Masters degree - Postgraduate in English in Spain for international students

Spain actively attracts international students. In 2021, they accounted for 12.6% of the total number of students in the country — not the largest figure for Europe. Therefore, universities are introducing more and more English-language courses. Of course, this is not Germany, where there are more than a thousand of them, but there is a choice. In total, there are 322 programs in Spain that are taught entirely in English, and another 400 bilingual. Half of the courses there are in Spanish, half in English.

The most popular directions of studying in Spain are architecture, service, hospitality and tourism, business and management, construction engineering, linguistics and philosophy.

The cost of studying on art master degree in Spain depends on the region of institution location, type of the university, specialty, number of the studying disciplines. The total price of the course is calculated from the number of ECTS credits. These are special units that are used to evaluate study hours and work. Usually, to get a master's degree, the foreign students need to dial 60-120 ECTS.

• Region. The cost of the credit depends on the region. The most expensive in Madrid, Castilla Leone and Catalonia (Barcelona) is 29-47 USD per credit. This means that the year of study there will be 1,710- 2,810 USD. For international students, the cost is often higher and averages 3,563-4,072 USD/year. In other regions, for example in Andalusia and Galicia, it is cheaper to study — only 10-14 USD per credit, that is 611-855 USD/year.
• The cost of studying in the private universities varies from 5,091 USD to 18,326 USD per year, but does not exceed 20,362 USD (unless it is a business school).
• Specialty. The choice of faculty also affects the cost of studying. Technical, medical and natural sciences specialties are more expensive, and humanities are cheaper. For example, a program in modern history at the Autonomous University of Madrid costs 3,716 USD/year, and in neuroscience — 7,739 USD/year.

Admission to master's degree programs is regulated by the universities themselves, so the requirements and the procedure for submitting documents will depend on the specific university and faculty. At the same time, it is desirable that the previous education corresponds to the chosen master's degree program.

All deadlines for applying are also determined by the universities themselves — there is no general time frame. As a rule, for the autumn-winter semester, the documents are accepted from January to the end of May-beginning of June.

Below the list of necessary documents is provided:

• Diploma of previous education (specialist, bachelor's or master's level);
• Motivation letter;
• Certificate of proficiency in Spanish and/or English;
• Recommendations from former teachers (1-2);
• Registration fee (up to 102 USD).

If you submit copies of documents, they should be notarized.

Remember that the requirements vary depending on the university and faculty. For example, for master degree MBA in Spain, you additionally need to pass GRE or GMAT, and sometimes pass an interview. Always check the exact list of documents on your university's website.

To study in Spain, the international students must provide a certificate confirming the level of proficiency in a foreign language.

To study in Spanish, the foreign students need DELE B2 or DELE C1/C2. With the latter, there are more chances to enrol, and for some programs, for example in the field of medicine or law, B2 may not be accepted at all. It is assumed that in these areas, foreign students should speak Spanish at the highest possible level. Outside of Spain, the exam is conducted by the Cervantes Institute.

For programs in English, a TOEFL certificate (from 80 points) or IELTS (from 6.0 points) is required.

In case of admission to a bilingual program, certificates for both languages are provided.

There are several reasons why students choose to pursue a master's degree specifically in Spain:

- Spain is a much more affordable option for education compared to other European countries, with moderate living costs and accessible housing rentals;
- In recent years, the Spanish postgraduate education sector has made significant progress, earning national educational institutions respect and recognition at the international level;
- The system offers courses in various languages, allowing international students to obtain qualifications in either English or Spanish;
- Spain not only offers excellent education but also a rich culture, cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and social scene, all of which make the location especially attractive for young people, particularly in large cities;
- Knowledge of the Spanish language can be a valuable asset in many professions, from the merchant navy, where Spanish is still highly influential, to any other fields related to international trade, research in Africa, Latin America, and Mexico. There are numerous language schools and courses available for those who want to improve their language skills or pursue serious studies in Spanish.

In Spain, there are two types of master's degrees — official and unofficial. What's the difference, and which is better? In fact, these are two almost independent tracks, with little connection between them.

The official degree (Master oficial) is the traditional option offered by public universities. Among its advantages are lower costs and clear career prospects, as official degrees are required for practicing architecture, law, medicine, and certain other professions. Additionally, an official degree is necessary for obtaining a residence permit.

The program is based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), requiring 60-120 ECTS credits to complete. Course costs vary by region: in Catalonia, it can be between €2,500-4,900, while in Madrid, it ranges from €6,000-8,000. Graduates have the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies in any EU country.

In some cases, grants with 100% tuition coverage are available for EU and Latin American citizens.

Applications are submitted through special online systems, with each region having its own. One of the most important criteria is attendance; if it is insufficient, a certificate may be issued instead of a diploma. The actual diploma, with all the necessary credentials, is awarded one year after graduation.

The unofficial degree (Título propio) refers to postgraduate programs created without government involvement, lacking official accreditation and not granting ECTS credits. As a result, they are only recognized within their own institutions, yet employers often show a high level of interest in graduates of these programs.

These programs focus on academic research, and students are not required to write a thesis to complete the course. The curriculum can be broadly modified, with subjects being added or removed without government approval. Instructors are typically highly qualified practitioners.

Studying for an unofficial degree offers flexible schedules and a large amount of independent work, with no strict application deadlines.

On average, Master's students receive a diploma after 1 or 2 years of study. The course duration depends on the chosen program. The choice of the direction of study should be based on your work experience and the specialty obtained at the bachelor's degree program. You will have to complete your bachelor's degree again in order to radically change the direction of studies.

Many universities offer online programs that allow you to earn your master's degree remotely. This type of education can significantly reduce your living expenses. Their duration and intensity are usually the same as face-to-face programs and range from 1 to 2 years. You should make sure that the program has official accreditation before enrolling.

Foreigners need a visa to study at a Spanish Master's program. There are two types of student visas:

• Short-term - for those who intend to study for 3 to 6 months,
• Long-term - they are issued to those whose duration of study is longer. As a rule, such a document is issued for 2 years, after which the card can be extended.

Students can get a visa in two ways:

• Through the Spanish consulate. In this case, you should make an appointment and get a visa in the prescribed order;
• Through a subdivision of the migration service on the territory of Spain (the application in this case should be submitted at least one month before the end of the period of stay as a tourist).

The registration procedure takes 3-4 months. There is no accelerated procedure, so you should apply 3 months before the expected date of entry into the country or even earlier.

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