Affordable EU education, rich culture, a growing tech scene and the Mediterranean.
Spain is one of Europe's most underrated study destinations — combining excellent university education with some of the continent's lowest tuition fees, warm weather, extraordinary culture and a rapidly growing tech ecosystem. Barcelona and Madrid both rank among the top global student cities. Public universities charge just €1,000–€3,500/year, while private institutions like IE and ESADE are globally elite.
QS world ranks and indicative acceptance rates for the institutions our students apply to most.
| University | City | QS Rank | Known for | Accept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <b>University of Barcelona</b> | Barcelona | <span class="rank">#164</span> | Sciences, Medicine, Humanities | <span class="pill-good">40%</span> |
| <b>Autonomous University of Madrid</b> | Madrid | <span class="rank">#204</span> | Sciences, Economics, Law | <span class="pill-good">40%</span> |
| <b>IE University / IE Business School</b> | Madrid / Segovia | <span class="rank">#Top 5 EU Business</span> | Business, Law, Tech | <span class="pill-good">25%</span> |
| <b>Pompeu Fabra University</b> | Barcelona | <span class="rank">#292</span> | Communications, Economics, Biomedical | <span class="pill-good">35%</span> |
| <b>ESADE Business School</b> | Barcelona | <span class="rank">#Top 10 EU MBA</span> | MBA, Law, Business | <span class="pill-good">20%</span> |
| <b>University of Granada</b> | Granada | <span class="rank">#401</span> | Sciences, Humanities, Linguistics | <span class="pill-good">55%</span> |
| Intake season | Application deadline | Visa deadline |
|---|---|---|
| <b>Sep / Oct (Main)</b> | Apr–Jun | Jul–Aug |
| <b>February (Some programs)</b> | October | December |
Smaller but growing community, with Indian restaurants and grocery stores in Madrid and Barcelona, and growing Diwali events.
Job Seeker Visa: 12 months. A Startup Visa is available for entrepreneurs. Convert to a work permit with a job offer.
One free, 30-minute session with a real counsellor. We'll look at your profile, name your best-fit destinations, and tell you honestly what it takes to get there.
