Study in Spain

Explore universities and programs in Spain for international students.

Find programs that match your goals quickly and easily using our advanced search filters

A famous cityscape or landscape of Spain featuring iconic elements of Spain's natural beauty or architectural landmarks.

Key facts

  • Currency
    Euro €
  • Student population
    1.8 million
  • Languages
    Spanish and regional languages such as Catalan and Basque
  • Universities
    78

Why study in Spain?

Spain has a long tradition of excellence in education, with the first university being set up in the 13th century. It is a popular destination for international students because of its educational system, rich history, and European culture.

The country offers students a mixture of beautiful countryside and vibrant cities, as well as further travel opportunities to other European countries nearby.

Illustration of famous landmarks and cultural items from Spain, interconnected on a map-like layout with trees and clouds.

Where can you study in Spain

Spain’s culture varies from region to region, with different cuisines, customs, and even languages. You could be learning Catalan in Barcelona, enjoy the North African feel of Granada or learn about historical Spain in Madrid.

International students coming to study in Spain have plenty of lively student cities to choose from, including Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, or Valencia.

What is the cost of study in Spain?

Public universities in Spain will charge international students around €3,000 per year. Private universities can have higher tuition fees reaching €20,000 per year.

Accommodation in Spain is cheaper than in many other European countries, but some apartments are offered unfurnished so you could have to find your own furniture. Eating out is cheap if you stick to neighborhood restaurants and local bars, whilst public transport is plentiful in big cities but limited in smaller ones.

Illustration representing studying costs, featuring symbols like a calculator, stacks of money, and hands exchanging cash, all surrounded by a building resembling a university, books and a diploma scroll.

What is the cost of living in Spain?

Category Cost  (in Euro)
Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre€907Range: €600 to €1,500
Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre€710Range: €450 to €1,100
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse)€133Range: €85 to €213
Internet (60 Mbps unlimited)€29Range: €20 to €45
Mobile phone plan (data + calls)€16Range: €7 to €30
Monthly public transport pass€30Range: €20 to €50
Monthly grocery basket€250Range: €180 to €350
Coffee shop drink€2Range: €1 to €4
Cinema or cultural event ticket€9Range: €7 to €12
Gym membership€41Range: €28 to €60

Indicative monthly costs per person.

Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).

What are the requirements to study in Spain?

Qualifications

Undergraduate study in Spain is covered by the Lisbon Convention, so if you are a European Union student who has completed school study in your home country, you’ll also qualify for higher education study in Spain.

Non-EU students will need to pass the Selectividad, which is the Spanish university entrance examination. This includes tests on text analysis, the history of Spain, and a foreign language exam.

English language tests

Spanish universities can accept a range of English Language tests including IELTS academic test and TOEFL iBT. Always check with specific university requirements as to what you’ll need to prove your English language ability.

Spain student visa

If your program of study in Spain will be full-time and last for more than six months, you’ll need to apply for a student visa (Type D). When you have accepted an offer from a university you can go to a Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country to apply for a visa.

Within 30 days of your arrival in Spain, you’ll need to get a student’s residence permit from your local Foreigner’s Office.

Illustration representing travel planning and visa approval process, featuring a globe, an airplane, a calendar, documents including passport and ID card, and a stamped approval document.

How to study in Spain?

Find out how to study abroad with Studee. We help students, schools, and university partners compare options, understand requirements, and plan next steps together.

Student reviews for Spain

Nicolás Ayala Franco
co flag
Studied Business Administration at SBS Swiss Business School, Spain
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    5
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    3
  • University facilities
    4
What's it like to study in Spain

Spain is a diverse and culturally rich country with plenty to explore. Traveling around is easy thanks to good train and flight connections, which make visiting other cities and regions simple. There’s a lot of history, culture, and great food to enjoy, and every region has its own unique traditions.

Iveta Stratikopulou
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Studied Business Administration at SBS Swiss Business School, Spain
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    5
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    5
  • University facilities
    4
What's it like to study in Spain

Spain is an amazing and very beautiful country! I have really enjoyed the Spanish culture and Spanish people overall are very nice people!

Joao Pedro Campos Ferezin
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Studied Entrepreneurship at SBS Swiss Business School, Spain
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    5
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    5
  • University facilities
    5
What's it like to study in Spain

Spain is an amazing country to study in. The culture is warm and welcoming, and people are generally friendly and open. Traveling around the country is easy and affordable, with high-speed trains and well-connected airports. I’ve had the chance to visit places like Madrid, Valencia, and the Costa Brava, all beautiful..

Edipo Aniceto Jaime Massinga
mz flag
Studied Business Management at SBS Swiss Business School, Spain
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    5
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    5
  • University facilities
    5
What's it like to study in Spain

I love Barcelona because it’s a multicultural city. There are many tourist places to go, as a result the city is always overcrowded. I didn’t have the opportunity to spend time with the locals (Catalans), but I have met Spanish people there, and they are friendly. The only thing that I find uncommon is that on Sundays, they close the big supermarkets and you can’t go shopping. The rest is fine.

Rebecca Fracassi
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Studied Political Science at Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    4
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    4
What's it like to study in Spain

The program is interesting, but the organization of the master's is not so good.