Spain's higher education landscape is dominated by Universidades, with virtually no other type of higher education institution. The approximately 80 universities are divided into state and private institutions, with the majority being state-run. The universities also include the Escuelas Universitarias (Politécnicas) and, depending on their location, the Colegios Universitarios. The Escuelas Universitarias (Politécnicas) offer more practice-oriented education than the universities and are similar to universities of applied sciences – with the difference that they are not independent types of higher education institutions. The addition of Politécnicas indicates a focus on technology and natural sciences. There are also entire Universidades Politécnicas. The Colegios Universitarios, on the other hand, award vocational qualifications. Spain's universities are therefore structured as “integrated higher education institutions,” some of which provide not only academic but also vocational education. The few types of higher education institutions that are not universities include private design schools and business schools. Speaking of business schools, Spain has a lot to offer in this area, with some of the most renowned business schools in Europe located here, such as IE in Madrid and ESADE in Barcelona. But Spain's universities are also impressive. Several Spanish universities regularly rank among the top 500 universities worldwide according to various international university rankings.
Studying in Spain means internationality. With over 135,000 international students, the country ranks among the top 10 most popular European countries for studying. Out of a total of 1.6 million students at Spanish universities, this corresponds to an internationality rate of eight percent. This percentage is relatively high compared to other European countries. Studying in Spain is particularly popular among students from the European Union, for example from France, Italy, and Germany, who make up 45% of international students, and among students from Latin America. For most Latin American students, studying abroad in Spain offers a major advantage: they can gain experience abroad without having to learn a new language.
Are you already fired up about studying in Spain, or do you feel apprehensive about leaving your comfort zone? That's understandable; it's definitely a big step. But trust us: it's worth it! If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We've listed five reasons why studying in Spain is worthwhile – pretty convincing, right?
Several Spanish universities enjoy an excellent reputation and are ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide according to various international university rankings. Spanish universities award internationally recognized Bachelor's and Master's degrees, so you don't have to worry about transferring your credits when studying abroad in Spain.
With around 600 million speakers in 20 countries, Spanish is one of the most important languages in the world. It is the second most common native language and is also gaining importance as a business language. If you want to work in an international context later on, knowing Spanish can only be an advantage. And where better to learn the language than in its country of origin?
Would you love to study abroad, but studying in the US, UK, or Australia is too expensive? Then Spain is a great alternative! Tuition fees are significantly lower than in the top three countries for studying abroad, especially at public universities – even for international students. You can also benefit from Erasmus+ when studying in Spain. Living costs in Spain are reasonable as well.
Spain's vibrant culture, ranging from flamenco to soccer, its culinary diversity, varied natural landscape, and mild climate ensure a high quality of life and numerous leisure activities. The Spanish way of life is an experience in itself: enjoy southern hospitality while studying abroad in Spain and let yourself be carried away by the laid-back attitude of the Spanish people!
Studying abroad will help you advance enormously – both academically and personally. You will gain a broader perspective, engage with new research topics, and strengthen your self-confidence. Since you will meet people from all over the world while studying in Spain, you will also grow interpersonally and improve your intercultural skills. All of these are highly sought-after skills!
The Spanish academic system has a few unique characteristics that distinguish it from other higher education systems. To ensure that you are well prepared for your study abroad adventure, we have compiled a short list for you:
Since the Bologna university reform in 2002, degrees in the higher education sector in Europe are no longer differentiated. However, the length of time required to obtain a particular degree can vary from country to country. In Spain, for example, it takes four years to obtain a Bachelor's degree (Grado in Spanish), compared to three years in Germany. However, it usually only takes one year to complete a Master's degree in Spain. There are also two-year master's programs, but they are less common. A doctorate, the highest academic degree, usually takes three years to complete in Spain.
If you want to study in Spain, it is advisable to have at least a basic knowledge of Spanish. This will give you the widest choice of courses, as Spanish is the main language of instruction at Spanish universities. Due to the special status of Galicia, Catalonia, and the Basque Country as autonomous regions with a second official language, courses are often also held in the respective regional languages. This multilingualism is a special feature of the Spanish higher education system. In recent years, the range of English-language degree programs and courses has increased, making it even easier for international students to study in Spain.
The academic year in Spain is divided into two semesters. The winter semester runs from mid-September or early October to the end of January. The summer semester begins in early February and ends in June. Exams are taken at the end of each semester. During the hot summer months, there are no lectures or exams, and students can enjoy their free time.
Spain uses a numerical grading system with numbers from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best grade. The following table provides an overview of the Spanish grading system:
| Spanish Grade | Official Term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10 – 9,0 | Sobresaliente | Excellent |
| 8,9 – 7,0 | Notable | Good |
| 6,0 – 5,0 | Aprobado | Pass |
| 4,9 – 0 | Suspeso | Fail |
How these grades are converted into other grading systems, for example in the US or the UK, cannot be generalized and varies from institution to institution.
Depending on where you come from, you may quickly get the impression that studying in Spain feels a bit like being back at school. There is often a fixed timetable for everyone on the course and the choice of electives is rather limited. This has the advantage of providing a well-structured daily routine, but the disadvantage is that you have less flexibility.
Classes themselves may also be different from what you are used to. Teaching is more lecturer-centered, which means that the lecturers dictate the content and classes tend to be frontal lectures. The focus is often on teaching theoretical basics, with discussion rounds or group work being less common. Exams often involve reciting memorized knowledge rather than applying it in practice.
But don't worry: this is slowly changing! Since the Bologna higher education reform in 2002, many universities – especially in Master's programs and at the Escuelas Universitarias (Politécnicas) – have been increasingly focusing on more modern teaching methods that encourage students to actively participate.
Bottom line: Spain is still a bit more traditional when it comes to teaching. But that doesn't mean you'll be bored in class while studying abroad in Spain. You'll definitely have chances to critically analyze what you're learning, work on projects, and take more initiative.
As in many other European countries, studying in Spain is not free. Individual universities charge tuition fees for both national and international students. The amount of these fees is determined each year. But the good news is that studying in Spain is not as expensive as studying in the US, England, or Australia! If you only want to study in Spain for one or two semesters and not complete an entire degree program, there are also ways to save on fees altogether – more on that below.
The amount of tuition fees depends on various factors:
To give you an idea of what tuition fees you can expect when studying in Spain, here are a few figures:
If you are studying abroad for a Bachelor's degree in Spain, you can expect tuition fees of between €500 and €2,000 per academic year. Non-EU students pay between €2,000 and €6,000. Master's programs in Spain can cost up to €4,000 or €8,000 for non-EU students. At private universities, the cost of studying ranges from €5,000 to €15,000 per year.
Interesting country fact: When studying in Spain, you have to pay for exams. This can get expensive, especially if you don't pass the first time, as repeat exams cost several times the original price.
In addition to tuition fees, there are also living expenses, although these are quite moderate in Spain. As usual, costs are higher in lively student cities such as Madrid or Barcelona than in smaller towns or rural areas. Based on student experience, you should expect to pay between €800 and €1,500 per month.
One way to study in Spain more affordably is to not opt for a full Bachelor's or Master's degree, but instead to spend a semester abroad in Spain. If you only study in Spain for a shorter period of time, you will of course have lower living and accommodation costs. Since you will take fewer courses during a semester abroad in Spain than you would during a full degree program abroad, you will only have to pay a portion of the tuition fees. If you are studying at a partner university of your home university in Spain as part of the Erasmus+ program, you will not have to pay any tuition fees at all. You can find out more about the various external funding options for international students in the next section. So don't let tuition fees stand in the way of your dream of studying abroad in Spain! Contact the International Office at your university to find out about the options for studying in Spain for a semester abroad.
With Munich Business School (MBS), your dream of studying abroad in Spain can come true! At MBS, stays abroad are an integral part of the Bachelor's and Master's programs. Here, internationality is not only taught, but also lived. Of course, Spain is also represented in MBS's global network of partner universities. Get an overview of the universities Spain where you can study with MBS.
Studying abroad usually involves higher costs than studying in your home country. At the same time, there are a number of ways you can finance your studies in Spain, including tuition fees and living expenses. Here are some ideas to get you started:
In order for Erasmus+ funding to apply and for your tuition fees for your studies in Spain to be waived, it is important that both your home university and your host university participate in the Erasmus program and have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement. If this is the case, you can apply for an Erasmus study program at your home university. Study stays in Spain of at least two and up to 12 months are eligible for funding, i.e., you will not be able to finance a complete Bachelor's degree in Spain with Erasmus+, but you can finance one or two semesters abroad or a one-year Master's program. With Erasmus+, you not only save on tuition fees while studying abroad in Spain, but you also receive an additional monthly financial allowance of approximately €500. Since Erasmus+ is a grant, you do not have to pay the money back. In addition, Erasmus+ can be combined with other funding, such as Auslands-BAföG (a loan for students studying abroad).
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest provider of scholarships for study abroad. Here you will find a wide range of scholarships for all courses of study as well as subject- and country-specific funding. In addition to the DAAD, there are other private, church, and political foundations that award scholarships. Furthermore, some Spanish universities award partial and full scholarships to international students. It is best to check the individual websites of the universities to find out what requirements you need to meet. Please note that applications for scholarships must usually be submitted together with the application for a place at the university.
So check directly to see if you meet the relevant requirements. If so, your tuition fees in Spain will be subsidized by up to €5,600 for a maximum of one year, regardless of whether you are studying in Spain as part of a semester abroad (minimum 12 weeks) or completing an entire degree program in Spain. You will also receive a monthly grant and subsidies for travel, health insurance, and living expenses.
Half of the BAföG for studies abroad is a grant and the other half is an interest-free loan, which means that you must repay half of the money you receive after completing your studies. The subsidy for tuition fees is exempt from repayment.
Typical part-time jobs for students include waitering, tutoring, or working in retail. With a part-time job, you can at least cover some of the costs of studying in Spain. At the same time, you will get to experience the country and its people firsthand – a very unique experience.
If you only want to study in Spain for one or two semesters, you can apply for a KfW student loan or, if you are already enrolled in a Master's program, a education loan of the German federal governement. The latter is also suitable for financing a complete Master's degree in Spain. An education fund that explicitly focuses on studying abroad is the Fonds der Deutsche Bildung.
Before signing a contract, you should carefully compare the providers and be aware that these financing models are loans and that you will have to repay the money you receive (plus interest). You can find more details on how student loans and education funds work on our blog.
If you want to study abroad in Spain, you need to know more than just how you are going to finance your studies. There are also a few things to bear in mind when it comes to applying and being admitted – from study requirements to legal basics. To ensure you are well prepared, we have put together the most important information for you here:
Studying in Spain is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in Spain is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To provide you with the best possible support in organizing your stay, this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying in Spain.
Studying abroad in Spain is a unique and valuable experience. Spanish universities have an excellent reputation and offer a high standard of education. Spanish university degrees are internationally recognized and in high demand. While studying in Spain, you will have the unique opportunity to learn a new language or improve your Spanish skills. Did you know that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world after Chinese? Spanish is also becoming increasingly important in business. Studying in Spain will not only advance your academic career. You will also grow immensely as a person: you will become more independent and confident, hone your intercultural skills, and build an international network. The hard and soft skills you acquire while studying abroad in Spain will give you a real head start, allowing you to benefit from increased career opportunities in the global job market. Spain is also a good choice if studying or spending a semester abroad in the US, the UK, or Australia is too expensive for you. You won't have to compromise on quality of life: Spanish friendliness, cuisine, nature, and culture offer you very special experiences and leisure activities.
On average, international students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland pay between €500 and €2,000 per year in tuition fees for a Bachelor's degree in Spain and up to €4,000 for a Master's degree. For students from non-EU countries, the costs are higher, ranging from €2,000 to €6,000 for a Bachelor's degree and up to €8,000 for a Master's degree. However, there is no general answer to the question of costs. How much it costs to study abroad in Spain depends on various factors, such as the university or how long you study in Spain. In general, it is cheaper to study in Spain for a semester or a year than to complete a full degree program. If your home university has a partnership with a university in Spain and both participate in the Erasmus program, your tuition fees will be waived completely and you will save a lot of money. The region in which you study in Spain also has an influence on tuition fees. Catalonia, the region in which Barcelona is located, is one of the regions with higher tuition fees. The cost of living in Barcelona is also slightly higher than in smaller cities or rural areas.
Tuition fees apply when studying in Spain. So, there is no such thing as free education in the traditional sense in Spain – neither for local nor international students. However, there are some exceptions and financial support options that can help you study in Spain for (almost) free. Here are a few ideas:
Since Bachelor's degrees in Spain take four years instead of the standard three, Master's degrees usually only take one year to complete. There are also two-year Master's programs, but these are much less common.
That's a tough question! Spain has several universities that enjoy an excellent reputation and offer very high educational standards. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, these are the best universities in Spain:
These five universities are among the top 500 universities worldwide. And don't forget the business schools. Spain is home to some of the most prestigious business schools in Europe, such as IE in Madrid and ESADE in Barcelona.
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