Looking to study and work in Spain? It is part of human nature to always want to explore. Yes, we all want to explore, travel around the world, have a taste of other cultures, meet new people and have new opportunities.
A growing number of young persons from developing nations of the world have the intentions of leaving their countries for one reason or the other.
These reasons can be so numerous – for some people, it may be to get a better life, for others, good education, and for some others an opportunity to earn in higher currencies. This article will give you valuable information about the study and work opportunities in Spain available for foreigners.
This is a very broad subject, but I’ll try to take it one step at a time. First off, let us look at the various study opportunities in Spain.
Studying in Spain as an International Student
To start with, Europe has always been a green field for international students to explore and achieve their educational dreams. Spain is one of the most popular European Nations. It is also one of the favorites amongst international students.
Apart from exploring good education, there are so many things about Spain that can make you visit over and over again. The kingdom of Spain has a very right history, in fact, Spain provides an enchanting experience for its visitors.
The Universities in Spain will also give you the best study experience. Right there, you can enjoy good holidays, the best Bachelors and Master’s degree programs, and you can also find the best Business schools.
University Tuition Fees in Spain
Before making a decision to study in Spain, you have to know what it will cost you to study in Spain. Here, I’ll give you a summary of what to expect when you get to Spain for study.
The Tuition fees in Spain vary according to the type of study program you are going for, the region of study and your nationality.
When non-EU students apply for public Universities in Spain, they encounter the following situations.
- They are not charged the same fees as EU/EEA students
- They are charged tuition fees that are 1000 – 1500 EUR higher than EU/EEA citizens
- These vary from University to University. Therefore, we advise you to check the tuition fees applied to students from your country before choosing a University in Spain.
- Generally, public universities in Spain offer two different types of degrees, the official degrees and university specific degrees. For Official degrees, universities charge the following ranges
- 150 – 3500 EUR per year for Bachelor programs
- 300 – 3500 EUR per year for student offering Masters programs
No limits are imposed by regulatory bodies on tuition fees for university specific degrees, therefore, Universities can charge whichever amount they want.
Private Universities usually charge higher tuition fees, but not exceeding 20,000 EUR per year. Some business programs can cost over 25,000 per academic year. Other academic fields could cost more like the MBA and International management degrees.
Most Affordable Universities in Spain
Most international students may not be able to afford the tuition fees listed above. For these reasons, we have given a short list of the most affordable universities in Spain.
- University of Granada
- University of Valencia
- University of Santiago de Compostela
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Tuition fees shouldn’t be your only worry here. As a student, you will have other expenses like transportation, food cost, accommodation, and some extra expenses in school.
International students will need some sort of supper like scholarships and opportunities to work while they study. These will be our subjects of focus in the next parts of this write-up.
Financial Support for International Students in Spain
Often, international students find it difficult to afford the cost of living and education in Spain. To help those having this issue, there are numerous scholarships which can be of support Some of which are;
- The Erasmus Mundus Joint masters program is available for both Masters and doctorate students coming from both EU and Non-EU countries.
- The African Leadership in Business Scholarships are available for African Citizens who are interested in having a masters in Business Administration in Spain and other nations In Europe, and are committed to returning to their nation after their students.
- There are so many other scholarships available for international students in Spain.
One other thing to consider before applying for studies in Spain is the requirements for getting into Universities in Spain.
Spain is generally welcoming to international students from all over the world and thus, there are no much stringent entry requirements. Here are the requirements to study in Universities in Spain.
University Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for different universities in Spain vary. For international students, its depends on different factors such as the program of study, level of study, and nationality. Below, I have outlined the requirements for both Masters and doctorate degrees study programs for international students in Spain.
Bachelor Programs
For Bachelor programs, intending students must have a valid school-leaving certificate, and they must be eligible for admission into universities in their home country.
You might need to participate in an entrance examination or offer some additional courses depending on the program you are going for.
For Non-EU students, you will require the following:
- A recognized school certificate
- You must participate in the EBAU entry exam.
- For master’s students, you will require a valid or relevant Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Other requirements are specific to your field of study.
- Doctorate degree applicants will require relevant certificates, degrees, or diplomas earned during previous studies. Relevant degrees that correspond to the least score of 300 ECTS credits may also be considered here.
Language Requirements
The language requirements here will depend on that language or medium of instruction. For students whose instruction language is Spanish.
You will require a proof of the Spanish language proficiency. International students are required to take the DELE tests.
On the other side, students whose language of instruction is English will have to take the TOEFL or IELTS examinations.
Can you Work in Spain on a Student Visa?
If you are asking ‘Can you Study while working in Spain?’ The answer is yes. The Spanish student visas are flexible, and you can work alongside your studies.
You can ask for a permit to work for up to 20 hours per week from the local authorities, but you can only work and study in Spain until your student visa expires.
How to Study and Work in Spain
Because of the high cost of living in Spain, you can get a job while studying in Spain. Below are four options to get a job with a student visa in Spain.
- Take advantage of the work authorization granted to students to work for 20 hours per week.
- Get an internship agreement with your University in Spain and get paid for the time you work there.
- Get a job as a highly skilled worker. This is also a good option for someone who just finished studies in Spain.
- Obtain a regular job with the student Visit
For international students, there are so many job opportunities available. Below, we have listed some of them.
Jobs in Spain for International Students
For those who have asked, ‘what types of jobs are available for international students in Spain?’ Good examples of these jobs are listed;
- Work as a babysitter
- Book keeping jobs
- Cashier
- Driver
- Fitness Trainer
- Part time Tutoring Jobs
- Writing
- Social media manager
- Security personnel
- It supports Specialist
These jobs are good part-time jobs you can do in popular places like Barcelona in Spain.
Job Opportunities in Spain for All Foreigners
Finally, what if you are not a student. Securing a decent employment in Spain may be challenging because you will be competing against Spanish graduates. Even at that, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting a job in Spain.
Firstly, job vacancies are often available in major cities, so you may want to focus your search towards that area if you want to get a job easily.
Another useful tip is to have a full grasp of the Spanish language. Thirdly, apply for jobs in the service sector as this dominates the Spanish job industry. These sectors are;
- automobiles
- chemicals
- food and beverages
- medical equipment
- metals and metal manufacturing
- pharmaceuticals
- ship building
- textiles and apparel
You can also visit this useful link for student jobs in Spain
We hope you find the above information useful, then share and let others learn. Stay tuned for other study abroad tips updates