Study in Spain

A country rich in history and beauty, España really does have a lot to offer. As the famous Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, once said, 'Action is the foundational key to all success.' So what are you waiting for? Be sure to take your notepad, your thinking cap and don't forget the suncream…

The Spanish education system

There are four types of higher education institutions in Spain:

• University schools (escuelas universitarias) - 'short-term' three-year courses are offered.
• University colleges (colegios universitarios) - where the first three years of study leading to a licenciado (generally a five-year course leading to professional employment) are completed.
• Faculties (facultades) - long-term courses are offered in all academic disciplines, except technical courses.
• Higher technical schools of engineering and architechture (escuela superior de ingeniería y arquitectura) - where long-term technical courses are completed.

The higher education system is slowly being changed to comply with the Bologna Process. For more information, see European Commission (Education and Training) .

The Spanish academic year will be similar no matter where you study. Lectures start in October and the study year ends in June. Exams are held at the end of the first semester in February and at the end of June.

If you have any questions regarding the Spanish university system, email universidad.es@universidad.es.

Entry requirements

Competition for places is high, as more students wish to study in Spain than there are places available. EU nationals are entitled to compete for places at Spanish universities on equal terms with their Spanish counterparts.

When applying for postgraduate study, you must be in possession of a Bachelors degree obtained in either Spain or a country in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) . You can also hold a degree attained elsewhere but the university must be satisfied with the qualification before accepting an application.

Foreign qualifications (outside of the EU or China) must be approved by the Spanish Department of Education and Culture, in a process known as homologation. For more information, visit Universidad.es - Recognition of Foreign Qualifications .

All students require a strong knowledge of Spanish but universities do provide summer language courses. To find out more about learning the lingo on arrival in Spain, you should head to Universidad.es - Studying Spanish .

Course fees

EU citizens are entitled to attend university in Spain or any EU country (this means the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The same conditions apply to all EU citizens whether a national of the country or not. This means that you are not required to pay higher course fees than Spanish students and that you are entitled to apply for any grants available to help with tuition fees.

Spanish course fees are among the lowest in Europe for residents and EU nationals. Tuition fees are calculated on a pay-per-credit format, with the amount of credits based on what course you study and which university you attend. For example, a Masters course will be worth 90 -120 credits per year, with each credit costing between 21 and 30 Euros each.

Students should expect to pay between 350 and 1,000 Euros a month for living expenses. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive places to live.

Funding to study in Spain

Grants and scholarships are available to Spanish and EU students, however they are not as numerous as in other European countries.

In April 2012, Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, announced plans to cut science-based research funding by a quarter for those in Spanish universities.

For a helpful list of funding websites and scholarships, visit Universidad - Scholarships .

Spanish exchanges and placements

Students attending UK universities can take part in the EU flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.

Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus  initiative.

Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in another EU country. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.

It isn't always necessary to speak the language of your host country, although you can arrange intensive language courses before you go. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.

Student visas

As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:

• are studying for more than three months;
• are enrolled at an approved university;
• have sufficient income (from any source) to live without needing income support;
• have comprehensive health insurance cover. Spanish and EU students under 28, registered at a higher education institute are covered by a students' insurance fund.