There are many reasons to study in Spain – the international outlook of Spanish universities, the benefits of learning Spanish, and of course the attractive lifestyle offered by many Spanish cities. Read on to find out why Spain could be the perfect choice for your Masters or PhD…
Why study in Spain?
Like many countries, Spain is keen to attract more international students – its official target is to increase the percentage of international students from 4.9% in 2012 to 10% by 2015.
In fact, Spain already receives large numbers of international students, especially from Spanish-speaking Latin American nations – but also from non-Spanish-speaking nations such as the US.
According to the 2012 Open Doors report, Spain is the third most popular destination for US students abroad. It’s also the most popular destination for European students spending time studying abroad through the EU’s Erasmus program.
So, why study in Spain? Well, like all popular study destinations, Spain has a diverse set of attractions, starting with the strong reputation of its universities. In the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings, 18 Spanish universities rank within the world’s top 700.
International universities in Spain
Many leading universities in Spain have highly international student communities. Those with particularly high numbers of international students include the Universidad de Alcalá, Universidad de Navarra, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).
Scott Wishart, a professor at the University of Navarra’s School of Law, says international outreach and diversity are key values for the university. “A multicultural student body is a productive, effective and enlightened student body,” he believes.
Wishart adds that the university is focusing on developing its courses to reflect an international outlook, “so that all students can acquire greater intercultural competencies and benefit from intercultural dialogue.”
Similar sentiments are expressed by Jorge Gutiérrez Breñosa, international relations coordinator at CESINE University Centre, who says attracting graduate students from outside Spain is a high priority for the institution, as is providing an “international environment”.
CESINE is one of many universities in Spain offering more English-taught programs. In fact, like many countries keen to capture a larger share of the international student market, Spain has identified teaching in English as part of a national strategy for higher education.
More English-taught courses will undoubtedly broaden Spain’s appeal as a study destination. But for many international students, the opportunity to become fluent in Spanish is already sufficient attraction.
Benefits of learning Spanish
After Chinese Mandarin, Spanish is the world’s second largest mother tongue. It’s also the second most used language in international communication, and the third most used on the internet.
So universities in Spain justifiably emphasize the benefits of learning Spanish, for university graduates headed for careers in an increasingly globalized world.
“The advantage of having fluency in Spanish cannot be overstated – particularly with the increasing emergence of Latin American economies,” says Elena Liquete, MBA program director at the University of Navarra’s IESE Business School.
CESINE’s Jorge Gutiérrez Breñosa seconds this, adding: “Studying in Spain enables students to fully understand the way business is done in Europe and in Spanish-speaking countries and to discover a market with some 600 million potential customers.”
Cities in Spain
To fully understand what motivates so many students to study in Spain, it’s also necessary to delve a little deeper into the locations of the universities, which include some of Europe’s best known and loved cities.
Many of the highest ranking universities in Spain are based in the two largest cities – Madrid and Barcelona. Both are well known for their culture and nightlife, along with high quality of life, internationally diverse populations, and in Barcelona’s case at least, an appealing Mediterranean climate and close proximity to the beach.
Jorge Pantoja, an Ecuadorian master’s student at UPF’s Barcelona School of Management, says Barcelona lives up to its reputation: “This is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and the world, where a high academic level, professionalism and lifestyle are combined.”
While Madrid and Barcelona are probably the best known cities in Spain, they’re certainly not its only attractive locations. Anastasia Samylovskaya, a Russian graduate student currently at CESINE, says she loves the university’s location in Santander, a port city on the northern coast. Her favorite things about life here are “the beautiful beaches, the weather, the food and how friendly the people are.”
However, Anastasia’s claim that Santander is “the only city in Spain where you can surf and ski on the same day” might be disputed by the inhabitants of Pamplona – about 250km to the south-east, and home to the University of Navarra. Wishart describes Pamplona as “a place of great beauty, bordered by the Pyrenees and the rich Rioja vineyards, within an hour's drive of the beach for swimming or the mountains for skiing.”
Fees and visas for Spain
Tuition fees for Masters and PhD programs in Spain are regulated by the government at both public and private universities, and charged on a per-credit basis. Costs vary depending on the subject and course length; a Masters is typically one or two years, and a PhD between three and five years.
Living costs in Spain can also vary significantly, with cities like Madrid and Barcelona tending to come with a higher price tag. The Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB) advises international students to budget €700 to €1,000 (about US$900-1,300) per month to cover accommodation, travel, food and other expenses.
Students from EU countries do not need a visa to study in Spain, but should apply for a Número de Identificación de Extranjero (Foreign National Identity Number) on arrival – this is needed for tasks such as opening a bank account or accessing health services.
Those from most countries beyond the EU need a visa if intending to spend more than three months in Spain. This can be processed via the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate once an official offer of a place has been received from a university.
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