Applying to Spanish Universities

Special guest blog from Aida Rocci – College Counsellor

Why Spain?

In the 2022/2023 academic year, Spain set a record by welcoming 241,777 international students, and since then, the number has been increasing. Spain is in a very privileged spot, allowing businesses to access the European market and the Spanish-speaking sphere: an important consideration as employers increasingly value a global mindset. International companies in all industries, from Netflix to GE, have offices in major Spanish cities. Moreover, Spanish companies such as Inditex, Santander, and Ferrovial (the company that built Heathrow Terminals 2 and 5) have international impact. As such, studying in Spain can be an ideal point of access for an international career, as employers will appreciate students with a global outlook. There are a range of Spanish universities: from large public universities to highly specialized private institutions.

Lastly, the Spanish lifestyle has much to offer. According to newspaper La Vanguardia , Spain ranks seventh among the happiest countries in the world in terms of sustainable well-being!

Application Process: Public vs. Private Universities

Private Universities

Private institutions like IE University , Esade , and UNAV have gained an international reputation in the last decades, due to their investment in programmes in English that attract students from all over the world. Their application process is more straightforward than that of public universities (see below), often with rolling admissions.

Here are some notable examples of universities that offer international degrees:

IE University (Madrid & Segovia) : a globally focused private university known for its innovative approach to business, law, and technology, offering strong industry connections and international programmes. IE has rolling admissions (meaning that it accepts applications at any time of year, rather than having set application deadlines), but its most popular programmes (like the Bachelor in Business Administration or the Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence) tend to fill up in March. Students can apply via the Common Application (a popular US application portal) or IE’s own portal. IE requires either the SAT, ACT, or their own test, as well as a personal statement, CV, letter of recommendation, recorded Kira interview, and in-person interview.

Esade (Barcelona & Madrid) : a prestigious private institution specializing in business, law, and executive education. Esade is renowned for its strong emphasis on ethics, entrepreneurship, and global leadership, as well as innovative double degrees. It employs a rolling admissions process starting every September, with biweekly Admissions Committees reviewing applications. Students can apply using Esade’s own portal. The university requires either the SAT, ACT or their own test, as well as grades from the final three years of high school. In some cases, they require an interview. On their website, they have listed the expected academic performance on each educational system’s qualification (for instance, the average final IB score of admitted students is 36/42).

Universidad de Navarra (UNAV) (Pamplona, San Sebastian & Madrid) : a top private university with strengths in medicine, business, and humanities, offering a strong academic reputation and personalized education. Applicants must complete an entrance exam tailored to the course to which they are applying. Furthermore, they must submit their grades for the first three years of high school and a letter of recommendation. Deadlines vary by program: medicine for international students is around December 9 ^th , whereas the other programmes’ deadlines are around March 3 ^rd . Deadlines for the entrance exam are normally in the following days.

It is also worth noting that Spain hosts many international universities such as Saint Louis University in Madrid (an American university), the European School of Economics , and ESCP . There are also many excellent private universities popular among locals such as ICADE , CEU , or CUNEF , which can be interesting options for trailblazers.

Public Universities

Spanish public universities, such as Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Universitat de Barcelona , offer world-class education at a fraction of the cost of a similar education in English-speaking countries. They’re large, distinguished institutions that educate three quarters of the Spanish population. However, applying to them requires careful planning, particularly for students from non-Spanish educational backgrounds.

Some noteworthy examples:

Universidad Carlos III (Madrid): a highly ranked public university known for strong business, economics, and engineering programmes, with a global outlook and bilingual options.

Universidad de Barcelona: one of Spain’s top public universities located in the heart of a vibrant city, renowned for its research excellence and diverse academic offerings.

Universidad Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona): a dynamic, research-driven university specializing in social sciences, business, and humanities, consistently ranked among Europe’s best.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: a prestigious public university with a scenic campus, known for its rigorous academics, particularly in law, sciences, and humanities.

Universidad de Salamanca (Salamanca): Spain’s oldest university, dating back to 1218, famous for its history, humanities, and Spanish language programmes.

Universidad Complutense de Madrid: one of Spain’s largest and most influential universities, offering a wide range of programmes with a rich academic and cultural heritage.

Universidad Politécnica de Valencia: a leading technical university excelling in engineering, architecture, and technology, with strong industry connections.

Application

UNEDasiss assesses international students’ academic transcripts and conducts undergraduate entrance exams. While A-Level and IB Curricula can fulfil some of the application requirements, it is common for students to sit Specific Competency Tests (commonly abbreviated as PCE). According to UNEDasiss, “international students (non-EU students or from countries having no educational agreement with Spain) whose studies can be recognised as equivalent to Spanish Bachillerato, are advised to take a minimum of 4 PCE subjects in order to apply to Spanish universities.”

Before students apply, it is important for them to reach out to universities to determine whether they use UNEDassiss and what extra requirements they might have, as well as the necessary grades for entry to programmes with limited places.

To check general requirements by country, use this link: https://unedasiss.uned.es/simuladorSolicitud

The online application for a UNEDassis accreditation can be completed between 4 February and 1 December each year. PCE tests can be taken in May/June or September. University deadlines vary, but many public universities’ deadline is in July after the final year of high school.

Visa process

Obtaining a student visa for Spain is generally straightforward, but the process can be time-consuming and requires careful preparation. Non-EU/EEA students must apply for a Type D student visa through the Spanish consulate in their home country. The main challenges include gathering extensive documentation: proof of university admission, financial means (usually around €600–€700 per month), health insurance, and a clear criminal record. Processing times can vary significantly from a few weeks to several months, depending on the consulate and time of year, and requirements might slightly differ by country.

Funding Opportunities

One of Spain’s biggest advantages is its affordability, with public university tuition typically ranging from €700 to €2,500 per year. Private universities are more expensive, though, and tuition could increase further, up to € 30,000 a year. International students, particularly those outside the EU, may need additional financial aid, options for which are listed below:

1. Scholarships from Private Universities
   • IE University, Esade, and UNAV offer merit-based scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition.
   • Some need-based aid is available for exceptional students.
2. Spanish Government Scholarships
   • The "Becas MAEC-AECID" program offers scholarships for international students from Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
   • The regional governments (e.g., Madrid, Catalonia) occasionally provide financial aid for international students.
3. Work Opportunities
   • Student visas allow part-time work (up to 20 hours/week), offering another way to finance studies.

UK students often overlook Spanish universities, due to unfamiliarity with the country’s systems. However, students can flourish in its dynamic academic and social environment. By understanding the difference between public and private universities, preparing early, and reaping available financial benefits, families, students, and schools can take advantage of the great opportunities that Spanish universities present. UES can help you find out more about Spanish and other global universities: book in a free call with an expert counsellor at www.ueseducation.com/free-call!