Spain's higher education system is known for its world-class excellence and room for growth. There are currently 76 universities in Spain, of which 45 are publicly funded and 31 are private. Both public and private universities are structured into faculties, which are divided into different departments. Students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of study options.
Universities in Spain offer formal and informal degrees. The higher education system in Spain follows the Bologna system, which means that official degrees follow a three-cycle format and are recognized throughout Europe. University degree programs are aligned with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), and you can obtain bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in various fields.
Types of higher education institutions in Spain
Most of the prestigious universities in Spain are located in major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid. Although the density of universities is higher in the bigger Spanish cities, some of the best and oldest universities are located in different parts of Spain. For example, the University of Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain, founded in 1218, and still attracts thousands of students every year.
Universities and polytechnics
Spanish universities offer study programs in three cycles of study: bachelor's, master's and doctoral. These levels of study are related to fields such as arts and humanities, medicine, social sciences and law, as well as engineering and architecture. Universities in Spain tend to be more theoretically oriented compared to polytechnic universities, which mainly focus on the practical part of teaching and learning and usually offer programs in engineering and architecture. The Spanish university system also includes institutions offering distance learning, online learning and numerous institutions specializing in postgraduate studies.
International universities
In addition to Spanish higher education institutions, there are also many international universities in Spain. These are typically business schools, and they are usually taught in English or bilingual. In addition to the many international European universities, there are also American universities in Spain that offer a variety of study options and are internationally recognized. Many Spanish and international students choose to continue their studies at one of the many international universities in Spain.
Higher schools of art
Depending on their preferences, many students also choose to study at one of Spain's many higher art schools. These schools include conservatories, drama schools, design schools, or schools of music and dance. The curricula in these schools are mostly practice-oriented, meaning that students gain the necessary professional knowledge in their chosen artistic field and move towards their career. Many of these higher schools of art cooperate with major universities, which allows them to expand their research programs.
Vocational schools
Compulsory secondary education in Spain ends when students turn 16. At this age, students have the opportunity to complete a two-year period of study to obtain the Bachillerato certificate, which entitles them to university or vocational education. Vocational education allows students to receive training in a variety of job skills over a four-year period. Students can choose the Grado Medio, which provides basic training for two years, or complete an additional two years and receive the Grado Superior, which offers more in-depth training. Vocational education is oriented towards the skilled labor market and does not require a university degree.
Top 15 best universities in Spain:
- International University Center of Marbella
- EU business school in Barcelona
- Les Roches Marbella
- IED Madrid
- IED Barcelona
- Barcelona School of Management
- Geneva Business School in Barcelona
- University of St. Louis Madrid
- LCI Barcelona
- Sant Ignasi School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
- International Business School of Barcelona (ESEI)
- UCAM - Catholic University of San Antonio de Murcia
- INSA Business Marketing and Communication School
- TBS Barcelona
- BEBS Barcelona Executive Business School
Types of Spanish qualifications
Spain is a member of the Bologna Agreement, a series of agreements between many European countries to ensure comparability of standards and qualifications in higher education. The system, which consists of three cycles of higher education qualifications, uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to measure students' workload.
First cycle: The Bachelor's degree lasts up to four years, with a total of 240 ECTS credits (60 per academic year).
Second cycle: The Master's degree lasts 1-2 years, with a total of 60-120 ECTS credits.
Third cycle: Doctoral studies last 3-5 years (60 ECTS credits per academic year).
The difference between public and private universities in Spain
The higher education system in Spain consists of 45 public universities and 31 private universities. The main difference between public and private universities in Spain is tuition fees. The government regulates the cost of education in public universities in Spain, while private universities tend to set their own rates, which are higher than the former, as they are not funded by the government.
Public universities in Spain usually provide students with more independence, but the advantage of private universities is that the education is usually more personalized due to the smaller number of students. Another significant difference is that public universities offer a wider range of academic disciplines than private institutions, which offer mainly programs in the humanities, social sciences, law and economics.
Academic year
The academic year in Spanish higher education institutions is divided into 2 semesters
The first semester starts from mid-September to early October and lasts until the end of December. Exams for this semester are held in January.
The second semester begins in late January or early February and lasts until the end of May. Exams for this semester are held in June.
Higher education assessment system in Spain
Universities in Spain use two grading scales, the main one being a scale from 0 to 10. Ten corresponds to the maximum fulfillment of academic requirements. After a student passes a certain subject on a scale from 0 to 10, his or her grade is converted to a scale from 0 to 4 in his or her record book.
Language of instruction in Spanish higher education institutions
In Spanish universities, teaching is conducted in Spanish, but there are rare exceptions when the university uses Catalan or Basque (the official language of the region). Students can also study in English in certain institutions, usually in private business schools, but not only. Higher education institutions usually provide additional lessons for students who have language problems. Some universities also offer bilingual courses (in Spanish and English).
Spain is one of the most popular destinations for students. World-class universities, bustling cities, the opportunity to learn Spanish, and incredible nightlife are just some of the things that make this place so attractive.
Student visa to Spain
A student visa to Spain allows you to study, participate in a student exchange or work as an unpaid intern for more than three months in Spain. EU and Swiss citizens are free to travel to Spain to study without a visa.
There are different types of Spanish student visas that are valid for different periods of time. Students need to apply to the Spanish embassy or consulate and provide a number of documents. Before applying, you must be accepted to the course.
Student permit for less than 3 months (90 days)
Students from countries that are eligible for visa-free entry for up to 90 days can take the course without obtaining a student visa (if the course duration is less than 90 days).
Those who come from countries that do not meet the requirements for visa-free entry must apply for a Schengen student visa. To study in Spain, you must apply at the Spanish embassy or consulate in the student's country of residence.
Short-term student visa for a period of 3 to 6 months
A short-term student visa allows students to take a course that lasts a maximum of 180 days.
The application process is less complicated than for longer courses, as fewer documents are required. A short-term student visa cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Students can attend Spanish language courses with this type of visa and any short courses offered by colleges and universities.
Long-term student visa for more than 6 months
Long-term student visas (type D) allow students to take courses that last longer than 6 months.
In addition to filling out the visa application form, students must apply for a Student Residence Card (TIE) at the immigration office within a month of arrival.
For this type of visa, the application requires more documents than a short-term visa. Applicants need to provide a medical certificate and a police clearance certificate.
Apply for a student visa to Spain
Candidates need to be invited to a place on a course before applying for a student visa to Spain. The visa application must be submitted two to three months before traveling to Spain to allow sufficient time for visa processing.
The exact documentation required depends on the consulate, the circumstances of the individual, and the course the applicant wishes to take. Currently, the fee for a Schengen student visa is 60 euros per person.
Documents required for a student visa
Required documents for a student visa (documentation may vary depending on your case):
- 2 completed Schengen visa application forms.
- Passport (valid until the end of your stay).
- ID card (can be a driver's license or national identity card, if available).
- Current student ID card.
- 2 recent passport photos (one for each application form).
- Letter of acceptance from the course organizer.
- Medical insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover accommodation (bank statements).
Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is the main identity document of a foreigner residing in Spain. Any foreigner who plans to legally stay in the country for more than 6 consecutive months is required to obtain the TIE.
IMPORTANT! The TIE has an expiration date - it is mandatory to renew the identification card after a certain period. Your first card will be valid for 5 years, after renewal you will receive a TIE with a ten-year validity.
How to apply for a residence permit in Spain
All international students must apply for a residence permit to study and work in Spain. Remember that you must take this step within 30 days of your arrival in the country. Below is a list of steps on how to get a TIE or foreigner's identity card in Spain:
1. Find the local police station.
2. Submit the following documents
- Valid national identity card or passport
- Duly completed application form (issued by police officers)
- A copy of the stamp in your passport for entry into Spain
- Proof of payment of the card issuance fee.
- Letter of acceptance from your university
- Recent photographs (passport size, 3 copies)
- Certificate of residence (issued by the police if you show them the lease agreement or utility bill of your apartment)
- A certificate from a Spanish bank (certificado bancario con el saldo) stating that you have the full amount of funds for living for the next year. The statutory minimum for a year is 6455 euros (based on 100% of IPREM per month, which is 537.84 euros, but it is better to show more).
- Health insurance issued by one of the insurance companies in Spain.
- Additionally, documents from the sponsor may be requested - a sponsorship letter, a certificate from work, an account statement (it is advisable to show the movement of funds received from the sponsor and spent by the student during the period of stay), a birth certificate confirming family ties.
- For minors, a guardian must also be present when submitting documents. A guardian can be an adult Spanish citizen or a resident with valid Spanish residence documents (TIE card). Mandatory documents in this case:
- a notarized consent from both parents/legal representatives of the child to the guardian and an act of acceptance of responsibility from the guardian; can be executed in one general document in the presence of the guardian and parents or from each separately; execution is possible immediately at a Spanish notary, or at the Spanish consulate, or at a notary in your home country, in the latter case, an apostille and a sworn translation of the document into Spanish are also required. The document must indicate the place of study of the child and the terms, transfer and acceptance of responsibility for the child's life and health by the guardian, and the guardian must confirm his/her consent to be checked in the Spanish Sexual Offenders Register (el Registro de Delincuentes Sexuales) or provide a current certificate of no sexual offenses (El certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual);
- a copy of the identity documents of the guardian (passport, DNI, TIE card) and parents (foreign passport), the child's birth certificate with a sworn translation into Spanish.
3. Wait for your documents to be evaluated and receive your TIE.
Spain has special preparatory programs for foreign applicants wishing to enter Spanish universities. Here are some of these programs:
- Curso de Acceso a la Universidad para Extranjeros (CAEU): This course is designed specifically for international applicants who wish to enter a university in Spain. The CAEU provides classes in core subjects such as Spanish, math, literature, and others to prepare students for the entrance exams.
- Curso de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE): This course is aimed at improving international students' knowledge of the Spanish language. It helps to prepare students for entrance exams and also improves their language skills for further studies at a Spanish university.
- Curso de Preparación para el Examen DELE: DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) is an official Spanish language certificate for speakers of other languages. This preparation course is aimed at preparing students to successfully pass the DELE exam, which will confirm their level of Spanish language proficiency.
- Curso de Adaptación al Sistema Educativo Español: This course helps international students to adapt to the Spanish educational system and prepare them for university. It covers various aspects, including academic skills, cultural adaptation, and understanding the specifics of Spanish learning.
- Curso de Orientación Universitaria: This course provides information and support to international applicants on the choice of study programs, universities and career paths in Spain. It helps students understand the admission requirements, choose appropriate specializations and prepare the necessary documents for admission.
- Curso de Preparación para Exámenes Específicos: Some universities require additional entrance exams for specific majors, such as medicine, art, engineering, etc. This course aims to prepare students for these special exams by providing the necessary knowledge and practical exercises.
- Curso de Cultura y Civilización Española: This course helps international students to familiarize themselves with Spanish culture, history, art and other aspects of life in Spain. It broadens their understanding of an integrated environment and helps them to adapt more easily to the new environment.
- Curso de Desarrollo de Competencias: This course provides students with the skills they will need to succeed in a Spanish university. It includes competencies such as academic writing, communication, research skills, critical thinking, and others.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for International Students
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the most famous scholarships in Spain, funded by the European Union. The scholarship is granted to those students who are specially selected to participate in Erasmus Mundus joint programs. These students come from both EU and non-EU countries. The program offers full-time scholarships that cover a monthly stipend, participation costs, travel, and student insurance.
Scholarships are of two types, depending on the country of origin:
- For students from partner countries
- For students from the countries participating in the program
Eligibility.
- Students from all over the world can apply for a full scholarship.
- The student must hold at least a university bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or officially recognized equivalent and be able to provide a copy of this diploma at the time of application online or no later than the official program start date.
- A student should not apply for more than 3 Erasmus scholarship programs in one year.
When to apply?
The application deadline for this scholarship for Spain is January-February.
Grant amount
- 4,500 euros (3.64 thousand rupees) per year for scholarship holders from participating countries.
- 9,000 euros (7.29 lakhs of rupees) per year for scholarship holders from partner countries.
- Any amount in excess of this amount is covered by the GLOCAL Consortium and will not be charged to the scholarship holder.
UIC Scholarship in Barcelona
Next on our list of the best scholarships in Spain is the UIC Barcelona Scholarship. UIC Barcelona is a renowned educational institution that is known for its academic excellence. It is one of the top institutions in Spain that international students target. The UIC Barcelona Scholarship is a prominent scholarship for Spain. It provides grants to academically brilliant and potential international students.
Eligibility.
- Only international students are eligible to apply
- The student must have obtained an average score of 8 or higher in the second and final years of secondary education (IB, GCSE, IGCSE and foreign education systems), depending on the transition to the Spanish system.
- The student must pass the UIC Barcelona entrance exam corresponding to his/her degree and be enrolled in the institute.
Grant amount
This scholarship for Spain allows for a 20% tuition fee waiver for all approved programs.
EADA Scholarship
EADA scholarships are merit-based scholarships awarded to students with high academic knowledge and potential. As part of this scholarship for Spain, recipients must complete an administrative or academic project while studying at EADA. The scholarship will be void if students decide not to complete the project.
Eligibility for the scholarship
The scholarship is available to all students who have completed the admission process and paid 25% of the program fee.
When to apply?
The deadline varies from March to July, depending on the chosen program (MBA or other master's programs).
Scholarship amount
The scholarship is awarded on the basis of personal merit and covers up to 25% of the program fee (except for the Special Achievement Scholarship, which covers up to 50%).
Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) Postgraduate Scholarship
The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) is a well-known and reputable research center that mainly focuses on the promotion and dissemination of work in the field of applied economics. The scholarship is intended, in particular, for students who wish to pursue a PhD degree. This is one of the most sought-after scholarships in Spain, offering scholarships for a PhD degree for a period of 3 years with a possible extension of up to 1 year.
Eligibility.
Only those candidates who have obtained a Master's degree in Economics are eligible for the program.
When to apply?
The deadline for applications for the Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) scholarship is usually in the summer, during May.
Grant amount
For this scholarship, the annual total amount of the scholarship is about €16400 (INR 13.28 lacs), which includes the graduate school tuition fees as well as travel grants in case of conferences abroad.
Barcelona GSE Master's Scholarship
The Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (Barcelona GSE) is an independent research institution located in Barcelona. Every year, this institution provides scholarships to some of the most talented students to recognize their academic achievements.
Eligibility for the scholarship
- International students from developing countries who have demonstrated academic excellence, good quantitative skills and have an official letter of recommendation.
- The candidate must be an undergraduate or graduate student with a university degree in economics, finance, mathematics, statistics, or engineering.
- The candidate must also have a TOEFL score of 90 or higher or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
When to apply?
The application deadline may vary between January and July.
Grant amount
The candidate receives a tuition fee waiver of up to 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%.
They also get the opportunity to receive a limited fully funded scholarship.
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program for International Students offers scholarships to international students and professionals who wish to conduct independent research in Spain. The activities of the Fulbright Program extend to more than 160 countries. Every year, about 4000 students receive a Fulbright scholarship.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must have an awarded bachelor's degree or its equivalent before the start of the grant.
At the time of application, the candidate must have at least 3 years of full-time professional experience (paid) in a field relevant to the proposed field of study.
When to apply?
Students can apply between July and October, depending on their country of origin.
Grant amount
This scholarship in Spain offers around 4000 Euros (INR 3.24 lacs) in financial support and social security.
Merit-based scholarship to study Spanish abroad
The Merit-based Spanish Language Study Abroad Scholarship is ideal for those students who have a strong aptitude and interest in the Spanish language. When it comes to this scholarship for Spain, preference is generally given to students who demonstrate a great commitment to learning Spanish both inside and outside the classroom.
Eligibility.
- Candidates may apply for the merit-based scholarship prior to enrollment in the SSA program, but only enrolled students may receive the scholarship.
- Applicants must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
- Candidates must submit a 400-500 word essay written in English (topics may include a narrative about personal life).
When to apply?
The application deadline for this scholarship for Spain is from April to October, depending on the duration of the program.
Grant amount
The Merit-based Study Abroad Scholarship in Spain offers a grant of between €500 and €1500 (Rs. 40K - Rs. 1.21 lakh) for eligible students.
Zaragoza Logistics Research Center (ZLC) Scholarships
Zaragoza Logistics Research Center (ZLC) scholarships for postgraduate studies funded by the Local Savings Bank and the European Social Fund. However, the scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and accommodation.
These scholarships are only for those who have previously obtained a master's degree in logistics and supply chain engineering, and applications for this scholarship are submitted in March of each academic year.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that ZLC is a research and education institute affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Zaragoza (UZ). Both undergraduate and non-technical students are accepted.
Polytechnic University of Valencia Scholarship
The Polytechnic University of Valencia Scholarships offer financial benefits to outstanding students after completing the first academic year. They usually cover half of the cost of university tuition. Whether you are going to apply or not, we recommend that you do a search. Alternatively, you can check the website for more information.
Read more about the Polytechnic University of Valencia Scholarship
University of Granada Scholarship
The University of Granada, alongside the Spanish government scholarships, manages its own grant program for candidates who want to continue their studies at this institution. The scholarship is distributed on the basis of the applicant's academic achievements as well as their economic circumstances.
Visit the University Scholarship Office to learn more.
Documents to be provided when applying for a scholarship in Spain
- Two copies of the scholarship application filled with all the required information, one in Spanish and one in English.
- Certificate of education with grades (bachelor's degree certificate for bachelor's degree applicants, as well as a certificate of complete secondary education for master's degree applicants) in English.
- Medical certificate of no criminal record from the Ministry of Health of the country in English.
- A certificate of HIV infection absence issued by the Ministry of Health of the country in English.
- A true copy of a valid passport page, certified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country, in English.
- Resume in English for applicants to the master's program.
- Students applying for a master's degree without a bachelor's degree may submit a TOEFL certificate with a score of over 500 or IELTS with a score of 5.5 as proof of English language proficiency.
- Four personal photos.
- A police clearance certificate certified by the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs in English.
Working in Spain as an EU student
Students from EU/EEA countries only need a signed employment contract to work in Spain. Since you do not need a student visa to study in Spain, you do not have any restrictions on the length of your working hours.
Although you can work full-time, most students choose to work part-time so that work does not interfere with their studies.
PLEASE NOTE that you must be registered with the City Hall if you stay in Spain for longer than 3 months.
How to work as a non-EU student in Spain
The Spanish student visa imposes certain restrictions on international students who want to work in Spain. If you want to work alongside your studies, you need to strictly follow these restrictions.
Here are 3 different ways you can work in Spain as a non-EU student:.
1. Internships as part of your study program
Internships are usually compulsory for the completion of your program. Thus, you can do an internship as part of your studies and also get credits for completing it. These internships should be relevant to your academic studies.
If you have a valid student visa, you just need to find an internship placement and have a signed agreement (convenio) between the host company and the university.
The disadvantage of this option is that you will either not be paid or will be compensated only up to 300 euros.
2. Extracurricular internships
You can also find an extracurricular internship on a voluntary basis. In this case, the internship does not have to be related to your studies. You will be paid at least the minimum wage.
3. Part-time work
You can also find a part-time job, for example, as a waitress or bartender in a restaurant, to earn extra money while studying.
Obtaining a visa with a work permit while studying
Requirements for students from non-EU countries who work while studying on a student visa:
- The company that wants to hire you must apply for a work permit or work authorization (autorización para trabajar) on your behalf.
- During the academic semester, you can work part-time (20 hours per week).
- In the summer (when you are not studying), you can work full-time if your contract does not exceed 90 days.
- A part-time job cannot be your main source of income. This means that you cannot indicate a part-time job as a source of income when applying for a student visa extension.
- You must make sure that your job does not interrupt your studies.
To obtain a work permit, you need to collect the following documents:
- Your passport
- Two recent photographs
- Police certificate: proof that you have not been involved in criminal activity within the last 5 years.
- Proof of accommodation: a rental agreement form
- Employment contract: signed by you and your employee
- Proof of qualification for an out-of-school internship: either a certificate of complete secondary education or a certificate of vocational education.
Work after graduation
Anyone who has studied in Spain for 3 consecutive years can obtain a work permit while still holding a student visa.
To work in Spain, you need to receive an offer from a Spanish company. After you accept the offer, the company can apply for your work permit.
Applying for a job in Spain gives you a huge advantage as you can apply for any job that is also available for EU citizens in Spain. While the rest of the students from non-EU countries applying from abroad can only apply for vacancies from the shortage list (vacancies that are difficult to fill locally).
Visa for freelancers
If you want to start your own company, you can apply for a freelance work permit.
PLEASE NOTE that the requirements for a self-employment visa are more complex. You must provide a detailed business plan, clear goals, and accurate financial projections.
Highly skilled immigrant visa
You can apply for a highly skilled immigration visa after 1 year of study in Spain.
But to be qualified:
- You must hold a managerial position
- Your salary must be at least 50,000 euros per year
Apply for a post-study work visa (job search visa)
At the end of 2018, the Spanish government introduced a job search visa, which allows international students to stay in Spain for an additional year after graduation to look for a job. You must apply at least 2 months before your student visa expires. If you successfully find a job during this period, you must exchange it for a work visa.
To obtain a work visa you need to have
- Diploma/certificate of higher education
- At least 7,000 euros in your bank account
- Medical insurance
- Application fee
Is it easy for a foreign student to find a job in Spain?
Finding a job in Spain is not easy, but it is possible. Several reasons make it difficult to find a job in Spain
If you haven't studied in Spain for a long time, only vacancies from the shortage list are available to you.
The process is complicated.
The whole visa application process can be complicated and tedious. There are many required documents to collect and overall, the bureaucracy in Spain can be quite slow.
Language can be a barrier.
It is indeed possible to find a job in Spain without speaking Spanish, especially in big cities like Barcelona. But your chances are much lower than those who speak Spanish. Even many international companies prefer employees who know at least both languages.
Spain has a high unemployment rate.
Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates (approximately 14%) in Europe. This makes finding a job quite difficult not only for foreigners but also for locals.
How can students find a job in Spain?
There are several ways to find a part-time job for students in Spain.
1. Networking.
You can tell your group of friends that you want to work. Ask them to spread the word. Networking is always a great way to find a job. Let them know that you are willing to tutor them in English or babysit their younger brother or sister in exchange for a few bucks.
2. Through the university
Contact your university's career center and ask what jobs are available. In addition to study-related jobs, you may also find part-time positions in university libraries, cafeterias, or dorms.
3. See what jobs are available in your city.
Retail and service industries are popular among students. Hand out your resume at a gym near your home. Ask a local bar if they need a bartender. Check if a supermarket in your neighborhood is hiring.
4. Look at online resources.
Check out international portals like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Thelocal or local ones like thinkSpain, infoempleo.com.
5. Use social networks
Search for job opportunities on sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Join groups for students in your city. Local bars, cafes, and shops often share job openings in student groups to attract students.
6. Job fairs at universities
Most universities organize career fairs to introduce students to possible employers. Career fairs are especially useful if you are looking for an internship or want to find a job related to your degree.
How much can a part-time student earn in Spain?
As a part-time student, how much you will earn depends on your job and nationality.
The average salary per hour in Spain is €7.82 in 2022. The average salary for students studying part-time in non-EU/EEA countries is 450 euros.
