Studying in Spain

Studying in Spain has been one of the best options for Iranian students in recent years due to the possibility of admission without a language certificate and affordable costs. The diverse scholarships, pleasant climate and warm people make it an attractive experience for Iranians. Most importantly, the job opportunities and the possibility of residency after graduation give you the opportunity to continue your professional path in a developed country.

Student living costs: From $900 per month
Annual tuition: From about $900 at public universities
Student work opportunities: 30 hours per week
Post-study residency opportunity: 12 months

Increasing the number of international students

Spain continues to be a popular destination for international students in 2025. In the 2022/2023 academic year, Spain hosted 241,777 international students , a significant increase over the previous year.

Increase in working wages for students

Under new rules, international students enrolled in universities and business schools will be able to work up to 30 hours a week . The policy change makes Spain more attractive to students looking to finance part of their education.

Why Spain? Advantages and Challenges

One of the main advantages of studying in Spain is the ability to apply and gain admission without having to take difficult and cumbersome entrance exams. Obtaining a student visa is relatively easier than in other Schengen countries and the reasonable cost of living and accommodation are other factors that have made Spain a popular place to study among applicants. Spanish universities offer low-cost or even free education to international students by providing the opportunity to receive various scholarships.

Challenges

The necessity of learning Spanish for everyday life and work
Low number of English-language medical courses in public universities
High competition for popular majors at public universities
Slow and time-consuming administrative process
High cost of living in some major cities

Benefits

Low tuition fees at public universities
Possibility to study in English or Spanish
Mild climate and attractive lifestyle
Part-time work permit for international students
Easier acceptance than other European countries
Obtaining residency after studying

Bachelor's degree

Tuition: $2,000 to $5,000 per year
Age limit: 17 to 22 years old
Language: Language course, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 70
Minimum GPA: 14
Exam: Selectividad Exam
Student work permit: Allowed to work up to 30 hours per week
Companion visa: Possible
Post-study work permit: 1 year

Master's degree

Tuition : $750 to $2,500 per year for public universities
Age limit: None
Language: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80
Minimum GPA: 14
Test: Possible GRE
Student work permit: Allowed to work up to 30 hours per week
Companion visa: Possible
Post-study work permit: 1 year

Doctorate

Tuition : $2,000 to $5,000 per year
Age limit: None
Language: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90
Minimum GPA: 15
Test: GRE
Student work permit: Allowed to work up to 30 hours per week
Companion visa: Yes
Post-study work permit: 1 year

Schools

Tuition fees : $10,000 to $35,000 per year
Age limit: 6 to 18 years
Language: Mostly English or international languages
Minimum GPA: 12
Test: Interview or language and math assessment tests
Student work permit: No
Companion visa: None
Work permit after graduation: No
Studying in Spanish schools
We believe in leveraging technology to serve our customers. By combining human ingenuity and technology intelligence, our transportation software provides real-time updates to our clients throughout the whole transportation journey.
Bachelor's degree in Spain
We believe in leveraging technology to serve our customers. By combining human ingenuity and technology intelligence, our transportation software provides real-time updates to our clients throughout the whole transportation journey.
Studying a Master's Degree in Spain
We believe in leveraging technology to serve our customers. By combining human ingenuity and technology intelligence, our transportation software provides real-time updates to our clients throughout the whole transportation journey.
Studying a PhD in Spain
We believe in leveraging technology to serve our customers. By combining human ingenuity and technology intelligence, our transportation software provides real-time updates to our clients throughout the whole transportation journey.

Cost of studying in Spain

Spain is one of the most beautiful and popular countries in Europe, with a large number of people deciding to immigrate to the country every year. One of the reasons why Spain is a suitable study destination is the low cost of studying there compared to other European countries. The cost of studying medicine in Spain is higher than other fields.

Most of the teaching hours for a PhD in Spain are spent in the first year, so the tuition fee for the first year is around €2,200-3,600 ($2,470-$4,050). From the second year onwards, tuition fees decrease significantly, reaching €200-600 ($225-$675) per year.

The cost of living and studying in Spain is on average 79.7% higher than in Iran. The cost of living in Spain for one month for one person, excluding rent, is about 753 euros.

You can live a comfortable student life in Spain on around €1,000 (€1,200) per month. Of course, it is possible to live a student life in Spain for less. Madrid and Barcelona are considered to be the most expensive cities in Spain.

Top Universities in Spain

To study in Spanish universities, let’s get acquainted with its top universities. Spain has a total of 79 universities, of which 57 are public universities and 22 are private universities. According to the 2026 QS World University Rankings , out of the 79 Spanish universities, 14 are among the top 500 universities in the world. Of the approximately 1.6 million students in Spain’s higher education sector, approximately 194,743 international students are enrolled in Spanish universities, of which 56,892 are international students.

Steps for studying in Spain

1
Free initial consultation
Via call, online chat on the site or social networks
2
Method selection
Dedicated consultation and detailed review of methods by an immigration expert.
3
Contract conclusion
Increase your immigration chances by considering multiple countries in one file.
4
Start the process
Assigning a case follow-up force alongside the research and development team to accompany you.
5
Reviewing options and choosing
Providing you with all possible opportunities and guidance for making the final decision.
6
Collecting and completing documents
Guidance for collecting documents, translating, participating in interviews, and more.
7
Full flight and deployment
Visa pickup services, ticket purchase, assistance with complete accommodation, and legal matters in the destination country.

Requirements and documents required to study in Spain

The required documents and conditions for studying in Spain vary depending on your university, field of study and level of study. Fortunately, the educational conditions and requirements are listed on each university’s website. However, for your convenience, we provide the general documents required for admission to Spanish universities:

Previous academic qualifications (translated)
Transcripts
Identification documents such as passports
Two pieces of photos
A resume that reflects any professional work or research experience related to your field of study.
Motivation letter
Recommendation letter (if needed)
Spanish or English language certificate depending on the university and program desired
Interview (if needed)

Your academic qualifications must be validated and recognized by the Spanish National Identification Information Center (NARIC) at the Spanish embassy or consulate.

GPA requirement for studying in Spain

To study in Spain, the GPA requirement varies depending on the level of study and the type of university (public or private).

In public universities , especially for fields such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, the diploma and pre-university GPA must be at least 15 or higher , as competition is high.
In private universities , there is less strictness and usually a GPA above 12 or 13 is acceptable, but other criteria such as language proficiency and interviews become more important.

To enter some courses at public universities, it is mandatory to take an entrance exam or complete a one-year pre-university course in Spain.

Age requirements for studying in Spain

To study in Spain, the GPA requirement varies depending on the level of study and the type of university (public or private).

For a bachelor's degree , it is best for applicants to be between 18 and 25 years old to be more compatible with the country's educational and cultural conditions.
At the master's and doctoral levels , the age limit is lower and people of any age can apply for admission if they have the necessary documents and qualifications.
Some universities or scholarships may set a specific age limit for applicants, but these are rare and depend more on the quality of the individual's academic record and resume.

The most important point regarding the age requirements for studying in Spain is having valid educational qualifications and appropriate academic conditions, and age alone will not be an obstacle to studying in Spain.

Cities suitable for studying in Spain

Madrid , Barcelona and Valencia are three popular cities in Spain among international students. Madrid, with its major European business centers, is home to Spain’s oldest university, the Complutense University of Madrid.

The University of Barcelona, ​​Spain’s top university, is located in the student city of Barcelona, ​​and Valencia is a smaller city with lower tuition and living costs. Universities in Valencia are very affordable. For example, the University of Valencia has an average tuition fee of €2,600 ($2,920) per year. Seville and Granada are also among the other popular student cities in Spain.

Student dormitories and residences in Spain

Students studying in Spain have a variety of accommodation options. They can live with Spanish host families, choose Spanish student residences on campus, or choose shared and non-shared apartments in the city.

Living with Spanish families has advantages such as faster familiarization with the Spanish language and culture and lower living costs. Because some families do not charge students rent in exchange for helping with household chores! On the other hand, Spanish universities also offer student dormitories in the form of apartments. The costs of renting and staying in dormitories vary depending on various conditions such as the chosen location and the facilities provided, but are affordable.

Another option for students is small apartments, or studios. Studio apartments are found all over Spain and are a great option, especially when first arriving in the country. These apartments are more expensive than university dormitories, starting at €390 ($438) per month.

Studio apartments cover all the amenities a student needs, from a living space to a bedroom, a kitchenette, on-site laundry, cable TV, and a telephone.

It is possible to rent a studio apartment in Spain for a minimum period of 30 days and a maximum of 12 months.

Student work in Spain

A Spanish student visa allows students to work part-time during their studies. The maximum working hours for a student in Spain cannot exceed 20 hours per week and the job the student is seeking must not interfere with their studies.

Conditions for residence in Spain through study

One of the most important questions for applicants to study in Spain is the conditions for working and residing in Spain through studies. The good news is that upon the end of the Spanish study permit, the Spanish government allows students to stay in the country and find work for 12 months. To receive this one-year opportunity, it is better to apply 60 days before the expiration of your student permit or 90 days after the end of your studies in Spain.

After completing your study stay in Spain and within 12 months, you are not allowed to work, and you can only apply for a Spanish work visa if you find a job offer from a Spanish employer .