🇪🇸 Spain

Often as low as €800 per academic year, tuition fees in Spain are much more affordable than many other European countries:

Tuition fees for a Bachelor’s degree will be between €800 and €1,200 a year for EU students at public universities, but they can go up to €8,000 for non-EU students at private institutions or business schools.

Tuition fees will vary considerably according to the discipline – medicine or dentistry degrees tend to cost more – and the individual institution, with private universities usually charging higher fees.

Fees at public universities are determined by the regional government: each Autonomous Community (e.g. Catalonia, Andalusia, etc.) determines its university fees, which are set each year and are usually confirmed before the start of the new academic year. At most public universities these fees will be substantially higher for non-EU students than for EU students.

Always check with each university/programme to inquire about tuition, fees, and possible financial aid and scholarships.

See more general information about tuition, fees, cost of living, and financial aid opportunities here.

English-Taught Degrees

If you’re attending a degree programme in Spain, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

There are over 1,000 English-taught programs in Spain and the universities MAY want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Spanish universities accept these official English exams, but make sure to check your programmes' website for specific requirements:

An English proficiency report may fulfill this requirement.

If not, an English language exam may be required. See here for more info.

Spanish-Taught Degrees

The most common required Spanish test is DELE.

DELE Spanish Diplomas are official titles certifying degree of competence and mastery of the Spanish language, granted by Spain's Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

Some universities' Spanish-taught programs do not have a language test requirement, but for those that do, a B1 or higher level should be sufficient. Remember to always check the program's specific requirements on their website.

You should also check with the university if they will accept Spanish SL or HL scores in lieu of the DELE or another language exam.

Most universities accept the IBDP program, and some will accept IBCP. You can find specific information about which universities recognize the program and the specific course requirements here: https://recognition.ibo.org/en-US/.  Always check the individual university websites to find their unique requirements.

All qualifications will still need to evaluated through the UNEDAssiss website if you are applying to a university which uses it. 

NOTE: This process cannot be started until you have a certified copy of your diploma and transcript (with the school stamp/seal).

Process for credentialing IB diploma with UNEDAssiss

Didn't get the IB diploma? Don't panic!     Read the guide here.

If you choose to apply and submit a non-IB transcript, you will need to complete the homologation process after receiving your acceptance or conditional acceptance from a university program. 

The homologation process is simply the process of verifying your foreign transcript for the Spanish university system. 

NOTE: This process cannot be started until you have a certified copy of your diploma and transcript (with the school stamp/seal).

You can find more information here: https://spaincounselor.com/homologation-process/

IE offers various scholarships for students, including those in collaboration with external entities, with most scholarships applicable globally. To be eligible for financial aid, students must be admitted or conditionally admitted to an IEU program and apply before their first year begins. 

Candidates can apply for up to three scholarships, considering both their academic profiles and economic needs. The application process involves submitting an online application, including a 2500-character essay explaining personal and academic differentiators and financial documents from parents or legal guardians. Video tutorials are available to guide applicants through the process. Further details can be found on the IE website: https://www.ie.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/

If you have further questions, you can email financialaid.ieu@ie.edu

Students may want to consider using the CommonApp system if applying to schools in multiple countries or find the local system very confusing and difficult to navigate. The CommonApp, while typically used for US colleges/universities, is a non-profit organization with a single application which can be used to apply to 1,000+ universities worldwide. This will help make the application system more efficient and easier to navigate.

You can search for available universities and programs of study in Spain and other countries HERE.