Best Universities In Spain

Overview

Choosing where to study in Spain can be one of the most difficult decisions you will face before attending college. You might even seek top-ranked universities in Spain for guidance. Colleges in Spain are a popular destination for international students. Completing a program at one of Spain's universities will help you pursue your desired job and obtain work experience in your field of study. Therefore, here, let’s learn about all the best universities in Spain. 

Universities in Spain: Highlights

Before moving to study in Spain, here are some important points that one must know.

Parameter

Statistics

No. of Universities in Spain

76

Tuition fees of universities in Spain

750 EUR - 3500 EUR

Popular courses in Spain

Business Management and Administration, Economics, Primary Education, and Tourism 

English language exams required

IELTS / TOEFL / PTE 

Entrance exams required

GMAT / GRE / SAT

Why Study in Spain?

Studying in Spain offers a vibrant cultural experience with a rich history and diverse landscapes. Universities here are known for high-quality education in various fields, including the arts, sciences, and business. The country's warm climate and delicious cuisine add to its charm, making it an attractive destination for students worldwide. Spanish is the most widely spoken language globally, offering excellent opportunities for language learning and cultural immersion. Additionally, Spain's strategic location in Europe provides easy travel access to other European countries.

 

Post-Work Permits in Spain

In Spain, post-work permits, also known as residence permits for work purposes, are available for Indian students to stay and work after completing their studies. These permits allow graduates to seek employment opportunities in Spain. To obtain a post-work permit, students must usually have completed a degree or a specific educational program in Spain. The permit duration can vary depending on the type of degree obtained, typically ranging from one to two years.

 

Part-Time Options in Spain

International students can work part-time while studying to supplement their income and gain work experience in Spain. According to the student visa of Spain, Indian students can work up to 20 hours/week during the academic year and full-time during holidays or when their university is closed. Typical part-time jobs for students include hospitality, retail, tutoring, and administrative work. Working part-time helps cover living expenses, provides valuable experience, improves language skills, and allows students to immerse themselves in the local culture. On average, a student can earn around 20 EUR per hour through a part-time job in Spain.

Top Universities in Spain

Some of the world’s best universities in Spain are highly recognised by various ranking organisations, such as QS Ranking and THE (The Times Higher Education).

University Name

QS World University Rankings 2025

THE Rankings 2024

Complutense University of Madrid

164

501 - 600

Universitat de Barcelona

165

152

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

175

351 - 400

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

198

351 - 400

University of Navarra

249

301 - 350

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

265

201 - 250

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

285

801 - 1000

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

321

-

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

371

601 - 800

University of Granada

431

501 - 600

Best Universities in Spain for Arts and Humanities

Universities in Spain are highly known for their arts and humanities related courses. You can easily find an array of courses related to this field, like history, Archaeology, Philosophy, Humanities, etc, to support your dream career. Below, we have mentioned the top 10 universities in Spain listed for pursuing life sciences and medicine courses.

Universities

QS Ranking

Complutense University of Madrid

72

Universitat de Barcelona

94

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

109

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

148

University of Granada

171

University of Salamanca

178

University of Navarra

182

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

197

Universidad de Sevilla

207

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

268

Best Universities in Spain for Engineering and Technology

Below are some of the top universities in Spain where you can pursue engineering and technology-related courses.

Universities

QS Rankings

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

73

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

82

Universitat de Barcelona

140

Universitat Politècnica de València

144

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

226

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

236

Complutense University of Madrid

256

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

260

Universidad de Sevilla

264

University of Granada

282

Best Universities in Spain for Life Sciences & Medicine

You can also find various life science and medicine related courses in Spain universities. Here is the list of universities in Spain for science and medicine, ranked by the QS Rankings.

Universities

QS Rankings

Universitat de Barcelona

55

Complutense University of Madrid

138

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

151

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

169

Universitat de Valencia

239

University of Granada

287

University of Navarra

320

Universidad de Sevilla

369

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

379

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

401-450

Best Universities in Spain for Natural Sciences

Here are some of the top ranking universities in Spain according to QS rankings to study natural science courses.

Universities

QS Rankings

Universitat de Barcelona

59

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

85

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

118

Complutense University of Madrid

191

Universitat de Valencia

200

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

200

University of Granada

253

University of the Basque Country

312

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

352

Universidad de Sevilla

354

Best Universities in Spain for Social Sciences & Management

To explore the list of universities in Spain for social science and management courses, students can check the table below:

Universities

QS Rankings

University of Navarra

65

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

93

Complutense University of Madrid

100

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

104

Universitat Ramon Llull

105

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

108

Universitat de Barcelona

113

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

125

IE University

174

University of Granada

262

Top Cities to Study in Spain

Spain is renowned not only for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning views but also for its excellent educational opportunities. Here are some of the top cities in Spain that are highly regarded for studying and are ranked by the QS Ranking organisation.

Cities

QS Ranking 2025

Madrid 

34

Barcelona 

41

Valencia 

90

Seville

-

Valladolid 

-

Top Courses in Spain

In Spanish universities, international students can find more than 3,000 courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. But certain courses are highly demanding. Below, we have mentioned some of the most popular courses to study in Spain and the universities providing them.

Programs

Universities

Law Programs

  • Complutense University of Madrid

  • University of Barcelona

  • Pompeu Fabra University

  • University of Navarra

  • University of Valencia

Arts and Humanities

  • Pompeu Fabra University

  • University of Basque Country

  • University of Granada

  • Autonomous University of Barcelona

  • University of Valencia

Marketing and Finance

  • ESIC School of Business and Marketing Management

  • Pompeu Fabra University

  • Marbella International University Centre

  • Polytechnic University of Cartagena

  • EU Business School Spain

STEM Degrees

  • Polytechnic University of Catalonia

  • Polytechnic University of Madrid

  • University of Barcelona

  • Polytechnic University of Valencia

  • University of Seville

Hospitality Management

  • European University of Madrid

  • UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

  • EU Business School

  • ESEI International Business School

  • University College of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts

Admission Requirements for Spain Universities

Before enrolling in universities in Spain, international students must meet the admission requirements. Although different universities have varied entrance criteria, the core eligibility criteria are the same. So, let's look at the basic admissions criteria for Spanish universities.

 

Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in Spain

International students may be required to take particular admission exams before admission to universities in Spain. These entrance exams, often known as standardised admission tests, allow the university's admission committee to evaluate applicants' applications based on common criteria. We've listed some of the commonly accepted standardised admission tests below.

S. No.

Exams

1

GMAT

2

GRE

3

SAT

English Language Requirements by Universities in Spain

To enrol in English-taught courses, international students have to appear for the English proficiency tests. Some of the commonly accepted English proficiency tests in Spanish universities are mentioned below.

S. No.

Exams

1

IELTS

2

TOEFL

3

PTE

Documents Required in Spain

Here is a list of important documents required to apply to universities in Spain and for a student visa:

Criteria

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Academic Transcript 

10th and 12th standard academic transcript 

10th and 12th standard academic transcript along with bachelor’s degree certificate

English Proficiency test 

A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test  

A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test  

LOR

1 from an academic institution 

2 (1 from an academic institution and 1 from employer)

SOP 

Required

Required

Certificates 

Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted 

Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted 

Intakes in Spain Universities

In Spain, universities generally follow a different academic calendar than countries like the United States or Canada. The academic year in Spain typically runs from September to June, and it is divided into two main intakes:

  • Fall Intake in Spain - This intake starts in October and marks the beginning of the academic year in Spain. The application period for the Fall intake in Spain usually begins several months in advance, around November to June, with deadlines varying by institution and program. Most undergraduate and graduate programs commence during the Fall intake, providing international students with a wide range of course options.

  • Spring Intake in Spain - The Spring intake in Spain is less common than the Fall intake but is gaining popularity among some universities in Spain. The application period for the Spring intake in Spain typically opens around April - May to November of the previous year, with specific deadlines set by each university. Since the number of applications during this intake is less, the chances of getting an offer letter increase.

Cost of Studying in Spain

Here is the estimated tuition fee range for Indian students studying in Spain.

Programs

Tuition Fee Range

Undergraduate 

750 - 3500 EUR per year

Postgraduate 

1000 - 3,500 EUR per year 

Private Institution Tuition Fees

Up to 20,000 EUR per year

Cost of Living in Spain

Indian students will require between 900 EUR and 1,100 EUR per month to live in the most costly Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Cities like Valencia, Seville, and Cadiz have lower living costs, ranging from 700 EUR to 900 EUR per month. Below, we have mentioned the estimated cost of various expenses.

Category

Cost in EUR

Accommodation

360 to 650 EUR per month

Groceries 

200 and 400 EUR per month 

Transportation

40 - 60 EUR per month 

Utilities

115 EUR per month

Internet 

30 EUR per month 

Student Visa Fee in Spain

In order to study in Spain, Indian students must get a student visa approved by the authorities before moving to the country. To apply for the Spanish Study Visa, you must also pay a cost of 7275 INR. Depending on your position, Spanish officials will allow you to pay this money online, in person at a visa application centre in India, or via bank transfer.

Top Job Sectors & Economy in Spain

The automotive, chemical, medical technology, tourism, shipbuilding, and textile industries are among the most important economic sectors. Among OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) nations, Spain has a highly efficient and robust social security system that accounts for approximately 23% of GDP ($534 billion (2019 estimate) and $463 billion (2019 estimate)). Below are some of the best job sectors and their average income in Spain.

Category

Salary per month

Administration

€1,147 to €2,098

Banking

€1,197 to €4,650

Information Technology

€1,861 to € 5,573

Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations

€1,321 to €3,823

Tourism, Gastronomy, Hotel Business

€979 to €2,433

Economy, Finance, Accountancy

€1,135 to €3,920

Scholarships to Study in Spain

Studying in Spain can be a great experience, and several scholarships are available for international students to pursue their studies there. Here are some of the best scholarships for international students to study in Spain.

Scholarship Name

Value

Eligibility

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant 2024

Amount of 11700 Euros 

Must be 18  years 

It must be an early stage of their career 

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for International Students

Tuition fees and stipend ranging from 1000 to 1500 Euros per month 

Have at least a university’s bachelor degree 

Universidad San Pablo-Charitable-Educational Study Grants

Maximum of 7500 Euros 

Enrolled for 60 credits of academic performance 

University Community Scholarships- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

 

Covers public registration fees 

Financial situation

UIC Barcelona-International Excellence Scholarships

Grants cover 20% of cover 

Must have 8 GPA 

EADA Scholarship

Covers between 10% to 40% tuition fees 

Enrolled for MBA before 10 days of awarding scholarship 

University of Alicante-Grants for Master’s Degree Studies

Covers 50% of tuition fees

GPA of at least 6.50 in their current Master´s degree studies

Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!

x

By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.

whatsappnew