Last Updated: December 15, 2021
Universities in Spain
Candidates who wish to study abroad will often be intrigued by the prospect of studying in Spain especially due to the quality education they offer and the historical and cultural influences the country holds. Students who get admitted to one of the 84 different universities in the country will be able to find their desired subject and specialization without having to hunt too much for the same. This country is considered to be the third most popular destination for international students especially from English-speaking countries due to the number of programs that are taught in English.
Studying in Spain also offers students the opportunity of learning Spanish by immersing themselves in the culture and language of the place. Since the country is always full of international students and tourists, candidates will be able to learn not only about life in Spain but also about other countries and lifestyles that will help them in their future educational endeavors. Though education is the highest factor that makes candidates choose this destination, they will also be able to find that the place will offer them excellent architecture, varied cuisine, and a pleasant climate that can brighten their stay in the country.
Higher Education System in Spain
Higher education in Spain is one of the most coveted aspects by international students. Programs in different fields of study are offered by public and private universities. The country has a total of 82 universities out of which 50 are public and 32 are private universities. The universities in Spain are divided into departamentos, facultades universitarias, escuelas tecnicas superiores, escueles universitarias, institutos universitarios, and other institutions like the colegios universitarios.
International students will be able to enroll for intermediate degrees which have a duration of 3 years and superior degrees with a duration of 5 years. The superior degree for medicine typically has a duration of 6 years. The universities and faculties of public universities are provided with the responsibility of organizing their own study methods and syllabus which will include both the administration and the implementation of the degrees provided. They also collaborate with public authorities and the production sector to provide professional expertise for candidates in their specific fields of study.
Students will be able to take up programs at undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels with undergraduate programs having a duration of 3 years and postgraduate programs having a duration of 2 years. Doctoral programs in the country generally have a duration of 2 years and the submission of their thesis. Undergraduate and graduate programs will allow candidates to take up electives of their choice along with the core courses that are decided upon by the university.
The most popular programs that are sought-after by international students include law, marketing, finance, technological degrees, etc. along with subjects in the field of arts and humanities. The country also offers excellent programs in hospitality management. The country offers an education that is constantly updated according to the developments made in the world and hence is completely interdisciplinary in nature with a perfect link between the different levels of degrees that are offered.
Documents and Eligibility Requirements for Universities
Students who wish to apply to the universities in Spain, like other countries, will have to directly enquire eligibility requirements at the admissions office of the respective universities. Candidates will have to collect the necessary documents before they can fill in the college application form. Since the requirements are specific to the course the candidate has chosen, they will only be able to know the general requirements for almost all courses in the country. This includes-
- A valid passport
- Educational Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of Spanish Proficiency, if required
- Proof of English Proficiency, if required
Top Universities in Spain
Spain has a total of 82 universities pout of which 50 are public universities and 32 are private universities. Apart from these institutions, there are places where vocational learning programs are provided for which candidates can enroll based on their field of interest. Candidates will be able to choose between diploma programs, certification programs, undergraduate, graduate, and research level programs in the educational institutions the country has. The list of popular universities in the country include-
Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio
This is a private and non-profit institution that was founded in the year 1992. It is the first private university that was authorized by the government and is spread across 248 acres with over 8,500 students. The most popular programs that are offered in this university include degrees in dentistry, degrees in veterinary, degrees in physiotherapy, etc. Students will be able to take degrees, double degrees, educational courses, and expert courses from this university. The fields of study that are offered include pharmacy, psychology, business administration, international relations, veterinary science, biotechnology, mathematical engineering, etc.
The duration of the bachelor’s programs is 4 years in this university, though the courses like dentistry have a duration of 5 years in all. Master’s programs have a duration of 2 years.
Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona
The Autonomous University of Barcelona is a public university that was established in the year 1968. It has a student population of over 43,000 students along with over 3,600 administrative staff. They offer both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in different fields like health sciences, sciences, biosciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, law, and engineering. A few of the programs include nursing, food science, psychology, environmental science, nanoscience, genetics, aeronautical management, business administration, etc.
The institution also offers research programs to domestic and international candidates through their UAB- approved research institutes. The fields in which research is offered include neuroscience, government & public policy, biotechnology & biomedicine, educational sciences, employment studies, medieval studies, etc.
Universidad de Cordoba
This public university was established in the year 1972 and has a student population of around 15,000 students. They also have around 1,500 academic staff. The university offers education at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in the fields of social sciences, arts and humanities, engineering, and sciences. It is spread across four different campuses in Spain which are located at the city center, Rabanales, Menendez, and Beimez. The faculties that are offered through these four campuses include veterinary science, medicine, nursing, law, labor science, educational science, philosophy, etc.
The research areas that the university focuses on include fields like biodiversity, biotechnology, environment, culture, society, climate change, etc. The duration of a doctoral program is 2 years.
Universidad de Deusto
This private university was established in the year 1886 and is one of the oldest institutions in the country. It has a student population of over 11,000 students and over 700 academic staff. They offer programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to both domestic and international students. The fields of study they deal with broadly include law, business, theology, engineering, psychology, education, social and human sciences. Students will be able to take degrees, double degrees, executive programs, doctoral degrees, language courses, and even seminars from the university.
The programs that are provided include gerontology, business administration, finance, teacher training, physiology, international business management, human rights policy, automative design, computing, advocacy, etc.
Universidad de Granada
This is one of the oldest public universities in the country that was established in the year 1531. It has a student population of over 80,000 students along with over 3,500 administrative staff. It is the fourth-largest university in the country with three campuses in all. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs to both domestic and international candidates and are also known for the scholarships and grants they provide to students. The fields of study they deal with include arts & humanities, sciences, health sciences, social & legal sciences, engineering & architecture, etc. Students will also be able to take double degrees from the university.
Doctoral programs are also offered under the same fields of study for areas like earth sciences, mathematics, chemistry, educational sciences, social sciences, legal sciences, criminology, migratory studies, etc. These doctoral programs have a duration of 2 years though candidates will also have to submit a thesis within or after this duration.
Universidad de Jaen
This public university was established in the year 1993 and has a student population of over 16,000 students. They also have around 1,000 administrative staff. They have nine centers in all which deal with fields like experimental sciences, social sciences & law, humanities & education, health sciences, social work, etc. Candidates will be able to take up degrees, double degrees, master’s programs, doctorate programs, etc. from this university. The subjects that are offered include Hispanic philology, biology, environmental sciences, chemistry, nursing, physiotherapy, business administration, business management, elementary education, etc.
Doctoral programs are offered both in Spanish and English in areas like information & communication technology, molecular & cellular biology, olive oils, renewable energy, law, etc.
Universidad de Leon
This is a public university that was established in the year 1979. It has a student population of over 12,000 students along with over 2,000 administrative staff. Students will be able to take up undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs from the university. The faculties and schools that the university has include fields like veterinary medicine, law, arts, work studies, engineering & information technology, health sciences, social work, tourism, physical activity & sports, biological & environmental sciences, etc.
Doctoral programs are offered under research areas like molecular biology & biotechnology, applied ecology, human health & motor skills, veterinary & food sciences, business economics, educational psychology & educational sciences, engineering, architecture, etc.
Universidad de Cantabria
This public university was established in the year 1972 and has a student population of over 14,000 students. It also has over 1,200 academic staff and over 1,000 administrative staff. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs to both domestic and international candidates through the 15 different schools and colleges that come under the university. The faculties they have include fields like sciences, humanities, medicine, economics & business studies, law, tourism, physiotherapy, teacher training, engineering, etc.
Doctoral programs are offered in areas like prehistoric archaeology, antiquity sciences, science & technology, theoretical chemistry, environmental engineering, civil engineering, coastal engineering, industrial engineering, etc.
Student Visa for Spain
Students who wish to study in Spain will have to get a student visa which will be dependent on the duration of the program the candidate has enrolled for and the nationality of the candidate. Candidates from countries like the US that do not require a visa to enter Spain will have to obtain a student visa only if the duration of their educational program exceeds 90 days. The original application must be sent through post along with the required number of photographs. The other documents that have to be attached must be photocopies.
The completed application has to be sent to the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate where it will be reviewed and processed before providing the visa. Sometimes, the consulate will demand more documents to complete the application wherever necessary. Candidates will be able to apply for the visa within 3 months of their scheduled date for departure and the processing time for the visa is estimated to be between 2 to 4 weeks based on the application that has been submitted.
