Study in Spain
Low public fees, three of the world’s top business schools, 30 hours a week of work rights and a year to stay after you graduate — in the country with Europe’s best quality of life.
Spain gives you the world’s second most-spoken language, public tuition from €1,500 and business schools — IE, IESE, ESADE — that rank alongside the very best.
English-taught master’s have grown fast, especially in business, data and design. Since 2024 students can work 30 hours a week during study, and the new job-search permit gives graduates 12 months to find work — extendable to 24. Barcelona and Madrid lead for careers; Valencia and Granada for cost. Gradsy handles the NIE and homologation paperwork with you.
- Universities
- 33
- Work / week
- 30 h
- Job-search permit
- 12 mo
- Business schools
- Top 3
Why spain
- Work while studying: The most generous work rights in the EU (30 h)
- Low public fees: Public master’s from €1,500 a year (€1.5k)
- Business schools: IE, IESE and ESADE in the global elite (Top 3)
- Stay after: Job-search permit, extendable once (12 mo)
Intakes
- September — starts Sep – Oct — apply Jan – Jun same year — The main intake — public universities run pre-registration rounds from spring.
- January — starts Jan – Feb — apply Jun – Nov of the prior year — Mainly business schools and private universities.
- Rolling — starts Sep — apply Rounds all year until places fill — IE, IESE and ESADE admit in rounds — early rounds carry the most scholarship money.
What it costs: TUITION €1.5–20K · LIVING €10–13K · + INSURANCE €0.5K
- Public tuition: €1.5 – 4k / yr — Set per region — Catalonia and Madrid at the top for non-EU students.
- Private & business schools: €12 – 40k / yr — IE, IESE and ESADE master’s sit at the top of the range.
- Living costs: €10 – 13k / yr — Barcelona and Madrid drive the top; Valencia, Granada and Seville are a third cheaper. Visa proof is €7,200.
- Health insurance: €0.5k / yr — Private cover without co-payments is required for the visa.
Scholarships and funding
- Business school awards: 10 – 50% TUITION — IE, IESE and ESADE offer merit, women-in-business and country awards in early rounds.
- Fundación Carolina: FULLY FUNDED — Master’s scholarships for Latin American students at Spanish universities.
- University merit awards: FEE WAIVER — Public universities offer waivers for top international applicants.
Tests you may need
- English proficiency: English-taught — IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 85 typical for English programs.
- Spanish proficiency: Spanish-taught — DELE B2 or SIELE for Spanish-language programs.
- Graduate entry: Business schools — GMAT or GRE for top business master’s — some run their own test.
Public universities rarely ask for GMAT — each program page lists exactly what its intake asks for.
Student visa · four steps
- Admission letter: Accept your offer — private schools may ask for a deposit first.
- Show funds & insurance: €7,200 for the year plus private health cover without co-payments.
- Consulate appointment: Submit your file, police certificate and medical certificate. Gradsy assembles it in order.
- TIE card on arrival: Register your fingerprints and collect your residence card within 30 days.
Work while you study and after
- Part-time work: Up to 30 hours a week during study — no separate permit since 2024.
- Internships: Curricular internships are built into most master’s, often paid.
- Job-search permit: Stay after graduation to find work or start a business — extendable to 24.
- Work permit: Graduates convert directly; permanent residence after five years.
Typical graduate salaries
- Software engineering: €32k – 50k
- Data & AI: €35k – 55k
- Engineering: €30k – 45k
- Business & finance: €30k – 50k
Student cities
- Barcelona: Mediterranean tech hub — startups, design and a beach on campus
- Madrid: The capital — IE, IESE and every major employer’s Spanish HQ
- Valencia: Sun, sea and Spain’s best value for students
- Granada: The classic student city under the Alhambra
- Seville: Andalusia’s capital — aerospace and a famously social student life
- Salamanca: Spain’s oldest university in a golden sandstone town
Questions students ask
Can I work while I study in Spain?
Yes — since 2024 student visa holders can work up to 30 hours a week without a separate permit, the most generous rule in the EU. Curricular internships are additional.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not for English-taught master’s, especially in business and tech. Bachelor’s degrees are mostly in Spanish or Catalan. Learning Spanish while there is one of the biggest career assets Spain offers.
How much money do I need to show?
€7,200 for the year (100% of the IPREM) plus proof of tuition payment and private health insurance without co-payments.
Can I stay in Spain after graduating?
Yes — a 12-month job-search permit lets you look for work or start a business, extendable once. When you sign a contract you convert to a work permit without leaving Spain.