Spain is located in south-western Europe and is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is famous for its warm climate and its beautiful cities and landscapes. The largest city and capital of Spain is Madrid. Other great cities that are worth visiting are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, and Malaga.
As Spain forms part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the country’s study programme is in line with the EHEA’s specifications. This means that the first cycle leads to a graduate degree, equalling 240 ECTS spread out over 4 academic years. Completing the second cycle worth 60 to 120 ECTS within 1 or 2 academic years has you achieve a master’s degree. See below the overall performance of Spanish universities at the institutional level in the 5 U-Multirank dimensions, showing the overall strengths of the country’s Higher Education Institutions. Spanish universities score particularly highly in Regional Engagement.
A bachelor’s degree education can cost you anywhere between 680 and 1,280 Euros per school year when attending a public university. The amount that it will cost you to attend the university is a fixed amount that is set in place by the Autonomous Community, though the central government can set amounts of tuition costs of schools within their area. Fees for attending a private university to earn a bachelor’s degree vary between 5,500 and 18,000 Euros per school year. For Master’s or Doctoral degrees, university fees at public institutions are also government regulated, and vary between 22 and 36 Euros per credit.
Source: Eurydice
Reference year(s): 2020/2021
In this section we highlight the fees for studying in Spain. The fees are shown in the national currency and address all fee types: tuition, enrolment (part- or full-time, etc.), certification, or other administrative costs. Students that are exempt from fees are also described, as well as information on international student fees if they differ.
Source: Eurydice - National Student Fees and Support Systems in European Higher Education – 2020/21.
In this section we highlight the financial support system implemented in Spain. The types of support covered in this section include: grants, loans, tax benefits for students' parents (or students themselves) and family allowances. How these terms are defined, are outlined below:
To take up postgraduate studies in Spain, you must hold an undergraduate degree. Should you have obtained that within the EHEA, this enables you to study. Postgraduate programme applicants with a degree from outside the EHEA, you require the positive decision of the university of choice. For those who are in a European country, application submission takes place through the SNUDE, the Spanish National University for Distance Education. The application, called the solicitud de inscripcion, opens during the month of April. Upon completion of the application it should be printed and mailed to the address indicated on the website. You may be asked to submit a copy of a passport, identity card or school leaving certification with the application. If accepted you will receive a Credencial de Accesso within a period of three months. This should be sent to the university in which you want to attend.
No matter the reason, paying high tuition fees can be a source of stress for many. However, there are many options for financing your studies, including the use of scholarships. There are various scholarship opportunities available for international students looking to study in Spain. Depending on your country of origin and the level of studies, there are different options for funding. To explore what scholarship options are available, check this scholarship database.
As an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you do not require a visa, no matter the length of stay. For you, it is enough to have a valid national ID or passport in order to enter the country. However, if you wish to take up your studies in Spain and they take longer than 90 days, you will be required to register with the local authorities - in addition to your valid acceptance and registration documents of your Spanish university. Third country nationals need a student visa if you wish to study for more than 3 months. For studies taking 6 months or more, you are also required to obtain a residence permit. Lastly, you also need to show you have sufficient funds as well as a health insurance for the duration of your stay.
Here you can find the current Spanish country report.
11.00 €
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8.00 €
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