Popular Consultant
Emrul Hasan
Professional Consultant
—¡Hola, mi amigo!
—Welcome to 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! Tell me!
Yes, my dreamer buddy! Today we are going to explore such a dreamy destination, Spain, one
of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
So, you better be ready because in a short while we’re gonna take a trip. Yes! You and your very
own BuddyBee!
Hey! Does my small navigator know that Spain is one of the most preferred study destinations
for many international students who wish to discover its interesting culture and lifestyle? Or do
you know that the Kingdom of Spain has a rich history and provides enchanting experiences
whether in large cities, the countryside or on the beach? [1] Nevertheless, the universities in
Spain are the kind of places where you can enjoy both a good holiday and a great Bachelor’s or
Master’s degree program. But is there more to know about Spain?
Join me buddy to learn why every year, 60,000 international students choose to study in Spain
and why you should join them too!?
● Spanish Higher Education system
The Spanish Higher Education system is made up of 87 universities (50 public and 37 private),
in addition to 480 research institutes and 67 science and technology parks. As a member state
of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), all official degrees awarded by Spanish
universities are recognized for academic and professional purposes in 53 countries worldwide,
45 of which are European. [4]
● Educational Institutions in Spain
Universities in Spain 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 Ph.D. degrees;
● Higher technical schools of engineering and architecture — where you can
complete long-term technical degrees; and
● Business schools — dedicated to all business-related degrees. [2]
● Program Duration
● Academic Year
Most institutions begin the academic year in October and finish in June. Most schools have 2
semesters, with exams at the end of each semester. [8]
● Most Popular Study Options in Spain
● Business Administration
● Architecture
● Economics
● Tourism
● International Relations [2]
● Notable Spanish Educational Institutions
Some of the most notable Spanish public universities include —
● The University of Barcelona,
● The Complutense University of Madrid, and
● Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
If you are thinking about getting a Business degree, Spain might be the place for you, my
buddy: Spain is home to many great business schools, including 3 of Europe’s top 10 business
schools —
● IESE Business School,
● IE Business School, and
● Esade Business School.
These highly respected institutions have spawned many international top managers. [3]
● Bachelor’s Degrees in Spain
● Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) — 87 programs
● Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) — 95 programs
● Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) — 13 programs
● Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) — 16 programs [7]
● Tuition Fees
Tuition fees at public universities are set by the government and will vary depending on your
level of study and chosen course. They usually range between —
● 750 — 2,100 EUR per year for a Bachelor’s degree
● 1,320 — 4,320 EUR per year for a Master’s degree
Tuition fees are calculated per credit studied as opposed to semester or academic year. Private
universities will likely charge higher tuition fees at all study levels. [6]
● Cost of Living
Spain has one of the lowest costs of living in Europe, with rent and food costing about 800 EUR
per month.
Below you can see some basic cost-of-living indicators in Spain. However, the actual cost of
living will vary depending on your choices and lifestyle. [8]
● Work Opportunities
The Spanish residence permit entitles you to work either part-time or in a temporary position,
so long as you’re not using the money you earn to support yourself while you’re in Spain. You
are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week while you are studying, as long as it doesn’t interfere
with your studies. [8]
● Grants and Scholarships
● International students pursuing a Master or Doctorate program are eligible to
apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship;
● Students from Africa are eligible to apply for the ALB Foundation MBA
Scholarship to fund their MBA studies in Spain;
● Erasmus offers a grant for exchange students (EU only) pursuing a Bachelor’s
degree (first and second cycle) and Master’s program who meet the general,
academic, and financial requirements;
● The Ministry of Education can provide financial aid assistance;
● Additionally, various study grants are offered for international students by the
Spanish universities. [9]
● Language
The official language of Spain is Spanish. So, studying in Spain will be a fantastic chance to pick
up a new language, or improve your current skills. In addition, this will look great on your CV,
as Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world!
While most programs are taught in Spanish, there are an increasing amount of Spanish
universities offering programs in English. Even if you do study in English, it is recommended
that you still make an effort to improve your Spanish and that you communicate with the locals
and other students as much as possible. [6]
● English Language Tests
There are over 1,000 English-taught programs 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 [7]
● Spanish Language Tests
For Spanish-taught degrees, the most common required Spanish test is —
● DELE [7]
● Visa Requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa or residence permit to study in
Spain.
● EU students, as well as those who are from Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein,
and Iceland, will not need a visa in order to live and study in Spain. They will
need to register with your local Spanish authorities in order to obtain a residence
certificate. This needs to be done within three months of your arrival in the
country. [6]
● If you are a student coming from any other country, you will need a visa to study
in Spain for more than three months. The visa process can’t be started until you
have received an official offer from an institution. [6]
● To obtain a student visa, students must provide proof of their program of study
along with a medical certificate, a certificate of solvency for the period of
studies, and a criminal record certificate from their country of residence for the
past five years. [8]
● Practical Information
Here are a few useful tips to keep in mind while applying at a Spanish university —
● At first, check with your chosen university in Spain;
● 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 program;
● 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! [7]
● Conclusion
Here we go, buddy! See! We have come to the finishing line of today’s trip. Last (but certainly
not least!), apart from the overall exciting atmosphere, Spain is home to many universities and
colleges that 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, my buddy.
From white, sandy beaches and blue seas, to the ski slopes of the Pyrenees and to the ancient
villages of Granada, Spain truly offers both natural and urban splendors. [2]
Embrace the chance to sharpen your Spanish skills and enjoy a relaxed and multicultural
environment while you study abroad in Spain! All my best wishes to my buddy!