Studying in Spain is an excellent opportunity to discover an interesting culture and enjoy a magnificent ambiance. Spain is one of the most favorite study destinations for many international students who wish to study in a country rich in culture and still counted among countries good for studies. A study in Spain amply helps foreign students to learn a second Language-Spanish, see exciting festivals such as La Fallas and La Tomatina and top of it, is studying at an affordable cost. You’ll learn more about study, work, and live in Spain in this post.
In Spain, there are 76 universities, 45 of which are supported by the government and it uses the Bologna Process that was adopted by the country in 2007. To attend university in Spain, students must have completed their Bachillerato and passed the ‘Selectividad’ university entrance tests.
Why study in Spain?
Students from all over the world travel to Spain to study at one of the country’s 76 tertiary institutions. They come to the country for a variety of reasons, here are some of the top reasons.
• Enjoy the Spanish rich cultural heritage
Spain has a standing rich culture and festivals that draw people all over the world. La Fallas and La Tomatina are top Spanish festivals you wouldn’t want to miss. A study permit to Spain would enable you to witness these exciting festivals.
• Quality Education
Spain is one of the countries offering quality education. A degree obtained from any Spanish university is recognized within and outside the European region.
• Bilingual studies
The official language of Spain is Spanish; meaning that the medium of instruction in most Spanish Universities is Spanish, however, there are English taught programs. With this, international students become bilingual, having the opportunity to speak Spanish and English language.
• Affordable tuition fee
The tuition fee of Spanish public universities is among the cheapest in Europe. International students who wish to study in a Spanish-taught program would pay a cheaper tuition fee than their counterparts studying in English-based programs.
How to apply for admission in Spain
The mode of application to study in Spain depends on if you are from a European zone or not.
For European Students
Applicants who live in a European country must submit their applications through SNUDE, the Spanish National University for Distance Education. In April, the application, known as the solicitud de inscription, becomes available. Upon completion of the application, it should be printed and mailed to the address indicated on the website.
Non-EU Students
If you are not from a European country and wish to pursue a Bachelor’s degree, you must acquire a certificate from your high school. This certification verifies that you have obtained the necessary certification following Spanish regulations. A Spanish Embassy might help you get the recognition you need. You will receive a Volante Accreditation from the Embassy, which you can use to apply to the universities of your choice.
It is necessary to enroll for a Spanish university entrance exam after receiving the Volante Acreditativo. This exam is known as the selectividad or the University Admissions Exams. After this, you can go ahead and submit your application which will require that you take the Selectividad examination such as Text Analysis: This section of the exam allows you to choose from two Spanish-language texts. Once you’ve chosen a text, you’ll be given questions on it, and Foreign Language Exam: Choose from French, English, German, Portuguese, or Italian as your language.
The next step is to apply for a study visa. Once an offer letter has been sent, you can now apply for a Spanish study visa. To give enough time for the visa to be processed, the application should be submitted between two and three months before going to Spain.
Documents Required for a Student Visa Application
The following documents are necessary for a Student Visa, though they may differ by country.
2 completed Schengen Visa application forms
Passport (valid until the end of your stay)
ID Card (could be driver’s license or national ID card if applicable)
Current student ID
2 recent passport photos (one for each application form)
Letter of acceptance from a recognized Spanish school
Health insurance card
Proof of sufficient funds
Popular courses to study in Spanish Universities
In Spain, there are courses dimmed as popular. Among the popular fields of study in Spain include the following:
Law- Criminal Law
Arts and Humanities- programs like Western American Literature, Spanish Literature, Fundamentals of Philosophy, Environmental Ethics, and more.
Marketing and Finance
Health sciences
Hospitality Management
English speaking universities in Spain
Most Spanish schools utilize Spanish as the primary language of instruction, but some have lately developed English-taught programs to help overseas students adjust more readily. International students must take a language exam to be admitted to a university in Spain that teaches English. The English-speaking universities are:
Catholic University of Murcia – Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM)
http://www.ucam.edu/
EU Business School, Barcelona
https://barcelona.euruni.edu/
La Salle – Universidad Ramon Llull, Barcelona
https://www.salleurl.edu/en
Schiller International University, Madrid
https://www.schiller.edu/madrid
Suffolk University, Madrid
https://www.suffolk.edu/madrid-campus
Tuition
Spain has some of the lowest university tuition fees in Europe, and the cost of living is relatively modest compared to other European countries. International students may have to pay between 1000- 6,000 EUR per year for undergraduate programs at Spanish universities, depending on the pay-per-credit fee. In Spanish public universities, the average cost of credit for a bachelor’s degree can reach €30 per credit. Undergraduate degrees typically have 60 ECTS credits per year.
The average cost of university in Spain for undergraduate programs is:
First Enrollment: €12-30 per credit.
Second Enrollment: €25-50 per credit.
Third Enrollment: €50-100 per credit.
Because there are no government-imposed caps on tuition fees for university-specific degrees, each institution is allowed to charge whatever it wants.
Private university tuition fees
Tuition prices at private universities are often higher but do not surpass 20,000 EUR per academic year.
Cheap universities in Spain
1. University of A Coruña
The University of A Coruña is one of the cheapest universities in Spain with an average Tuition of €1,462. Interestingly, it offers both Spanish and English-taught programs across several fields of study.
2. University of Jaén
This is one of the youngest universities in Spain. Although it is young, the university is rated among the best, and offers a low-tuition fee of an average Tuition fee of €2,056 per year.
3. University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is the Spanish oldest university that was established in 1218. It offers a wide range of courses at all study levels. The tuition fee in this school is between €2,560- €4000.
4. University of Valencia
The University of Valencia is among the top and oldest universities in Spain. It is also affordable with a tuition fee of €2,600 annually.
5. University of Alicante
International students consider the University of Alicante as one of Spain’s most innovative universities. Additionally, it offers English taught courses; popular in the fields of economics, chemical engineering, tourism and hospitality, health sciences.
6. University of Santiago de Compostela
Among the cheapest universities in Spain for international students, is the University of Santiago de Compostela with an average tuition fee of €3,700.
7. University of Granada
Another cheap university is the University of Granada. The average tuition fee is €4,760 per year but depends on the course.
8. University of Zaragoza
The University of Zaragoza is listed among the affordable universities international students should consider. It offers degree programs at the bachelor, master, and doctorate levels.
Funding options
International students can get funding options through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programs, either for Masters or doctoral degrees. The fund is available to students coming from both EU and non-EU countries.
African Leadership in Business
These MBA scholarships are offered to African citizens who are interested in studying a Master of Business Administration abroad and are committed to returning to Africa after their studies.
Can International students work while studying in Spain?
International students in Spain work part-time alongside their studies. International students with a student visa can work in Spain to supplement their income while studying. With a student visa, you can work part-time in Spain for up to 20 hours per week while completing your education.
Note: If part-time work is assessed to be likely to obstruct your studies, you will almost certainly not be permitted to work while registered as a student in Spain. Non-EU international students, on average, are subjected to additional procedures and formalities than EU/EEA students.
You can only work part-time in Spain as a non-EU/EEA international student until your student visa expires. To obtain approval, your employer will need to apply to the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain.
Must foreign students speak Spanish to Work in Spain?
Speaking Spanish can assist you in finding work in Spain, whether part-time or full-time. However, you may not need to speak Spanish to obtain work as an international student searching for part-time work. Many employers, on the other hand, value students who can communicate in Spanish, which is why learning Spanish is critical.
Working in Spain After Graduation
Your student visa ends once you complete your degree program in Spain, therefore you won’t be able to work in the country after graduation. However, at least 60 days before your student visa ends, you can apply for a post-study work visa in Spain. You’ll have a year to hunt for jobs in Spain if you do it this way (during which time, you will not be allowed to work). When you have a job lined up, you can apply for a work visa/permit and begin working in Spain.
After graduation, International students have the option of working in Spain. You will be able to apply for a “post-study work visa” after graduating with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Spain, which will allow you to stay in Spain for up to one year after graduation and hunt for work. You should apply for this temporary residence permit at Spain’s immigration offices (Oficina de Extranjera) at least 60 days before your student visa expires.
To apply for the post-study work visa in Spain, you generally need to apply the following documents:
• Evidence of University diploma/certificate
• Sufficient means of financial support during your time in Spain.
• Health insurance covering the duration of your stay
• Fee payment confirmation.
Conclusion
Spain offers international students the opportunity to study in a culture-rich environment. To study in Spain, you must use the proper channel and if successful, arrange the documents as discussed earlier for the Spanish study visa.
