The Spanish Spirit:
What is it like to live and study in Spain?
Studying in Spain is embracing a vibrant culture, where European academic excellence gains a unique light and dynamism. Forget grey days and a rushed routine: here, university life takes place just as much on technological campuses and historic faculties as it does in sunny squares and conversations that stretch out on outdoor terraces. Living in Spain means learning in a top international environment, unwinding with friends around a table of tapas in the late afternoon, and letting yourself be swept up by the local warmth and hospitality. It is the perfect destination for those seeking professional success without sacrificing an extraordinary quality of life.
What are the advantages of studying in Spain?
Global Prestige & Business Elite:
Spain is home to some of the best business schools in the world (such as IE, ESADE, and IESE). Spanish university degrees are integrated into the Bologna Process, making them automatically valid and highly valued throughout Europe and the global market.
Top Bilingual Offer:
Even though Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world for business, the offer of Bachelor’s (Grados) and Master’s (Másteres) degrees taught 100% in English has grown exponentially in Spanish universities.
Simplified Access for Europeans:
Through the UNEDasiss system, students with European secondary education can convert their grades directly into the Spanish system, sometimes without the need to take traditional national exams (Selectividad), depending on the course.
Most Popular Fields of Study and Courses
Business, Management and Entrepreneurship:
Madrid and Barcelona are true European corporate hubs. Courses in these areas offer networking ecosystems, startup incubators and direct links to multinationals.
Health and Medical Sciences:
Courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine (especially in private universities) attract thousands of international students due to state-of-the-art clinical facilities and strong practical components from the first year.
Architecture, Design and Fine Arts:
As the homeland of geniuses like Gaudí and Picasso, Spanish schools of art and architecture are world references in creativity, urbanism and industrial design.
Tourism and Hospitality Management:
As one of the world’s leading tourism powerhouses, programmes in Spain offer an incomparable training of excellence with guaranteed internships in the world’s largest hotel chains.
Programmes You Can Study in Spain
Bachelor’s Degrees
Give wings to your future. Find bachelor’s degrees abroad tailored to you, adapted to your interests, budget and dreams. Your international experience starts here.
Master’s Degrees
Specialize without borders. Invest in a master’s degree abroad and stand out in a global job market.
Language Courses
Master a new language. Take language courses abroad with full immersion, tailored to your level and goals.
Summer Courses
Life-changing holidays. Combine fun and learning in the best summer courses abroad.
Where do you want to study? You decide.
At StudyWing, your map of choices has no limits or predefined catalogues. As we work with all institutions and universities in Ireland, you have total freedom to choose the city that best suits your goals.
Do you want the energy of the big metropolis and business centres?
We can place you in the beating heart of Madrid or in cosmopolitan and artistic Barcelona.
Do you prefer tradition and a purely academic environment?
Options in historic cities with a 100% university spirit, such as Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela or Granada.
Are you looking for a fantastic climate, beaches and a lower cost of living?
Vibrant coastal cities like Valencia, Málaga or Alicante are excellent choices.
Vias de Ingresso e Requisitos Académicos
O sistema de ensino espanhol oferece excelentes vias de entrada adaptadas ao perfil de cada estudante. Quer procures uma experiência de curta duração ou o ensino superior, nós desenhamos o teu caminho. Os requisitos variam consoante o programa que escolheres.
Language Courses and Summer Programmes
Requirements: Very accessible. You don’t need a specific academic background or prior exams.
What is required: Just a placement test (taken online before you travel) to be placed in the right class, and meeting the program’s minimum age requirement.
Higher Education (Grados and Másteres)
Here, the process varies depending on whether you choose the public or private system:
Public Universities: For Bachelor’s degrees, your admission depends on the Nota de Corte (the cut-off mark of the last admitted student from the previous year). For students with a European secondary education, the average grade is converted through UNEDasiss (on a scale of 5 to 10 points). If you need to raise your grade for highly competitive courses, you can take the upgrade exams called PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas).
Private Universities and Business Schools: The process is more holistic and focused on your profile. The application dossier must normally contain:
Certificate of Qualifications and Grades: Your academic transcript.
Language Proficiency Exam: Proof of English level (IELTS/TOEFL) or Spanish level (DELE/SIELE), depending on the language of the course.
Motivation Letter & Interview: A text and an online conversation to understand your goals and profile.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Letters of Recommendation: Essential especially for Master’s programmes.
How Much Does it Cost to Study in Spain?
Planning the financial aspect is essential. To help you structure your budget, we share the average reference values for programs in Spain.
Spanish Courses:
From €150 / week.
Summer Courses:
From €600 / week (normally on an “all-inclusive” basis, covering the course, accommodation, meals, and activities).
Public Universities (Grados and Másteres):
Between €800 and €3,500 / year (the values are defined by each Autonomous Community).
Private Universities and Business Schools:
From €6,000 up to €25,000+ / year (in the case of elite business schools).
StudyWing Tip:
Did you know that international students in Spain can work part-time to help cover their expenses? In addition, there are several merit scholarships and institutional financial aid options that significantly reduce costs at private universities.
Cost of Living
The cost of living depends heavily on the location you choose to live:
Outside of Madrid/Barcelona (Valencia, Salamanca, Seville…):
Budget between €700 and €900 / month to cover your room, food, and transportation.
In Madrid and Barcelona:
Being major metropolises and economic capitals, the cost rises to around €1,000 to €1,300 / month, driven primarily by the higher price of accommodation.
Do you want to know the exact price for your case? Don’t worry!
Since prices vary depending on several factors, after our meeting you will have access to all this information, fully personalized to your choices.
Visa Information
Students with European Citizenship (EU):
Visas: You do not need a visa to study in Spain. There is total freedom of movement.
Stay longer than 3 months: If your course lasts more than 90 days, you only need to apply for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (obtaining the green NIE) with the Spanish authorities after your arrival.
Non-European Students:
Visas: It is mandatory to apply for a Student Visa from your country of origin before travelling.
Courses longer than 6 months: In addition to the initial visa, after arriving in Spain, you must apply for a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE). The process requires proof of financial funds (based on the Spanish IPREM), a Spanish private medical insurance policy, and the official acceptance letter from the institution.
Official Notice:
Immigration rules may undergo updates. We always recommend a detailed consultation of the Official Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain to check the most recent fees and documents. StudyWing provides full support in guiding your visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! If you have European citizenship, you have free access to the job market. If you are a non-European student with a Student Visa, Spanish legislation automatically allows you to work part-time for up to 30 hours per week (as long as the working hours do not conflict with your classes).
European Students: You must apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling. This card gives you full access to the Spanish public healthcare system (Seguridad Social) in case of medical need.
Non-European Students: For the issuance of your student visa, it is mandatory to take out comprehensive private Spanish health insurance with full coverage and no co-payments (sin copagos), which will give you access to the network of private hospitals and clinics in Spain.
Yes, we help you find the ideal accommodation. There are three main options in the Spanish market:
University Residences / Colegios Mayores: Single or shared rooms in buildings with excellent common areas (canteen, gym, study rooms). Colegios Mayores are highly traditional in Spain and offer a strong component of cultural and academic integration.
Shared Apartments (Pisos Compartidos): This is the most popular option among university students in Spain. You rent a room in an apartment with other students, sharing the household expenses.
Host Families (Homestay): Ideal for those taking short-term language courses or wanting total cultural immersion, with meals included and the opportunity to practice Spanish daily in a family environment.