Study in Spain as an International Student

May 24th, 2021 by IEFA

Studying abroad is a great way to experience new cultures, meet people from all over the world and learn about different perspectives on life.

Studying in European countries can be a life-changing experience. Especially if your’e planning to study at a Spanish university.

Studying in Spain as an international student can be a hugely rewarding experience because it is a country with so much to offer. However, in order to stay for more than three months, you’ll need a student visa for Spain.

Studying abroad can be intimidating and scary at first but once you’re there it’s easy to get into the swing of things.

Read on if you want some tips about studying in Spain.

Spain

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula and neighbors countries like France, Portugal and Andorra. Spain is no doubt a beautiful country with a rich history and diverse culture. Spain is famous for its architecture, food, and wonderful climate. Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Valencia are famous around the world. Also, if you are a fan of Soccer, you will be able to enjoy the world-famous Spanish Football League La Liga. Visitors to Spain will also enjoy its rich culture, such as Flamenco and Gaudí architecture.

Spain is a beautiful country with a diverse climate, food and welcoming people, so it’s no wonder that international students are flocking to this country in droves to study abroad!

Spain has a large number of universities including both private and public universities. Many Spanish universities are hugely famous among international students and have good rankings as well. Universities like the University of Barcelona, the Complutense University of Madrid, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid rank among the top international universities. These are just some of the universities you should consider if you are looking to study in Spain.

There is no better place than Spain to get a degree in Spanish language. Many universities also offer degrees for foreign students who prefer a course delivered in English.

If you are thinking about getting an MBA degree as an international student, Spain would be the place for you. Because three of the top colleges for MBA in Europe are located in Spain and they are IESE Business School, IE Business School, and Esade Business School. 

Average Living Cost and Tuition Fees in Spain

The living cost varies from location to location. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have a high living cost. And on the other hand, cities like Granada, Valencia have a lower cost. So depending on your budget, you can choose a place to live in.

Spanish Market

The good news for international students who study in Spain is that the cost of living is generally quite affordable there.

You can find excellent quality food at very reasonable prices in Spain. There are many inexpensive stores where you can buy fashionable clothes at an affordable price.

Even transportation costs are more reasonable than other European countries. It won’t be hard for you to travel wherever you live – no matter where and when, including exploring the rest of the country.

Universities in Spain are also cheaper than in many other European countries. The average tuition fees of a Bachelor’s degree are around 550 EUR to 3,500 EUR per year and for a Master’s degree is around 750 EUR to 4,000 EUR per year. That makes Spain one of the cheapest destinations for international students. However, the private colleges set their own rates according to their facilities. Private colleges charge around 10,000 EUR to 25,000 EUR per year. 

Top 5 Spanish Universities for International Students:

University of Barcelona:

The University of Barcelona holds the no. 1 ranking in Spain and one of the finest colleges all over Europe. The University of Barcelona was founded back in 1450, making it one of the oldest universities all over the world. The university consists of more than 100 departments, which are classified into 18 faculties and 2 schools. The 18 faculties are based on multiple subjects including Biology, Dentistry, Earth Science, Chemistry, Fine Arts, Education, Economics, Geography, Law, Math, Library Science, Medicine, Philology, Philosophy, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Physics. The University of Barcelona offers 75 Bachelor’s degrees, 353 Graduate degrees, and 96 Master’s degrees. 

International students pay around 3,500 EUR to 6,000 EUR per year depending on the course.

The University of Barcelona is a public university which ranks among the top 100 best colleges and universities in Europe. It has about 150,000 students enrolled from over 140 different countries making it one of the most diverse institutes for higher education in all of Europe. The Compl

Complutense University of Madrid:

The Complutense University of Madrid is one of the top universities all over Europe. It was founded back in 1293, making it one of the oldest universities around the world. The Complutense University of Madrid offers more than 90 undergraduate degrees, more than 170 postgraduate degrees, and more than 175 Master’s degrees. All the courses are taught in mostly Spanish. However, the Complutense University of Madrid also has English programs for international students. It offers subjects such as Arts and Humanities, Science, Medical Science, Social Science, Law, Engineering, Business Management, etc.

International students pay around 3,000 EUR to 9,000 EUR per year depending on the course.

University of Navarra:

The University of Navarra is one of the best universities in Spain for international students. It was founded back in 1952. The University of Navarra is located in Pamplona, Spain. More than 11,000 students study here and over 10% of them are from other countries. The university offers 35 Bachelor’s degrees, 32 Graduate degrees, and 38 Master’s degrees in both Spanish and English languages. Its main campuses are located in Pamplona and San Sebastian. However, its prestigious IESE Business School also has offices in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Munich, and Sao Paulo. It offers courses such as Engineering, MIM, MBA, MArch, etc. 

International students pay around 3,300 EUR to 8,500 EUR per year depending on the course.

University of Granada:

The University of Granada is the 4th largest university in Spain. It also hosts a large number of international students each year. It was founded back in 1531. it is also one of the most significant universities in Europe in terms of its historical importance. The University of Granada offers more than 89 Bachelor’s degrees, 100 postgraduate degrees, and 28 doctoral courses programs. The University of Granada has a wide range of courses including biology, biochemistry, food science, environmental sciences, statistical sciences, mathematics, dentistry, etc.

International students pay around 2,300 EUR to 7,500 EUR per year depending on the course.

University of Valencia:

The University of Valencia is one of the most popular colleges all over Europe. It was founded back in 1499. The university now offers degrees in sciences, engineering, health sciences, humanities, education, and social, economic, etc. It has 18 faculties, schools, and 19 interdisciplinary research institutes. The University of Valencia offers more than 50 bachelor programs, 110 master’s degrees, and 60 doctoral programs in both Spanish and English languages. 

International students pay around 3,500 EUR to 7,500 EUR per year depending on the course.

Additional Information

Some additional information sources:
https://www.studying-in-spain.com/spain-student-visa-interview-questions-and-tips/
https://erudera.com/spain/

In Conclusion

Studying in Spain is an attractive prospect for many international students. The Spanish universities and colleges are highly valued among people looking to pursue a higher degree. Many affordable colleges are available and offer high-quality education.

Studying in Spain is an interesting and rewarding experience, but you should be sure to explore the country outside of your studies as well. There is so much to do and see in Spain that you won’t want to be stuck inside your classroom all day.

Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime, and there are many reasons why people choose to study in Spain as international students.

If you’re studying in Spain and need additional funding, you should seek out a scholarship. Alternatively, if you are a US citizen in Spain, you may be able to apply for a loan.


You might also be interested in studying in the U.S.


IEFA logo
Thank you for visiting IEFA.org
Providing information about international financial aid & scholarships since 1998
2024 MPOWER Financing, Public Benefit Corporation
1101 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036