Spain is a great choice for foreign students seeking high quality university education at a very reasonable price. The Western European country offers many study options for Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates.

Introduction to Spain

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 programmes offered in English.

Some of the most notable Spanish universities and private institutions include:

• CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy
• Complutense University of Madrid
• EU Business School
• Mediterrani University School Barcelona
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
• Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM)
• University of Barcelona
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
• TBS Education

If you are thinking about getting a Business degree, this country might be the place for you: Spain is home to many great business schools, and 3 of Europe’s top 10 business schools are located here (IESE Business School, IE Business School, and Esade Business School). These highly respected institutions have spawned many international top managers.

Cost of living and tuition fees in Spain

Good news for students: Tuition fees in Spain are among the lowest in Europe.

The tuition fees for Bachelors in Spain range from 800 EUR to 2,500 EUR per year, while fees for Masters in Spain are around 1,000 to 3,500 EUR per year - making the country a cheap destination for international students. Private universities set their own fees, which can be as high as 20,000 EUR per year.

The cost of living varies by location, but in general it is easy to live well on a student budget. Food is cheap and high quality and there are many inexpensive clothing shops. However, it can be quite hard to find accommodation in large cities like Madrid and Barcelona. If you are on a very tight budget you could consider cities such as Valencia or Murcia. And remember, public transport in Spain is efficient and cheap, so you will be able to experience everything the country has to offer no matter where you choose to base your studies.

Student life in Spain

While you can choose from a large number of programmes to study in Spain in English, you may want to brush up your language skills before and while you are there. That will make it much easier to interact with locals, and also equip you with the fourth-most spoken language in the world! For certain regions, such as Catalonia (and its capital Barcelona), it doesn’t hurt to learn at least a few phrases in the regional lingo (Catalonian in this case).

That said, life as a student in Spain is an experience like no other. You will find many friends in the country’s vibrant, diverse student community. Spanish students work hard, but they find plenty of time for fun. If you plan to go out at night, be sure to take an afternoon nap - most clubs don't even open until after midnight and your friends will want to party until dawn!