SPAIN

For years Spain was thought of as a country of sunshine and holidays, but over the past few years it has been turning, with growing confidence, into one of Europe’s key study destinations. People don’t come for Switzerland’s elite boarding schools, nor for careers in US-style global corporations. They come for something else — quality European education at a reasonable price, a warm climate and a life that doesn’t grind to a halt after six in the evening.

What people usually come to study

For school pupils. Spanish private boarding schools are still something of a hidden gem, but a very promising one. The country has more than 180 boarding schools where international pupils make up as much as 22% of the roll (over 15 000 children). Their appeal lies in a unique blend of British, American and Spanish standards, alongside specialist programmes — football academies linked to clubs such as «Barcelona» and «Real Madrid», art schools with access to the Prado and Gaudí, marine biology on the Costa Brava, or robotics. Teaching is delivered in three languages: Spanish, English and, say, Catalan or French. Many schools follow A-Level programmes or the American High School Diploma. Pupils live in on-campus residences, in rooms for one to four. The days are full: lessons, sport, the arts and independent study, with weekends given over to excursions, hikes and sports tournaments.

For students. Spanish universities are a major draw for international students. In the 2023/24 academic year around 196 500 studied here, not counting the classic Erasmus+ exchange. Over eight years that figure has almost doubled, and international students now account for roughly 11% of the total at Spanish universities. The mix is strikingly diverse. The largest group comes from Latin America (almost 94 000), for whom Spain feels almost like home, sharing a language and a similar culture. Around 53 000 arrive from the EU, and Spain is the runaway leader for Erasmus+, chosen by roughly 14% of all participants. A further 22 000 come from Asia and Oceania, of whom about 13 500 are from China. The USA (around 11 500) and Morocco (around 7 300) stand out in their own right. Spanish universities are especially popular at Master’s and doctoral level — people arrive already holding a degree, to gain a specialisation or carry out research. In recent years Spain has been expanding its English-taught provision considerably: in a single academic year alone, universities offered around 900 programmes in which at least half the courses are taught in a foreign language. That makes the country far more accessible to those only just beginning to learn Spanish.

Features of studying

Secondary education. Spanish boarding schools offer a safe environment with round-the-clock supervision. The campuses sit in picturesque settings: along the Costa del Sol, in the foothills near Madrid, in historic cities such as Toledo. Classes are small — 12 pupils on average — with a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:8. Schools offer a choice of boarding arrangements: full boarding (the child lives on campus all week), weekday boarding (parents take them home at weekends) and flexible boarding tailored to the family’s own schedule. Many Spanish schools have long histories, with 85% founded before 1950, yet they work closely with leading universities — Spanish, European and American. Pupils are deliberately groomed for entry to the world’s top universities, and 95% of them go on to gain a place.

Higher education. Spain’s higher education system mirrors the wider European model: a Bachelor’s takes 3–4 years (depending on the field) and a Master’s 1–2 years. The academic year starts in September and runs across two semesters: the first from September to December or January, the second from January to May. Spain has 14 universities in the QS top 500, among them the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Madrid. The campuses are well equipped, with libraries, sports grounds, medical centres and laboratories. Spain’s real strength lies in particular niches: it is a recognised leader in tourism and hotel management, architecture and restoration, civil engineering and renewable energy. If you plan to work in these fields, a Spanish degree is a serious asset.

Visa requirements

Citizens of non-EU countries need a national type D student visa to study for more than 90 days. You apply at the consulate once the university has confirmed your place.

The main requirements:

• Confirmation of enrolment at a Spanish educational institution
• Proof of funds: at least 600–700 euros a month for the whole intended period (about 7 200–8 400 euros a year)
• Medical insurance with full coverage
• A criminal record certificate (with apostille and translation)
• A passport valid for at least the full period of study

Cost and timescales: The consular fee is about 100–150 euros, and processing takes 4–8 weeks. Once in Spain you have 30 days to apply for a foreigner’s identity card (TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). Note: since May 2025 language-school students can no longer switch from tourist to student status inside the country — you must apply for the visa in advance from home.

Pros and cons

Pros.

• Compared with the rest of Western Europe, studying and living in Spain are noticeably cheaper.
• Quality education, recognised across Europe and beyond.
• A wide choice of English-taught programmes.
• A sunny climate and a rich culture — 300+ sunny days a year, which for many is a deciding factor.
• The chance to work legally while studying — since 2025 students can work up to 30 hours a week (previously 20).

Cons.

• Despite the growth in English-taught programmes, everyday life is hard without Spanish — especially when dealing with government offices, renting a home or seeing a doctor.
• Spain is notorious for slow, convoluted bureaucracy: securing a visa, a residence permit and other paperwork can take several months.
• The economic picture. Unemployment in Spain has long run above the European average, which can make finding work after your studies harder.