FAQs - Admission and entry to university
I want to go to university in another EU country. The authorities there require me to take a language test first. Can they do that?
YES - the relevant authorities can require applicants to take a language test. But these rules should be applied proportionately, and it should be possible to make exceptions to take account of individual circumstances, e.g. if you have already lived or worked in a country using the relevant language.
I have a degree from the Netherlands and would like to continue my studies in Spain. However, the university I approached won't recognise my Dutch qualification as equivalent to the Spanish one normally required for admission to the course I want to take. Can you help?
POSSIBLY - national governments have sole responsibility for recognising academic qualifications. The European Commission can take action only if:
- a refusal to recognise a qualification constitutes discrimination on grounds of nationality
- disproportionately long or costly procedures can be interpreted as restricting your freedom of movement.
The ENIC-NARIC (a Europe-wide network for recognition of academic qualifications) centre in the host country may be able to help by contacting its opposite number in your country.
I've just completed my upper secondary schooling in my home country. Can I start university in another EU country without any experience of higher (tertiary) education in my home country?
What documents do I need to study in another EU country?
That depends on the country, the university and the course itself. As a general rule, you should have:
- the originals of all your relevant academic qualifications
- a CV (e.g. the Europass CV, which provides a template enabling you to present your educational background in a way that can be understood anywhere in Europe).