Expand your horizons in Spain, one of the most prominent countries of the European Union, offering international students from a wide variety of academic and national backgrounds both outstanding higher education and exchange opportunities and excellent facilities for learning Spanish culture and language. When compared with other destinations, the great advantage of Spain for the foreign student visitor is its standard of living, which is considerably cheaper than other European and western countries. Spain’s pleasant lifestyle, mild climate and the wealth of stimulating and varied cultural opportunities to be found throughout the country are the key to its popularity. Moreover, although courses in English are also available, the possibility of learning the Spanish language is also a great asset, as Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, with 450 million people speaking Spanish in more than 20 countries. In the USA 40 million are Spanish speakers. Learning Spanish is a good investment for a future career.

Educational opportunities the highest standards and a multicultural population are Spain’s strengths. Its education system offers a wide range of college and university courses at all levels, as well as internationally renowned business study courses at prestigious schools. It also provides the best opportunities for studying Spanish as a foreign language, with a great variety of courses from which to choose. The educational system is well organised and brimming with opportunities for personal growth and academic achievement for international students.

The higher education system has undergone significant changes and extraordinary growth over the past 25 years, which allowed Spain to dramatically increase the number of university places available. In addition to progress in many other areas, this facilitated university access to thousands of young people through the creation of numerous new and well­equipped universities.

The past two decades have also witnessed the founding of a large number of private universities and business schools that have rapidly become internationally recognized centres of excellence.

The reformed education system has not only facilitated an increased number of college and university students, both Spanish and foreign, but also the availability of better resources in the universities has been responsible for an unprecedented growth in the quantity and quality of academic, scientific and technological research.

The Spanish university system gives students the freedom to decide what type of education they want. The wide range of study options cater for the diverse academic aims of students, while at the same time satisfying the varied interests, abilities and attitudes they may have.

A Multicultural Student Population

Spain is now the third most popular destination for international university students from Europe and the American continent after England. Almost 36 percent of foreign students come from the American continent and, of these, 31 percent are Latin American. As a result, Spain has developed a diverse, multicultural student population, which, over time, has made the Spanish education system one of the most attractive in Europe, thanks to its cultural diversity.

A Competitive Cost of Living and of Studying

In terms of the price of basic articles such as food, toiletries etc. Spain is one of the cheapest countries. If the average price in Europe is 100 the cost in Spain is 88. For a university student, the comparative advantage of studying in Spain is considerable in financial terms. The average cost of tuition fees charged by universities in the United States (30,000 dollars) would cover the entire cost of living in Spain for a year (a university residence in Madrid, including accommodation and meals, costs less than 800 euros per month, and average tuition fees in a private university are around 6,000 euros).

The Academic Calendar in Spanish Universities

The academic calendar in Spanish universities tends to be similar throughout the country: lectures begin in October and the academic year ends in June. Examinations are held at the end of the first semester, in February, and at the end of the second semester, in June, However, there are some variations between universities.

Teaching and Evaluation Methods

Teaching methodology includes lectures, seminars and practical work under the supervision of a tutor; attendance, while not obligatory, is strongly recommended, as it constitutes a fundamental part of university education; lectures last for 50-60 minutes and professors often use audiovisual materials as teaching aids.

Students are assessed through final examinations in February for the one-semester courses; or in June for courses that run throughout the academic year; Students who do not pass examinations are able to re-sit in September. In some cases, professors may choose to set various evaluative activities (exams, projects, etc.) throughout the year which, if successfully completed, can replace the final examination.

Admission of International Students

In order to gain admission to an undergraduate programme in a university in Spain, international students are required to obtain official recognition of their previous studies and pass the official Spanish university entrance exams (Selectividad) which are taken twice a year in many of the countries of origin of the students. Study in Spain provides guidance for those students willing to take the Selectividad examinations in their own country.

Once they have passed the university entrance exams, international students are eligible to study at any public or private Spanish university. Most Spanish universities require students intending to begin an undergraduate program to apply to their faculties or schools. Each university sets its own application and admission schedule. It is important to apply well in advance.

Spain in the European Higher Education Space

Since 1999, Spain has been immersed in a transformation of its higher education system, along with more than 30 European countries, with the aim of creating a European Higher Education Space (EHES). This process will culminate in 2010 and its objectives are to harmonise qualification frameworks and the credit system (units for measuring academic achievement), as well as to guarantee the standards and recognition of qualifications, in order to increase student mobility and facilitate the integration of graduates into the European labour market.

Spain is implementing legal measures for the adoption of the European credit and qualifications system, as well as the European qualification supplements. This facilitates the recognition of official Spanish qualifications in over 30 countries participating in the EHES project, as well as the official recognition of Spanish Qualifications in other countries outside the European framework, such as the United States, Asia and Latin America.

IMPORTANT LINKS

www.micinn.es
www.mae.es
www.aecid.es
www.studieren.es
www.universia.net
www.spain.info