If you completed secondary education outside of Spain and want to continue your studies, validating your diploma is the first step. Follow this simple process to have your academic experience officially recognized.
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Scholarships & Facilitations
Planning to study in Spain? Here's how to get your foreign high school diploma recognized
Date
03 September 2025
Validating Foreign Non-University Studies Is Essential to Access Higher Education in Spain, Including the Programs Offered by the stituto Europeo di Design.
This process officially recognizes foreign diplomas and certificates such as Secondary Education, High School (Bachillerato), Vocational Training, as well as Artistic or Sports Education.
The application is primarily completed online through the Ministry of Education's Electronic Office (Sede Electrónica). You just need to fill out the application form, gather your documentation (diplomas, certificates, official translations, and legalizations if required), and pay the corresponding fee. Then, you’ll submit everything to the appropriate office—either in Spain or at a Spanish embassy.
If you don’t want to wait to begin your studies, you can request a conditional enrollment certificate (volante de inscripción condicional), which allows you to enroll while your validation is being processed—an excellent option so that nothing delays your academic journey.
At IED Madrid, we recommend starting the process early, as the resolution can take up to three months. To make things easier, be sure to visit the Ministry's official website where you will find all the details you need.
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