Regulations for studying in Spain

The university courses that it delivers are in accordance with and recognized within the framework of these agreements between the member countries of the European Union that also adhere to them.

There are two university systems in Spain that grant the same degrees.

The public system, which is quite difficult for a foreign post-baccalaureate student to enter, since a selection process is based on the grades obtained in a specific exam called "EvAU", which Spanish high school students prepare and take. If your chosen field of study is a selective one (health-related courses in general), or even a very selective one (medicine or veterinary medicine in particular), you may have to consider the option of the private education system if you want to guarantee yourself a place in the studies of your choice in Spain.

The private system is much more developed there than in other countries and the Spanish have a very similiar tradition to Anglo-Saxon countries or in the United States. It is not uncommon to see families saving for their children's future university studies from birth.

The first parameter to check is the official authorization granted by the Spanish State to deliver courses that comply with the ETCS, which will allow the obtaining of recognized degrees. For this purpose, it is mandatory to mention the "Ley Organica de Universidades" on all publicity and information documents, with a number and date that allow the necessary verifications to be made on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Education.

If you do not find this information on the website or on the documents provided to you by the university, ask for it and do not commit yourself until you get an answer because if you do not obtain an official degree, in regulated professions (architecture, health, etc.) you will then not be able to legally practice your profession.

You will have to invest a significant amount of money (between 8,000 and more than 20,000€ per year depending on the studies you choose). Do not take the risk of committing yourself without a guarantee of the legality of the institution in Spain. However, if you can afford the necessary financing, don't stop at the price alone: the quality of teaching of the proposed courses, through an "American-style" system, can really be worth it.

In some private universities you can benefit from first class facilities and equipment, quality international speakers, very concrete and practical training, tutorials and a great availability of the teams. Most universities offering medical or paramedical training have a clinic equipped with state-of-the-art equipment available to students. There are also real synergies with the professional world which allow for rich and numerous exchanges allowing for truly effective training.

Of the thirty or so private universities available in Spain, you should be careful that some of them are in line with your ethical and religious views. Some have very proselytizing discourses and teachings that may not suit you, or may even shock you if you do not foresee them before experiencing them in your daily life during your studies.

The courses that you will be given will be in Spanish and sometimes in English depending on the speakers. It goes without saying that you should have a minimum knowledge of both languages. Private universities often offer Spanish courses for foreign students (often free for the first term and then charge a fee). A language course and/or a linguistic stay are strongly recommended before your departure because they will often cost you less than those offered by the universities and you will already arrive with the necessary background and therefore without the risk of falling behind in your studies because of a too low level of Spanish during the first months.