE Preparation at PCE Spanish School
At PCE Spanish School, we help international students who want to study in Spain and need to prepare for the Specific Competencies Tests. Our course combines Spanish language instruction with the academic preparation necessary to face these exams. This way, students not only learn subject matter content but also improve their ability to understand, study, and respond in Spanish.
We recommend you watch the Spanish courses + University access what we have prepared.
What did we cover in the course?
In our course, we can help you to:
- Improve your Spanish level.
- Understand academic texts and statements.
- Prepare PCE subjects according to your university objective.
- Organize a study plan.
- Practice exercises and exam models.
- Resolve doubts about the process of accessing Spanish universities.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for international students who want to gain admission to a Spanish university and need comprehensive preparation: language, content, guidance, and practice.
Common Errors When Preparing the PCE
Many students begin preparing for PCEs without a clear strategy. Here are some common mistakes:
- Choosing subjects without reviewing weightings. Not all subjects have the same value for all grades. Choosing poorly can lead to you studying a lot, but not improving your admission score as much as you hoped.
- Start too late. PCEs take time. If you also need to improve your Spanish, it's advisable to start several months in advance.
- Study theory only. Exams require practice. It's important to do exercises, practice tests, and learn time management.
- Don't work on academic Spanish. You can know a subject, but if you don't understand the statements well or don't know how to express the answer in Spanish, your performance can drop.
Conclusion: PCEs are a gateway to Spanish universities.
Specific Competency Tests are a key part of the process for many international students who want to study in Spain.
Preparing them well involves much more than memorizing content. You need to choose your subjects correctly, know the university's requirements, organize a study plan, and in many cases, improve your academic Spanish.
At PCE Spanish School, we can help you prepare for this path with a course designed for international students who want to learn Spanish and access Spanish universities.
Frequently Asked Questions about PCEs
- PCE stands for "Private Consumption Expenditure." PCE stands for Specific Competencies Exams. These are subject-specific exams that international students can take to access Spanish universities or improve their admission score.
- Are PCEs mandatory for all international students? Not always. It depends on the original education system, the Spanish university you want to attend, and the degree you want to study. That's why it's important to review each case.
- The PCE is organized by the Spanish Communist Party. The PCE are part of the UNEDasiss system, managed by the UNED, which offers accreditation and examination services for international students who wish to study in Spain.
- How many PCE subjects can I take? According to the official UNEDasiss offer, students can take PCE exams for a maximum of 6 subjects, with 4 being the usual number to prepare for, although students from educational systems with agreements only have to take 2.
- When are the PCEs? There are two calls for applications: one in May/June and another in September.
- What subjects should I choose for the PCE? It depends on the degree you want to study, the university of destination, the weightings, and your academic profile. It is recommended to seek guidance before choosing.
- Do I need to know Spanish to take the PCE? Yes, especially for understanding statements, studying academic materials, and drafting responses.
- Does PCE Spanish School prepare for these exams? Yes. At PCE Spanish School, we offer training for international students who want to improve their Spanish and prepare for the PCE to access university in Spain.
