There are currently 82 universities in Spain, of which 50 are public and 32 are private.
Higher education is an honored tradition in Spanish society. The first university, Universidad de Salamanca, was established in the 13th century. As such, many of Spain’s institutions have developed strong programs that have earned them a solid international reputation. In fact, several universities are ranked in the top 500 in the world in various international university rankings including Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
For the 2017- 2018 academic year, 127,597 international students enrolled in Spanish higher education institutions, of which 64,124 students pursued undergraduate degrees mostly in the Madrid and Catalonia region.
Length of study for an undergraduate degree varies by subject. While the majority can be completed in three to four years, more technical degrees, like engineering, medicine, and architecture, can take five to six years.
The Study in Spain website is a government-sponsored resource for English-language speakers. It features information on the cultural and academic value of studying in Spain and has a university search engine that filters by province and university type. It also provides information about administrative procedures; however, the entries often include links to the official resource in Spanish.
Most undergraduate degrees are taught in Spanish or in one of Spain’s recognized regional languages, such as Basque or Catalan. However, there has been an increase in the number of programs taught completely in English or in a bilingual immersion format. In bilingual immersion programs, students begin their undergraduate careers in English-taught classes and are slowly transitioned into a full Spanish learning environment.
The cost of tuition at Spanish universities varies by the type of degree a student enrolls in (official or unofficial) and by the nature of the university (public or private).
The cost of public universities is regulated by the General Assembly for University Policy and the regional governments where they reside. While the universities are not allowed to raise tuition for Spanish and EU students, legislation does allow them to increase the fees for international students.
It is important to research each institution individually to assess the true cost of tuition for an international student. However, public university tuition for international students can still be considerably cheaper than the cost of attending a private university.
The cost of tuition at Spanish universities varies greatly. For public universities, tuition for an academic year typically ranges between 680 and 2,100 euros, and at private universities it ranges between 5,500 and 18,000 euros.
Tuition fees at private institutions may be higher if students pursue a double degree.
The Study in Spain website provides guidance on how to obtain a grant or scholarship to study in Spain. Including resources from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport.
International students are not required to take Spanish exams, unless they apply for general admission at public universities. In this scenario, universities may require international students to take one or more subject proficiency tests (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas or PCE). These tests are managed by UNEDasiss and are administered in Spain and several other locations across the globe. It is important that students reach out to the university of their choice to determine which tests they will need to take, if any.
Admission is generally based on students’ prior academic performance and high school GPA.
International students may also be required to take a language proficiency exam for Spanish or English depending on the program they are applying to and their country of origin. There are several testing platforms for language proficiency. The most widely recognized evaluations for Spanish are those given by the Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española (SIELE) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). For English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are accepted.
It is important for students to research whether their institution or program of choice requires them to take a language proficiency exam, which tests are accepted, and the minimum scores required for admission.
If you are considering taking the combination of AP and IB courses in grades 11-12, then check university requirements carefully. University admission for students taking the combination of AP and IB courses can be more challenging than for those students taking only IB Diploma or students taking only AP courses in grades 11-12.
Spain does not have a centralized application system for university admission. Each university sets its own requirements and deadlines for applications and in some instances these can even vary by program within the university. Some universities or programs may require applicants to attend an interview, submit additional materials, or even take a subject or general knowledge exam. It is important that students familiarize themselves with the requirements for each university and program of interest.
Students can follow the six steps for applying set forth by UNEDasiss, a service from the distance learning institution UNED. Each year, universities assess the number of seats in each program that will be open for new applicants. For public universities, this number is determined by the regional governments and is based on projected labor market needs. Of this number, a specific percentage—determined by the universities—is reserved for international students. The number of seats open for general and international admission are typically published in January or February. Students are advised to apply soon after these numbers are published, as space is limited.
Private institutions set their own enrollment goals are not limited in the number of international students they can enroll. When applying, students can begin the process of having their credentials certified for equivalency by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports. This process is known as homologación. Since this can’t officially be completed until a student finishes high school, students can apply for a permit for conditional admission (volante de inscripción condicional) through the Spanish embassy or consulate that would show they have initiated the credential equivalency certificate process, allowing them to be considered for admission to the university of their choice.
While this is the responsibility of the student, some universities do provide assistance. Students should contact the admission office of their prospective school or program to verify which resources are available to them. The Spanish Education Advising Office in the United States recommends that students begin this process as early as possible—since it can take three to six months—to assure they’ll have all their documentation in time for enrollment. For the most accurate and updated information about the credential equivalency certificate process and its requirements, students can contact the Spanish Education Advising Office by visiting their website.
Deadlines: Students typically begin their academic studies in the fall semester. Deadlines vary by university, but applications are generally due in April.
Application Fees: Application fees vary by university The fee usually remains less than US$50. Contact the university for the most accurate cost.
Upon Acceptance: The university will send a letter of acceptance, which is needed to apply for a student visa before coming to Spain. Students will also need to complete homologación once they have their final high school transcript and diploma.
Studying in Spain - finance, searching for programs and more
Study in Spain, especially if you are looking to study Spanish
UNED - Tests
A Star Future, EUNICAS or Study EU- English Taught Programs in Europe
Also use the sites listed on the Other European countries page to search for programs in Spain