Study in Spain
Spain is one of the easiest places to make new friends, experience the real fiesta (party) attitude and enjoy lovely, warm, Mediterranean weather! Who wouldn’t want to study abroad in such a welcoming place?
If you're looking to study at a university in Spain, you will find a range of higher education opportunities, combining rigorous academics with a vibrant cultural scene. Its universities welcome thousands of foreign students each year. While you study and prepare to become a specialist in your chosen field, you will also enrich your cultural horizons by seeing and admiring some really amazing attractions.
From white, sandy beaches and blue seas, to the ski slopes of the Pyrenees and to the ancient villages of Granada, Spain truly is one of the best countries to study abroad in Europe.
Embrace the chance to sharpen your Spanish skills and enjoy a relaxed and multicultural environment while you study abroad in Spain!
Why Study in Spain?
1. Spanish universities charge affordable tuition fees
There are many affordable universities in Spain where international students won't have to pay more than 4,000 EUR per year. And numerous study programmes actually start at only 100–150 EUR per year. Still, keep in mind that non-EU/EEA students don't always enjoy the same low tuition as EU/EEA citizens.
2. Top-ranked universities, especially business schools
Over 50 Spanish universities earn their place in the international university rankings every year. Out of them, business schools are the stand out institutions, as Spain is know for being a supportive place for future entrepreneurs and business people.
3. Amazing climate for sun lovers
Spain has one of the most enjoyable weather in Europe. Temperatures vary from one region to another; but it's safe to say that if you love the sun, going to the beach, and feeling all that pleasant warmth touching your skin, then you cannot go wrong by choosing a Spanish university for your studies.
4. Discover the relaxed and enjoyable Spanish lifestyle
Although the famous siesta, the habit of taking a nap after lunch, is slowly declining, it still remains a part of the traditional Spanish lifestyle and customs.
You can enjoy your siesta as well as other local habits and dishes, like tapas, flamengo — a beautiful art form — and, of course, you'll witness and maybe participate in the passionate celebrations related to football, which is incredibly popular.
5. Spanish is a great asset on any C.V.
As you already know by now, or should know, speaking only one foreign language is not always enough. Employees are encouraged to know at least another language in addition to English, and there are many online tools available for those who want to learn at their own pace.
But living and studying in Spain for a few years is the best opportunity to learn Spanish. You will anyway need at least the basics, since not everybody speaks English.
Which universities and colleges to attend in Spain?
There are more than 70 universities in Spain, most of which are supported by state funding. Spain also offers private universities, some affiliated with the Catholic Church. Universities are divided into Departments, Faculties, Technical Schools, University Schools, University Institutes and University Colleges.
- university schools – where you can only apply to Bachelor’s level courses;
- universities and university colleges where you can apply for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees
- higher technical schools of engineering and architecture –where you can complete long-term technical degrees.
- business schools – dedicated to all business-related degrees.
Examples of universities in Spain we recommend:
- University of Deusto
- EU Business School
- ISDI - Digital Business School
- Barcelona Technology School
- Harbour.Space University
What is it like to study in Spain?
Universities in Spain combine traditional lectures with research work and seminars where students can have open and friendly discussions with professors and debate on challenging topics in their chosen field.
Unlike western countries, you should not expect a flexible schedule, as lectures and seminars have a set timetable. For most study programmes, you would have to prepare for a midterm exam and a final year test for each course, in the form of a written test or oral examination.
What to study in Spain?
In Spanish universities, you can study any discipline you can imagine at all degree levels. Particularly known for Law, Spanish language or Social Sciences, universities in Spain offer plenty of degrees for subject areas like Computer Science, Engineering or Natural Sciences.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Spain
- Masters in Business Administration in Spain
- Masters in Architecture in Spain
- Masters in Economics in Spain
- Masters in Tourism in Spain
- Masters in International Relations in Spain
Where to study in Spain?
In Spain, there are many English-taught universities, some of them with a long history and many are always present in international university rankings. Apart from big cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you can also apply to universities in Spanish cities like Valencia, Alicante, Salamanca or Marbella.
Find out more about what it’s like to study and have fun in Spanish cities, like:
How to apply
Here are a few useful tips to keep in mind while applying at a Spanish university:
You’ll want to first check with your chosen university in Spain.
- You will have to apply online and pay an application fee.
- Don’t forget to carefully check all entry requirements and necessary documents.
- You might have to submit all required application documents in Spanish or have them translated.
- Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English or Spanish before enrolling in a degree programme.
- Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.
- To help your chances of going to Spain, be sure to apply to more than one university!
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Spain, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
English language tests
There are over 1,000 English-taught programmes in Spain.
Universities in Spain will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Spanish universities accept these official English exams:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
For Spanish-taught degrees, the most common required Spanish test is DELE.
Living in Spain
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Spain:
Tuition fees in Spain
Talking about tuition fees at Spanish universities can get a bit complicated. But we'll do our best to keep everything simple and crystal clear.
The tuition fees we'll list below usually apply to students coming from the EU/EEA. If you're not in this category, you can encounter 3 different situations:
- pay the same tuition as EU/EEA citizens
- pay tuition that is 1,000–1,500 EUR more expensive
pay tuition that is 2 or even 3 times higher
Tuition at public universities
- 150–3,500 EUR/year for Bachelor’s degrees
300–3,500 EUR/year for Master’s degrees
Tuition at private universities
Most degrees will cost under 20,000 EUR per academic year. However, you can expect to pay over 25,000 or even 30,000 EUR per year for some business programmes.
Accommodation costs
Depending on the city, the type of accommodation (student residence halls vs rented flat), and the exact location of your housing, prices for accommodation range between 250 and 1,000 EUR/month. Prices for rent are the highest in cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
Choosing a student residence will save you some money as the price for a room is usually between 350 and 650 EUR/month.
Healthcare
If you come from an EU/EEA country, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for any healthcare services in a Spanish public hospital or clinic. However, you should acquire it prior to your departure in Spain. Non-EU/EEA students should arrange a private health insurance in Spain to cover the duration of their stay.
Emergency healthcare is guaranteed regardless of your nationality, but you may be charged for the services.
Food costs
Food bills from local supermarkets would cost between 200 and 400 EUR/month. If you want to grab a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, it would cost you around 10 EUR, while drinks in bars and pubs have prices that start from 3 EUR.
On average, living costs for students in Spain range between 700 and 1,100 EUR/month.
About Spain
Spain has one of the most open, friendly and lively atmospheres you will ever experience. Spanish people live their lives to the fullest and everything is a reason for a fiesta, so you’ll be laughing and have a fun time in Spain more than you can imagine.
Spanish culture is fascinating and you could learn a lot about it by just admiring some of its architectural masterpieces, like the great Moorish fortress, the Alhambra, or Gaudi’s famous designs.
Spain is one of the world's biggest producers of saffron and olive oil. Some other important industries that support the country’s economy include renewable energy, telecommunications, tourism and textile manufacturing.
Since Spanish is the second most popular language in the world, you should take advantage of your time in Spain and learn the language that everyone is so attracted to. Learning Spanish won’t be just a fun activity, but it is also an impressive element you can add to your resume.
Iconic places to visit
Throughout Spain, you can find so many beautiful and remarkable attractions, some of them date back from Moorish times. Some of the most popular places you can visit in Spain are:
- The National Parks on the Canary Islands
- The Cave paintings of Altamira
- Buen Retiro Park
- The Royal Palace of Madrid
- Sagrada Familia,
- Casa Batillo
- City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
- Basilica of Santa María in Alicante
Fun facts
- Throughout history, Spain had different names, from Iberia, to Hesperia, Hispania. They eventually settled on España, which literally means “land of the rabbits”.
- Spain remained neutral in both world wars.
- Spanish people invented the stapler.
- Some of the world’s greatest and most famous artists were Spanish: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Francisco Goya.
- Spain is the only country in Europe that produces bananas.
Universities, colleges and schools in Spain
A Coruña
- University of A Coruña (4 PhDs)
Barcelona
- Swiss School of Management Barcelona (1 PhD)
- Polytechnic University of Catalonia (46 PhDs)
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) (9 PhDs)
- GBSB Global Business School (1 PhD)
- Pompeu Fabra University (9 PhDs)
- University of Barcelona (3 PhDs)
- Esade (2 PhDs)
- Swiss School of Management (2 PhDs)
- IESE Business School (1 PhD)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (68 PhDs)
- TBS Education (1 PhD)
Getafe
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (19 PhDs)
Leganés
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (19 PhDs)
Madrid
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (19 PhDs)
- Swiss School of Management (2 PhDs)
- CEMFI (1 PhD)
Palma
Pamplona
- University of Navarra (1 PhD)
Sevilla
- Pablo de Olavide University (7 PhDs)
Tarragona
- Rovira i Virgili University (14 PhDs)
Zaragoza
- Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC) (1 PhD)
Interested in scholarships for Spain? Check out our scholarship search page.
How to Apply to a Master's in Spain
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Spain, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Spain?
To apply to a university in Spain you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Spain so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Spain
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Spain are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.