ForsaEdu Logo
ForsaEdu

Study in Spain

Spain is a prominent European study destination for international and Arab students, combining ancient academic heritage, exceptional quality of life, and accessible tuition and living costs compared to other Western European nations. Home to prestigious universities such as the University of Barcelona, Complutense University of Madrid, and the University of Granada, as well as top business schools like IE and ESADE. Spanish universities offer degrees in Spanish alongside a growing portfolio of English-taught Master's and Bachelor's programmes. Generous funding is available through the AECID government grants and university awards. Student visa holders can work up to 30 hours per week and benefit from post-study job search residence permits.

4
universities listed
5
scholarships & discounts
1
government programmes
es, English
teaching languages
September
academic year starts

Government scholarships & national programmes

Scholarships funded by the state or its official bodies for international students.

Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain)

Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships is a government scholarship program in Spain managed by the state agency responsible for international development cooperation. It supports educational, cultural, and professional opportunities for international students and researchers aligned with Spain cooperation policies.

Universities(4)

Fees for international students and the highest discount or scholarship available, from each university’s official sources.

All cities:
International University of Catalonia
Private (foundation) university

International University of Catalonia

جامعة كاتالونيا الدولية

Barcelona1 scholarship
Annual Tuition:€7,000 – €16,000 per year
Active scholarshipsDetails
University of Granada
QS #401State university

University of Granada

جامعة غرناطة

Granada1 scholarship
Annual Tuition:€800 – €2,500 per year
Active scholarshipsDetails
Complutense University of Madrid
QS #187State university

Complutense University of Madrid

جامعة كومبلوتنسي بمدريد

Madrid
Annual Tuition:€1,200 – €8,500 per year
Explore universityDetails
University of Barcelona
State university

University of Barcelona

جامعة برشلونة

Barcelona
Annual Tuition:€1,500 – €9,500 per year
Explore universityDetails

All scholarships & discounts (5)

Filter by funding type and study level.

Fully Funded

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence (EMAI)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
Fully Funded

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Education Policies for Global Development (GLOBED)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain)
Fully Funded

Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Master and Research Scholarship

by Spanish Government MAEC-AECID Scholarships (Spain)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
International University of Catalonia
Partially Funded

UIC Barcelona International Excellence Grants

by International University of Catalonia

Bachelor’s
Open for applicationDetails
University of Granada
QS #401
Check Scholarship Link

International Postgraduate School Scholarships at University of Granada

by University of Granada

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails

Study guide

The study system

Higher education in Spain complies with the European Bologna process: • Bachelor's Degree (Grado): Typically 4 years (240 ECTS credits) for most disciplines, and 5 to 6 years for medicine and architecture. • Master's Degree (Máster Universitario): 1 to 2 years (60–120 ECTS), offering official state-accredited Master's (Máster Oficial) qualifying for doctoral studies, as well as specialised university Master's (Título Propio). • Doctorate (Doctorado): 3 to 5 years centred around original research and thesis defense. The academic year begins in September/October and concludes in June, organized across two semesters.

How to get admitted

1) Bachelor Admissions: Non-EU secondary school certificates require official homologation (Homologación) through the Spanish Ministry of Education, or competency accreditation (PCE tests) administered by UNEDasiss. 2) Master & PhD Admissions: Applications are submitted directly to the chosen universities. Required documents: legalised and translated diploma and transcripts, CV, statement of purpose, and reference letters. 3) Language Proficiency: Minimum B2 level in Spanish (DELE or SIELE) for Spanish-taught degrees, or IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 85+ for English-taught programmes. 4) Scholarships: Flagship AECID Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants, Erasmus Mundus joint programmes, and merit waivers at leading regional universities.

Fees and living costs

Public university tuition fees in Spain: • Calculated based on ECTS credits. Bachelor's fees for non-EU international students range from €1,200 to €4,500 per year depending on the autonomous community (Andalusia is among the most affordable, while Madrid and Catalonia are higher). • Official public Master's fees range between €1,800 and €5,500 annually. • Private institutions and business schools charge between €7,000 and €18,000 per year. Living Costs & Visa Financial Proof (2026/27): Proof of financial means is indexed to the Spanish IPREM threshold, requiring approximately €600 to €650 per month (approx. €7,200 to €7,800 annually) demonstrated via bank funds or an official scholarship guarantee.

Visa, residence permit and health insurance

Non-EU citizens require a national Type D Study Visa (Visado de Estudios). Core requirements: official unconditional letter of acceptance from an accredited Spanish institution, proof of financial solvency meeting IPREM criteria, comprehensive private health insurance without co-payments authorized in Spain, legalized and sworn-translated criminal record certificate, and a medical certificate. Within 30 days of arrival in Spain, students must register at the immigration office or police station to obtain their Foreigner Identity Card for study purposes (TIE).

Working while studying

Under modernized Spanish immigration regulations, international students are permitted to work up to 30 hours per week during their studies without needing a separate work permit, provided work hours do not conflict with class schedules. Upon completing a Bachelor's or Master's degree, graduates can apply for a 12-month post-study job search residence permit (Autorización de residencia para búsqueda de empleo), which transitions smoothly into a standard work visa upon securing employment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2026 / 2027.

Yes, Spanish universities offer hundreds of Master's and Bachelor's programmes taught entirely in English, particularly in engineering, business administration, sciences, and artificial intelligence, requiring IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL.

Spain is among the most affordable study hubs in Western Europe. Public tuition ranges from €1,200 to €4,500 per year, and student living expenses average €600 to €900 monthly depending on the city.