At the center of the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, sits one of the oldest universities in the world.
And the city and surrounding region of Galicia is a hugely popular tourist location.
Especially as it is the ultimate destination on a world-famous pilgrim route.
So it may not come as a surprise that it attracts large numbers of international students.
And for many of those students, choosing University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses is the start of their exciting learning journey.
Spanish Courses at the University of Santiago de Compostela take place in their specially designated Modern Language Centre (CLM).
This means students feel part of the university proper but are also suitably supported in the right environment.
But picking the right course for you is important.
So let’s look at the Spanish courses you can choose from at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
What University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses Can I Take?
Firstly, it’s important to understand how all the courses for international students are organized at USC.
So if you’d like to improve your Spanish language fluency, getting the right level of challenge and support is essential.
To make sure your learning is effective, all courses are based according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels.
And if that’s a new concept to you, it’s pretty simple:
You take a test just before your course and your level will indicate the best class for you to attend.
Here are the CEFR levels for you to check out!
| Basic User | Basic User | Independent User | Independent User | Proficient User | Proficient User |
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| You can understand and exchange familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases. | You can understand and exchange personal details relating to most people’s day-to-day life such as family, shopping, and location. | You can understand the main points of regularly encountered environments, such as school, work, or leisure activities. | You can understand the main ideas of more complex ideas including abstract topics or technical discussions in your specialism. | You can understand a wide range of demanding texts and recognise implicit as well as explicit meanings. | You can understand almost every kind of heard or read information and construct coherent arguments. |
If you look at the basic descriptors above, you may already be able to tell which level you are at.
All the courses are accredited by the prestigious Instituto Cervantes.
This means your teaching and learning experience is guaranteed to be of a high standard.
Now let’s look in more detail at the different courses on offer at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses
For international students learning Spanish as a foreign language, the Modern Language Center (CLM) offers two types of courses.
Semester Courses at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
The semester courses are naturally designed for those who want a longer-term approach which will help them develop their Spanish language fluency considerably.
Courses at CLM take a communicative approach to language learning. So if you choose this type of course you’ll be learning actively.
Students want to improve all aspects of their Spanish, so you should expect to improve both spoken and written communication.
This way, you can take further Spanish language courses to move up the CEFR levels or to prepare you for undergraduate study.
And you may want to continue your studies at the University of Santiago de Compostela or another Spanish university. If that’s the case, the semester course is the perfect fit for you.
Let’s look at the course details:
| Course | Course Dates | CEFR Level | Cost |
| Semester 1 | September to December | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 | On request |
| Semester 2 | February to May | A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 | On request |
Each semester you will undertake 100 hours of study. This will be 40 hours of face-to-face teaching and 60 hours of private study.
Classes take place Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays. And the class time is 1 hour and 30 minutes per session.
This way, you can either fit this course around your other studies or activities. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time left to explore the delightful city of Santiago or the wider region of Galicia.
Intensive Courses at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
You may have less time to study Spanish at the University of Santiago de Compostela. But you still want a great teaching and learning experience.
If that sounds like you, take an Intensive Course at the CLM.
Like the semester courses, you will be expected to study for 100 hours. This includes 40 hours of face-to-face teaching and 60 hours where you’re expected to work independently. But this time, the sessions are longer.
Each week you will take lessons totaling 6 hours in class. That’s two sessions of 3 hours per day. Each session is split into two classes of an hour and a half.
You can choose from sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Now, let’s look at the course details:
| Semester Time | Course Dates | CEFR Level | Cost |
| Semester 1 | September to October | A2, B1, B2, and C1 | On request |
| Semester 1 | November to December | A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 | On request |
| Semester 2 | February to March | A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 | On request |
| Semester 2 | April to May | A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 | On request |
What Should I Know Before Starting Any University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses?
Before taking University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses, you’ll need to be sorted into your CEFR level.
To do this you’ll need to register for a placement test, which can be done completely online. You don’t need to do the test if you are an A1-level student, though!
You will gain a course certificate at the end of your studies. But this is dependent on you attending 80% of your classes.
And you may receive your attainment certificate if you have taken the evaluation test for your CEFR level.
Course fees are available on request. But if you’d like help with finding out more or help enrolling on University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses, the Go! Go! España team can help.
Please contact us here for any queries to do with this course or if you’d like help with any aspect of studying and living in Spain.
What Certificates Could I Get at the End of My Studies at USC?
The Modern Languages Center (Centro de Lenguas Modernas) is a highly accredited examination center.
So, students can take the DELE (Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language) at the university.
And they can also take the SIELE IBT (International Spanish Language Evaluation Service).
If you are an international student who wants to continue your studies at undergraduate level or take a postgraduate degree, you may want a certificate to prove your language ability.
And if you haven’t got a DELE or equivalent certificate, you can take a B1 and B2 Spanish language certification exam which is organized by the CLM.
Studying abroad can be the most exciting time of your life.
And taking University of Santiago de Compostela Spanish Courses can be the gateway to that experience.
The Go! Go! team are passionate about encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and get a fresh perspective on Spanish life.
And you can do that by studying in Spain.
But we know it can be daunting when dealing with administration.
So if you would like to learn Spanish at the University of Santiago de Compostela please feel free to contact us for help with enrollment and accommodation.
