Every year, Spain attracts a huge number of students for many reasons: quality education, mild climate, multicultural environment and much more. Today we are talking about undergraduate programs in Spain.
Bachelor's degree is the first stage of an academic career according to the Bologna system. Studyign of such a program takes 4 years and is considered a complete higher education. Since Spain is part of the Bologna process aimed at standardizing and improving the quality of education in Europe, the diploma of Spanish universities is recognized by the European Union, so graduates can continue their studies in other European countries.
Features of Bachelor's degree in Spain
- Higher education in Spain is paid. However, the kingdom's universities offer a large number of grants and scholarships that can cover (partially or completely) the cost of studying.
- Usually the duration of bachelor's programs is 4 years, with the exception of medical and engineering areas, where it can be 5 years or more.
- For international students, there is a Foundation program aimed at preparing a student for undergraduate studies in a chosen specialty. Such a program lasts 1 year, sometimes less, is also paid.
- In the universities of the kingdom there are programs in both Spanish and English.
- Educational institutions in Spain use a credit system – this is a certain number of academic hours that a student must attend. In a year it is 60 credits, on average up to 2 thousand academic hours. For the entire bachelor's program - 240 credits.
- Programs are available not only full-time, but also distance learning.
- The age of admission is from 18 years, but students from 16 years old are often allowed to enroll in distance learning programs.
- The admission campaign ends by mid-July, rarely by the beginning of September, subject to availability.
Tuition fees for undergraduate programs
It is worth noting that Spain has extremely affordable prices for studying throughout Europe. The cost of the program depends on:
- Status of the university: public is cheaper than private.
- Directions: for example, business specialties are more expensive than philological ones.
- Language of instruction: As a rule, a course in English is more expensive than in Spanish. For example, a bachelor's program in English at the prestigious IED Madrid European Institute of Design costs from 14 400 €, in Spanish - from 13 200 € per year.
On average, a bachelor's degree without living in public institutions costs from 1000 €, in private educational institutions - from 6000 € and above.
Admission requirements
Spain is famous for its top business schools, medical sciences, areas in the field of fine arts and architecture. Spanish universities annually produce thousands of highly qualified specialists who easily get a job in prestigious European and world companies or continue their studies.
To submit a package of documents for a Bachelor's program, foreign students need:
- Copy of passport
- Certificate of successful passing of the exam on the level of proficiency in the language in which teaching is conducted. If we are talking about English, then it is IELTS (6.0+) or TOEFL (from 80), if Spanish, then DELE (official exam for knowledge of Spanish) from B1 and above.
- Document on secondary education. However, a foreign school certificate is not equal to the secondary education of Spain - a certificate that meets the standard of this country is required. These can be the first two courses of a foreign university, special courses Foundation or Pathway, IB diploma and A-level.
- Motivation letter.
- Confirmation of personal sports or other achievements (if any).
Some requirements may vary from one institution to another, so it is necessary to clarify the information from consultants or on the website of the university.
Residence
Living on the territory of the kingdom will please the applicant with its low cost.
As a rule, in private universities, students have access to residences, but there are no problems with renting living space.
In large cities, such as Barcelona or Madrid, prices for apartments are higher - from 700-900 €, in smaller cities - from 400 €. Prices for food and transport on average start from 400 € per month, and then it all depends on individual needs and tastes.
To the mandatory expenses such as tuition and accommodation is added the fee for medical life insurance of a student who is not yet 28 years old.
Student Visa in Spain
To obtain a student visa, you need:
- Invitation of educational institution
- Confirmation of admission to the university
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical aid (issued according to the required form)
- Documents on payment of tuition
- Documents confirming the status of residence of the student
- Confirmation of availability of funds for studying and accommodation.
At entry, you are given a temporary visa for 3 months, during which you must apply for a residence permit.
Why do foreign students choose Spain?
The kingdom has a number of undeniable advantages:
- A high level of quality education, which is appreciated all over the world.
- Low prices without loss of prestige of education.
- Wide range of educational programs.
- International environment and full immersion in the centuries-old Spanish culture.
- Studying in both English and Spanish means proficiency in at least two foreign languages.
- Excellent climate and some of the best beaches in the world.
