In more ways than one, completing a graduate study program plays a significant role in one’s development as a person, an academic, or a professional. This is a big step for every student; hence, deciding to take it abroad is as difficult as choosing the best country. There are quite a lot of options as to where to travel for your masters or doctorate degree. If you have considered Spain as one of your choices, you might as well go for it because this country not only boasts of a rich history and cultural expressions, but also of excellent graduate study programs. A line in your curriculum vitae about your earned graduate degree in Spain will surely make it advance to the top of the pile.

Attending graduate school in Spain is a welcome opportunity for you to see the world more openly. It will allow you to indulge in a multitude of splendid wonders about people, their ways, their languages, their faith, and their lives in general. This is why more than 50,000 international students seek a slot in one of Spain’s universities. Essentially, Spain is the ultimate venue for genuine education for those who seek growth through further learning.

We, at Edarabia, strive to provide you with the most valuable information about your upcoming graduate study experience in Spain. Below are pointers you need to know about graduate schools in Spain, the application process, estimated costs, and some tips for your journey.

Table of Contents

1. What you need to know about graduate schools in Spain
2. Tips for International Graduate Students in Spain
3. Requirements for Graduate Studies in Spain
4. How much do graduate studies in Spain cost?

What you need to know about graduate schools in Spain

• There are four main types of universities in Spain: “ecuelas universitarias” (university schools) which offer short-term courses, “colegios universitarios” (university colleges) which offer five-year programs leading to employment, “facultades” (faculties) which offer all kinds of degree programs except technical ones, and “escuela superior de ingeniera y arquitectura” (higher technical schools of engineering and architecture) which offer engineering and architecture programs. Most of these universities have graduate study programs for various fields of specialization.
• The most popular graduate study programs for international students in Spain are management, business administration, marketing, economics, cultural studies, and computer science.
• The best graduate schools are located in Barcelona (Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, Barcelona Technology School) and Madrid (Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa Business School and ESERP Business School).
• Graduate schools in Spain forge cooperation with external research institutions, particularly for postgraduate studies, to better expose their students to practical knowledge.
• It will take you at least 10 months and at most 2 years to complete a graduate or a postgraduate degree in Spain.
• Graduate students in Spain need to accumulate 60 to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) in order to complete their program.
• In accordance to the Bologna Process, graduate degrees in Spain are second cycle programs, while postgraduate degrees are third cycle programs.
• The academic year followed by graduate schools in Spain begins in September and ends in June.

Tips for International Graduate Students in Spain

We want your graduate study abroad journey to be a success. Thus, we rounded up the best tips to make your experience hassle-free and convenient.

• Use your time in Spain to learn Spanish – the world’s second most spoken language. Learning this new skill will not only increase your chances of having more friends in a foreign country, but also make you understand the basic announcements in your community. Having a knowledge of Spanish will also give a boost to your profile.
• Immerse in the Spanish history and culture as it will be the adventure of a lifetime you can get free while studying in Spain. This European country belongs to the list of top countries who receive the largest number of international tourists every year. Everyone gushes about the dream to learn and experience some of the most significant historical venues in the world. As an international student, this is your chance to explore more of Spanish art, culture, and politics, to give you a broader perspective of history as you learn it from textbooks.
• Apply for admission and student visa several months before the academic year starts. This is to give you time to adequately prepare for your journey. Note that graduate schools and universities in Spain follow two semesters, summer and autumn.
• Try to look for a scholarship. Although tuition costs in Spain may be lower compared to other European countries, a scholarship award will somehow ease off your financial load.
• Make sure that you apply for a student residence card within a month after you arrive on Spanish soil.
• Secure health insurance as it will be required for all non-Spanish students.
• Explore the available accommodation options for international students. You can stay in university accommodations, private apartments, or stay with a Spanish family in their household.
• Familiarize yourself with the Spanish lifestyle. During the summer, shops often close in the middle of the day for their “siesta” time.
• Indulge in the best of what Spanish cuisine has to offer, such as tapas, cheese, cured meats, chorizos, and the wine.
• If time permits, apply for a part-time job in Spain. International students are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. This way you can support yourself with your food and other living expenses.

Requirements for Graduate Studies in Spain

Applying to graduate schools in Spain is pretty much the same with applying to an undergraduate degree program, except that you will not need to take the “Selectividad”. To start your application, it is best to visit the website of your chosen graduate school and look up their admission procedure for international students. Generally, the process involves asking for the following requirements:

• Certification of college diploma or bachelor’s degree
• Valid passport (from the start until the end of your intended stay in Spain)
• Transcript of records (translated in Spanish or English, depending on the university)
• Language proficiency test scores (i.e. IELTS or TOEFL for English, DELE or CELU for Spanish)
• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Proof of healthcare insurance
• Proof of financial capability
• Financial plan for the duration of your study program
• Student visa and residence permit

How much do graduate studies in Spain cost?

Studying in Spain costs relatively cheaper compared to other parts of Europe. You can expect, however, the same level of excellence from its universities and graduate schools. Let us walk you through the estimated tuition and other costs needed for your graduate studies in Spain.

Tuition Fees

• Tuition fees in Spain universities are set by the provincial government, consistent with the guidelines from the Bologna Process.
• In order for students to complete a study program in Spain, regardless if it is a first cycle, second cycle, or third cycle program, they need to accumulate credits. The tuition fees are then computed per credit.
• In an academic year, each student should be able to complete at least 60 ECTS.
• Graduate students can expect to spend €22 ($24.9) to €36 ($40.80) per credit.
• The computation of tuition costs per year is number of credits multiplied by 60 (number of ECTS required per year).
• In public graduate schools, the cost of graduate and postgraduate study programs range from €900 ($1,020) to €3,300 ($3,741) per academic year.
• In private graduate schools, the cost can reach up to €18,000 ($20,405) per year.
• Business schools are a lot more expensive and can charge up to €20,000 ($22,672) per academic year.

Accommodation Costs

• Accommodation in university student residence halls costs between €360 ($408) to €650 ($737) per month.
• Accommodation in private apartments costs between €450 ($510) to €700 ($794). It costs higher in major Spanish cities, like Madrid and Barcelona, which could go up to €900 ($1,020) to €1,200 ($1,360) per month.
• Accommodation in homestay (or boarding with a family and with meals included) costs between €700 ($794) to €800 ($907).

Transportation Costs

• Public transport is cheap in Spain. You can expect to spend €42 ($47) to €54 ($61) for a monthly transportation pass in Spain.

Food Costs

• You can purchase the cheapest products for your groceries in Dia, Bally, Dani, and Mercadona.
• Students can expect to spend around €300 ($340) to €400 ($453) for monthly groceries.
• A decent meal in a restaurant costs around €10 ($11).

Extra Costs

• As a student, you have to allocate expenses for books and study materials. €900 ($1,020) per year will be sufficient to cover these extra expenditures.
• Your health insurance could cost you €70 ($79) to €180 ($204) per year.

Should you feel that you need financial assistance to cover the expenses related to your graduate studies in Spain, there are numerous scholarships available for international students. Check out our article on How to Apply for a Scholarship in Spain to help you out. We hope you are now ready to start your graduate study program in Spain.