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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Universities in Spain for International Students: How to Choose, What It Costs and How to Apply for 2027

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Spain has 92 universities teaching official degrees: 50 public and 42 private, according to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for 2024/25. International students can apply to both, but the routes differ. A public university admits bachelor's students through recognition of the school certificate, UNEDasiss accreditation and a competitive score out of 14. A private university or business school runs its own selection based on documents and an interview.

Where you study matters more for cost than prestige does. A non-EU student without Spanish residence pays a surcharge at Madrid's public universities: about $9,340 (€8,186) for a year of medicine. Catalonia's base bachelor's rate is $20.09 (€17.69) per credit, about $1,210 (€1,061) for 60 credits, but each university may set its own price for non-EU students without residence: UAB adds no surcharge, UPC charges $34 (€30) per credit and UPF's first year costs about $7,760 (€6,800). This guide explains how to match a university to your language, budget and score, and where applicants most often lose a year.

Romanesque portal of the Colegio de San Jerónimo on Praza do Obradoiro, home to the rectorate of the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Photo: Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portada_Colexio_de_San_Xerome,_Santiago_de_Compostela.jpg), [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0).

## The system at a glance {#section-1}

| Type of institution | What it offers | How an international student gets in | Price reference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Public university | Bachelor's (Grado), official master's (Máster Universitario), doctorate | Bachelor's: certificate recognition, UNEDasiss, PCE subject exams, general ranking. Master's: application to the university | Price per ECTS credit set by the regional government |
| Private university | The same official degrees, own selection rules | Documents, in-house test or interview; UNEDasiss not always required | Set by the university; first-year medicine at the University of Navarra is $23,280 (€20,400) |
| Online university | UNED (public) and six private ones, such as UNIR and UOC | Distance learning | Usually not a basis for a student visa, which needs in-person study |
| Business or specialist school | BBA, MBA, hospitality, design | Direct application, often in English | Set by the school; the diploma may be the school's own rather than an official Spanish degree |

Official Spanish degrees are listed in the state register RUCT. A "título propio" is a university's own diploma, not a state degree. The difference matters for regulated professions and for recognition in other countries.

## Start with language, region and score {#section-2}

Rankings are a convenient filter, but three practical questions usually decide the choice.

Language of instruction. Most public programmes are taught in Spanish. In Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and the Basque Country some courses are taught in the regional language. English-taught groups exist but are limited: business administration and economics in English at UAB, International Business in English at UB, and a range of programmes at UC3M in Madrid. For most programmes at Madrid's public universities, students from non-Spanish-speaking countries must prove Spanish at B2.

Region. Each autonomous community sets its own credit prices and rules for international students. In Madrid, a non-EU student without residence pays the "fourth enrolment" rate, roughly six to seven times the local price. Catalonia's decree sets a base price and lets universities raise it for non-resident non-EU students: UAB does not, UPC and UPF do. A student stay permit does not count as residence under either Madrid's or Catalonia's fee rules, so the higher rate applies for the whole degree.

Score. Public universities rank applicants for popular programmes by the "nota de admisión", a score out of 14. Cut-off marks (notas de corte) change every year and are published after the admission rounds.

## Public or private university {#section-3}

| Criterion | Public | Private |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who decides | General ranking; Madrid's six public universities share one application through the Distrito Único | The university itself |
| UNEDasiss and PCE | Almost always needed for a non-EU school certificate | Depends on the university; certificate recognition plus an in-house test is common |
| Deadlines | Main window for international applicants in June to early July | Rolling rounds from autumn to summer |
| Yearly tuition | From about $1,200 to about $9,300 depending on region and field | Set by the university; usually several times the public price, e.g. $23,278 for first-year medicine at Navarra |
| Language | Mostly Spanish or a regional language | More English-taught options |
| Main risk | Missing the cut-off | Paying for a programme that does not serve your goal |

For a detailed comparison see [public or private universities in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-public-or-private-universities-spain).

## Universities international students look at most {#section-4}

We have separate profiles for the universities below. Positions come from the THE World University Rankings 2026, which measure research strength, not your chance of admission.

| University | City | Strengths | THE 2026 | Profile |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| University of Barcelona (UB) | Barcelona | Medicine, sciences, law, economics; about 45,000 students | =145 | [University of Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-barcelona) |
| Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) | Cerdanyola del Vallès | Campus university; business and economics in English | 183 | [UAB](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-autonoma-barcelona) |
| Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) | Barcelona | Economics, political science, communication, medicine | =187 | [Pompeu Fabra](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-pompeu-fabra) |
| Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) | Madrid (Cantoblanco) | Sciences, medicine, psychology | 351–400 | [UAM](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-autonoma-madrid) |
| Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) | Madrid | The widest programme range in Madrid | 501–600 | [Complutense](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-complutense) |
| University of Valencia (UV) | Valencia | Medicine, psychology, law; lower living costs than Madrid or Barcelona | 501–600 | [University of Valencia](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-valencia) |
| University of Granada (UGR) | Granada | Large classic university popular with exchange students | 601–800 | [University of Granada](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-granada) |
| University of Salamanca (USAL) | Salamanca | Philology, law, medicine; Spanish as a foreign language | 801–1000 | [University of Salamanca](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-salamanca) |

Private schools with English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes form a separate group. We profile [EU Business School Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-eu-barcelona), [GBSB Global Business School](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-global-business-school-barcelona) and the hospitality school [Les Roches Marbella](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-roches-marbella). They suit students who want English and an applied business focus; for each one, check exactly which diploma is awarded and by whom.

If you already know the city, start with our guides to [universities in Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-barcelona) and [universities in Madrid](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-madrid). For the country overview, including visas, budgets and programme types, see [studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain).

## Tuition: how to calculate it correctly {#section-5}

Public universities charge per ECTS credit. A full-time year is 60 credits, so annual tuition is 60 × the credit price plus administrative fees.

| Region, 2026/27 | Who pays | Price per credit, first enrolment | 60 credits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Madrid, medicine, biology, chemistry and similar (level 1) | Non-EU national without residence | $155 (€136.44) | $9,342 (€8,186) |
| Madrid, engineering, computer science (level 2) | Same | $145 (€128.57) | $8,803 (€7,714) |
| Madrid, law, economics, business, psychology (level 3) | Same | $130 (€113.71) | $7,785 (€6,823) |
| Madrid, level 1 | Resident or EU national | $23.48 (€20.68) | $1,416 (€1,241) |
| Catalonia, base bachelor's price (at UAB for everyone, non-EU included) | EU citizens and residents; at UAB everyone | $20.09 (€17.69) | $1,211 (€1,061) |
| Catalonia, UPC | Non-EU national without residence | $34 (€30) | $2,054 (€1,800) |
| Catalonia, UPF, most programmes | Non-EU national without residence | — | $7,760 (€6,800) with fees |

How to read the table:

- Madrid's surcharge for non-EU students comes from the regional price decree: universities charge them the fourth-enrolment rate, and a student stay permit does not confer resident status;
- in Catalonia the 2026/27 price decree (Decret 96/2026) lets universities charge non-resident non-EU students up to the full cost of teaching. UAB has no separate rate and adds $80 (€69.80) for student records and $80 (€70) for learning services; UPC and UPF do have one. Check UB's rate in its current enrolment rules;
- other regions have their own decrees; prices for Valencia, Andalusia and Castile and León are in our profiles of [UV](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-valencia), [UGR](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-granada) and [USAL](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-salamanca);
- private universities publish their own prices. First year 2026/27: business administration in English at UIC Barcelona $14,515 (€12,720), medicine at UIC Barcelona $21,224 (€18,600), at CEU San Pablo $22,251 (€19,500) plus an enrolment fee and at the University of Navarra $23,278 (€20,400). ESADE's bachelor's costs $24,305 (€21,300) a year. For city comparisons see [universities in Barcelona](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-barcelona) and [universities in Madrid](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-madrid).

Rent, food and transport usually cost more than public tuition. For the visa, consulates ask for at least 100% of IPREM, which is $685 (€600) a month in 2026. That is a legal minimum, not a realistic budget for Madrid or Barcelona. See our guides to [the cost of studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-spain) and [student housing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-spain).

## Language: Spanish, Catalan or English {#section-6}

Spanish is the main filter at public universities, and it is checked in different ways.

- Madrid. The six public universities of the single district require B2 from students from non-Spanish-speaking countries. Accepted proof: DELE, SIELE, an official language school (EOI) certificate or a certificate from one of these universities' language centres; otherwise the level must appear on the UNEDasiss accreditation.
- Catalonia. Catalan is an official teaching language alongside Spanish. The language of each group is listed in the course plan (pla docent); check it before you apply, not after enrolment.
- English. English-taught programmes include business, economics and tourism at UAB, International Business at UB, aerospace engineering, data science and international studies at UC3M, and business and economics in English at UCM. Private universities offer more. See [English-taught degrees in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain).

Our guide to [the DELE and SIELE exams](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-dele-and-siele-spanish-exams) explains which certificate works for admission, degree recognition and medical residency. If you need to raise your level first, see [Spanish language courses in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spanish-language-courses-in-spain).

## Bachelor's admission with a non-EU school certificate {#section-7}

If your school system is outside the EU and not covered by a direct-access agreement, the sequence looks like this.

1. Recognition of the school certificate (homologación). You apply to Spain's Ministry of Education. The certificate and transcript need an apostille (or consular legalisation) and an official translation. While recognition is pending, UNEDasiss accepts the receipt showing that you applied.
2. UNEDasiss accreditation. A service of UNED, Spain's public distance university, assesses your documents and issues an accreditation with your access score. Applications run from 4 February to 1 December. Processing can take up to three months; about three weeks is typical once the full file and payment arrive.
3. PCE exams. These are UNED's subject exams for international applicants. They lift your score above 10: subjects weighted 0.1 or 0.2 in the programme's table can add up to 4 points, hence the maximum of 14.
4. Application (preinscripción). You apply region by region or university by university; in Madrid one application covers six public universities.

Why PCE are almost essential. Applicants who have only a recognised certificate, with no exams, are placed last. Madrid treats them as a separate group, and in 2026/27 that group had no medicine places at UCM. In Catalonia they can apply only in the September round and are allocated last. At Salamanca, an applicant with only a recognised certificate, or with a UNEDasiss accreditation that shows no upper-secondary track, falls into the "non-priority" group.

For the full procedure see [applying to Spanish universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-spanish-universities), and if you finish school after 11 years, read [Spanish universities after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spain-university-after-11-years-of-school).

### Cut-off marks 2026/27: how high the bar goes

Scale up to 14; the figure is the score of the last student admitted in the main round (first allocation for Catalonia and Valencia) in the general group with exams.

| Programme | University | Cut-off 2026/27 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine | UCM | 13.053 |
| Medicine | UAM | 12.950 |
| Medicine | UB (Clínic campus) | 12.685 |
| Medicine | UV | 13.171 |
| Medicine | USAL | 12.926 |
| Business administration | UCM / UAM / UB / UPF | 9.433 / 10.300 / 9.340 / 10.906 |
| Business administration in English | UCM / UAB | 10.667 / 9.214 |
| Law | UCM / UB / UPF / USAL | 8.154 / 9.736 / 10.920 / 9.191 |
| Computer engineering | UCM / UPC / UB | 10.492 / 10.008 / 9.590 |
| Psychology | UCM / UB / UV | 10.544 / 9.660 / 10.949 |
| Aerospace engineering in English | UC3M | 13.322 |

Many humanities programmes show a cut-off of 5, which means every eligible applicant got a place. Last year's mark helps you choose PCE subjects; it does not reserve you a place.

## Master's degrees: a different door {#section-8}

For an official master's you usually do not need your bachelor's degree recognised. Under Article 18 of Royal Decree 822/2021, the university itself checks that a non-EHEA degree is equivalent in level to a Spanish Grado and gives access to postgraduate study in the issuing country. The check has a fee: at UAB it costs $249 (€218.15). Selection is based on grades, CV, motivation letter and language, with deadlines set by each programme. See [master's degrees in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-spain).

## Visa and work while studying {#section-9}

Studies longer than 90 days require a national student visa. The consulate issues the visa and the immigration authorities decide on the stay; a university offer does not guarantee either.

- Where to apply. At the Spanish consulate for your place of residence. In the Moscow consular district, student visa applications have gone through BLS visa centres since 1 June 2026.
- Fees in Moscow. From 1 July 2026 the national visa fee is RUB 7,547 (about $90) plus a BLS service fee of RUB 1,233 (about $15), paid in roubles; other consulates charge in local currency.
- Funds. At least 100% of IPREM for each month of stay, $685 (€600) a month in 2026; the amount can be reduced if accommodation is prepaid.
- Documents. Proof of admission and payment, health insurance for the whole stay with cover equivalent to the Spanish public system, a police certificate covering 5 years with apostille and translation (for stays over 180 days), a medical certificate.
- Timing. Apply at least two months before classes start. If the stay is approved, the consulate decides on the visa within a month.
- Work. The stay permit for higher education automatically allows work of up to 30 hours a week if it is compatible with studies.

See [the student visa for Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-spain) and [working while studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-spain).

## Plan for the 2027/28 intake {#section-10}

UNED and the ministry will publish 2027 dates later. The plan below follows the 2026 cycle, when the application window at public universities closed on 7 July for international applicants and missing documents were accepted until 31 July.

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Autumn 2026 | Shortlist 3–5 programmes; check teaching language, PCE weighting tables and past cut-offs; start Spanish |
| November 2026 – January 2027 | Apostille and translate your school documents; apply for recognition of the certificate |
| February – March 2027 | Apply to UNEDasiss as soon as it opens; register for the spring PCE session (16 March – 28 April in 2026) |
| May – June 2027 | PCE exams (25–29 May in Spain in 2026; dates abroad on the exam notice) |
| June – early July 2027 | University applications; apply to private universities in parallel as a back-up |
| July 2027 | Admission lists (by 15 July in 2026), pay the enrolment fee |
| July – August 2027 | Visa: apply at least 2 months before classes start |

There is also a September PCE session (2–8 September in 2026), but by then the best places in popular programmes are gone.

## Mistakes that cost a year {#section-11}

- Starting with the visa or housing. First you need the recognised certificate or at least the receipt for your recognition application; without it UNEDasiss will not issue an accreditation.
- Skipping PCE. A recognised certificate alone puts you at the back of the queue wherever there is competition.
- Picking "easy" PCE subjects. Only subjects weighted for your programme raise your score.
- Not checking the group's language. A course in Catalonia may be taught in Catalan; in Madrid you need B2 for most programmes.
- Budgeting with the local price. In Madrid the non-EU rate is different, and it does not fall once you get your student card.
- Confusing an official degree with a university's own diploma. Regulated professions and recognition abroad require an official Grado or Máster listed in RUCT.
- Waiting until August. UNED closes for two weeks in August (1–15 August in 2026), and many universities run reduced hours.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can international students study in Spain for free?

No. Public universities do not offer free tuition to international students, but at some of them a bachelor's year costs about $1,210 (€1,061) for non-EU students too, for example at UAB in Barcelona. Spanish state grants mainly target residents; see [scholarships in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-spain) for what is realistic.

### How many universities are there in Spain?

According to the ministry, 92 universities taught official degrees in 2024/25: 50 public and 42 private. Seven of them teach at a distance.

### Do I need Spanish to get in?

For most public programmes, yes, usually at B2. English-taught programmes do not test Spanish on admission, but you will need it for daily life and placements.

### Can I apply after 11 years of school?

Yes. For university access Spain recognises a school certificate that gives access to university in the country that issued it, so an 11-year certificate from Russia or Kazakhstan works. The route is the same: recognition, UNEDasiss and PCE. The timing is tighter because the certificate is issued at the end of June; see [Spain after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spain-university-after-11-years-of-school).

### Which Spanish university is best for international students?

There is no single answer. In THE 2026, UB, UAB and UPF in Barcelona rank highest. For admission, the teaching language, regional fees and the cut-off for your specific programme matter more.

### Can I work while studying?

Yes. A stay permit for higher education allows up to 30 hours of work a week as long as the job does not interfere with your studies.

### How much money do I need to show for the visa?

At least 100% of IPREM for each month: $685 (€600) a month in 2026, or $6,850 (€6,000) for a 10-month academic year. Real living costs in Madrid or Barcelona are higher.

## Sources {#section-13}

- [Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities — universities, centres and degrees statistics 2024/25](https://www.ciencia.gob.es/Ministerio/Estadisticas/SIIU/UCT.html)
- [BOE — application deadlines at public universities for 2026/27 (Resolution of 23 April 2026)](https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2026/05/04/pdfs/BOE-A-2026-9696.pdf)
- [UNEDasiss — key dates 2026](https://unedasiss.uned.es/fechas_clave)
- [UAM — fees for international students under the Madrid decree](https://www.uam.es/uam/media/doc/1606853272499/precios-para-estudiantes-extranjeros.pdf)
- [UAM — Spanish B2 requirement for non-EU education systems](https://www.uam.es/uam/estudios/sistemas-educativos-extranjeros)
- [Generalitat de Catalunya — tuition 2026/27](https://universitats.gencat.cat/ca/acces-universitat/sobre-preus-beques/preus-estudis-universitaris/)
- [UAB — bachelor's fees and extra charges 2026/27](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudis/grau/matricula/preus-dels-estudis-1345662202708.html)
- [UAB — access for non-EU school leavers](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudis/grau/acces-als-estudis/estudiants-internacionals-batxillerat-no-ue-1345662115829.html)
- [Madrid single district — cut-off marks 2026/27](https://www.uam.es/uam/media/doc/1606851711911/notas-de-corte---dum---2026-2027---extraordinaria.pdf)
- [Generalitat de Catalunya — cut-off marks, first allocation, July 2026](https://universitats.gencat.cat/web/.content/02_preinscripcio/enllac-documents/notes-de-tall/Notes-tall-1a-assignacio_juny_2026.pdf)
- [Generalitat Valenciana — cut-off marks 2026/27](https://www.uv.es/graus/admissio/1_NOTAS%20CORTE%202026-2027_Adjudicaci%c3%b3n%2010%20julio.pdf)
- [University of Salamanca — cut-off marks 2026/27](https://www.usal.es/files/acceso/notas_corte_grados_usal2026_27_web.pdf)
- [DOGC — Decree 96/2026 on Catalan public university prices](https://dogc.gencat.cat/ca/document-del-dogc/?documentId=1047495)
- [UPC — bachelor's fees 2026/27](https://www.upc.edu/ca/graus/preus-i-beques)
- [UPF — bachelor's fees 2026/27](https://www.upf.edu/web/graus/preus)
- [UIC Barcelona — Medicine, 2026/27 price](https://www.uic.es/en/estudis-uic/medicine-and-health-sciences/bachelors-degree-medicine)
- [CEU San Pablo — Medicine, 2026/27 prices](https://www.uspceu.com/oferta/grado/medicina)
- [ESADE — bachelor's tuition fees](https://www.esade.edu/bachelor/en/degrees/tuition-fees)
- [University of Navarra — first-year prices 2026/27](https://www.unav.edu/admision-y-ayudas/grado/cuanto-cuesta-estudiar-en-la-universidad/precios-de-primer-curso)
- [BOE — Royal Decree 822/2021, Article 18 (master's access)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2021-15781)
- [BOE — Immigration Regulation RD 1155/2024 (study, work up to 30 hours)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2024-24099)
- [Consulate General of Spain in Moscow — student visa](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/moscu/ru/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx)
- [Consulate General of Spain in Moscow — consular fees from 1 July 2026](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/moscu/es/Consulado/Documents/Tasas/TASAS.pdf)
- [Times Higher Education — World University Rankings 2026](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking)

Dollar amounts use the ECB rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355); rouble fees use the Bank of Russia rate of 23 September 2026 ($1 = RUB 84.07). Figures are rounded.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [DELE and SIELE Spanish Exams: 2026–2027 Dates, Fees and the Level You Need to Study in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-dele-and-siele-spanish-exams)
- [Public or Private University in Spain? A 2027 Guide for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-public-or-private-universities-spain)
- [Master's Degree in Spain: Admission with a Non-EU Degree and 2027 Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-spain)
- [English-Taught Degrees in Spain: Where to Study Without Spanish and What It Costs in 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain)
- [Studying in Spain for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain)
- [EU Business School (Barcelona)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-eu-barcelona)

Updated: September 2026