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

FAQs

What to do before studying abroad in Spain? ›

If you're considering studying abroad in Spain, you're in for a treat. Home to mouthwatering tapas, captivating Flamenco dancing, entertaining bullfights, and rich art, literature, and architecture, this warm and welcoming country is the ideal location to pursue your study abroad dreams.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Violent crime is rare in Spain; however, street crime and petty theft are just as common as in any other country. On another note, Spain is known to be rather accommodating to international students and tourists. Generally, violent crime in Spain is nearly non-existent.

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.

What is the easiest country to study abroad? ›

Where can I easily study and settle down? The top countries for international students looking to study abroad and settle after graduation include Canada, Germany and Australia, among others.

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.

To live comfortably in Spain as an international student, you will need around INR 70,000 to INR 85,000 per month. It means that the cost of living in Spain is lower than in other European countries.

Usually, undergraduate degrees have 60 ECTS credits per year, which means the annual tuition is an average of €1,800. Bachelor's degrees in Spain are usually worth 60 ECTS per year. A bachelor's degree is three to four years, meaning the total credits could either be 180 to 240 ECTS.

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.

In fact, random travellers are selected to be asked for such documents. “Foreigners must prove, if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory, that they have economic resources [for entering the country],” the Spanish Ministry of Interior notes.

American students may be able to study in Spain on a grant through the Fulbright US Student program. You can find information on scholarships to study in Spain on the Spanish Ministry of Education website as well as by looking at the scholarships and funding section on individual university websites.

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

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. There is a total of 76 Spanish universities with most of the leading Universities being in Madrid and Barcelona.

What is the number 1 university in Spain? ›

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.

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.

Spain - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Student dorms in Spain tend to cost between €360 and €650 per month. The cost of living with a host family is about €600 per month. If you're renting by yourself in the private sector, then rent can range from €300 per month for a room to nearly €1,300 per month for an apartment.

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.

Is studying abroad a risk? ›

Students who travel abroad are at an increased risk of harassment or discrimination related to: race, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation/expression, language, age, political affiliation, artistic or verbal expression, clothing, etc.

Studying abroad is an excellent way to make your resume stand out. International education demonstrates to potential employers that you have confidence, worldly knowledge, and are up for new experiences. If you're interested in gaining real-world experience, check out our global internship programs.

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.

European universities offer a lot more types of degrees than American universities. They offer Higher National Diploma, Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, Foundation Degree, Bachelors, Masters, Ph. D.

Ans. The countries with the hardest and most difficult education systems include South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, etc.

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.

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

Is there English speaking schools in Spain? ›

The majority of international schools in Spain use English as the primary teaching language. American and British schools are the most popular, but you can also find French schools and German schools. Swedish and Italian schools are rare, but can still be found in Madrid and Barcelona.

Yes, it is possible to live in Spain with 1,000 euros a month, as the minimum wage is 1,080 euros. However, the freedom and comfort you will have with around 1,000 euros a month will depend on the city you will live in.

You can retire comfortably on about $2,000-2,200 a month, about $25,000-27,000 a year. If you choose to live a bit further away from the big cities, you can retire at approximately $1,700-1,900 a month, which is about $20,000-22,000 annually.

With an average salary of €2,710 per month, you'll find that Spain is really as affordable as everyone says. 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.

An American education in the Spanish capital with an international emphasis: Saint Louis University's Madrid Campus offers 4-year U.S.-accredited degrees and study-abroad programs. Join students from the United States, Spain and more than 50 other countries at SLU-Madrid.

Is studying in Europe cheaper than in the USA? Yes, by a large degree. As we mentioned earlier, the average tuition fee of all the 100% English-taught, accredited bachelor's programs in Europe is just $7,390 per year for international students, and even lower for European students.

In many European countries, universities are tuition-free for local, EU, or EEA citizens. Public universities are tuition-free for Americans in Norway, Iceland, Germany (some exceptions apply), and Sweden (for doctoral students)—and they may even offer classes in English.

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.

How much money should you have before studying abroad? ›

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.

The number one most important thing you learn while abroad is the ability to take care of yourself. I encourage anyone about to embark on this journey to do so with no prior friends. It may be scary to move so far by yourself, but it will help you grow immensely as a person.

Junior year is a popular time to go abroad, particular for students who started as a freshman. This could be a perfect choice if you have a solid plan with how study abroad fits in with your major plan.

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.

American students may be able to study in Spain on a grant through the Fulbright US Student program. You can find information on scholarships to study in Spain on the Spanish Ministry of Education website as well as by looking at the scholarships and funding section on individual university websites.

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.

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.

How do you prove funds in Spain? ›

Sufficient funds can be proven by providing certified checks, traveller's checks, credit cards accompanied by a bank statement or updated bank book or payment letters. Letters from banks or internet bank statements will not be accepted, however. You may be asked to provide one or more of these forms of proof.