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Study in Spain: A Guide for International Students

Spain combines an unforgettable cultural experience with high-quality education, which makes for a fantastic study abroad experience!

Apr 11, 2025
  • Study Abroad in Spain

Lavish beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, and delicious food make Spain a popular study-abroad destination for students worldwide. After all, what is better than combining an unforgettable cultural experience with studying abroad?

Like many EU countries, Spain took a significant leap and reformed its education system in 2007. Embracing the Bologna Process, Spain ensured that the buildings were the only old things at its universities.

Read on to learn why more than 240,000 international students choose to study in Spain every year and why you should join them!

Why study in Spain? ๐ŸŽฅ

  • You can take language courses before studying to improve your Spanish skills.
  • Tuition fees are some of the lowest in Western Europe.
  • Spain has a rich culture and a vibrant student community.

Find a program

Want your studies with a side of sunshine? โ˜€๏ธ Use our search to find programs in Spain!

With universities dating back to 1218 (how can you resist attending lectures in a historic castle?), studying in Spain wraps breathtaking study locations and internationally recognized degrees into one life-changing study abroad package.

Spanish universities are very open and welcoming. They hold a multitude of student events throughout the year, offering opportunities to explore the city, indulge in the culture, and connect with fellow international students from all corners of the globe.

Though most international students who decide to study in Spain are from Europe or America, they come from all over the world. This means you could easily make lifelong friendships with people from various cultural backgrounds.

Keep reading to discover why studying abroad in Spain is the opportunity to live out a Mediterranean fairytale.

Spainย - The Facts & Figures

CapitalMadrid
LanguageSpanish
Population48.6 million
Area Size505,990 kmยฒ
Students (International students)1,558,000 (241,777 international)
Academic YearSeptember - June
CurrencyEuro (โ‚ฌ)
Calling Code+34
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
study-abroad-spain

More about Spain

Located in southwestern Europe, Spain is a land of stone castles, vast monuments, and modern cities. Its long history has been influenced by the Castilian, Catalonian, Basque, Roman, and Arabic cultures, to name just a few!

Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, another popular destination for tourists and international students. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Mediterranean Ocean to the East, Spain is a student paradise for anyone wishing to relax on the beach after exams!

If you're a student bitten by the travel bug, Spain is an ideal study-abroad destination! North Africa lies just over the Straits of Gibraltar, the Canary Islands are a short flight away, and the rest of Europe waits to the northeast. Why not hop over to France or check off other travel destinations? Spain's geographical location makes it the ideal destination to get the most out of traveling while studying abroad.

If you're more interested in the local culture and prefer short trips, Spain is full of colorful regional differences worth exploring. By studying abroad in Spain, you'll be immersed in the Spanish spirit in no time.

The list of reasons to choose to study abroad in Spain is endless, but we've compiled a few of the key reasons for you:

The Mediterranean lifestyle

With a balanced diet full of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish, washed down with a glass of red wine, Spain will teach you how to slow down and enjoy your study abroad experience to the fullest.

Learn Spanish!

Staying in Spain while abroad is also the perfect chance to learn the world's second most commonly spoken language - Spanish. You'll receive a top education and gain a new way of understanding the world and expressing yourself.

Great weather and friendly people

In addition, the weather and the people in Spain are warm and welcoming. With places boasting as little as 30 days of rainfall a year and a culture of friendliness throughout the country, your time studying in Spain will be filled with good food, good friends, and a lot of sunshine!

Affordable education

Last (but certainly not least!), Tuition fees for universities in Spain are some of the lowest in Europe, and the cost of living is fairly affordable compared to other European countries. This is especially important if you want to study abroad without breaking the piggy bank!

Still wondering about studying abroad in Spain? Studying abroad will make you more desirable on the job market and teach you the soft skills needed to enhance your career prospects after university. In the meantime, Spain offers you a fantastic climate to enjoy, a vibrant culture to immerse yourself in, and exciting destinations to explore in the country of tapas and fiestas!

Stephanie's experience as an international student in Spain

Why Stephanie chose Spain as her study abroad destination:

"I chose Spain because I wanted to go someplace warmer and with aย different and vibrant culture."

Education System

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in Spain? Spain is a popular study abroad destination for international students, given its laid-back lifestyle, high quality education, and its vibrant culture and history. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in Spain!

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Spain to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on if you're an EU national or not. Discover what you need to stay in Spain to study abroad!

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, itโ€™s important to create a budget in advance so that youโ€™re prepared. Therefore, weโ€™ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as an international student in Spain.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Spain may vary, but are amongst the lowest in Europe. To cover the rest of the costs, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available.

Language & Culture

Spain boasts a rich history and culture. Find out more about Spain's famous vibrancy!

Application Process

All countries have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance into a university. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in Spain, and what you need to apply, depending on your citizenship.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Spain? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Spain today!

educations.com team

Author

The educations.com team consists of hundreds of dedicated individuals who share a passion for studying abroad. We combine our diverse strengths to guide millions of students in over 250 countries toward finding their dream education.

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