Deadlines and intakes
The academic year runs from March to December. Public universities often start with an introductory or foundation cycle before the degree proper, and many have open admission rather than competitive exams, though this varies by university and faculty. Private universities set their own admissions.
Your school certificates must usually be legalised or apostilled and, for some universities, recognised through the Ministry of Education before enrolment. Allow several months for that, plus the consular appointment or the RaDEX process.
Language you need
Public university teaching is in Spanish, and most programmes expect you to follow lectures and write exams in Spanish from the start. The national certificate of Spanish proficiency is the CELU; check whether your university requires it or another proof of level. A few private universities and postgraduate programmes teach partly in English.
You do not need Spanish for the visa, but migration offices, landlords and any job will be in Spanish.