How to Study Abroad in Spain (Tips from Someone Who's Actually Done it) (2024)

FAQs

What to do before studying abroad in Spain? ›

Private providers such as Spanish Studies Abroad can vary a bit more. Still, a typical semester program will be about $12,000 to $20,000 for most or all of your direct expenses (not including your own trips and some spending money) or flights. All cost information in this article is from 2021.

International students in Spain face several challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, high living expenses, and navigating the bureaucratic process to obtain a student visa.

You need at least 100% of the monthly minimum in Spain (IPREM) which comes down to approximately € 600 per month of study. So for example, if you're applying to study in Spain for 6 months, you'll need a minimum of 3,600€ (600€ x 6 months) in your bank account.

Many higher education institutions in Spain offer courses and programs taught in English, so it is possible to study in Spain in English. You can also find English-taught programs at private or international universities in the country, some of which teach their whole curriculum in English.

A good average study abroad budget should include around $150-200 for each weekend trip — not including your travel expenses and accommodations (and those are really the parts that will change the most by your distance traveled).

A semester abroad through a third-party provider will cost between $15,000 and $22,000 depending on location. These programs usually include housing and sometimes meals. Study abroad can be cheaper if you enroll directly in a foreign university.

Tuition fees in Spain vs the US

What about tuition fees? The cost of education in Spain is significantly cheaper than the cost of education in the US. US Tuition fees average between $5,000 and $50,000 per year in comparison to Spanish average annual tuition fees of between $880 and $2,450.

Unlike many other countries, students in Spain are not required to pay an entrance fee to attend college. This means that in spite of your financial situation, you have the opportunity to pursue your education and achieve your educational goals.

Is it expensive to live in Spain as a student? ›

When you include rent, utilities, food, and leisure activities for one person, living in Spain will cost you about EUR 900 to 1000 EUR per month. However, your living conditions and lifestyle will determine the cost. While some students have a limited budget, others rely on their parents' support.

Poverty and Inequality

Official data published in June found that 27.8 percent of the population was “at risk of poverty or social exclusion” in the country in 2021.

High cost. Moving to a different country automatically leads to extra expenses, and this is one of the major disadvantages of studying abroad in Spain which not many students can afford tuition fees, rent of the room, and transportation costs.

You will gain valuable travel experience, enjoy a culture rich with the arts and history, and you will be able to immerse yourself with fluency to fully experience Spanish as a second language when you return home from studying in Spain. It'll be the best decision you've ever made. <3.

Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account.

Spain Student Visa Success Rate. The rejection rate for a Spain student visa is 3%. It says that 97% of visa applications for Spain student visa are accepted. In this guide we try to cover every aspect, Students are strongly recommended to avoid the mistake that led to student visa rejection.

All U.S. passport holders must obtain a student visa through a Spanish consulate/embassy prior to departure if they are studying abroad in Spain for 90+ days. Visa processing is out of USAC's control as visas are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of Spanish consulates.

U.S. citizens studying in Spain on Semester or Academic Year-long programs that last longer than 90 days are required by Spanish law to obtain a student visa. Winter Term and Summer Term students who are U.S. citizens do not need a visa.

The majority of the jobs in Spain will require you to know some level of Spanish. Of the few English speaking jobs, a lot of them are concentrated in big cities. In addition, companies in Spain need to prove that you're filling a role that locals cannot. This leads to a lot of competition for these jobs.

Great educational system

Its higher education system has been reputable for being among the most renowned worldwide since 1218. Today, Spain continues to strive in the world of academia, producing world-class research and some of the best business schools not just in Europe, but around the globe.

Does fafsa cover study-abroad? ›

Whether you plan to study abroad for a semester or get your entire degree outside the United States, you may be able to use federal student aid to pay your expenses.

The top 5 cheapest study-abroad countries are Norway, Taiwan, Poland, Mexico, and Germany.

Australia has been recognised as one of the most expensive countries in the world for international students. From tuition fees to living expenses, studying here doesn't comes cheap. In 2021, 36 out of 45 universities in Australia ranked in the QS World University Rankings.

But did you know that study abroad is also good for your resume? It so is. Study abroad is a GREAT way to highlight your personal achievements and set you apart from the competition – no matter your major/minor or career path.

Study abroad programs can be worth it if you're passionate about exploring a new country. However, you can end up in debt despite your great experience. It might not be worth it if you don't plan for the costs ahead of time and spend your trip financially stressed.

97% say they deepened their understanding of their host culture. 91% believe they are now more aware of global issues. 79% built skills relevant to their careers. 25% earn higher salaries than their peers who did not study abroad.

You'll Experience a Different Culture

You will learn so much about that country's traditions, from its food and art to its music and politics. There is no better education of a country and its culture than by living in it and being a part of it.

With study abroad, you can experience new places and cultures, make friends from around the world, and gain a global perspective–while earning credits towards your degree. It will allow you to develop highly-valued skills such as intercultural communication, foreign languages, adaptability, and problem-solving.

What is the number 1 university in Spain? ›

Today, almost 63,000 students are enrolled in a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, across the university's 16 faculties and 106 departments. The University of Barcelona ranks within the world's top 100 for many of the subject areas covered by the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

If you're by yourself, you can live on €1000 per month in Spain. This includes room rent, groceries, health insurance, rare use of public transport, eating out a few times a month and shopping moderately.

Countries, including Austria, the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden, offer free education for certain nationalities and/or certain degrees.

Spain has many entirely independent private schools which include international schools and bilingual schools. These are fee paying. International schools teach subjects in English and some take children from nursery school right up to university level, while others concentrate on primary and secondary education.

Apart from some small costs, like a deductible on prescriptions, the public healthcare system in Spain is free for every citizen.

Retirement in Spain also tends to be fairly low cost. You can retire comfortably on about $2,000-2,200 a month, about $25,000-27,000 a year.

The average rental price per square metre in Spain is €11.70/sqm. This means that a 100-square-metre apartment (the average size in Spain is 97 sqm) will cost new tenants €1,170 a month in rent on average. A tiny 50 sqm apartment costs on average €585 to rent every month.

Expats living in Spain report that the cost to live comfortably in a big city like Madrid is between €1,700-1850 per month for a couple. This expense is lower somewhere rural or outside of the big cities, standing at about €1,450-1,600 a month.

Friendly People

Unlike people in other Western Europe countries who can be a bit colder, people in Spain are very welcoming and friendly with tourists. If you feel like asking something, you can just stop someone in the street and ask them.

What are the main laws in Spain? ›

The hierarchy of Spanish laws is thus: The Constitution. International treaties. The law in its strict sense: Organic Law (which requires an absolute majority from the Cortes Generales), ordinary law and regulatory laws (amongst which are found the Royal Decree-Law and the Royal Legislative Decree).

Spain is a culturally diverse country with a rich history and traditions. Studying your university degree in Spain allows international students to immerse themself in this diverse culture and learn about the country's history and traditions.

Once a student completes his or her graduation, they need to obtain a post-study work visa if they want to work. They can remain in Spain for one year looking for it. Keep in mind that you won't be permitted to work within those 12 months.

Go Mad for Madrid

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but it is a capitally amazing place to study abroad! Meet young Spaniards through walking tours, language exchanges, day trips, tapas tours, and so much more. Do tapas tours pique your interest? Madrid is the city for you!

In general, we can say that Spain is a better choice for those who want to learn Spanish or travel to Latin America later on. It may also be more budget-friendly. For those who want to learn Italian and want to discover Italian culture and history, Italy would be the place to go.

To study abroad, you must have a signed, valid passport from your country of citizenship that will not expire for a minimum of six months after your planned program end date. If you do not have a passport, or it's about to expire, make sure you apply or renew it as soon as possible.

Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships, or volunteer work. This visa may also be issued for au pairs and teaching assistants (auxiliares de conversación). Those studying in Spain for ​​less than 90 days do not need a student visa.

How long does it take to get a student visa for Spain from USA? ›

The process to get this type of visa might take approximately 4 weeks. This General Consulate recommends not purchasing plane tickets until your visa has been granted. The Consulate General of Spain in Miami has full authority to evaluate and request documents in addition to those initially submitted by the applicant.

U.S. citizens studying in Spain on Semester or Academic Year-long programs that last longer than 90 days are required by Spanish law to obtain a student visa. Winter Term and Summer Term students who are U.S. citizens do not need a visa.

Students seeking a Bachelor in Spain degree have many options for study, some of the more popular subjects being hospitality, international relations, business, economics, journalism, engineering, computer science, art history, and sociology.

In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveller must have at least 810 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency.

Additional documents you may need for travel to Spain

You may also be asked to prove that you have enough money for your stay. The required amount is roughly €108 per person per day with a minimum of €900 in total. Anyone asked can use cash, cheques, traveller's cheques or bank account statements as proof of funds.

When you're studying overseas, it's normal to feel a little stressed or homesick once in a while. It is common for international students to feel anxious when coping with a completely new lifestyle, academic demands, financial difficulties, pressures of balancing work and study commitments and relationship issues.