Study in Spain
Private universities and business schools that teach in English, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and a two-year permit to look for work after graduating.
For students starting in 2027. Last checked October 2026.
Key facts
- Tuition
- About €10,000 to €27,000 a year at private universities
- Money for the visa
- 100% of IPREM, Spain’s public income index, for each month: €600 a month, or €7,200 for a 12-month course (2026)
- Student visa
- Student visa (estancia por estudios)
- Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years
- Master’s degree
- 1 to 2 years
- Main intake
- September 2027
- Work during study
- Up to 30 hours a week, if it fits your timetable, without a separate work permit (rules in force since 20 May 2025)
- How you apply
- Directly to each private university
- After you graduate
- 24-month permit to look for work or start a business
Each figure is explained in full further down this guide.
Intakes and deadlines for 2027
Applications
Private universities admit in rounds from autumn 2026 to spring 2027. Early rounds have the most places and scholarships.
Visa
Apply about three months before your course starts.
Main intake
September 2027. Some programmes start in January or February.
Why students choose Spain
Taught in English
Private universities in Madrid and Barcelona teach business, design, law and technology in English.
Work while you study
Since May 2025, students in higher education can work up to 30 hours a week.
Two years to find a job
Graduates can get a 24-month residence permit to look for work or set up a business.
How degrees and applications work
UniPal places students at private, English-taught universities and schools. A bachelor’s (grado) takes four years and a master’s (máster) one to two.
Public universities also exist, but most teach in Spanish and they are not our focus.
Private universities set their own admission: an online application, an interview and sometimes a test. For an official degree, your school certificates may need to be accredited in Spain (for example through UNEDasiss); the university tells you how.
Entry requirements
- IGCSE and A-Level
- Usually two or three A-Levels with your IGCSEs, plus the interview.
- IB Diploma
- The IB Diploma is accepted.
- American Diploma
- Accepted with your GPA; some universities ask for SAT scores or AP exams.
- English
- IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or equivalent; some universities run their own test.
Tuition and living costs
- Bachelor’s tuition
- About €10,000 to €27,000 a year at private universities.
- Master’s tuition
- Varies widely by school and programme; check each one.
- Money for the visa
- 100% of IPREM, Spain’s public income index, for each month: €600 a month, or €7,200 for a 12-month course (2026).
- Health insurance
- Full health insurance with no co-payments from an insurer authorised in Spain; travel insurance is not accepted.
Student visa (estancia por estudios)
- What you need
- An admission letter, proof of funds, full health insurance and, for stays over six months, a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate. You apply at the visa centre for the Spanish Consulate in Cairo; the consulate normally decides within a month.
- Fee
- Set by the consulate in Egyptian pounds; we confirm it when you book.
- Work during study
- Up to 30 hours a week, if it fits your timetable, without a separate work permit (rules in force since 20 May 2025).
- After graduation
- A residence permit to look for work or start a business: 24 months, for graduates with at least a bachelor’s-level degree from a Spanish higher education institution.
We prepare your visa file as part of our visa service, which is separate from your free first consultation. About visa services
Applying for a master’s
Spanish master’s take one to two years. An official máster lets you continue to a PhD in Spain; a school’s own degree (título propio) may not, so check before you choose.
Scholarships
Private universities give merit scholarships and early-payment reductions, usually decided at admission.
Across all our destinations: $15M+ in scholarships secured for our students over eight years. Your counsellor tells you which awards fit your profile and when to apply.
Sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Real Decreto 1155/2024) and university fee pages, October 2026. Ranges are typical and vary by university and course.
Common questions about studying in Spain
How long is a degree in Spain?
How do I apply to university in Spain?
How much does it cost to study in Spain?
Which student visa do I need for Spain?
Can I stay and work in Spain after I graduate?
Talk to a counsellor
Thinking about Spain? Your first consultation is free, in one of our offices or online. Bring your latest grades and we will tell you where you stand.
We reply within 24 hours.