Overview
Lavish beaches, delicious food, road trips, rich culture and an easy-going lifestyle make Spain a popular choice for international students in Europe. The cultural experience gained while studying here is unparalleled. The universities in Spain date back to 1218 AD. The experience of studying in universities with such strong historical roots increases the student’s zeal towards education. Spain’s geographical location is also a contributor to its popularity. Students can travel almost anywhere in the world from here.
Why study in Spain?
- Spain and its citizens believe in living life to the fullest. Spaniards are passionate, chic and have a zeal for all aspects of life. This rubs off on the international students
- Spanish is one of the world’s most influential languages. It would be fun to learn it.
- Spanish cuisine is an experience. Paella, tapas, gazpacho are some widely popular dishes.
- La Tomatina or the Spanish Holi with Tomatoes, the Barcelona carnival, carnivals across the country during February are unmistakably a delightful experiences.
- Spain is the home of famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Francisco Goya and Joan Miró. It is the perfect place to unwind and admire artworks.
- Sports, Music, Dance are celebrated with fervour.
Education System
Spain follows the Bologna System for higher education. The examination is held in semester format. Along with grades, the students earn ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
The choices available to international students are-
Bachillerato degree- To earn the Bachillerato certificate (Spanish Baccalaureate), students with secondary education certificates must further study for 4 years in Spain.
Master’s degree- This degree is available to those who wish to study further after their Bachillerato degree. It is ideally for 1-2 years
Postdoctoral programs for research students take about 3-5 years.
- Vocational training (Ciclos Formativos) program trains students in numerous working skills over four years. The options for students are Grado Medio or basic training. Grado Medio lasts for 2 years. Grado Superio is a specialisation that happens over the next two years of the program.
Popular Courses
Spain is a country that has industries that offer rewarding opportunities to students who have a quest for knowledge. Some of the popular courses opted by students are
- Arts and Humanities courses- the courses are multidimensional and can be applied in multiple facets of life. In humanities and arts, some of the more popular courses are Western American Literature, Spanish Literature, Fundamentals of Philosophy, Environmental Ethics, and Popular Music.
- Marketing and Finance- The growth in the economy of Spain has resulted in business and entrepreneurial opportunities. The marketing finance courses are highly detailed.
- Science Degrees- Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics courses are some of the flourishing courses that have an in-depth application of theory and practical training.
Scholarships
While there are several grants and scholarships available for meritorious and deserving students, some of the most sought after grants are-
- Spanish Studies Abroad Merit-Based Scholarship– Spanish Studies Abroad has two programs- the Merit Based Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship. The grant is available to a student willing to learn Spanish and who writes a compelling statement of purpose. The quantum of the grant varies between Euro 500 to Euro 1500.
- The Fulbright Program is given to qualified students who are pursuing research in Spain. The quantum of the grant varies as per need basis.
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant- The grant is awarded to meritorious students with financial limitations. To avail of the grant, proof from Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) displaying on FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) is required. The quantum of the grant varies between $2500 to $4700.
Living Expenses
Studying in Spain is a dream for many. It is imperative to note the amount of money an international student needs in Spain.
- Tuition Fees range from- 150–3,500 EUR annually for a Bachelor’s program and 300–3,500 EUR annually for Master’s programmes in public universities.
In private universities, the tuition fees vary from 872 Euro annually to 20,000 Euroskuk.
- The accommodation costs in Spain range from- 360 Euro per month to 1000 Euro a month.
- Basic utilities like electricity, water etc cost 115 Euro a month
- Food cost – 300 Euro a month to 650 Euro a month
- Health insurance- 70 Euro -120 Euro a year
- Other expenses- 150 Euro – 186 Euro per month
VISA Requirement
- A passport that is valid for 3 months after completion of the degree.
- Health and Medical insurance with adequate coverage.
- Proof of finances required to fund the education.
- Bank statements with the availability of funds to cover living expenses.
- A criminal record certificate of the past 5 years.
- A medical certificate certifying disease-free health.
Work Opportunities
The industries that are a hub of employment opportunities are:
- Architectural and design firms- Architectural firms are most sought after. They offer internships as well. These internships are wholesome and help build professional experience.
- Arts and Humanities- The history of the art and culture of Spain is still alive and thriving. There are a lot of professional jobs available for curators, historians and other jobs in this field.
- Management employees- Spain has a high economic growth percentage which provides a platform for many organisations and enterprises. The demand for management and business employees is steadily on the rise.
- Travel and Hospitality- The tourism and travel industry in Spain is flourishing. Spain attracts a high volume of tourists every year, giving rise to a demand for skilled labour.
Part-time work opportunities
Some professional courses in Spain encourage students to apply for internships and have professional work experience. These are not regulated. For students of other courses, the following rules apply:
- They can do part-time work only 20 hours per week and a maximum of 4 hours per day on school days.
- They must obtain a work permit.
- Part-time work shouldn’t be the financial support to live in Spain.
- The education can not be impacted due to part-time work.
Students can work full-time for a time limit of three months. Part-time work should only be during holidays.
Work Opportunities
Spain is one of the few countries where there is no earmarked visa for working after graduation. To apply for a work permit in Spain, the students need to have a job confirmation first. The employer needs to give a letter of certification of the reasons for the student’s employment. The student receives the resident permit. The student then needs to apply for a work visa.
Unlike other European countries, the work visa and residence permit in Spain are two different permissions. Getting a job in Spain is fast-tracked if the student has enrolled with the Social Security Office and has a DNI Extanjero.
Spain does have a job search visa or the“estancia por Estudios Superiores que cesa, para búsqueda de Empleo.” This visa is a 1-year residency permit issued only once. It is issued only to those students who have completed education in Spain during the last 60 days from application.
Life & Culture
Student life
The universities in Spain are welcoming of cross-cultural interactions between students. The universities hold many events which provide opportunities to explore the cities and soak in the Spanish culture. The students here are friendly and warm. The opportunities for internships are available for students. The education system here doesn’t pressurize students. It is a fine mix of theory and practical training. The semester exam system leaves the student with enough free time to explore and soak in the Spanish sun.Culture
Spain has an ancient and traditional culture. The people are warm and it is considered rude if you don’t acknowledge anyone you meet in a room or place. Etiquettes and humility are deep-rooted in every walk of society. Most of the large cities speak English. Smaller cities and towns only speak Spanish and other local dialects. The families here are tight-knit and close. Strangers and newcomers are also readily accepted in the fore. They believe in tapas- or a laid back meal with friends, where you go from one cafe and bar to another between every course.Famous places
While there are a plethora of places that are held in high regards, here are a few of our selections:- The Palacio Real is the Royal Palace and the residence of the King of Spain. It is in Madrid.
- Running of the Bulls held during the San Fermin festival is an event to behold
- Ibiza- A part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean sea, Ibiza is the party capital of Spain.
- Cuenca- A medieval city based on the steep sides of a mountain, the town is noticeable for its hanging houses.
- The city of Seville- This city is the financial and cultural capital of the south of Spain. The cultural heritage, architecture and natural beauty of the city set it apart from other cities. It is located on the River Guadalquivir.
Other Popular Countries
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