Study in Spain

Brief Background: Higher education is an honored tradition in Spanish society. The first university, Universidad de Salamanca, was established in the 13th century. As such, many of Spain’s institutions have developed strong programs that have earned them a solid international reputation. In fact, several universities are ranked in the top 500 in the world in various international university rankings including Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. There are currently 84 universities in Spain, of which 50 are public and 32 are private.

From 2009 to 2010, Spain immersed itself in a transformation of its higher education system. Its goal was to harmonize its academic qualification framework to fit into the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to increase student mobility in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). For the 2017- 2018 academic year, 126,670 international students enrolled in Spanish higher education institutions, of which 64,124 students pursued undergraduate degrees.

Good to Know: In Spain, an undergraduate degree is referred to as grado, and can fall into one of two categories: official, those that are government-regulated and recognized by the EHEA; and unofficial (propio), which are independently established by an institution and generally not recognized by other institutions or education systems. A student pursues an official degree (grado oficial) as they would an undergraduate degree in the US. An unofficial degree (grado propio) is typically meant for students that have already completed an official degree and are looking to improve their technical knowledge in a specific field or subject. Length of study for an undergraduate degree varies by subject. While the majority can be completed in three to four years, more technical degrees, like engineering, medicine, and architecture, can take five to six years.

The Study in Spain website is a government-sponsored resource for English-language speakers. It features information on the cultural and academic value of studying in Spain and has a university search engine that filters by province and university type. It also provides information about administrative procedures; however, the entries often include links to the official resource in Spanish.

Most undergraduate degrees are taught in Spanish or in one of Spain’s recognized regional languages, such as Basque or Catalan. However, there has been an increase in the number of programs taught completely in English or in a bilingual immersion format. In bilingual immersion programs, students begin their undergraduate careers in English-taught classes and are slowly transitioned into a full Spanish learning environment.

Academic Calendar: The school year in Spain generally starts in the fall and ends in late spring. The majority of Spanish universities operate on a two-semester system: the first from September/October to late December, and the second from January/February to May. Semester exams are usually scheduled right after the semester ends in December/January or May/June.

Search: The official source of information for international students is the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación or SEPIE), a government-run initiative that aims to internationalize the Spanish education system. Among its resources it features the Study in Spain website providing general information about Spanish culture and education system, and a list of tools students can use to identify what and where to study, English taught or bilingual programs, as well as available grants and scholarships.

To search universities by program, region, or employability of graduates, use the What to Study and Where tool (Qué Estudiar y Dónde en la Universidad or QEDU) on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports.

Apply: Spain does not have a centralized application system for university admission. Each university sets its own requirements and deadlines for applications and in some instances these can even vary by program within the university. Some universities or programs may require applicants to attend an interview, submit additional materials, or even take a subject or general knowledge exam. It is important that students familiarize themselves with the requirements for each university and program of interest. Students can follow the six steps for applying set forth by UNEDasiss, a service from the distance learning institution UNED.

Each year, universities assess the number of seats in each program that will be open for new applicants. For public universities, this number is determined by the regional governments and is based on projected labor market needs. Of this number, a specific percentage—determined by the universities—is reserved for international students. The number of seats open for general and international admission are typically published in January or February. Students are advised to apply soon after these numbers are published, as space is limited. Private institutions set their own enrollment goals are not limited in the number of international students they can enroll.

When applying, students can begin the process of having their credentials certified for equivalency by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports. This process is known as homologación. Since this can’t officially be completed until a student finishes high school, students can apply for a permit for conditional admission (volante de inscripción condicional) through the Spanish embassy or consulate that would show they have initiated the credential equivalency certificate process, allowing them to be considered for admission to the university of their choice. While this is a responsibility of the student, some universities do provide assistance. Students should contact the admission office of their prospective school or program to verify which resources are available to them. The Spanish Education Advising Office in the United States recommends that students begin this process as early as possible—since it can take three to six months—to assure they’ll have all their documentation in time for enrollment. For the most accurate and updated information about the credential equivalency certificate process and its requirements, students can contact the Spanish Education Advising Office by visiting their website.

Deadlines: Students typically begin their academic studies in the fall semester. Deadlines vary by university, but applications are generally due in April.