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Studies & Degrees in Spanish for foreigners

Spanish for foreigners, also called Spanish as a foreign language (in Spanish: español como lengua extranjera, ELE), is the teaching of Spanish to people whose first language is something else. It is not a degree subject in the usual sense. It is a language course, taken for anything from two weeks to several months, at a private language school or at a university language centre.

Courses are organised by the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 for beginners to C2. Students work on reading, listening, writing and speaking, and many schools add classes on culture, literature, history or business Spanish. The Universidad de Salamanca, for example, complements its language teaching with subjects such as literature, culture, business Spanish, history, cinema and art.

Course types and levels

  • Intensive courses. Classes every weekday for a set number of weeks. Speakeasy BCN in Barcelona describes its Intensive 20h course as four hours each morning. The Centro Superior de Idiomas de la Universidad de Alicante runs intensive courses of four weeks and 60 hours per level, all year round, in 12 levels from A1 to C2.
  • Semester and long-term courses. Fewer hours a week over several months, suited to people who also work or study. The Alicante centre offers a semester course of four hours a week and 60 hours in total. Speakeasy BCN has long-term courses built for stays of four months or more, with student-visa support.
  • University courses. The Universidad de Salamanca offers courses of two, three, four, six and ten weeks at all levels. The Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC Barcelona) lists Spanish courses from A1.1 to B2 for its international students.
  • Exam preparation. Courses for the DELE and SIELE exams, offered for instance by Speakeasy BCN.
  • Teacher training. Courses for future and practising teachers of Spanish as a foreign language, such as those of the Universidad de Salamanca.

Some university centres attach ECTS credits to their courses: in Alicante, an intensive level of 60 hours is equivalent to 6 ECTS credits. Whether your home university accepts those credits is its own decision, so ask before you enrol.

Certificates: DELE and SIELE

A course certificate from a school shows attendance and level. For an official proof of level there are two main options.

  • DELE. The Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera are official qualifications awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education. There is a diploma for each CEFR level from A1 to C2, the general exams are for candidates aged 16 and over, and the diploma has indefinite validity.
  • SIELE. A fully digital exam backed by the Instituto Cervantes, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires. It tests reading, listening, writing and speaking, and results arrive within a maximum of three weeks.

The DELE also matters for people who settle in Spain: applicants for Spanish nationality by residence must pass the DELE at level A2 or higher and the CCSE test on the Spanish constitution and society.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 27 schools under this subject. Of these, 22 are in Spain, and there is one each in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Germany. In Spain they are found in large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and Zaragoza, in university towns such as Salamanca, Granada, Alicante and Valladolid, and in smaller places such as Jerez de la Frontera, Palma de Mallorca and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Classes are taught in Spanish from the first day.

How to choose and what it costs

Prices depend on the hours per week and the length of the course. As examples from the schools' own sites in October 2026: Speakeasy BCN lists its Intensive 20h course from €157 per week, and the Alicante centre charges €575, books included, for its 60-hour semester course in 2026-27. Compare these points:

  • Hours of class per week and the number of students per group
  • Whether the school is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes; accredited centres pass an evaluation that is repeated every three years
  • Whether it prepares for, or is an exam centre for, DELE or SIELE
  • Accommodation options and help with a student visa for long courses

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know some Spanish before I start?

No. Courses start at level A1 for complete beginners, and schools place students by level, usually with a test.

What is the difference between DELE and SIELE?

The DELE is an official diploma for one chosen level, with indefinite validity. The SIELE is a digital exam taken by appointment at an exam centre, with results within three weeks.

How long is a Spanish course?

From two weeks to several months. The Universidad de Salamanca offers courses of two to ten weeks, and the intensive courses in Alicante last four weeks per level.

Do Spanish courses give university credits?

Some university language centres state an ECTS value for their courses, for example 6 ECTS credits for a 60-hour level in Alicante. Recognition depends on your home university.