Picture this.
You’ve just arrived in Barcelona, excited to begin your Master’s in English at a Spanish university. It feels like the start of a dream. You imagine studying a Master’s degree in a language you’re comfortable with, at a world-class institution, with a 30/hour student Permit, and eventually building a career in Spain.
But reality hits fast.
Your degree is in English, but the world outside your classroom is in Spanish. You look for part-time jobs to support your living costs. Every job application asks the same question: ¿Hablas español? (Do you speak Spanish?) For you every job opportunity vanishes the same way. Without Spanish, your 30-hour student work permit feels useless. You could not find any part time job. You graduate — but still without solid work experience in Spain. Your dream of staying in Spain turns uncertain.
You watch other students—those who invested time in learning Spanish—working, earning, and building connections, while you struggle to find opportunities.
This is the common trap international students fall into when they move directly for an English-taught Master’s in Spain.
The Truth No One Tells You
The Hidden Problem with English-Taught Master’s
At first, they seem attractive. But:
- They’re expensive. English-taught programs usually cost much more than Spanish-taught ones.
- They don’t solve employability. Even with a valid student work permit, almost every job in Spain requires Spanish. Without it, your job opportunities remain close to zero.
So yes, legally you can work during your Master’s — but practically, you may not be able to. Almost every job—from part-time student work to fulltime work permit—requires you to communicate in Spanish. Without it, you’re locked out of opportunities.
The Smarter Pathway: Learn Spanish First
Instead of rushing into an English-taught Master’s, take the strategic route: The key to succeeding in Spain isn’t just the degree — it’s the language.
STEP 1: Move to Spain for Spanish Language & Culture Immersion program
- Enroll in an Intensive Spanish language course
- Move to Spain on a student visa
- Learn Spanish at a Public University until you reach B2 level
- Hold a student residency while learning
Step 2: Master’s Degree at a Public University (in Spanish)
- Enroll in your chosen Master’s at much lower tuition fees than English-taught Master’s degree programs
- Fully use your 30-hour work permit effectively because you speak Spanish
- Graduate with job experience, language skills, and a clear pathway to residency
- After Graduation you will be able to find a job and modify your Student permit into Residency and work Permit easily
What Happens After Master’s (Spanish-taught) in Spain?
Here’s where Spain’s new Immigration Policy (effective from 20 May 2025) makes things even more favorable for international students:
- If you graduate with a Master’s and find a job → ✅ you can modify your student stay into a residence and work permit.
- If you don’t immediately find a job but you have lived in Spain for 2 years → ✅ you can still apply for residency through mechanisms like Arraigo social or Arraigo sociolaboral, thanks to the updated immigration law in Spain.
This means that even in the “worst case” — after 2 years in Spain Learning Spanish and later doing your Master’s — you still have a legal pathway to stay, live, and work in Spain.
Why This Pathway Works
✅ Affordable tuition at public universities
✅ Real work opportunities while studying
✅ Spanish skills that employers actually demand
✅ A clear path from student stay → work permit → residency
✅ Backup legal routes (arraigo) under the new immigration law if no job is found immediately
Final Thoughts
Choosing an English-taught Master’s may look like the easy option, but it often leaves students with a degree but no job, no language skills, and no real prospects. The smart way is to learn Spanish first, then pursue your Master’s at a public university.
This way, you save money, gain employability, and maximize your chances of staying in Spain legally — whether through a job contract or through the new arraigo residency options.
At Study in Spain Guide, we help students take this proven pathway — from learning Spanish to securing a Master’s, working during studies, and building a future in Spain.
👉 Ready to start your journey? Join our Spanish Language & Culture Immersion Program and take the first step toward your Master’s and long-term residency in Spain.
Contact Study in Spain Guide:
📧 Email: info@studyinspainguide.com
💬 WhatsApp: +34 664 705 778
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