Hello guys! You may be considering Spain as a higher studies destination. I will list some general facts regarding higher education in Spain for your benefit. So, read on!
- Firstly, there are 2 types of universities in Spain: public and private. Spain has adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process like all the rest of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) countries. Under this system, Spanish universities offer 3 types of degrees: grade degrees (undergraduate studies), Masters ( graduate studies) and PhD degrees (postgraduate studies). Undergraduate degrees generally 3-4 years, a Masters takes 1-2 years and a PhD generally takes 3-4 years to complete.
- Note: Masters degrees are of 2 types: official Masters degrees which are established by the Government according the Bologna process and unofficial Masters degrees which are created by the universities themselves. Both take the same duration. Non-official Masters degrees are of several types: Non-official Masters, University-specific Masters, Specialist Masters and Expert Masters. Official degrees prepare students for both the academic and professional worlds and are recognized all over the EHEA as well as in many other countries. Non-official degrees are designed to prepare a students for the professional world only. They are not recognized by EHEA countries as well as other countries, but are sought after by corporate sector. As you may have already guessed, you need an official Masters degree to get admitted to a PhD program!
- For admission to undergraduate programs, EU and Chinese students need to apply through SNUDE (Spanish National University for Distance Education). Note: For non-EU students the Selectividad exam is not required anymore! You have to get your high school credentials approved as equivalent to the requirements in Spain. In both cases (EU or non-EU students), your chosen school(s) will have their own admission criteria. For Masters studies in Spain you have to prove that the undergraduate degree you have obtained is equivalent to that of the Spanish system.. Same for PhD studies.
- Depending on the course of study you have to demonstrate proficiency in English or Spanish or both. It’s always good to learn Spanish: it’s the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese! If you don’t speak Spanish, never fear! There are a few undergrad programs and many Masters and PhD programs which are taught in English!
- In public universities, depending on the university and your program of study, tuition is low for EU/EEA students and somewhat higher for non-EU/EEA students. Private universities charge substantially higher tuition fees.
- There are many scholarships provided by the government, external bodies and the universities themselves. Each has it’s own criteria and I would highly encourage you to select the ones appropriate for you and apply for them!
- Academics in Spanish universities depend on the specific department. Each department designs its own curriculum and methods of teaching. In general, academics consist of lectures, seminars, projects, group-work and practical work. Student-professor relationships are informal and debates are encouraged.
- Spain, in general, is more affordable than many other European countries. You can find cheap shared accommodation and another thing to point out is that food is really cheap. Some scholarships can cover your living expenses in addition to tuition.
- I will end by saying that if you’re a non-EU/EEA student DO NOT go to Spain for higher studies if you’re looking to work and live there after graduation. Jobs are very hard to get if you’re from outside the EU/EEA. So, keep that in mind and plan accordingly.
Good luck!
