📚 A Guide to Parallel Planning for the Postgraduate Entrance Exam and Study in Spain | 考研与西班牙留学并行规划指南
For many Chinese university students, the final year brings a crossroads: should you commit entirely to the national postgraduate entrance exam, or explore a master’s degree abroad? What if you could do both? Parallel planning allows you to prepare for the highly competitive exam while simultaneously securing an offer from a Spanish university. This guide shows you how to manage timelines, requirements and your energy so that neither path closes before you are ready to decide.
对许多中国大学生来说，大四这一年是一个十字路口：是全身心投入考研，还是出国读研？如果两条路可以并行呢？并行规划能让你在备战考研的同时拿到西班牙大学的录取通知书。本指南将告诉你如何统筹时间、满足要求、管理精力，让你在做出最终选择前两条路都不会关闭。
1. Why Parallel Planning? | 为何选择并行规划？
Parallel planning reduces risk. The postgraduate entrance exam accepts only a fraction of candidates, and a single attempt determines the outcome. By applying to Spanish master’s programmes at the same time, you create a safety net. If the exam results fall short, you still have a concrete study-abroad option without a gap year.
并行规划能降低风险。考研录取率有限，且一考定结果。在备考的同时申请西班牙硕士课程，你就有了一个备选方案。万一考研失利，你依然有一个无须间隔年的明确留学出路。
Spain’s application windows often align well with the post-exam period. Most public universities open pre-enrolment between February and June, with results coming after China’s exam scores are released. This means you can keep both processes alive without having to abandon the exam preparation prematurely.
西班牙的申请时间窗口往往和考研节奏衔接得当。多数公立大学在2月至6月开放预注册，录取结果通常在考研初试成绩公布之后发布。这意味着你可以让两个流程同时推进，而不必过早放弃复习。
Moreover, preparing documents like a statement of purpose and recommendation letters broadens your perspective and sharpens your self-understanding, which can even strengthen your interview skills for the postgraduate exam.
此外，准备个人陈述、推荐信等申请材料能拓宽视野、加深自我认知，这甚至能增强你考研复试的面试表现。
2. Understanding Spain’s Master’s Degree System | 了解西班牙硕士教育体系
Spanish official master’s degrees (Máster Universitario) typically last one year and are recognised across the European Higher Education Area. They require 60 to 120 ECTS credits. Most programmes start in September or October, though some universities also offer February intakes.
西班牙官方硕士（Máster Universitario）学制通常为一年，受欧洲高等教育区认可，需要修满60至120个ECTS学分。大部分课程在9月或10月开学，部分大学也提供2月入学。
Admission is based on your previous degree, academic transcript, language certificate and supplementary documents, not on a single entrance exam. This makes the process more holistic and less dependent on one day’s performance compared with the Chinese system.
录取依据是前置学位、成绩单、语言证书和辅助材料，而不是一场统一的入学考试。与国内研究生统考相比，这一过程更全面，也更不依赖某一天的发挥。
Private universities and business schools, such as IE or ESADE, offer additional options with multiple intakes and more flexible deadlines, though tuition tends to be higher.
私立大学和商学院，如IE或ESADE，提供更多入学批次和更灵活的截止日期，但学费通常较高。
3. Key Timelines for Both Paths | 考研与西班牙留学关键时间线
The postgraduate entrance exam usually takes place in late December, with preliminary scores released around February and national lines announced in March. Retests and final admission conclude by April or May.
考研通常在12月下旬举行，初试成绩约2月公布，国家线3月划定，复试和最终录取在4至5月结束。
For Spanish universities, the first application round often runs from February to June, with some early-bird windows opening as early as November. Students can apply with their last three years of transcripts if the degree is not yet completed. Offers are typically issued between March and July.
西班牙大学的首轮申请期多为2月至6月，部分提前批窗口早在11月就会开放。如果学位尚未完成，学生可以用前三年的成绩单申请。录取通知通常在3月到7月之间发放。
A parallel planner can sit the exam in December, then immediately finalise Spanish applications in January and February. This sequence allows full focus on exam preparation in the autumn semester while still meeting overseas deadlines.
并行规划者可以在12月参加考研初试，随后立刻在1至2月完成西班牙的申请工作。这样能在秋季学期全力备考，同时不错过海外截止日期。
4. Language Requirements: DELE/SIELE and the English Exam | 语言要求：DELE/SIELE与考研英语
Most Spanish-taught programs require a B2 level in Spanish, certified by DELE or SIELE. Many institutions also accept a SIELE Global exam, which can be taken in test centres across China and delivers results within three weeks. This faster turnaround is ideal for candidates juggling multiple commitments.
大部分西班牙语授课项目要求西班牙语B2水平，须提供DELE或SIELE证书。许多高校也接受SIELE Global考试，它可在中国考点进行，三周内出成绩。这种较快的出分节奏非常适合需要多方兼顾的考生。
If you aim for English-taught programmes, you will need an IELTS or TOEFL score. A band score of 6.0–7.0 in IELTS is common. Interestingly, the reading and writing skills built during English exam preparation for the postgraduate entrance test can transfer to these tests, making dual preparation more efficient.
如果选择英语授课项目，通常需要雅思6.0至7.0分或对应的托福成绩。有趣的是，考研英语备考中积累的阅读和写作能力可以迁移到这些语言测试中，使双线准备更加高效。
Plan to obtain your language certificate by January, before most Spanish deadlines. A valid certificate in hand removes uncertainty and strengthens your application portfolio.
尽量在1月之前拿到语言证书，因为那时大多数西班牙大学截止日期未到。手握有效证书能消除不确定性，也能提升申请整体实力。
5. Application Documents: Overlaps and Differences | 申请材料准备：重叠与差异
Both routes demand academic transcripts, degree certificates (or a pre-graduation certificate) and identity documents. However, Spanish applications also require a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter and usually two recommendation letters. None of these conflict with exam preparation—indeed, drafting a motivation letter can help you articulate your research interests, which is useful for the exam’s retest interview.
两条路都要求成绩单、学位证书（或预毕业证明）和身份材料。但西班牙申请还须提交个人简历、动机信，通常还需两封推荐信。这些材料与备考并不冲突——事实上，撰写动机信能帮你梳理研究兴趣，对考研复试的面试大有裨益。
Foreign documents must be translated and legalised. The key steps are notarised translations and the Hague apostille (China joined the Convention in 2023). Factor in processing time of two to four weeks.
外文材料需要翻译并公证认证。关键步骤是公证翻译和海牙认证（中国于2023年加入海牙公约）。请预留两到四周的办理时间。
Prepare a generic set of documents in September and October, then customise the motivation letter for each programme in January. This minimises distractions during the intensive exam revision period.
建议在9至10月准备一套通用材料，然后在1月针对具体专业定制动机信。这样能最大程度减少冲刺复习阶段的分心。
6. Choosing Spanish Universities and Programmes: Aligning with Exam Goals | 选择西班牙大学与专业：如何与考研目标搭配
Select programmes that complement your postgraduate exam direction. For example, if you are aiming for a research-oriented master’s in economics at a Chinese university, applying to an official master’s in economics at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid can reinforce your knowledge base and serve as a strong alternative.
选择与考研方向互补的专业。例如，你计划报考国内某大学的经济学研究型硕士，那么申请马德里卡洛斯三世大学的官方经济学硕士，既能夯实专业知识，又可以成为强有力的替代选项。
Consider universities with flexible admission confirmations. Some allow admitted students to reserve a place with a small deposit and withdraw before August with a partial refund. This buys you time to wait for the exam results.
选择那些录取确认机制灵活的大学。部分学校允许录取后缴纳少量占位费即可保留名额，8月前放弃还能部分退款。这为你等待考研结果争取了时间。
Research the programme syllabus. If there is significant overlap with the subjects you are already studying for the exam—like advanced mathematics, microeconomics or Western philosophy—you are essentially killing two birds with one stone.
研究课程大纲。如果与考研科目（如高等数学、微观经济学或西方哲学）高度重合，那你就是在同时备考，一举两得。
7. Economic Costs and Scholarships | 经济成本与奖学金
Public university tuition in Spain ranges from €1,500 to €4,500 per year for non-EU students, depending on the region. Private institutions can charge €10,000–€20,000. Living expenses average €500–€800 per month outside Madrid and Barcelona.
西班牙公立大学对非欧盟学生的年学费一般在1,500至4,500欧元之间，视大区而定。私立院校学费可达10,000至20,000欧元。马德里和巴塞罗那以外地区月生活费平均为500至800欧元。
Scholarships such as the Erasmus+ programme or Spanish government MAEC-AECID grants can offset costs, though many have early deadlines. The Spanish scholarship application period often falls between October and March, overlapping with exam season, so early preparation is vital.
Erasmus+计划和西班牙政府MAEC-AECID奖学金等可以减轻经济压力，但多数截止日期较早。西班牙奖学金申请期通常在10月至次年3月，与考研季重合，因此提前准备至关重要。
Compare this with the cost of a gap year or the lost income from delayed employment. If you start your master’s degree abroad one year earlier, the long-term financial equation can be surprisingly favourable.
请将这和间隔年成本或延迟就业的机会成本作比较。如果能提前一年开始海外硕士学习，长远来看经济账可能非常划算。
8. Visa and Residence Permit Process | 签证与居留流程
Once you accept an offer, you need a long-stay student visa. The application requires the admission letter, proof of financial means (approximately €7,200 per year), medical certificate and criminal record check. Processing takes four to eight weeks on average.
接受录取后，你需要办理长期学生签证。申请材料包括录取通知书、经济能力证明（每年约7,200欧元）、体检证明和无犯罪记录证明。审理时间平均为4至8周。
A critical advantage for parallel planners is that visa processing generally begins only after the exam results are known. You can apply for a visa in May or June and still arrive in Spain for a September intake. There is little conflict with the intensive postgraduate exam revision window.
对并行规划者而言，一个关键优势是签证流程通常在考研成绩公布后才启动。你可以5月或6月申请签证，仍能赶上9月入学，这与考研冲刺期几乎没有冲突。
Once in Spain, you will need to apply for a foreigner identity card (TIE) within 30 days. Budget a few weeks for this administrative step before the semester starts.
抵达西班牙后，你须在30天内申请外国人身份证（TIE）。请为这项行政手续预留出开学前的几周时间。
9. Study Strategies for Dual Preparation: Time Management and Stress Relief | 双线并行备考策略：时间管理与压力调节
Design a weekly timetable that dedicates five days to exam preparation and one day to study-abroad tasks—researching programmes, drafting documents or practising language. This compartmentalisation prevents mental overload.
设计一份周时间表，安排五天全力备考，一天处理留学事务——搜索专业、起草文书或练习语言。这种分区管理能避免大脑过载。
Use the ‘minimum viable application’ approach: prepare an early generic version of all documents, then polish them in short blocks after the exam. That way, your cognitive load remains low during the autumn semester.
采用“最小可行申请”策略：先准备一个早期通用版本的所有材料，待考后用小块时间精修。这样能在秋季学期保持较低的认知负荷。
Stress management is real: treat study-abroad tasks as a productive break from exam revision rather than an extra burden. Listening to Spanish podcasts or reading programme brochures can recharge your motivation.
压力管理很重要：把留学任务当成备考之余的高效休息，而非额外负担。听西班牙语播客、阅读专业手册都能重新点燃动力。
10. Admission and Decision-Making: Making the Final Choice | 录取与抉择：如何最终决策
By March, you may hold both a Spanish offer and an invitation to the exam’s retest. Clarify your priorities beforehand: is it academic prestige, location, career prospects or research fit? Write these criteria down to make an objective comparison.
到了3月，你可能会同时手握西班牙录取通知和考研复试邀请。提前厘清优先项：是学术声誉、地理位置、职业前景还是研究匹配度？把这些标准写下来，进行客观比较。
If the exam result is good enough for your dream Chinese programme, you can decline the Spanish offer, usually forfeiting only a small deposit. If the result is borderline, you have a solid fallback. Either way, you win.
如果考研成绩足够进入心仪的国内专业，你可以放弃西班牙录取，通常只损失少量押金。如果成绩不够理想，你有一个坚实的备选方案。无论如何，你都是赢家。
Do not underestimate the value of international experience. A one-year master’s in Spain may give you Spanish language fluency and EU professional networks that a purely domestic path cannot offer.
不要低估国际经验的价值。在西班牙攻读一年硕士，可能让你获得西班牙语能力和欧盟职业网络，这是单纯国内路线无法提供的。
11. Success Stories and Common Pitfalls | 成功案例与常见误区
Take the example of Yan, a computer science senior. She prepared for the exam from July to December and, during the winter break, applied to three Spanish AI master’s programmes. She received an offer in April, felt relieved and performed better in the retest. Eventually, she chose to study abroad, but the exam preparation kept her fundamentals sharp.
以计算机科学专业的燕同学为例。她从7月到12月备考，寒假期间申请了三个西班牙人工智能硕士项目，4月拿到录取，心态放松后复试发挥更出色。尽管最后她选择出国，但备考帮助她保持了扎实的专业基础。
A common pitfall is not checking specific admission requirements early enough. Some Spanish master’s degrees in regulated professions require additional credentials or bridging courses. Failing to verify this by December can create a timing crunch in spring.
常见误区之一是未能尽早核实具体的入学要求。一些受监管专业的西班牙硕士需要额外资质或衔接课程。若12月前没确认清楚，春季就可能手忙脚乱。
Another mistake is neglecting the Spanish health insurance requirement for the visa. It must be purchased before the visa appointment and cover the full stay. Arrange this only after you hold the admission letter.
另一个错误是忽略签证所需的西班牙医疗保险。必须在签证预约前购买，覆盖全程居留。在拿到录取通知后再办理即可。
12. Recommended Resources and Tools | 资源与工具推荐
Use the official Spanish portal Universidades (universidades.gob.es) to verify recognised degrees. The QS and Shanghai rankings can help shortlist research-oriented institutions. For language preparation, the Instituto Cervantes online AVE Global platform offers flexible self-study.
通过西班牙官方门户Universidades (universidades.gob.es) 验证认可学位。QS和上海软科排名可帮助筛选研究型院校。语言学习方面，塞万提斯学院的AVE Global在线平台提供灵活的自学方案。
Project management apps like Notion or Trello allow you to create a dual-track timeline with checklists for exam topics and application milestones. Join WeChat groups of Spanish university alumni to gain real-time insights.
Notion或Trello等项目管理应用可帮你建立双线时间线，勾选考试专题和申请节点。加入西班牙大学校友微信群，及时获取实际情况。
Finally, keep a simple spreadsheet comparing key factors of your top choices: tuition, location, language, career outcomes and your gut feeling. Update it as offers come in.
最后，用一张简洁的电子表格比较心仪选项的关键因素：学费、地理位置、授课语言、职业前景以及你的直觉感受。随着录取通知到来，不断更新它。
Published by TutorHao | Study Abroad & Postgraduate Planning Series | aleveler.com
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