Study in Spain

Higher Education Structure in Spain

Study In Spain

Spain is a large, diverse country situated in Western Europe. It is a noted centre of culture and sport on the continent, with the Spanish language spoken by hundreds of millions of people across the world. Its economy is one of the most dynamic in Europe, and it is a member of the WTO and G20. The higher education system in Spain is one of the most developed in the world, with over 1 million students enrolled in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Spanish Universities.

As the second largest member country of the European Union, Spain is home to over 47 million people. Its capital is Madrid. The pleasant climate and diverse natural beauty of the country lead millions of tourists and hundreds of thousands of international students to flock to its shores. The booming economy of Spain ensures that there are always employment opportunities for skilled graduates in the country, and the strong international reputation of its universities ensures global recognition of their degrees.

The Perks of Studying in Spain

Spain is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #45 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report.
  • The country is ranked #29 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.
  • The country is ranked #38 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #31 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Spain

Spain is home to almost 80 Universities, with an approximately even split between public and private Institutions. Higher Education Institutions in the country are of many different types: Academic Universities, Polytechnic Universities, Higher Arts Schools, and Vocational Institutions. Private Universities typically charge higher tuition fees than State Funded Universities. Most Universities offer courses only in Spanish, though most International Universities offer courses in both English and Spanish.

Universities in Spain offer three main kinds of degrees through Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. They also offer short-term diploma and certificate courses.

Certificate Programs

Most Spanish Universities provide short-term certificate programs for different categories of students. Many of these are summer courses for tourists who wish to learn the language or for regular students who want to expand their academic qualifications. Continuing adult education is another sector in which certificate degree programs are available. However, they also run longer-term vocational diploma courses for students who wish to gain practical training for a period of time shorter than that of a full-time UG or PG degree before joining the workforce.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Spain typically last four years, though some may be completed in six semesters, and a few disciplines (like Medicine) may take 10 to 12 semesters. Undergraduate degrees in public universities are offered in a wide range of disciplines, with several different options available within the broad categories of Science, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine, Business, Engineering, and Languages. Vocational Universities offer professional undergraduate degrees that are completed in three or four years.

The structure of undergraduate programs in most Spanish Universities is similar: Years 1 and 2 contain foundational courses; these are designed to give students an appreciation of the historical evolution of their chosen subject of study. The subsequent semesters are dedicated to specific study of 1-3 important areas; at this stage, some students may choose to specialise in one or more skills. 

Postgraduate Programs

Within the second cycle of Tertiary Education, Spanish Universities offer postgraduate or Master’s degree programs. Academic Master’s degrees last 2 or 3 semesters, and focus on coursework and advanced understanding of core subjects. Most Master’s degrees in Spain are similar to postgraduate degrees in other Universities; they start with coursework and the last two semesters are spent on guided research work, including a Master’s Thesis Defence. Spanish Universities offer hundreds of Master’s programs in different specialised areas, including cutting edge disciplines within Science, Engineering, Humanities, Art, and Medicine.

Doctoral Programs

Research is an important component of all the major Universities in Spain, with almost a billion euros invested by the Spanish Government in Research and Development every year. PhD students drive the research engine, and spend 3 to 5 years receiving training in the tools of the trade and conducting original research work. The topic is usually chosen by the supervisor, and doctoral students work closely with their faculty guide on journal publication and thesis preparation and writing. The final PhD defence takes place before a panel of esteemed external faculty members, and successful candidates are awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Popular Disciplines Available in Spain

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Spain are-

PhysiotherapyCivil EngineeringSpanish Language and Literature
Hospitality ManagementEnvironmental StudiesVisual Arts
Energy EngineeringMechanical EngineeringInternational Tourism
Data AnalysisGastronomySociology
PsychologyComputer AnimationMarketing
Electrical EngineeringMedieval ArchitectureSurgery

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Spain

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Spain.

The Name of the City No. of Universities 
Madrid21
Barcelona10
Seville5
Valencia4
Salamanca2
Pamplona2
Murcia2
Malaga2
Logroño2
Burgos2

Average Monthly Expenses in Spain for International Students

Public Universities in Spain have relatively low tuition fees for international students, with some Bachelor’s programs charging annual fees of 1,000 Euros per year, much lower than in most European countries. The average fees for Spanish Bachelor’s degree programs are approximately 2,500 Euros per year, with Master’s programs and Private Universities charging substantially higher tuition fees. Most international students subsidise all or part of their tuition fees through scholarships.

Most Spanish Universities make arrangements for student accommodation on campus through Halls of Residence. The monthly rent for these varies according to the occupancy of the flat or dormitory, and according to the city in which the University is located. In general, University accommodation in Spain costs between 300 and 500 Euros per month. Private accommodation is substantially more expensive and can go up to 900 Euros per month in the larger cities.

In most Spanish cities, other living costs add up to approximately 400 to 500 Euros per month. These include food, transport within the city, weekly shopping for essential items, phone and internet costs, recreation and local travel within the country and to neighbouring countries. Students in Madrid or Barcelona will typically find that their living costs are 50% higher than those of students in smaller Spanish cities.

Students' Visa Requirements

Students wishing to apply for a long-term Spanish visa (Type D) to study in the country must complete the visa requirement criteria. After the completion of the application form, the candidate can expect to receive the student visa in 2 to 4 weeks if all the documents are in order; this process may take longer if there is a large volume of applications to process. Once the student arrives in Spain to begin the course of study, he or she must visit the local authorities to apply for a Residence Permit. 

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Spain.
  • Visa Application Form (Schengen visa application).
  • Valid Passport.
  • Passport Photos.
  • Letter of Acceptance from a Spanish educational institution.
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds.
  • Health Insurance.
  • Visa Fee Payment.
  • Academic Transcripts and Certificates.
  • Statement of Purpose (motivation letter).
  • Proof of Accommodation in Spain.
  • Flight Itinerary.
  • Proof of Language Proficiency (usually in Spanish or English).
  • Birth Certificate.
  • Police Clearance Certificate (if required).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The fee payable for a Spanish student visa varies according to the country in which the application is submitted. For example, applicants in India pay a fee of 60 Euros during the application process. Students typically have to pay a further amount on arrival in Spain to obtain the Residence Permit, which is required to travel within Europe and to sign up for part time employment.

Long term students in Spain can apply for part time jobs to help finance living costs. The employer applies for a temporary work permit on behalf of the international student; this entitles the student to work up to 4 hours per day during the regular semester. For three vacation months in the year, full time work is allowed.