What can be better than studying for your Master’s degree in Spain? Think about the food, the culture, people’s openness and the fast-paced way of speaking and living, and you will know this is the place you are meant for.
With low living costs and tuition fees, universities in Spain seem like heaven, but, before you can start buying that new computer and the summer wardrobe, you should consider the application process and everything you will need in order to be accepted at your favourite university.
1. Decide on the university where you want to apply
Spain offers numerous interesting study opportunities, but you should inform yourself thoroughly before choosing a university. Some good choices include:
- EU Business School
- Instituto Europeo Di Design
- TBS Business School
- Barcelona Graduate School of Economics
- University of Alicante
- Barcelona Technology School
- IESE Business School
- ESERP Business School
2. Prepare to apply
You should remember that the study programme’s website should be your go-to mentor. Each Spanish Master’s application is customised by its university, so you should get the specifics directly from the source.
You will be charged an application fee with the submission, so be prepared and put money aside especially for this first step. Also, although you could consider this advice redundant, you should apply to something you are sure you want to attend.
Try and think through and recognise what your needs and wants are, because it won’t be profitable to apply to a hundred universities and spend the Master’s money you saved that way.
After this soul-searching, the actual application to a degree in Spain will feel like a breeze.
3. How to apply for a university in Spain?
Although there are websites that can help you with the application for a university in Spain, the best route you can take is to check your favourite programme’s website and follow the instructions there.
4. Make sure you meet the language requirements
Although there are many programmes taught in English, the majority of them are in Spanish and will require a Spanish language proficiency test and the submission of all your documents in Spanish, as well.
For the programmes in English, universities recommend you provide a certificate of proficiency. The most popular and requested tests are:
5. Submit the required application documents
General application documents
Usually, all the lists of necessary documents for applying in Spain differ from programme to programme. A short list of common documents and certificates you have to upload during your application includes:
- Proof of earning your Bachelor’s degree
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your transcripts
These documents are obligatory even if you are returning to a university you already studied at or if you studied abroad for your Bachelor’s degree.
It is very important to submit all these forms in Spanish. So, if they are in another language, search for a certified translator as soon as possible. If you provide the documents in any other language, the process will be delayed.
Specific application documents
If you want the most out of your experience, you should have these documents when you're preparing for a Spanish Master's degree:
- Your birth certificate
- Your Social Security Card
- Information regarding healthcare and insurances in Spain
- Information regarding the banks and credit institutions in Spain
- Contacts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your country’s embassy
- A planned-out budget for your stay
6. Meet the university application deadlines
Master’s programmes in Spain don’t share a calendar, so it all comes down to your researching skills and the individual website of each academic institution.
As a rough guide, you should know that universities offer both autumn and summer semesters — the summer semester being the main one.
A list of general dates
- July: deadline for the main courses
- Middle of September or early October: first semester starts
- December or early January: first semester finishes
- January: final exam of the first semester takes place
- End of January of the first of February: second semester starts
- May: second semester ends
- June: final exam of the second semester
7. Take the final steps after receiving your acceptance letter
Start researching and preparing for your student visa (usually only relevant for non-EU/EEA students) and residence card. It is very important to complete your Spanish visa application, seeing how you will need one of each if you’re planning to stay in Spain for more than six months. If your staying period is for three months, you can acquire a visa only.
The list of documents necessary for your Spanish visa is quite comprehensive, so start preparing them early. They consist of:
- Proof you were accepted at a university in Spain
- Your passport (and be sure it is updated)
- Completed application
- Photo ID
- Birth certificate
You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies in Spain.
When all is said and done, it all comes down to you being accepted to the programme you chose. Keeping that in mind, good luck and be sure you research everything as thoroughly as possible.