Costs
Tuition
Public universities: €2,000–5,000/year. Catalonia slightly higher. Private universities: €8,000–20,000/year. Business schools (IE, ESADE, IESE): €30,000–70,000/year.
Living Costs
Madrid/Barcelona: €900–1,200/month. Valencia, Seville, Granada: €650–850/month. Shared accommodation: €300–500/month. Meals: very affordable eating culture.
Total Annual Cost
€10,000–17,000/year at public universities outside Madrid/Barcelona.
Part-Time Work
20 hours/week during term. Full-time during breaks. Employer needs to apply for work authorisation. Average student earnings: €400–600/month.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
1-year residencia post-study permit. Can work full-time. After 3 years of legal residence → long-term residence option.
Path to Permanent Residency
5 years of legal residence → Long-term residence permit. 10 years → Spanish nationality (reduced to 2 years for Latin American nationals). EU Golden Visa programme via investment also available.
Language Requirements
Most bachelor's in Spanish. Growing number of English-taught master's, especially at business schools and in Barcelona/Madrid. DELE certificate for Spanish-taught programmes. IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught.
Visa Processing
4–8 weeks. Apply at Spanish consulate. Need: admission letter, financial proof (€600/month minimum), health insurance, clean criminal record.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Barcelona | #149 | €3,000–4,500 | Medicine, Pharmacy, Humanities, Sciences |
| Autónoma de Madrid | #149 | €2,500–4,000 | Law, Sciences, Psychology, Education |
| Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) | #212 | €3,500–5,000 | Economics, Communication, Health Sciences |
| IE University (Madrid) | Top 10 MBA | €40,000–72,000 MBA | Business, Technology, Architecture |
| ESADE (Barcelona) | Top 15 MBA | €35,000–69,000 MBA | Business, Law, Executive Education |
Scholarships
MAEC-AECID
Award: Full tuition + living allowance
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Spanish government scholarship for students from developing nations.
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Spanish government scholarship for students from developing nations.
La Caixa Foundation
Award: €1,200/month + tuition + flights
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: February
One of Spain's most generous private scholarships. For master's and PhD.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: February
One of Spain's most generous private scholarships. For master's and PhD.
Erasmus Mundus
Award: €1,400/month + tuition
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes include Spanish universities.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes include Spanish universities.
University-specific waivers
Award: 10–50% tuition reduction
Eligibility: Varies · Deadline: Per university
Catalan universities especially have international fee reductions.
Eligibility: Varies · Deadline: Per university
Catalan universities especially have international fee reductions.
Spanish government scholarships (MEC)
Award: Tuition-free + living grants
Eligibility: Income-based · Deadline: Ongoing
Available to legal residents meeting income criteria.
Eligibility: Income-based · Deadline: Ongoing
Available to legal residents meeting income criteria.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: Digital Nomad Visa introduced (not for students but shows Spain's openness). Student visa holders can now switch to work residence more easily. Growing number of English-taught master's programmes. Barcelona positioning itself as a European tech hub.
Best For
Spanish speakers or those wanting to learn Spanish. Latin American students (2-year fast-track to nationality). Business school candidates (IE, ESADE, IESE are world-class). Students wanting European lifestyle at lower cost. Arts, architecture, and hospitality students.
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