The Top 20 Colleges in Spain to Consider for International Students in 2022

Deciding to study in another country may be both thrilling and stressful, so first and foremost, congratulations on your decision to study in Spain; you’ve made an excellent choice. Once you’ve narrowed down your study abroad options, you’ve probably learned that Spain offers a plethora of good universities and schools from which to pick.

According to the most generally cited global rankings, over a dozen Spanish institutions are consistently ranked among the world’s top 500, with dozens more in the top 1,000. The country’s capital, Madrid, and the country’s second-largest metropolitan, Barcelona, are home to many of Spain’s most well-known organizations (the economic powerhouse). Apart from the standard rankings, Spain is home to several prestigious business schools.

What are some of the advantages of studying in Spain?

Spain is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s a lovely place with year-round weather and diverse geography that includes everything from stunning coastlines to high mountains. World-famous monuments and cathedrals dominate the cityscapes. Spanish architects and artists have a long and renowned history, including Antoni Gaudi and Pablo Picasso.

Spain provides a colorful and stimulating life and endless vacations and parties. This bustling Spanish restaurant serves excellent Tapas, Paella, and Iberico ham, and all washed down with a glass of Sangria. Citrus fruits from Spain, as well as other fresh fruits and vegetables, are well-known worldwide.

Spaniards are among the world’s most numerous and well-traveled people, with a rich cultural legacy and several internationally renowned academic institutions that annually draw thousands of international students. In addition to having low living costs compared to other nations, Spain also has a low education fee, allowing you to complete your studies without worrying about your finances. Spaniards are the most excellent option for anybody who wants to immerse themselves in Europe’s cosmopolitan environment while earning an internationally recognized degree.

It should be added to your list of locations to visit because of its highly acclaimed universities, as if Spain’s food, siestas, and fiestas weren’t already compelling enough reasons to go there. Spain has 29 top-ranked universities, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In addition, we don’t have to tell you how much it is: it’s a substantial sum of money.

In Spain, many universities have an outstanding international reputation and are highly regarded in global rankings, found on this website. Though most Spanish institutions are now focused mainly on teaching in Spanish, the trend suggests that more degree programs will be offered in English shortly.

The University of Barcelona, Complutense University of Madrid, and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid are among the most well-known of Spain’s public institutions, as are the University of Salamanca and the University of Valencia.

If you are thinking about obtaining a business degree, Spain could be the best place. Why? IESE Business School, IE Business School, and Esade Business School, all located in Madrid, are among the top business schools in Europe. These highly rated institutions of higher learning have produced an enormous number of top executives from throughout the globe.

It is advised that you brush up on your language skills both before and during your stay in Spain, even though you may choose from a broad choice of English-language study programs in Spain. Having this information will make it much easier for you to interact with the people, and it will also give you a better understanding of the fourth most spoken language on the globe! The ability to communicate at least a few words in the native language of a region, such as Catalonia (and its capital Barcelona), may be advantageous in various contexts (Catalonian in this case).

Being a student in Spain is a unique and fascinating experience that should not be missed. You will likely meet many new people in the country’s vibrant and diverse student community. Although Spanish students put in a lot of work, they find time for fun.

Because of its cultural variety, Spain attracts many international students. This post will look at which places in Spain and universities might be a good match for incoming students. Preferences differed, as they do with most choices, so let’s examine a few different institutions and criteria to see what we can learn about each one.

  1. Navarra University

In Pamplona, the University of Navarra is one of Spain’s most well-known institutions, with long and illustrious teaching and research distinction. a private, non-profit university based in the United States with a robust Catholic culture

Josemaria Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, created the private, non-profit institution in 1952, intending to impart the movement’s beliefs. It presently has over 11,000 students scattered across four significant sites in the northeast Spanish city, with roughly 8,700 undergraduates.

It began as a law school and has expanded to encompass 14 faculties, two university schools, 17 institutes, a business school, and several other facilities and organizations. The University provides more than 120 degrees, but every topic requires theology.

  1. Madrid’s Complutense University

You may thrive in your choice of study while simultaneously fully immersing yourself in Spanish culture at Complutense University. Beautiful boulevards thread their way through lush greenery and various neighborhoods. Madrid stands out above other cities because of its people and their unbridled love for life. Madrilenos are passionate about art and culture. There are about 70 museums in the neighborhood, and concerts, dance performances, and exhibits are held regularly. After dusk, you can find yourself in a flamenco club, a crowded disco, or a bar serving classic Spanish tapas.

  1. Santiago de Compostela University

The Institution of Santiago de Compostela is a medieval university in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. St. James the Apostle established it in 1209. It was created in 1495 and is situated in Galicia, Spain’s northwestern region. This excellent school has since established itself as one of the country’s most prominent schools.

It is an inherent part of life in Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s oldest cities and its most important religious and cultural centers. It has a long history as one of its most important religious and cultural hubs. The University’s many students play an essential role in the city’s daily life, as well as being deeply ingrained in its culture and tradition, as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site designation for the city’s old town, which is also home to the University’s extensive campus in the city’s center.

  1. Madrid Autonomous University

The Autonomous University of Madrid (AUM) was founded by the Spanish government in 1968 as a public university in Madrid, Spain. The University has a national and worldwide reputation for excellence in research and academics, with a rural campus connected to Madrid by a commuter train. AUM is generally recognized as one of Spain’s most significant higher education institutions; it routinely ranks among its top universities in rankings. It also performs well in Europe and beyond Spain’s boundaries.

  1. University of Nebrija

For more than 18 years, we have welcomed students from all over the world to Nebrija University, where they have finished a part of their academic studies. Every effort is made to include international students in the institution’s daily operations, and they are allowed to engage in classes alongside Spanish pupils in most programs. Students may take lessons in their area of expertise, create their curriculum (containing courses of their choice), or take Spanish Language and Culture courses to enhance their Spanish language skills. International students, according to Nebrija, are full-fledged students in their own right.

  1. San Pablo-CEU University

CEU San Pablo University in Madrid is a well-known, long-standing institution that provides education based on Christian Humanism’s ideals. It is situated in Spain’s capital city. CEU San Pablo alumni have shown to be individuals of integrity and significant members of society in addition to being exceptional professionals. They have leadership positions in various areas, including multinational firm CEOs, physicians, diplomats, and world-renowned architects.

  1. Pontifical University of Comillas

When we reflect on a century of the university experience, we are vividly aware that much has changed since the institution’s founding. Spanish colleges have progressed from focusing only on the education of a particular socioeconomic group to addressing a broader societal objective.

  1. Salamanca University

In 1218, Alfonso IX of León created the ‘Salamanticae scholas,’ the progenitor of the contemporary University of Salamanca, which commemorates 800 years of uninterrupted history in the development, advancement, and spread of knowledge. Consequently, the University of Salamanca entered the ranks of other early European universities such as Paris, Oxford, and Bologna. Today, it is the only Spanish University that has survived the test of time.

  1. Seville University

The University of Seville, established in the sixteenth century and now has over 50,000 students, is one of Spain’s top-ranked universities. Seville’s University is one of Spain’s most important cultural hubs, with a rich history dating back to the 15th century when the Catholic Kings recovered the country from the Moors. Seville University is one of Spain’s most prominent cultural hubs. The Colegio de Santa Mara de Jess, created by Arcediano Maese Rodrigo Fernández de Santaella, was recognized as a practical university in 1555 by a papal bull issued by Pope Julius II was formed in 1555 by Pope Julius II. The University of Seville is undergoing renovations at the moment.

  1. Madrid’s European University

Universidad Europea is a forward-thinking institution devoted to giving value to society and contributing to its advancement. It has four campuses in Spain: two in Madrid, at Villaviciosa de Odón and Alcobendas; one in Valencia; and one in the Canary Islands, at La Orotava. In Spain, there are four Universidad Europea campuses: two at Madrid, in Villaviciosa de Odón and Alcobendas; one in Valencia; and one in the Canary Islands.

  1. University of Almera

The University of Almera (UAL) campus, created by the Andalusian Parliament in July 1993, lies six kilometers from the massive town of Almera (population: 50,000-249,999) on Andaluca’s south-eastern coast. This public University seeks to effect social change through American society’s economic, cultural, and social growth by providing students and faculty with the appropriate educational resources and methodologies following Almeran society’s historical, economic, and cultural character.

  1. University of Alfonso X El Sabio

The Ministry of Education authorized the Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio as the first private University in Spain. The college has strong links to the business sector and offers internship opportunities to students as a valuable way of preparing them for the real world.

The Alfonso X el Sabio University is a private higher education school located in Villanueva de la Cada, some 25 kilometers outside Madrid. It is dedicated to greatness, talent, and research in a free and independent environment. It aspires to give its students complete development and professional training via creative teaching techniques and contemporary training programs to reach their full potential.

  1. CEU Cardenal Herrera University

We are not only a Catholic institution but also a forerunner in the development of unique educational programs. Finally, we wish to help people who study with us have a solid grasp of their chosen area and execute their professional activities responsibly and thoroughly. We adhere to Christian beliefs, which serve as a frame of reference for their thoughts and actions to benefit their community.

  1. Carlos III University

This University offers a wide range of English-language master’s and bachelor’s degree programs, and international students make up around 20% of the overall student body. According to the number of students who engage in the Erasmus student exchange program, it is one of the top universities in Spain and Europe. This school is a part of the YUFE alliance, one of the European Union’s approved networks to create a European University.

  1. ESIC University

The ESIC was the first business school in Spain, and it was founded in response to the requirements of professionals who wished to improve their marketing skills. ESIC is now one of the most prominent marketing schools globally, generally acknowledged both inside and beyond its boundaries as one of the best training institutions of its type, more than 55 years later. With over 62.000 alumni, ESIC is a well-known source of information for companies and professions. Their goal is to give academic training to professionals who can develop and operate their enterprises.

  1. International University Isabel I de Castilla

Universidad Isabel I is an online learning community where students are encouraged to take chances and center their own learning experience. We give an innovative and creative method in conjunction with teachers, based on their continual assistance and close participation with students.

  1. Valencia University

According to the University of Valencia’s mission statement, the institution’s purpose for existing is established in terms of its legal and statuesque foundation. The strategic reflection process used to produce the Universitat de València’s Strategic Plan for 2008-2011 resulted in formulating the University’s purpose, which was subsequently executed.

  1. Camilo José Cela University

University Camilo José Cela (UCJC) is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between traditional and modern periods, in addition to being a forward-thinking institution. It was founded in 2000 by Felipe Segovia Olmo as part of the SEK Education Group, which has a 125-year track record of teaching excellence and is named after Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Laureate in Literature. Its headquarters are in Madrid, Spain’s capital.

The University is a comprehensive higher education institution dedicated to educating undergraduate and graduate students interested in international issues.

  1. The University of Vigo

The University of Vigo/Universidade de Vigo is a public higher education institution in Galicia that is open to the public and serves a global objective. The University of Vigo/Universidade de Vigo is committed to promoting social justice, economic development, and economic growth. The purpose is to contribute to developing and transmitting knowledge, scientific and technological advancement, innovation, and intellectual growth by encouraging a high-quality education and research environment. It also promotes and delivers a well-rounded education for individuals of a multiracial and bilingual community.

  1. Universidad Católica de Avila

The objective of the Catholic University of Vila is to give students a well-rounded education that includes culture, study, and research, as well as a high degree of academic, professional, and personal growth. It seeks to give students a modern and flexible education customized to today’s society’s social and labor demands and each student’s intellectual interests. Their University participates in and is entwined with the town in which it is located and dedicated to that society.

Conclusion

Do not worry if studying Spanish is not a top priority for you during your study abroad experience; most Spanish-language institutions in Spain offer a wide range of courses in English. Though some universities may offer English courses, it is essential to understand that they may not be the courses you are looking for, nor may there be enough courses to meet a regular semester or annual course load.

If you wish to study in English, getting in contact with a college or University and learning about the specific courses they offer are your best bets for getting started. Alternatively, you may enroll in a Spanish college or a Spanish university where all of the systems are entirely taught in English as an alternative. Several English-speaking institutions around the nation provide whole degrees totally in English, and a large number of foreign universities in Spain offer courses exclusively in English.