How to study abroad in Spain

What do I need to study abroad in Spain?

As in other European countries, to study abroad in Spain at the postgraduate level, you typically apply directly through your chosen business school or university.

For bachelor’s degrees at Spanish public universities, you usually apply via the university or the relevant regional admissions platform, and non‑EU students may also need to have their credentials evaluated (for example, through UNEDasiss). Academic admission is separate from the visa process, which you complete later through your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate.

For postgraduate applications, your business school or university will likely ask for specific documents, including:

• University diploma
• Academic transcript
• Professional recommendations (typically two)
• CV/résumé
• Copy of your passport

For many top master’s and MBA programs, business schools will ask for a GMAT exam score with your application. The GMAT exam can be taken online or at a global testing center.

If you’re a non-native English speaker applying to an English-taught program, universities will likely ask for proof of English proficiency. The most commonly accepted English language exams include TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge certificates.

How do I get a student visa for Spain?

Once you’ve been accepted to a Spanish university or business school, you can apply for your Spanish student visa (EU citizens are exempt from the visa requirement). For programs longer than 90 days, this is usually a long-term student visa, which allows you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies.

You normally apply for your visa through the Spanish embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence. To apply for a Spanish student visa, you’ll typically need:

• Passport-sized photograph
• Valid passport (with at least one year remaining before its expiry date)
• Letter of acceptance
• Criminal record check certificate
• Medical certificate confirming you do not suffer from diseases that could pose a serious public health risk
• Proof of comprehensive health insurance
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies

Fees vary and are updated regularly. For most non‑EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, the application costs between 60 and 140 euros (from around US$69). You should apply at least two months before your course starts, but ideally much earlier.

Is Spain affordable for international students?

The country is one of the most affordable in Europe, and you can expect to spend around 700 euros (approximately US$800) per month on living expenses, excluding rent, according to recent cost-of-living data from Numbeo.

Naturally, your outgoings will be higher in a city than in a town, but Spanish cities are still cheaper than many other European cities, including Zurich, London, Paris and Berlin. Barcelona and Madrid are the most expensive cities in Spain, where one-bedroom private apartment rentals can cost around 1,100 euros to 1,500 euros per month.

With many of Spain’s best business schools located in these cities, you may have to weigh up the choice of spending less or attending a top-ranked business school.

Renting a room in a student residence hall can help keep costs down, as can buying food rather than eating out.

Here are some typical monthly costs for a student in Spain:

• Rent: 450–1,500 euros
• Groceries: 150–300 euros
• Transport: 20–50 euros
• Restaurant meal: 10–24 euros
• Gym membership: around 40 euros

Data gathered from numbeo.com and universityliving.com

International students are also required to purchase health insurance during their stay, which must provide at least 30,000 euros in medical coverage and typically costs from 40 euros a month. EU/EEA students with a valid European Health Insurance Card can access medically necessary public health care in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish insured residents, which can significantly reduce their costs.

What are the tuition fees for international students in Spain?

Spain offers significantly more affordable tuition fees for business studies than other countries in Western Europe.

At well-ranked business schools and international programs, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can cost roughly 10,000 to 35,000 euros (US$11,500–US$40,000) per year, while tuition at public universities is often significantly lower. Fees for specialized business master’s are usually a little more than this—the Master in Management program at IESE Business School costs 52,000 euros (US$60,000), for example.

An MBA in Spain can cost upwards of 70,000 euros (approximately US$80,000) for the full program, which is lower than the cost for comparable schools in the United Kingdom or the United States.

Who can apply for scholarships in Spain?

Most business schools and universities in Spain offer scholarships to international students. These will usually come with stipulations, however, such as that you hold a particular nationality or are enrolled in a specific program. Additionally, they may not always be full-paid scholarships, so make sure you review the details carefully.

Other European organizations (including Santander) offer scholarships for international students to study in Spain. These may be worth checking if you fail to receive a scholarship from your university or business school.

A Spanish student visa also allows you to work part-time during your studies for a maximum of 30 hours per week. Visa rules state that this cannot be your sole source of income.

Alternatively, some companies, such as Prodigy Finance, offer loans to international students without a co-signer. However, you should carefully review the requirements and details for these loans.

TL;DR: How to Study Abroad in Spain

• Spain is an attractive study destination due to its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant culture, and top-ranked business schools in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Learning Spanish connects you with hundreds of millions of speakers worldwide.
  For master’s and MBA programs, you apply directly to your chosen school and may need a GMAT exam or equivalent test score plus proof of English proficiency.
• Non-EU citizens must apply for a long-term student visa, which allows for stays longer than six months. To apply, you’ll need a valid passport, proof of funds, and confirmation of health insurance.
• Spain remains one of the more affordable Western European destinations, with moderate living costs and a wide range of tuition fees depending on the institution and program. Current rules also allow most international students to work up to 30 hours per week.

Interested in studying in Spain? Connect with top business schools and learn about your study options at a GMAC Tour. Find out more