Spain

The big misconception: "studying in Spain is cheap"

Fees at Spanish public universities ("precios públicos") are set by the autonomous community, not by the university and not nationally. The same degree can therefore cost differently in Madrid than elsewhere, and there is simply no universal answer to "what does studying in Spain cost".

For non-EU students the gap is especially visible. In Madrid, under Decree 43/2022, non-resident non-EU students over 18 are charged at the fourth-enrolment price band — that is, the highest rate.

One verified example: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid sets non-EU undergraduate fees for 2025/26 at EUR 113.71 to 136.44 per credit depending on degree type. At a standard 60 credits a year that is roughly EUR 6,823–8,186, plus an administrative fee and insurance. That is one specific university's rate, not a national average.

The critical detail: a study visa does not make you a resident

This is where the most common and most expensive mistake sits. A stay authorisation for the purpose of study under Royal Decree 557/2011 does not equate to resident status. Obtaining a student visa does not move you into the "resident" price band or reduce your tuition.

That is exactly what disappoints many applicants, who assume that once they have moved they will pay local rates. Budget on the non-resident, non-EU rate.

Scholarships, language and visa

The national scholarship line is MAEC-AECID, administered by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is an umbrella of programmes for students from partner countries, largely taught in Spanish. We have no confirmed current deadline, so we publish none — check the official site.

Spanish remains the main language of instruction; English-taught programmes exist but are noticeably fewer than in, say, Poland or the Netherlands. For stays over 90 days you apply for a student visa (estancia por estudios).

UNIPROFI and Spain

We are launching the Spain direction, and the most useful work here is honest budgeting: which region to study in, which price band you actually fall into, and what it will really cost — rather than averaged figures from the internet.

Write to us if you are considering Spain and we will work through your case for a specific region and university.