Cost of Studying in Spain

The cost of studying abroad in Spain is reasonable and less expensive than in many other European countries. With its outstanding climate, world-class universities, and beautiful outdoors and culture, thousands of international students decide to pursue their studies in Spain every year. Tuition fees at public universities in Spain are set by each Autonomous Community, meaning they are, more or less, the same among each public university. 

On the other hand, private universities set their own fees, which are usually higher than those at public universities. The cost of studying in Spain for international students depends on the students’ nationality, study program, and higher education institution. Below, you can find everything you need to know about the cost of university in Spain.

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Here is the cost of university in Spain: 

Cost of University in Spain

The cost of university in Spain depends on a variety of factors, including the type of higher education institution (whether it is private or public), the degree program, the number of credits per program, the university location, as well as your nationality. Spain has both public and private higher education institutions, and the cost of university at private institutions is usually higher than the cost of studying at a public university. 

Depending on the pay-per-credit cost at Spanish universities, international students might have to pay up to €6,000 per year for undergraduate programs. The average price of credit for bachelor’s degrees in Spanish public universities can go up to €30 per credit. Usually, undergraduate degrees have 60 ECTS credits per year, which means the annual tuition is an average of €1,800. 

Bachelor’s degrees in Spain are usually worth 60 ECTS per year. A bachelor’s degree is three to four years, meaning the total credits could either be 180 to 240 ECTS.

The average cost of university in Spain for undergraduate programs is: 

  • First Enrollment: €12-30 per credit.
  • Second Enrollment: €25-50 per credit.
  • Third Enrollment: €50-100 per credit. 

Note: Tuition fees increase if you withdraw from the program and enroll for the second/third time. For example, University Carlos III de Madrid charges €24,55 per credit for an undergraduate degree in engineering, €45,25 if there is a successive enrollment, €92,86 and €128,57 for third and fourth enrollment. Degrees in social sciences or humanities are less costly.

Keep in mind that the cost of studying in Spain for international students from non-EU member countries might be higher than the costs mentioned above. Some universities charge non-EU international students the amount per credit of the third/fourth enrollment. EU international students usually pay the same amount as home students in Spain. 

A bachelor’s degree at one of the many private universities in Spain is more costly. Depending on the program and institution, fees to attend undergraduate studies at a private university in Spain are somewhere between €5,000-18,000 per year. 

Cost of Master’s Degree in Spain

The cost of a master’s degree in Spain is typically higher than that of a bachelor’s degree when compared to the yearly tuition. However, master’s degrees usually take one to two years to complete; meanwhile, bachelor’s degrees can take up to four years. The average cost of tuition fees for a master’s degree in Spain is €16-45 per credit. Master’s degrees in Spain usually have 60 ECTS credits per year. This means the cost of a Master’s degree in Spain can go up to €2,700 per year. 

At the University of Barcelona, the cost of a master’s degree starts at €28.82 to €46.11 per credit. For international students who are not resident in Spain, nor nationals of EU/EEA member states, the cost of tuition for a master’s degree starts at €65.87 per credit for humanities degrees, €71 per credit for masters that enable the exercise of a profession to €99.90 for masters in economics.

Note: International students on mobility programs have to pay €90.00 per credit for undergraduate programs and €120 per credit for master’s programs.

Cost of PhD in Spain

Full-time PhD programs in Spain last for a maximum of three years but may be extended to two additional years when approved by the university’s Academic Commission. Part-time PhD programs take five years to complete. Usually, during the first year of PhD studies, students are required to attend training courses and academic activities, with a worth of 60 ECTS credits. 

The average cost of PhD in Spain can go up to €55 per credit, which means, during the first year, students must pay approximately €3,300. The other years usually focus on research and thesis writing, and students are required to pay for the training and research costs, which are generally lower and can go up to €600 per year. 

The University of Barcelona charges around €400 for tutoring and continuous evaluation of the thesis. The cost of the reading and defending of the doctoral dissertation is €156.87 at this university. The cost of PhD in Spain for international students from non-EU/EEA countries is higher than that of domestic or EU students. The actual cost depends on the university.

Tuition Fees at Private Universities in Spain

Overall, tuition fees in Spain tend to be affordable. All the tuition fees depend on a number of factors, likewise, the tuition fees at private universities in Spain vary based on the degree type, the location of the university, the number of credits, as well as the student’s nationality. 

Here are some private universities in Spain and their tuition fees:

UniversityTuition Fees 
Universidad de Navarra€5,500 – €16,200
Universidad Pontificia Comillas€20,000
Universidad de Deusto€5,600 – €15,300
Universidad Antonio de Nebrija€4,700

Cost of Student Visa Spain

The cost of a student visa in Spain is also part of the study abroad expenses. Students from countries outside the EU/EEA will need a student visa to study in Spain. The United States citizens generally do not need a visa to study in Spain unless their study period is more than six months in length. 

International students from non-EU member states planning to study in Spain for more than six months must apply for a student visa upon their university admission. 

The cost of a student visa in Spain is: 

  • For US students: €131 ($160)
  • For Canadian students: €80 ($98)
  • For students of other nationalities: €60 ($73)

Note: The application fee is not reimbursed if the student visa is rejected.

Other Costs of Studying Abroad in Spain

Studying abroad in Spain comes with other study expenses, besides those of the tuition fees. Some of the associated costs include the cost of textbooks and supplies or administrative fees. 

Other costs of studying abroad in Spain for international students include: 

  • Books and Supplies: Approximately €800-900 per year.
  • College Processing Fee: €15.
  • Administrative Costs:
    • Semester Registration: €54.
    • Specific Learning Support Services: €70.
  • Aptitude Test/Homologation of Foreign Titles (when applicable): €152.
  • Everyday Expenses and Rent: €600-800 per month.

Cheapest Universities in Spain for International Students

Spain is one of the most chosen study destinations for international students. Throughout Europe, universities in Spain have among the cheapest tuition fees. As in many other countries, public universities are more affordable than private. By choosing to study at a cheap university, you will feel at ease as living expenses will also consume a lot of money.

Here are the cheapest universities in Spain for international students:

  • University of A Coruña
  • University of Jaén
  • University of Salamanca
  • University of Valencia
  • Autonomous University of Madrid
  • University of Alicante
  • University of Santiago de Compostela
  • University of Granada

Cost of Living in Spain

Every student who aims to study abroad should plan the budget, but this cannot be done without knowing how much it costs to live in Spain. In general, the cost of living will depend on the student’s lifestyle and other factors. The average cost of living per student will range between €1,000 to €1,300. This sum of money will be enough to pay rent, utilities, food, and other recreational activities.