Tuition fees for international students in Spain

University fees in Spain for the academic year 2021-2022.

The tuition and fees at a university for the same degree/major  at a private university in Spain can be ten times higher than at a public university. 

At which universities in Spain are the tuition fees different for local and international students?

Public Universities in Madrid have held the highest university fees for international students for 5 years in a row.

There are also differing rates at the University of Santiago de Compostela; an international student will pay six times more than an EU citizen.

Foreign students pay twice as much as Spanish students to attend the University of Salamanca. Only Pompeu Fabra University one of Barcelona’s public universities, has a higher rate for international students.

Please note that if a student is under the age of 18 at the time of acceptance, he or she will be charged the first year’s tuition as a European regardless of which university he or she attends.

    The first year of studying medicine at the University of Barcelona costs roughly EUR 1,660 whereas it only costs 757 euros in Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba or Malaga which are located in the southern region of the country.

 The cost of studying in Spain for international students is different. For example,  the first year of a student majoring in chemistry at the University of Barcelona costs EUR 1,505 and at universities in Andalusia it costs EUR 757. The first year of law school, Economics or Management is 1,061 euros  at the University of Barcelona. Studying Economics in Granada will cost you EUR 757 and in the Basque Country EUR 860. And in Valencia, the first year of studying law costs just EUR 790. The cheapest places to study psychology are in Granada and Seville for 757 euros. However, the price at the University of Salamanca is 1777 euros.  For history majors, the price difference is not so noticeable; 1,061 euros is the cost of the first year of study at the University of Barcelona.

We are always happy to tailor a personal university preparation program for you in Spain. We provide free consultations. You’re welcome!

At prestigious private universities, the cost is the same for Spaniards and foreigners alike. For example, Universidad CEU San Pablo de Madrid is one of the most expensive universities. The tuition price for the  first year of studying medicine is EUR 16,800 for the first three years and EUR 13,800 for the next three years. The registration fee is – EUR 1,495. A full year of study costs EUR 8,700 for Psychology majors and EUR 9,900 for Economics majors. The cost of registration is – EUR 1,295.

The most prestigious private university, the University of Navarra, has the following costs for the first year in the most highly sought after courses among Spaniards: Law EUR 12,700; Economics EUR 16,220; Medicine EUR 16,950; Architecture EUR 14,030; Humanities – bilingual program EUR 10,060.

The following table shows the costs of a year of study at Spanish public universities for foreigners in the six most popular degrees with our students:

The first year payment can be paid in one lump sum in September or it can be paid in three installments.

The tuition fees provided in the table above are calculated by the number and cost of credits in each degree of each university. Slight inaccuracies in the calculations are possible. Typically, you’ll need to get 60 credits hours per year, though this can vary slightly depending on the university.

*Costs for Catalan public universities are based on those who enroll via the Single Entrance Examination. The cost of enrolling without taking this exam is several times higher.

HOW DO I APPLY TO UNIVERSITIES IN SPAIN?

Costs incurred while studying.

A single fee is payable for the entire period of study for the following:
Registration fee . . . . . . EUR +/- 40
Student identity card . . EUR +/- 15

 Admin fee . . . . .     EUR +/- 50
Cost of diploma when received. . . . . . .EUR 130-150
Textbooks, books or photocopies thereof are not included in the tuition fees.

Dreaming of going to a Spanish university? Get advice from AcademSpain’s personal guide on higher education in Spain: