Study In Spain
Capital: Madrid
Language: Spanish
Students: 1,800,000 (60,000 international)
Academic Year: October- June
Currency: Euro (€)
Calling Code: +34
Time Zone: CET (UTC+1)
Spain is a beautiful country in Western Europe with a rich history and culture. Spain is one of the biggest European countries and the fourth most popular tourist destination in the world.
The country provides exciting cultural experience for all tourists, residents and students. It mixes a professional, cosmopolitan life with more vibrant and charming regional cultures. It also has plenty of chances for relaxation and fun.
Spain offers countless opportunities for international students who wish to experience its culture, exciting lifestyles as well as have an excellent academic experience. Spain is one of the most popular European destinations for international students, and it’s very welcoming to all who wish to study at one of its institutions of higher education.
Spain is a popular destination for international students seeking quality and affordable higher education. There are around 85,000 international students studying in Spain each year. With lots to offer, there will be something for everyone is this fantastic country.
Why Study In Spain?
There are 76 universities in Spain, and they are a mixture of public and private. Of the 76, 24 are private, and 7 of these are associated with the Catholic Church. The public universities are state-funded, meaning that their fees are set by the local government. Spain has a long and rich tradition of higher education, and therefore their institutions are consistently well ranked. In the 2018 QS World University Rankings, 11 Spanish institutions are ranked in the top 500. The highest of these is the Universitat de Barcelona, sitting at 156th.
Education System In Spain
Currently, Spain has 45 Public Universities and 31 private universities, some of which are Catholic universities. The education system in Spain is regulated by the Ministerio de Educación (Ministry of Education) and Spanish universities offer both official and non-official degrees.
Program Types in Spanish Higher Education
Bachelor’s – (Grado), four years, 240 ECTS
Master’s – (Posgrado), one to two years, 60–120 ECTS.
PhD – (Doctorado), three to five years, 60 ECTS.
Language Courses
It is important to note that most courses at Spanish universities are held in Spanish and some can be taught in a regional language such as Catalan. That being said, in order to follow the course, most universities will require you to be able to understand, read and write Spanish at an advanced level. But no need to panic, you could take this chance to learn or brush up on your Spanish skills. Most of the language courses are offered by universities and as such, they can vary in length.
It would be good to mention that most of these courses require a fee, which varies from course to course. Since these classes prepare you for understanding your study material and the people around you, it’s money well spent!
And while there are some courses held in English, there are still only a few of them. However if you’re curious if a university offers a course in English, it’s always best to send them an email and ask, that way you’ll always have first-hand information.
A few universities such as the Marabella Academyoffer courses in English as well as pathway courses designed to prepare you for studying in Spain.
Intakes In Spain
There are two primary intakes for Universities in Spain for international students.
Fall Intake
The Fall intake for Universities in Spain starts in October. There are two deadlines to apply for fall intake. The first one falls in early June, and the other one, called late application deadline for the Universities in Spain falls in early September. However, it is always better to apply during the first deadline.
Spring Intake
The Spring Intake for Universities in Spain starts in February. There is only one application deadline for the spring admission cycle in Spain, and the application deadline falls in early December for the Spring intake in Spain.
Universities Tuition Fees In Spain
Tuition fees in Spain vary based on different factors, such as the type of higher education institution (private or public), the degree type, the number of credits, the region where you study, and your nationality.
Based on our research, we’ve noticed that non-EU/EEA students can encounter the following situations when they enrol in Spanish public universities:
They are charged the same tuition as EU/EEA citizens
They are charged tuition that is around 1,000 – 1,500 EUR higher than the tuition for EU/EEA citizens
They are charged tuition that is two or three times higher
These situations are not rules, and they vary from one study programme/university to another. Before choosing a degree, always check the type of tuition that applies to students from your country.
Tuition fees in Public universities
Public universities in Spain offer two types of degrees: official degrees and university-specific degrees. For official degrees, each Autonomous Community establishes limits for tuition. They usually range between:
150 – 3,500 EUR/year for Bachelor’s programmes
300 – 3,500 EUR/year for Master’s programmes
For university-specific degrees, each institution is free to set any tuition fee, because there are no limits imposed by the authorities.
Tuition fees in Private Universities
Private universities have higher tuition fees, but usually not exceeding 20,000 EUR/academic year. Some programmes offered by business schools can cost over 25,000 EUR/year. You’ll also find MBAs and International Management degrees that charge tuition fees of 30,000 EUR/year or more.
Entry Requirements and Supporting Documents for Undergraduate Programmes
Copy of Passport
Passport sized digital photograph
Statement of Purpose
Proof of English Proficiency: (If you are not from an English speaking country or have not previously studied in English)
– IELTS – 6
– TOEFL iBT – 72
High School Certificate (Officially translated to English or Spanish)
High School Grade Transcripts (Officially translated to English or Spanish)
*Pre-sessional English courses are available to those who do not satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
Entry Requirements and Supporting Documents for Postgraduate Programmes
4 Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent* from a national or international accredited academic institution.
Copy of Passport
Passport sized digital photograph
Statement of Purpose
Proof of English Proficiency (If you are not from an English speaking country or have not previously studied in English)**
– IELTS 7
– TOEFL iBT 95
Bachelor Certificate (Officially translated to English or Spanish)
Bachelor Grade Transcripts (Officially translated to English or Spanish)
Requirements for a student visa consist of the following:
There are different types of Spanish Student Visas which are valid for different lengths of time. Students need to apply at a Spanish embassy or consulate and provide a range of paperwork. It is necessary to be accepted onto a course before applying.
Student Permit for less than 3 months (90 days)
Students from countries which are eligible for visa-free entry of up to 90 days, can take a course without obtaining a student visa (as long as the duration of the course is shorter than 90 days).
Those coming from countries which do not qualify for visa-free entry need to apply for a Schengen Student Visa. To study in Spain, applications need to be made at a Spanish embassy or consulate in the home country of the student
Short-term Student Visa visa for between 3 and 6 months
The application is less complicated than the one for longer courses as less paperwork is required. Short-term Student Visas cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Students can take Spanish language courses with this type of visa and any short-courses offered by colleges and universities.
Long-term Student Visa for more than 6 months
In addition to completing the visa application, students have to apply for a student residence card at an immigration office within a month after arriving.
For this type of visa the application involves more paperwork than the short-term visas. Applicants need to provide a medical certificate and a certificate of no criminal conviction.
Apply for a Student Visa for Spain
d. Applicants need to be offered a place on a course before applying for a Student Visa for Spain. The visa application needs to be submitted between two and three months before travelling to Spain to allow plenty of time for the visa to be processe
Documents required to apply for a Student Visa
Though the required documentation may vary depending on your case, the required documents required for a Student Visa are:
2 completed Visa application forms
Passport (valid until the end of your stay)
2 recent passport size photos
Acceptance letter from the approved University or Colleges in Spain.
A letter from the university or college stating the contact details, start and the end dates of the study programs.
Three months of recent Medical Certificate issued by the registered medical practitioner stating that the applicant is medically fit.
Police Clearance Certificate from the respective country of applicants
Photocopies of all educational documents.
All Financial/ funding documents either loan letter, sponsorship letter, etc.
Proof of accommodation in Spain.
Proof of Travel and medical insurance covering the entire Schengen territory and complete duration of stay in Spain. The minimum coverage of travel insurance should be 30,000 Euros.
Working While Studying
International students can ask for a work permit from local authorities to work 20 hours per week. However, you can only work while studying in Spain until the expiry of your student visa.
Due to overwhelming demand for student visas in Spain, it is important that you allow enough time before departing for your visa to be processed. Follow the rule of thumb and always apply at least a month in advance.
Costs of living in Spain for international Students
Average living costs in Spanish cities
Generally, Spain is a relatively affordable country where international students should not feel financially pressured.
You’ll need between 900 – 1,100 EUR to live in Spain. Costs are higher if you choose Madrid or Barcelona, which are the most expensive Spanish cities.
In cities like Valencia, Seville or Cadiz, you can enjoy cheaper costs of living, around 700 – 900 EUR/month on average.
Student Accommodation Costs
Student residence halls – prices range from 360 to 650 EUR/month.
Rent an apartment – Many students prefer this option. Prices start at around 200 EUR and go over 1,000 EUR/month. You can find websites like Uniplaces or Resa, which help you compare different living places. One way to reduce your expenses is to share an apartment with other students.
Living with a Spanish family – Prices can vary based on region, living conditions, and so on. You can find online services that help you get in touch with Spanish families.
Other costs associated with student accommodation
Renting a private apartment or studio does not necessarily mean that its monthly cost includes all the expenses. You have to add:
Basic utilities (electricity, water, heating, garbage): 115 EUR/month
Internet: 30 EUR/month
Food costs
Students in Spain will find plenty of choices from the local cuisine, such as “paella”, “escabeche” or “merienda”. For your monthly groceries, you would normally spend between 200 and 400 EUR. It depends a lot on your habits: if you cook or not, how often you eat out, and so on. Some of the cheapest supermarkets in Spain are Dia, Bally, Dani and Mercadona.
A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs around 10 EUR, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is 35 EUR.
Transportation Costs
A regular trip by public transport usually costs 1.5 EUR, and a monthly transport pass is 42 EUR and a little over 54 EUR in large cities.
You can travel around Spain and see its lovely cities with AVE (speed train): the average price for a trip is 75 EUR. With the youth travel card, you can get major discounts.
If you prefer private transport over walking, you can also rent a car from local companies.
Extra costs
Books, supplies and other learning materials: 900 EUR/year
Special classes with different fees: from 30 EUR to around 200 EUR
Health insurance: between 70 and 180 EUR/year