Spain, a country known for its vibrant culture, amazing weather, beautiful beaches, and exquisite food is also an ideal destination for studying a Bachelor’s degree. Spain offers the perfect combination for foreign students who are looking for an affordable yet high-quality education with opportunities to gain some international experience through a work permit during their studies.
How affordable is a Bachelor’s degree in Spain?
Bachelor’s Degree tuition fees per year
€600 to €4,000 per year for International students, depending on the program and region. In some regions of Spain, it is almost completely waived-off if the student passes all credits in the first year of its studies.
Top Bachelor’s programs in Spain you can study without breaking the bank:
MBBS (Bachelor’s in Medicine), BSc in Nursing, BBA, BTech in Computer Science and Engineering, BA in Tourism and Hospitality Management and more.
Living Costs per month
€500 to €900 per month if you choose your university and city wisely. Opting for a second-tier city means lower rent, affordable living, and the same high-quality education—plus Erasmus scholarships and deeper immersion in Spanish language and culture.
| City Tier | Cities | Rent (Shared apartment) | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Tier | Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla | €400–€650+ | €700–€1,000+ |
| Second-Tier | Salamanca, Granada, Málaga, Cáceres, Badajoz, Jaen, Alicante, Valladolid, Burgos, Leon | €350–€550 | €700–€900 |
How to make it more affordable?
Automatic 30 hour per week Work Permit to cover your living Expenses. A Bachelor’s degree at a public university in Spain comes with a work permit of 30 hours per week. You can earn between €8 to €12 per hour. This allows students to earn income to cover living expenses while gaining international work experience. The permit also provides access to social security benefits, including public healthcare, making studying in Spain even more affordable.
How to secure admission into a Bachelor’s Degree at a Public University?
International students aiming for an affordable Bachelor’s degree at a public university in Spain should know that these programs are taught exclusively in Spanish. Therefore, proficiency in the Spanish language is mandatory. Not just that, you will have to pass a Common Entrance Exam which is also done in Spanish language.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE to Admission into a Bachelor’s degree
STEP 1 – Enroll into a Public University Pathway Program
Also Called a Gap Year or Foundation Program: the program lasts 10 months, from September to June, when the Common Entrance Exam is usually held. By January, once students have reached B1-level Spanish, they begin exam preparatory classes alongside continuing the language course, aiming to achieve B2-level proficiency.
So, for this University Pathway program that helps foreign students gain admission into a Bachelor’s degree, you will have to move to Spain on a Student Visa in the month of September. The Student visa application should be submitted by the first week of July.
STEP 2 – Get recognized your High School degree
For getting admitted to a Bachelor’s degree in Spain, it is mandatory to have successfully completed the High School and it should be recognized in Spain before the Common Entrance Exam. The process of recognition is called Homologación in Spain.
STEP 3 – Take the Common Entrance Exam for foreigners
The PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) is the Spanish Common Entrance Exam for international students seeking admission to public universities in Spain. It tests specific subjects related to the chosen Bachelor’s degree and evaluates students’ academic readiness. Passing the PCE is mandatory for foreign students to enroll in most Spanish public university programs.
- Tests subjects relevant to your chosen degree.
- Scores consist of General Subjects + Best 2 Specific Subjects × weighting factor (maximum 14 points).
- Passing the PCE is mandatory for admission to public universities.
STEP 4 – Prepare and Submit admission application
After you have successfully passed the Common Entrance Exam, submit required documents to UNEDasiss or directly to the university:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- PCE exam results
- Proof of Spanish proficiency
- Identification documents (passport, photo ID)
STEP 5 – Receive Admission Decision and take Admission
After you have successfully submitted the admission application, it takes a while in receiving the Admission Decision. The universities evaluate applications based on the PCE Scores and other criteria. Once accepted you will receive an offer letter or Admission confirmation notification. Then you can take admission and apply for the renewal of your Temporary Residency Card (TIE) to avail 30 hour per week work permit.
For guidance on the complete admission process, email us at info@studyinspainguide.com or WhatsApp us at +34664705778 —we’re here to help!
