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Spain — study destination
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Study in Spain

Low-cost European education with 30 hrs/week work rights and a 12-month job search permit.

Why Study Here?

Study in Spain

Spain has become one of the fastest-growing study destinations for international students — combining low public university tuition, an expanding catalogue of English-taught programs, and some of the most generous student work rights in the EU. Non-EU students can work up to 30 hours per week during studies, and graduates benefit from a 12-month Job Search Permit with no immediate salary threshold required to apply. Home to globally top-ranked business schools like IE, ESADE, and IESE — alongside world-class public research universities — Spain offers both academic excellence and an unparalleled quality of life at the heart of the Mediterranean.

  • 30 hours/week part-time work rights — the most generous student work allowance in the EU
  • 12-month Job Search Permit post-graduation with no immediate job offer or salary threshold required
  • Hundreds of English-taught programs at master's and MBA levels, with growing bachelor's options
  • Globally ranked business schools — IE, ESADE, and IESE consistently in the global top 30
  • Low public university tuition: from EUR 1,200–7,500/yr depending on autonomous region
  • Affordable living — Valencia, Granada, and Salamanca significantly cheaper than UK, Australia, or Germany
  • Spanish — the world's 2nd most spoken native language — dramatically boosts global employability

Tuition & Costs

Tuition & Costs

Here is a breakdown of typical study and living expenses for students in Spain.

Study Level

Annual Tuition (EUR)

Bachelor's Degree

1,200–16,000/yr

Master's Degree

2,500–28,000/yr

Living Expenses

Expense

Cost

Accommodation

EUR 350–700/mo

Food & groceries

EUR 200–350/mo

Transport

EUR 20–40/mo

Monthly Total

EUR 700–1,400

Top Universities

Highly ranked institutions in Spain that are popular with international students.

IE University#1 in Spain (Business)

IE University

Madrid & Segovia
BusinessLawData & TechInternational Relations
TuitionEUR 14,000–28,000/yr
ESADE Business SchoolTop 10 Global MBA (FT)

ESADE Business School

Barcelona
MBALawGlobal BBAMaster's in Finance
TuitionEUR 15,000–28,000/yr
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid#201-250 QS

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Madrid
ScienceLawEconomicsHumanities
TuitionEUR 3,000–6,000/yr
Universidad de Barcelona#165 QS

Universidad de Barcelona

Barcelona
MedicineChemistryLawEconomics
TuitionEUR 2,500–7,500/yr

Visa Information

To study in Spain, most international students require a Type D Long-Stay Student Visa + TIE.

Student Visas (500)
Student Visas (500)

Processing initial applications with GSP, CoE, financial evidence, English language evidence, and ensuring health/character requirements are met.

Student Admissions
Student Admissions

Course & career counselling, university application and enrolment, scholarship application assistance, and pre-departure briefings.

Student Essentials
Student Essentials

Health Insurance (OSHC & OVHC), student accommodation, and medical booking assistance for visa applications.

When to Apply

When to Apply

Follow this timeline to give yourself the best chance of a smooth application and visa process.

Research & shortlist programs

7–9 months before

Compare public universities vs. private business schools; check program language medium and Numerus Clausus limits

Sit IELTS / TOEFL or DELE/SIELE

6–8 months before

Bachelor's: IELTS 6.0–6.5; Master's/MBA: IELTS 6.5–7.5. Spanish-taught programs require DELE B2+

Apply to university & get admission letter

5–7 months before

Public bachelor's via UNEDasiss portal; master's and private programs directly via university portal

Arrange private health insurance & finances

3–5 months before

Spanish-compliant health insurance with zero copays (sin copago) is mandatory for visa; prepare EUR 7,200–10,000 in bank

Apply for Type D Student Visa

2–4 months before

Apply at Spanish consulate or BLS visa centre in your home country; fee approx. EUR 60–140 for most nationalities

Pay tuition deposit & confirm enrolment

2–3 months before

Secure your place with a deposit; obtain unconditional admission letter for visa processing

Apostille & sworn translations

3–5 months before

All core documents (transcripts, diplomas) must be Apostille-certified and translated by a sworn translator (traducción jurada)

Arrive & register (empadronamiento + TIE)

Within first 30 days

Register at town hall (Padrón Municipal) and apply for TIE physical residency card at local police station within 30 days of arrival

Your Journey

Your Journey
Why study here
  • 30 hrs/week work rights — highest student work allowance in the EU
  • Public university tuition from EUR 1,200/yr — a fraction of UK, Australia, or US costs
  • 12-month Job Search Permit post-graduation — low barrier, no salary floor required
  • World-class private business schools (IE, ESADE, IESE) with strong global alumni networks
  • Spanish language fluency — opens careers across Spain, Latin America, and beyond
  • Schengen Zone location — easy access to work and travel across 27 European countries
What to know
  • Public tuition varies heavily by autonomous region — Madrid/Catalonia are significantly pricier than Andalusia
  • All documents (transcripts, diplomas) require official Apostille + sworn Spanish translations, adding time and cost
  • Competitive housing market in Madrid and Barcelona — apply for accommodation immediately after receiving your offer
  • Spanish language skills are important for daily life, even in English-taught programs
  • Some programs have Numerus Clausus (entry caps) — apply early for competitive programs
  • Municipal registration (empadronamiento) and TIE application required within 30 days of arrival — administrative overhead
Popular Courses

Browse popular programs by study level. Tuition figures are indicative — contact an advisor for exact fees.

CourseDurationTuition
Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA)3–4 yearsEUR 1,500–16,000/yr
BSc Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence4 yearsEUR 2,000–4,500/yr
BSc International Relations4 yearsEUR 1,500–12,000/yr
BSc Engineering (Civil / Mechanical / Industrial)4 yearsEUR 2,000–5,000/yr

Choosing a City

Choosing a City

Each city offers a different lifestyle and cost of living. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide.

City

Int'l Students

Avg. Rent

Climate

Known for

Madrid

200,000+

EUR 450–700/mo

Continental — warm summers, crisp winters

Financial hub, elite business schools (IE, IESE), vast job market

Barcelona

180,000+

EUR 500–750/mo

Mediterranean — warm, sunny year-round

Tech startups, architecture, cosmopolitan lifestyle, international scene

Valencia

80,000+

EUR 350–550/mo

Mild Mediterranean — sunshine 300+ days/yr

Affordable, bike-friendly, rapidly growing tech ecosystem

Granada

60,000+

EUR 250–400/mo

Continental/Mild — warm summers

Most affordable city — lowest public tuition in Spain (Andalusia region)

Salamanca

35,000+

EUR 280–450/mo

Continental — dry, warm summers

Historic university city — home to one of Europe's oldest universities (est. 1218)

Scholarships

Several scholarships are available specifically for Nepali students heading to Spain.

MAEC-AECID GrantsJanuary–March each year

MAEC-AECID Grants

Monthly stipend + tuition coverage

Non-EU students from specific partner countries — awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesNovember–January each year

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Full tuition + travel + monthly stipend

Competitive application for EU-consortium master's programs; open to non-EU students globally

University Excellence & Merit ScholarshipsRolling — apply with admission

University Excellence & Merit Scholarships

20%–100% tuition waiver

Merit-based; offered by IE, ESADE, IESE, and leading public faculties — apply at time of admission

Regional Government ScholarshipsVaries by region

Regional Government Scholarships

EUR 2,000–8,000

Varies by autonomous community (Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid) — check regional government portals

Partner Institutions

We work directly with leading universities and institutions in Spain to help you secure your offer letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Spain Overview

  • Universities84
  • Courses3,000+
  • Int'l Students100,000+
  • Avg. TuitionEUR 1,200–28,000/yr
  • Work rights30 hrs/week
  • Post-study visa12 months
  • Public tuition fromEUR 1,200/yr
  • Int'l students100,000+

Other destinations

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