Study in Spain

With a long history of educational excellence, dating back to the founding of its oldest university in 1218, it's hardly surprising that thousands of international students choose to study in Spain every year

When it comes to location, you'll have plenty of choice as the country boasts a variety of universities. Popular student cities include:

• Barcelona
• Granada
• Madrid
• Seville
• Valencia.

While Spain has a rich history and culture of its own for you to explore, you'll also be well connected to other popular European destinations such as London and Paris.

While studying in Spain, you'll also be able to brush up on the 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. You'll be able to enjoy siestas and tapas and plan getaways to wonderful mountain ranges, beaches and quaint villages that epitomise old Spain.

Spanish universities

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

Of the 89 Spanish universities, 50 are state-funded, with 39 privately owned or run by the Catholic Church.

A total of 35 Spanish universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The top ten include:

• Complutense University of Madrid (164)
• Universitat de Barcelona (165)
• Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (175)            
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (198)
• University of Navarra (249)
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (265)
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (285)
• Universidad Politècnica de Madrid (321)
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (371)
• University of Granada (431).

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

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
• law
• 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 university courses are taught in Spanish, so you'll need to prove your proficiency. Basic English proficiency is also required by most 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

If you're looking for a taster of life in Spain, consider completing a student exchange to supplement studies in your home country.

If you’re a student in the UK, talk to your faculty office/student exchange office to see if they run exchange programmes in Spain. For example, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Nottingham both run exchange programmes in the country.

The Turing Scheme also enables thousands of students from schools, colleges and universities to gain study and work experience overseas. It’s backed by over £100million worth of funding. 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 (£631) to €2,500 (£2,105) per academic year. Masters programmes are between €1,000 (£842) and €3,500 (£2,947). Annual course costs at private universities are typically more expensive and can go up to €20,000 (£16,844). 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 (£18) and €36 (£30) each, meaning that the cost of a Spanish Masters averages between €1,320 (£1,111) and €4,320 (£3,638).

Students should expect to pay €900 (£757) to €1,100 (£926) 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 (£589).

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 such as Spain's Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development) and Fundacion Carolina.

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
• 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 third 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 head to Spain 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

• Discover what it's like to work in Spain.