Spain is a popular destination for international students seeking quality and affordable higher education. There are around 85,000 international students studying in Spain each year. With lots to offer, there will be something for everyone is this fantastic country.
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and for good reason. Located on the Iberian peninsula and bordered by France and Portugal, Spain is a beautiful country with a long history and rich culture, known for its architecture, food and wonderful climate.
The country is composed of a number of semi-autonomous regions each with a distinct culture and sometimes even local language. In Spain, you can find any landscape from beaches to high mountains - with climates to match. There are historic and modern universities to choose from in large and small cities in every part of the country.

UNIVERSITIES IN SPAIN

There are a large number of universities of Spain, many of which hold a great reputation internationally and get ranked high in international rankings. Although most universities in Spain focus on teaching in Spanish, the trend points toward more degree programmes offered in English.
Some of the most notable Spanish public universities include the University of Barcelona, the Complutense University of Madrid, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
If you are thinking about getting an MBA, Spain might be the place for you. Three of Europe’s top 10 business schools are located in Spain: IESE Business School, IE Business School, and Esade Business School. These highly respected institutions have spawned many international top managers.

WHY STUDY IN SPAIN?

There are 76 universities in Spain, and they are a mixture of public and private. Of the 76, 24 are private, and 7 of these are associated with the Catholic Church. The public universities are state-funded, meaning that their fees are set by the local government. Spain has a long and rich tradition of higher education, and therefore their institutions are consistently well ranked. In the 2018 QS World University Rankings, 11 Spanish institutions are ranked in the top 500. The highest of these is the Universitat de Barcelona, sitting at 156th.
You are able to study at all traditional levels in Spain. This includes bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level study. A bachelor degree usually lasts 4 years, and you will be required to gain 240 ECTS credits to pass (find out what the ECTS is from Anna, our study abroad expert). A master’s degree usually lasts 1-2 years, and you must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent to be accepted. A Spanish Doctoral degree (PhD) usually lasts up to 3 years, or 5 years if you study part-time. You will need to have been awarded a bachelor’s and master’s degree to gain entry on a Doctoral programme. There are many options for types of courses available, and what fields they are offered in. You are highly likely to find a programme that suits you at an institution in Spain.