Spain is a popular destination for international students seeking quality and affordable higher education. There are around 85,000 international students studying in Spain each year. With lots to offer, there will be something for everyone is this fantastic country.
There are 76 universities in Spain, and they are a mixture of public and private. Of the 76, 24 are private, and 7 of these are associated with the Catholic Church. The public universities are state-funded, meaning that their fees are set by the local government. Spain has a long and rich tradition of higher education, and therefore their institutions are consistently well ranked. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, 12 Spanish institutions are ranked in the top 500. The highest of these is the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, sitting at 178th.
You are able to study at all traditional levels in Spain. This includes bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level study. A bachelor degree usually lasts 4 years, and you will be required to gain 240 ECTS credits to pass (find out what the ECTS is in our Study Abroad Advice article). A master’s degree usually lasts 1-2 years, and you must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent to be accepted. A Spanish Doctoral degree (PhD) usually lasts up to 3 years, or 5 years if you study part-time. You will need to have been awarded a bachelor’s and master’s degree to gain entry on a Doctoral programme. There are many options for types of courses available, and what fields they are offered in. You are highly likely to find a programme that suits you at an institution in Spain.
There are many interesting cities throughout Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia.
International students will need to obtain a student visa in order to enrol at university in Spain. For more information, see our Spain Student Visa Guide.
Digital Marketing, Transformation & Design Thinking MA
EU Business School, Barcelona Spain
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Deusto Business School Spain
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| Capital City | Madrid |
|---|---|
| Currency | EUR, Euro |
| Language(s) | Spanish |
| Universities on StudyLink | 33 universities |
| Major Student Cities | Barcelona |
The official language of Spain is Spanish. Studying in Spain will be a fantastic chance to pick up a new language, or improve your current skills. This will look great on your CV, as Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world!
Most programmes are taught in Spanish, but there are an increasing amount of Spanish universities offering programmes taught in English. If you choose to study in Spanish, you will have to prove that your language skills meet the teaching standard. If you choose to study in English, you will also need to prove that your language skills meet the required standard. For more information regarding the language requirements for your course, contact your chosen institution. 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.
EU Business School, Barcelona
Harbour.Space University, Barcelona
TBS Education in Barcelona, Barcelona
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