A future without limits: universities all over the world

University access

At Dragón, the American School of Torrelodones, we guide students toward universities in more than 50 countries, with a dual diploma and personal support that opens doors both academically and professionally.

Four graduating students in formal dress pose together on their graduation day.

From early High School, students receive mentoring, guidance and preparation for Spanish national exams (PCE) and for external international exams. In a fully bilingual school with a practical approach, they graduate with a profile that stands up anywhere: not only at universities around the world, but at whatever they decide to take on.

Two diplomas, a world of options

  • American High School Diploma

    Our High School Diploma is an international qualification certifying a broad, flexible education fitted to the world as it is now. It gives students direct access to universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries, and is recognized by many European universities for international programs. In Spain it opens the door to private universities and, with the corresponding official recognition, to public ones through the Specific Competence Exams (PCE). It is a key to an academic future without borders, and it reflects not only what a student knows but how they work: independently, critically and ready to adapt.

  • Official recognition as the Spanish Bachillerato

    Our students can go straight to private Spanish and international universities by sitting whatever entrance tests each institution sets, and to Spanish public universities through the UNED Specific Competence Exams (PCE).

  • What the dual diploma gives them:

    • A straightforward route into universities in the US, Spain and elsewhere.
    • Freedom to choose degrees or other paths across different education systems.
    • A fully bilingual, genuinely competitive international profile.

We walk each student personally toward the right university, with an academic guidance team alongside them at every stage.

How our students get into university

  • Personal academic guidance

    Every student has a mentor who guides them throughout their school career, helping them choose the right degree and university and understand what each one asks for.

  • Preparation for entrance exams

    Support for the SAT, ACT, Cambridge and other exams needed for international universities.

  • Help with the application itself

    We are alongside students through the whole university application process.

  • International routes

    The Dragón curriculum opens universities in the US, Spain and other countries without needing further recognition procedures.

What are the PCE?

We prepare our students for the entrance exams to Spanish public universities (PCE)

They are exams run by the UNED for students holding international qualifications, such as the High School Diploma, who want to study at a Spanish university.

Why the PCE rather than the PAU/EvAU (Spanish university entrance exam)?

  • PCE (UNED)

    • You only choose three or four subjects.
    • Spanish Language and History are not compulsory.
    • You can pick subjects that match your profile.
    • A predictable, well-documented exam format.
    • Designed for international academic records.

  • PAU/EvAU

    • Six exams are compulsory.
    • Spanish Language, History and Philosophy are compulsory.
    • Much less room to choose.
    • Varies more from one region to another.
    • Built around the Spanish curriculum.

  • What our students get

    • Specific preparation over the final two years.
    • Subjects matched to their profile and their plans.
    • Personal support throughout the process.
    • Very competitive marks, under less pressure.

Any questions about university access from Dragón, the American School of Torrelodones?

Write to us: secretaria@dragonamericanschool.com

Universities in Spain and abroad

Our students go on to universities in Spain, the US, the UK and many EU countries on the strength of the education they receive at Dragón, the American School of Torrelodones.

  • Universities in the US

    Stanford, MIT, Harvard, NYU, Duke, UCLA, Berkeley, Yale, Princeton, Pennsylvania, Columbia, University of Chicago, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia…

    • *Some universities also require the ACT or SAT

  • Universities in Spain

    UCM, UPM, UAM, CEU San Pablo, Universidad de Navarra, IE University, Universidad Europea, UAX, Universidad Nebrija, Universidad Villanueva, ESIC Business & Marketing School, Saint Louis University

  • Universities in Europe

    Sorbonne University, ESSEC, ESCP, HEC Paris, Oxford, Cambridge, University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Utrecht University, Leiden University, TU Delft, Maastricht University, UCL, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, Bristol, Durham, Munich, Heidelberg…*

    • *Some universities also require APs or A-levels, or restrict access to their English-taught programs

What our students take with them

  • Critical thinking and independence

    Project-based learning that builds problem-solving and the habit of thinking for yourself.

  • Communication and leadership

    Presenting, debating and teamwork, which is what both university and working life ask for.

  • Managing time and planning ahead

    Ways of organizing study and taking charge of their own workload.

  • Knowledge put to use

    Taking part in research, innovation and entrepreneurship projects.

Two students taking notes by hand during a lesson.

Frequently asked questions

Can Dragón students apply to US universities without anything further?

The American High School Diploma lets them apply to US universities without any recognition procedure, although some do require specific exams such as the SAT or ACT.

Do you prepare students for those additional exams?

Yes. We run specialist tutoring to support external exams.

Do you help students choose a university?

Yes. Every student receives individual guidance to find the university that fits them best.

Does the American diploma give direct access to Spanish universities?

For Spanish public universities, students sit the university entrance exam through UNED ASSIS.

Admissions open

Would you like to see the school?

The way to find out whether Dragón is right for your family is to come and see it: we show you the campus, introduce you to the team and answer anything you want to ask.

Visit the schoolHow the process works
  • All year roundPreregistration never closes
  • Ages 3 to 18From preschool through to Grade 12
  • 24-48 hHow long we take to reply, on working days