Study Masters in Spain 2026 | Top Universities, Courses & Fees

Masters in Spain | Overview

With more than 80000 international students choosing Spain for their higher education, the opportunity to study a Masters in Spain is rewarding for students in various aspects, including exciting career prospects, international recognition, and world-class education, making the learning experience worthwhile. Spanish Universities are known to maintain high standards that well align with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Key Highlights

• Master Degrees from Spanish universities are recognised across the EHEA globally and accepted globally.
• The tuition fee at public institutions is as low as €2,000 to €4,000 per year, making Spain one of the most affordable study abroad destinations in Europe.
• The Spanish universities use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credit system, which is an official framework used throughout EHEA. It allows students an ease of academic mobility in other European countries.
• With more than 700+ English-taught international students, International students can specialise in their desired fields of study.
• Spain allows international students to work part-time and gain essential work experience, which is helpful for PR pathways. 

Intakes Available for Master’s in Spain

Indian students planning to study an MS in Spain must be aware of the two primary intakes that the Spanish universities offer. These intakes are:

Fall Intake (September/ October)

• The primary intake is marked as the start of the main academic season, where universities offer a range of courses and programs.
• Students enjoy the widest choice of courses and scholarship options to plan their journey effectively.
• From college events to internship opportunities and placement drives, the fall intake simply offers students the perfect learning experience.
• The application for this intake opens in January, with deadlines falling between May and June.
• Classes for the semester begin in mid to late September.

Spring Intake (February)

• The Spring intake is a secondary admission window for student who missed the primary intake or require additional time to prepare their application.  
• The intake is less crowded, and students do not have to compete with thousands of other applicants.
• For this intake, not all the courses are generally available, and students may not easily find their desired specialisation.

Top Universities for Master’s in Spain

With Spanish universities regularly featuring in the top 500 global institutions, studying an MS in Spain simply means you enjoy an unmatched learning experience compared to various other European Countries.

Popular Master’s Courses in Spain

Spain offers students a vast selection of Master programs, generally more than 750 English-taught degrees, which are recognised globally. Some of the highly preferred courses by students are-

Eligibility Criteria to Study a Master’s in Spain

Studying MS in Spain for Indian students generally requires meeting a few requirements that qualify to apply for a particular university. These requirements include:

• Must have acquired at least 180 ECTS points in either a Bachelor’s program or its local equivalent.
• Transcripts of previous studies with a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 /4.0, showcasing academic excellence.
• Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS (6.0–6.5 overall) or TOEFL iBT (80–90).

Admission Process for Master’s in Spain

Applying for a Master’s in Spain is normally a straightforward process, yet many Indian students face challenges while navigating the entire process.

Step 1 – Explore and Shortlist Universities

• The process starts with researching and shortlisting the top universities that match your career goals and academic interests.
• Look for English-taught programs, understand their requirements, criteria, tuition fees and deadlines.
• For an informed decision, shortlist at least 3 to 5 universities based on multiple aspects like academic standards, university ranking, student life and cost.

Step 2 – Prepare Documents   

• For verification purposes, you are required to gather a list of documents mentioned on the application form.
• These documents generally include academic transcripts, a language proficiency scorecard, a copy of a valid passport and more.

Step 3 – Submit Online Applications

• College applications are submitted directly to the official university’s website or a centralised platform like UNEDasiss, which verifies the applications of international applicants.
• To submit your application, you will be asked to pay an application fee of around €30–€100 (INR 3 to 10.5 K).
• Thoroughly check your application before submission, and attach all the required documents to avoid rejection.

Step 4 – Attend Interviews

• Once your application is reviewed, you may be asked to attend an interview, where the admission committee will check if you are a perfect candidate for their university.
• Be prepared to discuss your academic interest & goals, how studying in a particular university aligns with your aspirations and why you are an ideal match for admission.

Step 5 – Receive Offer and Confirm Admission

• After any potential interview or verification process, the selected candidates receive an admission offer (conditional or unconditional).
• You will have to pay an initial tuition deposit, around €500–€2,000 (INR 52K to 2.1L), to confirm your seat at the university.
• Once your seat is confirmed, prepare to apply for a Spanish student visa.

Documents Required

A list of required documents includes:

• Academic Transcripts & Degree Certificate
• A valid passport.
• CV/Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Passport-sized Photographs
• Update CV/ Resume

Spain Student Visa

1. For students planning their academic journey in Spain, securing a Spanish student visa is a mandatory task, which ensures their legal entry into the country for study purposes. Types of student visa include:

• Schengen Student Visa (Less Than 3 Months)- A visa type that allows International students for courses shorter than 90 days.
• Short-Term Student Visa – A visa type, which is also known as a 180-day D type visa, allowing students to enrol in courses for no longer than 180 days. This type of visa is not extended, and students have to plan their stay accordingly.
• Long-Term Student Visa- A visa type allowing students to stay for over 6 months, and students are eligible to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

2. Required Documents for a student visa are:

• Application form
• Photograph
• Valid passport.
• Photocopy 
• Proof of acceptance for the study
• Proof of financial means
• Health insurance.

3. The cost to apply for a Spanish student visa is usually €60 (INR 6.3K), and for a Schengen student visa, the fee is €80 (INR 8.4K).

Part Time Work Opportunities in Spain

Working part-time while studying at the university is simply the perfect opportunity for Indian students to gain experience and some income.  However, the key points to consider are:

• International students are allowed to work on a student visa up to 30 hours per week.
• International students generally earn from €300 to €800 per month while working part-time.
• With a diverse job market, students can explore work opportunities in multiple sectors like technology, hospitality, finance & banking and more.  

Scholarships Available for Master’s in Spain

Winning a scholarship for masters programs in Spain is not only about getting the required financial assistance but also receiving support in the form of assistantships, medical & insurance support, academic guidance and many other benefits.

Cost of Living in Spain for Indian Students

For Indian students, pursuing an MS in Spain costs between €15,000 and €25,000 (approx. INR 15.8L – INR 26.35L per year). The overall cost depends on the university chosen, lifestyle and other preferences.

Tuition Fee

• For public universities, the tuition fee generally ranges from €1,000 (INR 1.05L) to €4,000 (INR 4.21L) per year.
• Studying at private universities is generally expensive, costing around €4,000 to over €15,000 annually.
• The tuition fee varies significantly by credit, university and program.

Living Expenses

• The cost of living in Spain comprises multiple expenses, including rent, food, groceries, and travel.
• It completely depends on the city chosen and the lifestyle habits of the students.
• Living in HCOL (high-cost-of-living) cities like Madrid and Barcelona can cost you around €1000 - €1500 (INR 1.05L to 1.58L) monthly, while LCOL (low-cost-of-living) cities like Granada and Seville are generally affordable, ranging around €700 - €1000 (INR 73K to INR 1.05L).

Miscellaneous & other expenses 

• Apart from tuition and living expenses, students planning their journey in Spain must be aware of the other expenses.
• These generally include personal care, entertainment, books and other costs.
• Monthly miscellaneous expenses typically range between €100 and €300 (INR 10K to INR 31K) per month

Post-Study Work Opportunities in Spain: Career Scope & Return on Investment

Pursuing a Master’s in Spain can help students enjoy salaries double that of starting salaries in India. It is generally because of the diverse and rapidly growing job market that offers students rewarding opportunities.

PR Pathway for International students

• Students pursuing their Master’s in Spain are offered a 1-year job-seeking visa, which allows them to stay and find a job.
• Once you have a secured job, you can apply for an employment permit, or if you have your own business, you can switch to a self-employed residency permit.
• Students are generally required to work for 5 consecutive years under the work permit to qualify for a long-term permanent residency.
• During these 5 years, students must not leave Spain for more than 6 consecutive months or a total of 10 months. 

Final Thoughts: Is a Master’s in Spain Worth It?

Summing up all, studying for a master's in Spain is worth every single penny spent by international students. Being a European country, Spain offers globally recognised degrees, international exposure and rewarding career prospects, making the opportunity 2 times more rewarding than India. Additionally, with top job sectors facing talent shortage, you can land a rewarding job working alongside global leaders and professionals.

Still confused where to start from, connect with our study abroad consultants today, get tailored guidance based on academic interests & career goals and plan your journey to Spain. 

FAQs

1. Is a master's in Spain worth it?

Yes, studying a master's in Spain is generally considered worthwhile, given the affordable tuition fee, lower living costs, world-class programs, and strong career prospects.

2. What is the minimum CGPA requirement for a master's in Spain?

There is no defined CGPA requirement for master's in Spain; however, students planning their journey must expect around 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This nearly converts to 60 to 0% according to the Indian scoring criteria.

3. How many credits is a master's in Spain?

A full-time one-year master's program in Spain ranges from 60 to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. 

4. Is Spain expensive for Indian students?

No, Spain is generally considered an affordable destination for Indian students compared to other European countries.

5. Are master’s programs in Spain taught in English or Spanish?

Master's programs in Spain are offered in both Spanish and English, with an increasing number of English-taught courses available to attract international students.