
Spain is a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. The latest data from the Spanish Ministry of Universities puts the total number of students in higher education in Spain at approximately 1.76 million for the 2023/2024 academic year. This includes both international and national students. Spain has around 80 universities, the majority of which are public and funded by the state. Madrid is the region with the highest number of foreign students enrolled in higher education studies in Spain, with 45,181 students, followed by Catalonia with 43,184 students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of universities | 80-89 |
| Number of students enrolled | 1.4-1.76 million |
| Number of international students enrolled | 208,321-224,080 |
| Number of international students enrolled (female) | 121,800 |
| Number of international students enrolled (male) | 86,566 |
| Number of international students enrolled in public universities | 146,352 |
| Number of international students enrolled in private universities | 62,014 |
| Number of international students enrolled in mobility programs | 45,983-55,277 |
| Number of international students enrolled in ordinary programs | 100,369 |
| Top countries of origin for international students | Italy, China, Ecuador, France |
| Regions with the most international students | Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, Valencian Community, Castile and León, Basque Country |
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What You'll Learn

Total number of students: 1.55 million in 2021/22, 1.76 million in 2023/24
Spain has long been a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. According to statistics from the academic year 2021/2022, the total number of students in higher education in Spain was 1,557,647, including both international and national students. This number represents a recovery and growth for the country's higher education institutions, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in international student enrollment during the 2020/2021 academic year.
Out of the total number of students in Spain during the 2021/2022 academic year, 224,080 were international students, with 53,858 of them participating in shorter-term academic exchanges or mobility programs. This data indicates that Spain's universities enrolled a total of 208,321 foreign students in degree studies, with a significant number also enrolled in exchange programs. The majority of international students in Spanish universities came from Italy, France, Germany, and Romania, with Italian students making up roughly half of the exchange participants.
When it comes to the distribution of international students within Spain, the regions of Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Andalucia, and Castilla y Leon collectively hosted nearly two-thirds of all international students in the 2021/2022 academic year. Madrid held the first place for the highest number of foreign students, with 45,181 students, followed closely by Catalonia with 43,184 students. These regions offer a combination of reputable universities, cultural attractions, and supportive environments for international students.
Moving forward to the 2023/2024 academic year, the total number of students in higher education in Spain is estimated to be approximately 1.76 million. This increase in enrollment reflects the consistent upward trend in foreign enrollments in Spanish universities. Spain's universities continue to attract students from various countries due to their well-structured educational system, rich culture, and vibrant lifestyle.
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International students: 224,080 in 2021/22, 208,366 in 2022
Spain is a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. The country has around 80 universities, the vast majority of which are public and funded by the state.
In the 2021/22 academic year, there was a notable increase in the number of international students in Spain, with a total of 224,080 foreign students enrolled in Spanish universities. This number includes 170,222 students enrolled in degree programs and 53,858 on shorter-term academic exchanges or mobility programs, such as Erasmus. The number of international students in 2021/22 was 27.7% higher than the previous year and even exceeded pre-pandemic levels. This increase can be attributed to the success of Spanish higher education institutions, which offer top-notch education and qualifications that serve as a platform for students to excel in their careers.
The majority of international students in Spain are enrolled in fields like Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Languages, Humanities, Law, or Health Sciences. However, international students are distributed across all study fields and levels, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. According to the latest statistics, there are more female than male international students in Spain, with a total of 131,268 female international students.
In the 2022/23 academic year, Spain set a new record by welcoming 241,777 international students, an increase from the previous year's 224,080. This growth demonstrates the resilience and attractiveness of Spain's higher education system, even during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of international students in Spain has been steadily growing over the past decade, with 208,366 students in 2019/2020 and 153,193 students in 2015/2016.
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Female international students: 121,800 in 2022
Spain is a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. In 2022, there were 121,800 female international students enrolled in higher education in Spain, out of a total of 208,366 international students. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with a more than 20% increase in female international students in the last five years.
Female international students in Spain are enrolled in both public and private universities. In 2022, there were 87,222 female international students enrolled in public universities, while 34,578 were enrolled in private universities. The majority of international students in Spain, including females, opt for public universities due to the high quality of education and the fact that they are mostly funded by the state.
Madrid is the top destination for female international students in Spain, with 45,181 students enrolled in higher education institutions in the region in 2022. Catalonia is the second most popular region, with 43,184 female international students, followed by Andalusia with 25,115 students. These regions offer a combination of reputable universities, cultural attractions, and a supportive environment for international students.
The majority of female international students in Spain are enrolled in regular courses, with 86,301 students, while 35,499 are enrolled in mobility programs. The most popular fields of study for female international students in Spain include Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Languages, Humanities, Law, and Health Sciences. Spain's universities offer a range of degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
In conclusion, Spain is a highly attractive destination for female international students due to its well-structured educational system, diverse cultural offerings, and vibrant lifestyle. The country has seen a continuous increase in female international student enrollment, with 121,800 students choosing to pursue their higher education in Spain in 2022.
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Male international students: 86,566 in 2022
Spain is a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. Spanish higher education institutions are highly sought after, not only by international students but also by national students. In 2022, there were 86,566 international male students enrolled in Spanish universities. This number represents the male portion of the 208,366 international students enrolled in Spanish universities that year.
Of the total male enrollment in Spanish universities, 19,778 were enrolled in mobility programs, and 66,788 were in regular enrollment. In terms of university type, 59,130 of the international male students were enrolled in public universities, while 27,436 were enrolled in private institutions.
Madrid is the top destination for international students in Spain, with 45,181 students enrolled in higher education studies in the region. Catalonia is ranked second, with 43,184 students, followed by Andalusia with 25,115 international students.
The number of international students in Spain has been increasing over the years, with a notable 27.7% increase in 2021/2022 compared to the previous year. This growth continued into 2022/2023, when the number of international students in Spanish universities reached a record high of 241,775.
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Top international student regions: Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia
With around 80 universities, Spain is a popular study destination for international students, offering a well-structured educational system, a wide range of degree programs, exceptional academic resources, and a vibrant lifestyle. The total number of students in higher education in Spain is 1,557,647, including both international and national students.
Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia are the top regions for international students in Spain. Madrid, the Spanish capital, is home to more than 300,000 students from across the globe. The city offers affordable living costs, world-class universities, and excellent 24-hour public transport, making it a convenient and attractive option for students. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) are among the top universities in the city, with UCM known for its humanities and social sciences programs and UPM recognized as one of the best technical universities in Spain. Madrid also provides a vibrant cultural experience with its picturesque architecture, lively nightlife, and renowned museums. Additionally, the city is perfect for outdoor studying, with parks like Parque del Retiro and Casa de Campo offering quiet study spaces.
Catalonia, particularly Barcelona, is another top region for international students. The region offers a high quality of life, a diverse culture, and a mild climate, attracting international families and students. During the 2023-24 academic year, more than 13,600 students were enrolled in international schools in Catalonia, with Barcelona hosting some of the largest international schools. The Lycée Français de Barcelone is the international school with the highest number of students in Barcelona, with 2,874 enrolled during the 2022-23 school year. Other notable international schools in the region include the German School of Barcelona, the Swiss School of Barcelona, and the American School of Barcelona. These schools primarily teach in the language of their respective countries, but local students are legally required to achieve proficiency in Catalan and Spanish.
Andalusia, while not specifically mentioned in the context of international students, does offer international schools. For example, the MIT School (Malaga Institute of Technology) offers a range of educational levels, from kindergarten to high school, and provides the possibility of obtaining an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
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Frequently asked questions
The total number of students in higher education in Spain stood at approximately 1.76 million for the 2023/2024 academic year. This number has been steadily above 1.4 million over the past decade.
In the 2021/2022 academic year, there were 224,080 international students enrolled in Spanish universities. This number includes 170,222 students in degree programs and 53,858 on shorter-term academic exchanges. In 2022, there were a total of 208,366 international students enrolled in Spanish universities.
Madrid is the region with the highest number of international students, with 45,181 students in 2022. Catalonia is ranked second, with 43,184 students in total, followed by Andalusia with 25,115 international students.











































