Each country has a different educational system. This means that if we want to study in another country we must equate the courses, degrees or studies obtained in Costa Rica with those of the destination country, in this case Spain. This equivalence process is called homologation or validation, and that is what we are going to explain in this post: how to homologate studies.
Who needs to obtain homologation to study in Spain?
All persons wishing to study outside of Costa Rica, whether to continue their studies or begin new ones, must validate their previous qualifications. This process is mandatory and necessary, in addition to other requirements that may be requested for Studying in Spain as a Costa RicanEven if we have no intention of studying, it is ideal to have the homologation in case we are asked for it in the future for a job or public competition in Spain.
What steps must be taken to homologate or validate Costa Rican studies?
The first thing to do is to know what is necessary to gain admission to the institution we want in Spain. Therefore, if it is a question of secondary or high school studies, The main thing is to finish high school and begin the process. In the case of university procedures, there are several options, depending on whether or not we have finished the degree. If we have finished it, the procedure is the same as for high school. In case we have not finished it and we want to continue our studies in Spain, there are 4 options:
1. Validate studies through recognition of subjects.
2. Take the university entrance exams and start from the beginning.
3. Validate and submit the entrance exams.
4. Access a private university.
You can learn more about these options and the advantages and benefits in each case in the post about How to continue studies in Spain from our colleagues at PCE School.
What documentation is required to validate studies?
- Original and certified copy of the title, in addition to having the Hague Apostille.
- Original and certified copy of the study plan or certificate, which includes the course grades, in addition to having the Hague Apostille.
- Certified copy of passport or document.
- Payment of fees for Form 079
- Fill out the Application Form for each case. If it is for college o non-university (high school and below)
Costa Rican high school equivalency in Spain
Currently, the baccalaureate qualifications in Spain (1st and 2nd) They are equivalent to the 11th grade of Diversified Education in Costa Rica.
Where can I obtain the accreditation of a high school diploma and other qualifications?
There are three options for processing titles:
- In person. If you are in Spain, at the General Registry of the Ministry of Education, in the Higher Education Inspection Areas, except if you are in Galicia, the Basque Country and Catalonia, where the exam is held at the Education Department of these communities. If you are in Costa Rica, at the Spanish consulates, by requesting an appointment.
- Online. Through the Ministry website.
- LegalSpain. The best option if you want to have no worries and to make the homologation through a specific agency for these procedures.
How long does the process of homologation of Costa Rican studies take?
The process of homologation of high school diplomas may take Between 5 and 9 months. The primary school titles, between 3 and 7 months. University degrees among 6 and 15 monthsThese times are average and will depend on the agreements between countries and the Spanish consulate, since the more work they have, the longer the delay may be.
Why homologate documents and titles with LegalSpain?
As you can see, there can be many procedures that are necessary to obtain the homologation or validation of our qualifications. In addition, the time it takes to obtain the resolution depends greatly on the consulate and whether it sends the documents to Spain quickly, something that does not usually happen. Therefore, if you want to obtain a gain in time, security in the processing, saving money and convenience, It is best to trust and delegate these processes to specialized agencies like us, LegalSpain, we can coordinate all aspects so that you can have the peace of mind you need and only have to worry about deciding what to do with your degree.
