Study in Spain

Welcome to Spain!

Spain is a country of contrasts, where the affluence and cosmopolitan bustle of Western Europe is mixed with a distinctive Southern European charm; where an expressive, rich culture and attractive lifestyle coexists with leading companies and top technological industries; and where distinct regional identities provide a special flavor. Of course, lifestyle alone isn’t enough to draw in the punters – you need to have good universities too!

Spain, a country of an extraordinary beauty, is home to some of the most ancient universities in Europe and the cradle to one of the most important languages in the world: Spanish. A member of the European Union since 1986, Spain has become the most popular destination for students within the educational exchange program Erasmus and for summer study abroad programs. Whatever your choice to study in Spain might be: a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree, or a summer study-abroad program, the Spanish educational system is designed to provide students with a wide range of subjects and study opportunities. While the usual language of instruction is Spanish, you will also find many degrees offered in English.

Spain is the 14th largest economy in the world (Nominal rankings 2016), the 5th largest in the European Union and 2nd largest investor in Latin America, after the USA. Similarly, Spain ranks as the world's 10th when it comes to scientific power, and the main research areas where Spain has a large science base are health, ICT, Environment, Food and Agriculture, Energy, Material Sciences and Social Sciences. Spanish companies are internationally recognized for their leadership in clean technologies, health and biotechnology, engineering infrastructure, ICT, manufacturing technologies, financial services and tourism, amongst others.

Spain is one of the most diverse and culturally rich countries in Europe. Culturally, it is mainly a Latin country with great strength of the Roman heritage, but with many influences in art and architecture, cuisine and music from many countries across Europe and the Mediterranean, throughout its long history. Owing to such a rich cultural past, Spain has gained a prominent place in the world map as far as higher education is concerned. In 2015, Spain ranked 2nd in terms of its number of UNESCO world cultural sites, just behind Italy.

Higher Education System

Spanish higher education system is formed by 84 universities (50 public, the rest private), 511 research institutes and 66 science and technology parks, all distributed throughout the Spanish territory. The cities that concentrate the largest number of universities are Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

List of Spanish Universities:

https://www.educacion.gob.es/ruct/consultauniversidades?actual=universidades

Academic excellence, international recognition and research capacity of Spanish Universities: 5 Spanish Universities in the top 400 THE ranking (Times Higher Education 2015-2016; 8 Spanish Universities in the top 100 under 50 THE (Times Higher Education 2016). Spanish universities contribute to 2/3 to the total scientific production of Spain with international visibility.

Worldwide leading MBA Schools like IESE, Instituto de Empresa and ESADE: in the top 20 Global MBA School (Financial Times 2017) and top 10 European Business Schools ranking (Financial Times 2016). Value of Spanish as a language: Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese, and the primary, official or co-official language of 21 countries. This translates into the Recognition of Spanish University titles in more than 40 member countries of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This also facilitates the approval and recognition of Spanish qualifications in other countries outside of Europe, like the USA, Asia and Latin America.

The Spanish university access exam is no longer required for foreign students.

It is the preferred destination for postgraduate students and researchers from Latin America as well as top notch destination for European university students under the Erasmus+ Programme. Tuition fees and cost of living are lower compared to other European countries. English taught Programs (Bachelor's and Masters) at Spanish Universities 2016-2017:

http://www.sepie.es/internacionalizacion/becasytitulaciones.html

Applying to universities in Spain

There is no centralized application system for Spanish universities, and each institution will set its own entry requirements and deadlines – so be careful to check with the university itself. You may need to sit for an entrance exam, though EU students and others who have completed International Baccalaureates will often be exempt from this procedure.

If the degree is to be taught in Spanish, you will need to know the language in order to apply to it.

Student visas for Spain

The requirements for Spanish student visas depend on whether or not you’re from the EU. Students from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are treated as EU students.

EU applicants:

You won’t need a visa to study in Spain, but will need to register at the Central Registry Office for Foreigners, from which you will receive a certificate confirming your right to study in Spain. In order to get this, you will need to present a passport or national identity card and proof that you’ve been accepted to a course.

Non-EU applicants: Spain student visa

You will need to apply for student visa type D in your home country. This comes in two formats; open and 180 days, so make sure that you apply for the right one. Exact requirements may vary. You will certainly need to have been accepted onto a course at a Spanish university, have purchased health insurance, and have sufficient funds (a letter confirming parental support is deemed sufficient). You may need to prove you don’t have a criminal record and provide a medical certificate. You should allow three months’ advance for processing.

You will be allowed to work if you have a work permit, so long as it does not adversely affect your studies.

Within 30 days of arrival you must also apply for an “Autorización de Estancia por Estudios”, a temporary permit which grants you the right of residence in Spain,. It must be renewed annually.

Fees and funding

Applicants coming from the EU pay the same tuition fees as local students. These are usually between 680-1,400 euros per Bachelor degree and year at public universities, and between €5,500-18,000 (~US$6,000-19,670) per year if you study at a private university. If you come from a non-EU country, your fees will be marginally higher. For exact information on your tuition fees, contact your chosen university or visit its website.

How much it will cost?

Bachelor Degree:  680 - 1,400 euros a year depending on the study program.

The prices for enrolment in Masters and Doctorate Programs in public universities are within a fixed rate of 17 and 65 euros per credit. Official Master's and Doctoral Degrees (995-1,920 euros per academic year).

Fees at private universities are established by the university itself.

Living Expenses for a year: 900-1,100 euros a month, depending on the city. This cost is very competitive when compared to other European countries.

Fast fact

• Spain is a kingdom. The current monarch is King Felipe VI.
• Bicameral legislature, the prime minister is currently Mariano Rajoy
• Along with France and Morocco, Spain is one of the only three countries to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
• Official language: Castilian, usually simply referred to as Spanish, which is the second most common first language in the world. Regional languages include Basque, Catalonian and Galician.
• Composed of 17 autonomous regions: Andalusia, Aragón, Asturias, the Basque Country, Cantabria, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Castilla-la Mancha, Castilla-León, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
• Population: approx. 46.4 million
• Capital city: Madrid
• Area:  505.900 km2
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Central European Time (UTC+1), changing to Daylight Saving Time in the summer (UTC+2)
• International dialing code: +34

Probably you will think of Madrid and Barcelona when you first hear Spain. Well, these two cities are certainly hot tourist attractions. In fact, not only the beautiful countryside of Spain is just marvelous, every year thousands of students from across the world make their way to Spain to attend one of the 74 universities in the country.

Spain is rich in history and culture, and provides the total package for anyone coming to the area from international lands including English-thought program. But I assume that you choose Spain for a reason of experiencing the origin society, correct? Among those reputable universities, wide range of study program offered in Spanish language. There are many courses that you can take before enrolling in the actual classes that you want to take. These are certainly some of the reasons that you should study in Spain. However, these are just the beginning of the other great things that you will find and love while studying in the country. More info please contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain emb.yakarta@maec.es