Student life in Spain
21st September 2025 copy
Education
Spain is home to 76 universities, with 45 public university institutions, and 31 private universities. The Spanish education system is known for being super efficient and accessible for native students and international students. According to the Spanish Ministry of Education, Spain has around 1.6 million students in higher education, with just over 3% of the student population being international students. Many Spanish universities are ranked among the top universities in the world.
Most courses at Spanish universities are available in Spanish and some courses are in a local language like Catalan. However, a lot of Spanish universities offer courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels taught in English. You can find details of English-language degrees by checking out our European universities shortlist tool, which shows all the courses taught in English across Europe.
Spanish universities tend to divide the academic year into two semesters: the first generally runs from mid-September/early October to the end of December; the second runs from late January/early February to the end of May. There are some universities that also have trimesters. Official degrees follow the Bologna ECTS (European Credit Transfer and accumulation System) and are recognised within all the countries making up the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This can be helpful in gaining employment in Spain, and is widely recognised in Europe and other international destinations.
Accommodation
As a student, the type of accommodation available to you, as well as costs of particular housing, can vary based on your location in the country. You'll also need to think about other costs, like deposits, utility bills. and application costs. There are three main types of accommodation students in Spain opt for:
Dormitories:
Lots of universities and colleges in Spain offer student housing in the form of dormitories on campus. Dormitories are a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students, international and native alike, outside of your course or programme. Dorms also tend to be quite close to the school you are attending, making it easier for you to attend lectures and classes.
Host families:
Some foreign students can opt to stay with a host family. There are lots of host family opportunities available for international students, and it can be a really memorable experience studying abroad whilst staying with a host family.
Private housing
This tends to be the most expensive option for accommodation in Spain, however, you can choose to live with a roommate if you decide to rent an apartment. It can be challenging to get into private housing, especially if you are an international student, so you may want to find an agent to help you - bear in mind that this can also be costly. However, private housing can offer you a real chance to create your own experience of Spain whilst studying.
Transport
By train
Train travel is a popular way to get around in Spain. It is really convenient, though service is very limited on the main line, the Spanish Speed Train (AVE), running only from Catalonia to Andalusia and passing through Madrid. The AVE is more expensive than other train options, though all are affordable for most students because it is cheaper than other European cities.
Car and bike rentals
Rental cars and bikes are available to students in Spain, although there may be restrictions on what can be rented due to your age. A rental car or bike can be rented by the day, the week or the month, with discounts the longer that you have the vehicle.
Student culture
Spanish universities are very open and welcoming, and hold multiple student events throughout the year. This gives you the opportunity to explore the city, explore Spanish culture, and connect with fellow international students from all corners of the globe. Studying in Spain means that you have the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Spanish universities boast a number of societies to get involved in, from student councils to sports teams and clubs. Beyond the university, Spain also has a vibrant sporting culture and excels internationally in everything from football to tennis to Formula One racing. If you're a fan of football, you'll be able to see some of the world’s renowned teams like Atlético de Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Other popular pastimes for students in Spain include lounging on the beach with friends or playing some water sports. You'll find plenty to keep you entertained while living in Spain as a student.