Expand your horizons in Spain, one of the most prominent countries of the European Union, offering international students from a wide variety of academic and national backgrounds both outstanding higher education and exchange opportunities and excellent facilities for learning Spanish culture and language. When compared with other destinations, the great advantage of Spain for the foreign student visitor is its standard of living, which is considerably cheaper than other European and western countries. Spain's pleasant lifestyle, mild climate and the wealth of stimulating and varied cultural opportunities to be found throughout the country are the key to its popularity.

 
 
Four reasons to study in Spain:
Educational opportunities of the highest standards and a multicultural
  population.
A universal language and a richly diverse culture.
An attractive lifestyle: a mild climate and a healthy diet.
A competitive cost of living and of studying.

Spain's University SystemThere are more than 70 universities throughout Spain, more that 50 are public and the rest, more than 20, are private universities. They are distributed throughout the country but the biggest and most important cities have the highest number of universities, in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

 
 

Madrid has the highest number of private universities. All Spanish universities welcome the admission of foreign students to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
The Spanish University SystemUniversity studies in Spain according to EHES are divided into three different stages, Grade degrees (undergraduate studies), University Master degrees (graduate studies) and Doctoral degrees (postgraduate studies).

Undergraduate studies, leading to Grade degrees, are taught in the following fields and sub-fields: Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Law, Engineering and Architecture. These studies require a total of 240 credits, to earn a Grade degree, consisting normally of three to four academic year programs.

Graduate studies, leading to University Master degree:
These studies require 60 to 120 credits, to earn a University Master degree, consisting normally of one to two academic year programs, and the public defense of a thesis is required also, that will entail 6 to 30 credits.

Postgraduate studies, leading to a Doctoral degree.
Earning a Doctoral degree requires the previous possesion of a University Master degree. The postgraduate studies are divided into two cycles, one of study that requires 60 credits, and another of research. The public defense of a doctoral thesis, an original work of research in any field, is required. There is no time limit for doctoral programs, but they typically require three to four years of study and research.

THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR IN SPANISH UNIVERSITIES
The academic calendar in Spanish universities tends to be similar throughout the country: lectures begin in October and the academic year ends in June.

ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
In order to gain admission to an undergraduate program in a university in Spain, international students are required to obtain official recognition of their previous studies and pass the official Spanish university entrance exams (Selectividad), which are taken twice a year in many of the countries of origin of the students.

StudyinSpain provides guidance for those students willing to take the Selectividad examinations in their own country. Once they have passed the university entrance exams, international students are eligible to study at any public or private Spanish university.

Most Spanish universities require students intending to begin an undergraduate program to apply to their faculties directly. Each university sets its own application and admission schedule. It is important to apply well in advance.

FREE MEDICAL INSURANCE
Free medical insurance, student health insurance plan, covering accidents on campus, family emergencies and illness, is available to all international students under 28 years of age who are enrolled in a Spanish university.

Those who are over 28 years of age are protected by the national health system, which guarantees that foreign nationals legally resident in Spain have the right to benefit from Social Security services, which in Spain are very advanced and of high quality.

A COMPETITIVE COST OF LIVING AND STUDYING
In terms of basic articles (such as food, toiletries, etc...), Spain is one of the cheapest countries. If the average price in Europe is 100, the cost in Spain is 88.

Spain is also among the European countries with the lowest price variation. The difference in price for the same food or toiletry product between the most expensive and the cheapest retail outlet is 19%. In Norway, however, the difference can be as high as 57%, in Sweden 47% and in Italy and Portugal up to 41%.

For a university student, the comparative advantage of studying in Spain is considerable in financial terms, as can be seen in the table below. The average cost of tuition fees charged by universities in the United States (30,000 dollars) would cover the entire cost of living in Spain for a year (a university residence in Madrid, including accommodation and meals, costs less than 800 euros per month, and average tuition fees in a private university are around 6,000 euros).

STUDENTS VISAS

Who is considered a student?
Foreigners coming to Spain with the only purpose of studying or undertaking research, training or a non-lucrative job in any Spanish educational or scientific, public or private, officially recognized centre.

Visa Neccessity
Foreign students who want to carry out studies in Spain, must apply for the corresponding visa at the Diplomatic or Consular Offices before their arrival. Evidence of previous studies must be supplied. Nationalities that do not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days, do not need a student's visa if their stay does not exceed this time.

NEED FOR STUDENT VISA
Once they are in Spain, foreign students must apply for an authorization to stay during the specified time, at the Foreign Office or Police Station.

CAN FOREIGN STUDENTS WORK IN SPAIN?
Basically, foreign students cannot carry out any profitable activity, but it will be allowed if it does not limit the studying aims.


 

  
   
     
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