Studying in Spain is a very attractive option for people. As of today, recent data points out that the country is the third European study destination for international students, only behind England and Ireland.
Our country annually receive almost 30,000 Erasmus students, a figure well above the number of students who choose Germany (25,000) or France (24,000).
Why live and study abroad in Spain?
The main reasons for choosing to study in Spain are:
Wide range of technical, university and postgraduate studies
Spain has a wide variety of universities, both public and private, and here it is possible to study more than 2,700 careers. Our country also has very attractive technical education options (FP Degrees).
Prestigious and internationally recognized education
According to some of the main international rankings (THE, QS and ARWU-Shanghai), Spanish universities are among the best in the world.
Easy procedures
Spain has academic agreements with many countries around the world.
Students from the European Union do not need any special documents to reside here or enrol in a Spanish university, while those from non-EU countries only need to apply for a student visa.
Even so, we recommend that you contact the educational institution of your choice for further information.
Quality of life
Spain is an open and developed country, it has amazing weather and an appealing Mediterranean culture, characteristics that make the country a magnet for students from all over the world.
Cost of living and affordable universities
Moreover, the cost of living is lower than in other European countries and studying in Spain is relatively affordable: tuition at public universities is between 700 and 1,800 euros per year (private universities set their own, somewhat higher tuition fees).
Cultural and geographic diversity
Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the fifth largest in terms of population (504,645 km² and 46,528,966 inhabitants).
It is also the third largest country in the world and the second in Europe in terms of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (46).
Language with a future
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, which means that many university students want to study Spanish in Spain to perfect their language skills and obtain a degree that can open up more opportunities in the job market.
What are the most popular careers for foreigners who decide to study in Spain?
Some of the most demanded careers by foreign students who decide to study in Spain are:
- Software Engineering. This career has very good expectations for future employment and has a disciplined approach and highly qualified professional profiles.
- Degree in Nursing. Nursing degrees from Spanish universities have many job opportunities throughout Europe, and the nurses trained in our country have a great international prestige.
- Degree in Architecture. This degree offers great opportunities and a rapid incorporation into the labour market, both in Europe and in other continents.
- Degree in Dentistry. Dentistry has changed with the advance of technology, and many students want to pursue this specialization in Spain thanks to its fundamentally practical approach.
- Data Science. Data Science is one of the training programs that has grown the most in recent years. Learning to handle data and programming language to create tools for control and analysis of information applicable to all types of business has a great future.
Studying Spanish in Spain – tips and advices
- Cost of housing: The cost of housing in Spain usually absorbs, on average, almost 50% of a student’s budget. The most affordable option for accommodation is to share an apartment, although you can opt for a Hall of Residence or a Residence in the University Campuses.
➔ Discover our student accommodation in Valencia. - Phone data: When you arrive in Spain, activate the roaming service of your Smartphone or buy a cell phone in Spain.
- Meal timing: During your stay, you will get familiar with different mealtimes: breakfast is between 7.00 am and 10.00 am.; lunch is between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm; and dinner is usually between 8.30 pm and 11.00 pm.
- Cultural activities and discounts: When studying in Spain you can get discounts for cultural activities, such as cinema or theatre, and for public transportation. Some of the cards that will help you benefit from these discounts are the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the European Youth Card, the International Youth Travel Card GO’25 (IYTC) or the Spanish Youth Hostel Network Card (REAJ).
- Health Insurance: If you are from a country belonging to the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you will have to apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to obtain health care benefits in Spain. If you are from a country other than those listed above, check if there is an agreement between your country and Spain regarding Social Security and medical assistance. If not, it is compulsory to take out private medical insurance (insurance is also compulsory when applying for a student visa).
- Opening a local bank account: While residing in Spain, you should have an account in a Spanish bank to keep track of your regular expenses and income (rent, telephone, scholarships, university tuition and fees, etc.). To open an account in a bank or savings bank, you must prove that you are a resident or present your student visa.
- Obtaining language certifications: You can learn the language and obtain an official qualification at a Spanish language school such as Españole, where you will find personalized Spanish courses. You can also look for exchange activities to improve your Spanish and meet new people.
