Study in Spain

Acceptance rates for Bachelor degree applications are usually very high in Spain, and international enrolment has increased by more than a third over the last five years

Thousands of foreign students choose to study in Spain every year and it's not hard to see why.

Its Mediterranean climate is just one benefit to studying in the country. Others include its long history of educational excellence - Spain's oldest university, Universidad de Salamanca dates back to 1218.

When it comes to the study location, you'll have plenty of choice as the country boasts a variety of universities. Popular student cities include Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Seville and Valencia. While Spain has a rich history and culture of its own for you to explore, you'll also be well connected to other favoured destinations such as London and Paris.

While studying in Spain, you'll be able to brush up on the world's second most spoken language, as well as make lots of international connections.

Use your study-free hours to explore some of Spain's most famous attractions such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and La Rambla in Barcelona, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, and Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcázar of Seville. You'll be able to enjoy siestas and tapas and plan getaways to wonderful mountain ranges, beaches and quaint villages that really epitomise old Spain.

Spanish universities

In 2007, Spain overhauled its higher education system to comply with the Bologna Process, ensuring its qualifications are directly comparable with those gained in other European Higher Education Area (EHEA) countries.

There are two types of higher education institution (or universidades) in Spain: public and private.

Of the 76 Spanish universities, 45 are state-funded, with 31 privately owned or run by the Catholic Church.

A total of 31 Spanish universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The top ten include:

• Universitat Autónona de Barcelona (178)
• Universitat de Barcelona (184)
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (215)
• Complutense University of Madrid (226)
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (233)
• University of Navarra (253)
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (320)
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (343)
• IE University (347)
• Universitat Politècnica de Valencia (400).

The largest proportion of leading Spanish institutions can be found in the capital city Madrid, followed by popular tourist spot Barcelona.

EU Business School

EU - a triple-accredited, multicampus, international business school offers innovative Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate of Business Administration programmes.

Degree courses in Spain

Undergraduate courses, otherwise known as Bachelors degrees or 'grado' in Spanish, are available in a range of subjects and are provided by most institutions.

Popular courses in Spain include:

• arts and humanities subjects
• finance
• hospitality management
• marketing
• Spanish language courses
• science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

For entry onto a course, you'll usually need a secondary education leaving certificate. Some universities may also require you to sit and pass an entrance exam. The majority of courses are taught in Spanish, so you'll need to prove your proficiency. Basic English proficiency is also required by the majority of institutions, so if English is not your first language you may need to prove your ability.

To successfully complete a Bachelors degree, students must earn a total of 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits over four years of study. This consists of basic training, obligatory and optional subjects, external and cultural placements and activities, and a final course dissertation.

Competition for undergraduate places is high, as more students wish to study in Spain than there are places available. European Union (EU) nationals are entitled to compete for places at Spanish universities on equal terms.

Masters degrees

A Masters prepares students for academic, research or professional work. These qualifications are usually spread across one or two years. Postgraduate courses are available in a range of subjects and you must hold a Bachelors degree or equivalent for entry.

An increasing number of postgraduate programmes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language, but you'd like to study one of these courses, you'll need to prove your ability.

Academic years are split into two semesters. Lectures for Masters courses usually begin in early October, with classes often continuing during the undergraduate exam period in January. The second semester typically starts in early February and concludes in June.

PhDs

The duration of a full-time Spanish Doctoral degree is three years (maximum), with part-time study taking five years. Most PhDs are split into two stages: advanced research training and a thesis.

As with Doctoral degrees in other European countries, your research will be supervised by at least one tutor who will provide mentoring and support.

For admission onto PhD courses, you'll need to hold both a Bachelors and Masters degree in a relevant subject.

Student exchanges

Following the UK's departure from the EU, the government announced the Turing Scheme for students looking to secure overseas placements and study abroad at an overseas university.

The scheme is backed by over £100million worth of funding, enabling thousands of students from schools, colleges and universities to gain study and work experience overseas.

Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Spain. Check that your institution is involved in the programme and offers the scheme.

Course fees

Spanish course fees are among the lowest in Europe, with costs the same for EU students as they are for Spanish students. If you come from a non-EU country, such as the UK, your course fees will likely be marginally higher.

Fees are charged per credit, rather than per semester or academic year. The amount that you pay depends on where and what you study.

At public universities, fees for a Bachelors course can vary from €750 (£650) to €2,500 (£2,166) per academic year. Masters programmes are between €1,000 (£866) and €3,500 (£3,032). Annual course costs at private universities are typically more expensive and can go up to €20,000 (£17,326). For exact fees, contact your chosen institution.

Similarly, fees for postgraduate degrees at both public and private universities are regulated by the government. The number of credits you undertake is based on what course you study and which university you attend. For example, a Masters course will be worth 60 to 120 credits per year, with each credit costing between €22 (£19) and €36 (£31) each, meaning that the cost of a Spanish Masters averages between €1,320 (£1,144) and €4,320 (£3,742).

Students should expect to pay €900 (£780) to €1,100 (£953) a month for living expenses, depending on location and accommodation type. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities. Cities like Valencia or Seville can be as cheap as €700 (£606).

Funding to study in Spain

Student loans are not available to international students in Spain, but grants and scholarships are awarded by the government, charitable organisations and individual institutions. There are a few options on the Go Overseas website.

The amount of financial assistance you're entitled to will depend on your circumstances, but bear in mind that competition for funding is intense.

Student visas

UK citizens can travel to countries in the Schengen Area (which includes Spain) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. However, if you plan to study in Spain for more than three months, UK nationals must apply for a student visa.

There are different types of Spanish student visas, each valid for a different length of time. For example, you can obtain a visa for study lasting between three and six months or a visa for study that lasts for more than six months. You can apply for a visa at the Spanish Embassy in your country of origin. In general, to apply for a visa you'll need:

• national visa application form
• passport
• passport photos
• confirmation and details of your study
• a medical certificate
• proof of health insurance, such as the cover provided by Innoinsure
• proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself
• information/confirmation on where you'll be living
• a criminal record certificate.

EU or Swiss nationals do not need a visa to study in Spain. However, you'll need to register with local Spanish authorities and obtain a residence certificate.

How to apply

If you're an EU student looking to study a Bachelors degree, you'll need to apply for the 'Credencial de Acceso', which is issued by Spain's official body Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). Non-EU students without a European Baccalaureate (EB) or International Baccalaureate (IB) will need to register with UNED to take the entrance exam ('Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad' or PAU).

Students wanting to study for a postgraduate degree in Spain should apply directly to the institution they wish to attend. Applications are typically made online and you'll need:

• a copy of your passport or ID
• passport-sized photographs
• a Statement of Purpose (roughly 500 words on why you want to study at a particular university)
• Bachelors certificate
• Bachelors transcripts
• references, e.g. a previous tutor
• proof of English proficiency.

Your application documents may need to be submitted in Spanish, so check with your chosen university if you're unsure.

Language requirements

The country's main language, Spanish, is the fourth most common language in the world. While some Bachelors and Masters courses are taught in English, the majority of study programmes are taught in Spanish.

Even if you get onto an English taught course, it'll still be incredibly useful to be able to read, write and speak the country's language.

You can either learn before you go or take lessons on arrival. Most universities provide language tuition, either through short courses or year-long programmes.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Thanks to Spain being part of the Bologna Process, university qualifications gained in other European countries will usually be recognised and accepted by Spanish universities.

Your Spanish Masters degree will also be internationally recognised. However, it's always best to check with employers before applying.

Find out more

• Get more advice at Study in Spain.
• Discover what it's like to work in Spain.