Education in Spain: Universities and Scholarships

Spain is more than just its beautiful beaches, famous football teams, and one of the tastiest cuisines in the world. It also offers high-quality education. And if many students have the desire to study at a Spanish university purely for the country’s beauty and warm weather, then knowing what the education process is like for foreigners will only increase their desire to get a Spanish degree.

So many people from around the world choose Spanish universities for obvious reasons. After all, by getting an education in this country, besides everything else, you can also get to know the Spanish people, who are very open and friendly. This also helps with studying. If you have any problems or questions, they’re very sincere and always willing to help.

Spanish education institutions are rated alongside American and British universities. According to the 2020 Global Peace Index, Spain holds a higher position than other countries mentioned in terms of safety.

But let’s talk about the actual quality of education. Studying here is suitable for those with a mathematical and logical mindset, as well as those interested in the humanities. You can study IT, engineering, international relations, art and the humanities, medicine, archeology, design, history and philosophy, linguistics, and social sciences at Spanish universities.

You can get higher education in two types of institutions in Spain. The first is universities and higher technical schools, which provide three levels of scientific degrees, and the second is university schools for professional education. Additionally, university colleges teach general subjects and prepare students for university.

A Bachelor’s degree in Spain lasts for 4 years (excluding medical and engineering majors). Studying for a Master’s degree and at graduate school takes around 1-2 years. Courses are largely held in Spanish, but there are also programs in English, especially for social sciences (administration, management, law, finances, etc.), and dual-language programs (Spanish + English or Spanish + French).

Instruction can cost between €800 and €10,000 per year; typically €800-€5,000 at state universities and from €5,000 at private universities. Among the scholarships that foreigners can participate in is a scholarship from a university for students with high academic performance (usually, you can apply both during admission and while you are studying). There is also a scholarship for being born into a large or disadvantaged family and special grants for research or creative works (for Master’s and Ph.D.). The scholarship can cover tuition in full or give a certain percentage discount. Generally speaking, scholarships from the government or 17 autonomous communities (e.g., the Basque Country, Navarre, Catalonia, etc.) are only given to students with a residence permit, not those who have just relocated.

Top 5 Most Popular Universities in Spain (according to ratings from the El Mundo newspaper)

This is a popular and influential local publication, with 230,000 copies sold daily. Those who compile El Mundo’s ratings (over 2,000 of them) are recognized authorities among teachers.

When compiling the list, they use 27 criteria, including the university’s prestige, the progress of its students, the set of subjects, teachers’ communication with students, facilities, and more.

Universitat Pompeu Fabra

It teaches through a strict, innovative, and personalized educational model. The university’s official language is Catalan.

Undergraduate applicants can study in English at the Faculty of Economics and Management, and Master’s candidates can study in English at any university faculty.

The major areas and departments are social sciences, economics, finance and accounting, business, management and administration, politics, law, journalism, and advertising and PR.

The university offers 21 undergraduate, 28 Master’s, and 9 Ph.D. programs

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

There are some great tutors and programs for the humanities and social sciences, especially in anthropology, archeology, and social policy. Specialists also point to the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the School of Veterinary Medicine; the latter ranked among the world’s top 30. There are some good programs in physics, astronomy, and computer science.

Universitat de Barcelona

This is one of the oldest and most respected universities in the country. Here, disciplines such as Art and the Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life and Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Management, Physics, and Chemistry are taught in great-quality courses.

Undergraduate programs cost less than €1,000 per year. Those wishing to enter a Master’s program in Spain should expect to pay around €2,500 per year. Despite the low cost of tuition, students also can apply for university scholarships.

Additionally, the university offers distance learning programs. You can read more about it on the university’s official website.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

The majors at this large institution of higher learning include the Polytechnic College, the Department of Economics and Business, the Department of Law, the Department of Natural Sciences, the Department of Philosophy and Literature, the Department of Teacher Training, and the Department of Psychology.

The academic year is divided into semesters. Undergraduate programs cost less than €1,000 per year. Master’s programs are around €4,500.

The university’s website offers more information about the tuition cost considering the chosen program.

Universidad de Navarra

The main building of this higher educational institution is located in Pamplona. Thanks to its quality academic programs, the university is often highly rated by experts. According to specialists, you can get an excellent education in art, the humanities, life sciences, social sciences, management, and medicine. A Bachelor’s program in Spanish costs at least €10,000, and a Master’s in Spanish costs at least €13,500.

Scholarships in Spain

Scholarships in the following areas actively support the following universities:

• Economics, management, law at Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Universidad de Alicante, and Universidad Internacional de Cataluña
  
• Technical subjects at Universitat Politècnica de València, Universidad de Navarra, and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  
• IT and communication at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
  
• Medicine at Universidad de Navarra, Universitat de Barcelona, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra
  
• The humanities at Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

The most widespread scholarship is the Europe-wide Erasmus Mundus. The program offers various scholarships, including grants for researchers, tutors, and scientists.

It allows foreigners to study abroad for 3 to 12 months, providing they know a language. That language will either be English or the local language (depending on the program). All completed courses and seminars are counted in official documents according to Europe’s ECTS system for academic credits.

The size of the scholarship depends on the country and university (between €500 and €2,000 per month). It usually covers:

• Tuition costs at the host university
• Visa support costs
• Accommodation expenses in the host university’s city
• Transport expenses
• Medical insurance.

There are also joint programs with from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación), and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional), which provide the MAEC-AECI scholarship programs (Programas de Becas MAEC-AECI). Information about these programs is published on the website in mid-October (though general information is available year-round).

Candidates can choose a course and university of interest, except for the I.A. program (for Spanish teachers who want to study at a summer school in Madrid) and the II.C program (a Master’s degree in international relations at a diplomatic school in Madrid).

There’s also a scholarship from Fundación Carolina. It’s given out for research work. Find out more on their website.

What you need to know

A student visa in Spain allows you to study, participate in exchange programs, and work as an intern for more than 3 months. You need to be accepted by a university before submitting a visa application. When applying for a long-term visa (at least 6 months), you also need to apply for a student resident card at the immigration office within a month after your arrival. A student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours a week while studying.

Living and food expenses start at €600 per month in southern regions and reach as high as €1,500 in large cities.

Average expenses in mid-sized cities:

• Rent: €600
• Gas, electricity, water, internet, telephone: €130
• Food: €270
• Entertainment: €450
• Healthcare: €222
• Unplanned expenses: €150.

There’s a great opportunity to study in Spain, regardless of your dream subject or chosen university. The education system is well organized and gives students the best opportunities to study. It’s no coincidence that this is the third most popular country in terms of international exchange and one of the best options for international students. Education in Spain is highly rated in Europe. And although the majority of programs are in Spanish, it’s not hard to find courses taught in English.

How Univibes Helps You Get Admitted

We’ll help you make the right choice when looking for the universities and programs with the highest chance of admission. We’ll put together the university documents you need and help you write great motivational letters and letters of recommendation. It’s important to ensure that you’re genuinely interested in studying in this country and this program. We’ll help you prepare a competitive application.

To evaluate your chances of being admitted and getting a scholarship, leave a request on our website, and one of our managers will provide you with a free consultation.