Spanish University Education: Student Population Insights

Spain has a long history of higher education, with its oldest university, the Universidad de Salamanca, dating back to 1218. As of 2020-21, there were 1,633,358 university students in Spain. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with the latest figures from 2022/2023 showing over 1.72 million students enrolled in Spanish universities. The majority of these students opt for public institutions, with approximately 1.3 million enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year.

Public vs private universities

There are around 80 universities in Spain, with sources giving a range of 76 to 89. The vast majority of these are public universities funded by the state, with 45 public universities and 31 private universities according to most sources. However, one source states that there are 42 private universities.

When it comes to choosing between a public or private university in Spain, there are several factors to consider. One key difference is the cost of tuition. Public universities in Spain are funded by the government and therefore offer free tuition, while private universities set their own fees, which can be significant, with annual costs reaching up to 30,000 EUR per year.

Another difference is the size of the classes. Private universities often have smaller class sizes, which can be advantageous for those seeking more personalized teaching and more opportunities to interact with the instructor. On the other hand, some students may prefer the larger class sizes in public universities, as they offer more opportunities to meet people.

The range of subjects offered is also a factor to consider. Private universities tend to offer a wider range of subjects and extra-curricular activities to attract students. However, public universities offer a broader array of study fields, while private institutions focus more on degree programs in humanities, social sciences, legal sciences, and economics.

The level of independence is another distinction between public and private universities in Spain. Public universities generally provide students with more independence, while private universities offer more personalized teaching due to their smaller size.

It is important to note that all universities in Spain, regardless of whether they are public or private, are obliged to maintain the same high standards of education. Ultimately, the choice between a public or private university in Spain depends on individual preferences, financial considerations, and the specific programs and opportunities offered by each institution.

International students

Spain is a popular study destination for international students, with a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. As of 2023, there are over 89 universities in Spain, most of which are public and funded by the state.

Number of International Students in Spain

According to statistics from the 2021/2022 academic year, there were 224,080 foreign students enrolled in Spanish universities, with 53,858 of those being international students in mobility programs. This number includes both public and private university students and accounts for both male and female international students.

The total number of students in higher education in Spain is 1,557,647, which includes both international and national students, according to the Ministry of Education.

Spain has consistently attracted a growing number of international students due to the success of its higher education institutions. However, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020/2021 academic year, there was a drop in international student numbers. The numbers have since bounced back, with the 2021/2022 academic year seeing the highest number of international students in recent years.

Over a span of 7 years, from the academic year 2015/2016 to 2021/2022, the number of international students in Spanish universities rose by approximately 46%. In the 2021/2022 academic year, there was a notable increase of 27.7% in the number of international students compared to the previous year.

Exchange programs like Erasmus are highly sought after by international students, and Spain has attracted many international students through these programs.

Between the academic years of 2015/2016 and 2017/2018, there was an increase of approximately 12% in the number of international students in mobility programs, reaching the highest level recorded. However, in the 2020/2021 academic year, there was a sharp decline of approximately 64.8% due to restrictions imposed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following academic year, 2021/2022, saw a significant recovery, with a remarkable 176.7% increase in international students in mobility programs compared to the previous year.

Spain attracts international students from all over the world. According to the latest data, the top 5 countries sending the most international students to Spain are Italy, Ecuador, France, Colombia, and China. These countries were also among the top 5 in the previous academic year (2020/2021), although in a different order.

In the 2020/2021 academic year, Colombian students constituted the largest group, followed by French, Ecuadorian, Italian, and Chinese students.

The top 5 countries with the fewest international students in Spain are Finland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Republic of Korea.

The majority of international students in Spain are interested in fields like Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Languages, Humanities, Law, or Health Sciences. However, international students are distributed across all fields of study available in Spanish public and private universities.

According to the latest statistics, there are more female international students in Spanish universities than male students, with a total of 131,268 female students compared to 92,812 male students. Over the last 7 years, Spanish universities have consistently enrolled more female international students than male students.

University entrance requirements

There are 83 universities in Spain, with 50 public and 33 private institutions. In the 2021-2022 school year, more than 170,000 international students were enrolled in the Spanish university system, making up almost 10% of the total student population.

To enrol in a Spanish university, you must complete 11 years of high school. Here are the steps to follow for undergraduate admissions:

• Graduate from high school.
• Get an apostille for your high school diploma.
• If your high school diploma is not in Spanish, have it translated.
• Begin the homologation process for your high school diploma. This is the legalization of your diploma, recognising it as equivalent to a Spanish one. This procedure takes place at the Spanish Consulate and takes 2-6 months. The cost is approximately $170 USD.
• Decide which university programme and degree you would like to study. Knowing your field of study will help determine which entrance exams to take.
• Start studying for your Spanish university entrance exams.
• Apply for the PCE Exam (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas). There are two application periods: May/June and September.
• Take the PCE Exam.
• Get your PCE Exam score.
• Begin the pre-application process.
• Apply to your chosen university through the university's portal or the Spanish national application system (UNEDasiss).
• Receive your acceptance letter.

Required Documents for Non-EU Citizens

• The Spanish address of your residence during your studies.
• Proof of funds to cover living expenses.
• A valid student visa.
• A copy of your passport.
• A diploma of secondary education with a grade transcript.
• A homologation certificate or proof that your documents are in the legalization process.
• Language proficiency test results (DELE, IELTS or TOEFL).
• Selectividad results (not always required).
• A motivation letter.
• Recommendation letters.
• A CV.

All documents must be translated into Spanish and notarized.

University fees

Tuition fees in Spain are much more affordable than in many other European countries. For example, fees for Bachelor's degrees are between €800 and €1,200 per year for EU students at public universities, but they can go up to €8,000 for non-EU students at private institutions or business schools. For Master's degrees, fees can range from €800 to over €10,000 per year. Fees will vary depending on the discipline – medicine or dentistry degrees tend to be more expensive.

Public Spanish universities charge tuition fees per ECTS credit or point. At European universities, an academic year typically contains modules/lectures that add up to 60 ECTS credits, but students can choose how many courses they want to take each semester, so the total price can vary. The fees per credit go up for a given module if a student fails an exam and has to retake it the following year. In Madrid, for example, the standard per-credit tuition fees for EU students enrolled in a Master's programme are €19.43 for the first try, €51.75 for the second try, €111.80 for the third try, and €154.80 for the fourth try.

Non-EU students generally have to pay higher amounts than EU students, and these are usually the fees listed under 3ª matrícula or 4ª matrícula. Private universities may calculate fees differently, typically charging per semester, term, or year, rather than per credit.

Top-ranked universities

With over 80 universities, Spain has a lot to offer in terms of higher education. The majority of these universities are public and funded by the state, with the rest being private. The country's top-ranked universities include:

University of Barcelona

Ranked as the best university in Spain, the University of Barcelona is a public institution founded in 1450. It is one of the biggest universities in the country, with almost 63,000 students enrolled in a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university has 16 faculties and 106 departments, offering 73 bachelor's degree courses, more than 140 standard master's degree courses, over 400 UB-specific master's degree courses and postgraduate diplomas, and 48 doctoral programmes. Two degree courses are taught entirely in English, with five others partially taught in English.

Pompeu Fabra University

Also known as UPF, Pompeu Fabra University is a public institution founded in 1990. It is ranked as the fourth-best university in Spain and is located in Barcelona. The university's strengths include the social sciences, humanities, health, life sciences, communication and ICT. There are three campuses across Barcelona, with social and human sciences taught at Ciutadella, health and life sciences at Mar, and communication and IT at Poblenou.

Autonomous University of Barcelona

The Autonomous University of Barcelona, also known as UAB, is ranked second-best in Spain. It is a public institution founded in 1968 with a main campus located in Bellaterra, about 20km from the centre of Barcelona. The university has 13 faculties, including biosciences, communication, arts and humanities, medicine, and translation and interpreting. It offers 87 bachelor's degrees, 315 master's degrees, and 68 PhD programmes. Many degrees are offered fully in English, making it attractive to international students.

University of Valencia

Ranked third in Spain, the University of Valencia is a public institution founded in 1499. The university has three campuses and offers a wide range of courses.

Autonomous University of Madrid

Also known as UAM, the Autonomous University of Madrid is ranked fifth in Spain. Founded in 1968, it has three campuses, with the main one located 15km north of Madrid. UAM has eight faculties and is particularly noted for its Faculty of Law. The university has over 36,000 students and is the alma mater of King Felipe VI of Spain.

Complutense University of Madrid

The Complutense University of Madrid is the oldest Spanish university, dating back to 1293. It is ranked sixth in Spain and within the top 50 globally in the subject area of dentistry. With over 86,000 students, it is one of the largest universities in the country.

University of Navarra

The University of Navarra is a private non-profit university founded in 1952. It has campuses in Pamplona and San Sebastián, as well as prestigious business schools in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Munich, and São Paulo. The university offers more than 120 degrees, with all courses including aspects of theology.

Frequently asked questions