Aviation continues to attract students worldwide because it offers long-term career opportunities, exciting professional paths, and an international work environment.
Spain is a strong option for students interested in aviation and aerospace. Its education landscape includes public universities with official aerospace and aeronautical engineering degrees, as well as separate professional training pathways for pilots, aircraft maintenance specialists, and air traffic controllers.
If you want to improve your skills in aviation studies and build a career in this sector, read our guide to studying aviation in Spain as an international student. This article focuses on Spanish universities with aviation or aerospace-related programs.
Top Flight Schools in Spain
Spain has several universities with official aerospace or aeronautical programs. Because “flight school” can also mean a pilot academy, students should check whether a program leads to an engineering degree, aviation-management qualification, pilot license preparation, or another professional pathway. Below are the universities and the programs they offer.
1. Technical University of Madrid
The Technical University of Madrid, also known as Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), offers aviation and aerospace-related study through the School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering (ETSIAE). ETSIAE offers undergraduate study in Aerospace Engineering and Air Transport Management and Operations, as well as master’s and doctoral options in the field.
UPM’s undergraduate Aerospace Engineering degree includes five specializations: Aerospace Vehicles, Aerospace Propulsion, Airports and Air Transport, Navigation and Aerospace Systems, and Aerospace Sciences and Technologies. At the postgraduate level, students can pursue options such as Aeronautical Engineering, Space Systems, Air Transport, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. UPM is a good fit for students interested in aircraft and space vehicles, propulsion, airports, air navigation, and air transport.
2. Valencia Polytechnic University
Another leading Spanish institution for aviation-related study is the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), whose history dates back to 1968. UPV’s Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering is a four-year, 240-ECTS program that trains students for the aeronautical and aerospace fields, with technology-focused routes such as Aircraft, Air Travel, and Propulsion.
For students seeking further education, UPV’s Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering is an official two-year, 120-ECTS, campus-based program taught in Spanish. The program provides training in the design, development, research, and management of aerospace vehicles, aerospace propulsion systems, aerospace materials, airport and aeronautical infrastructures, and air traffic and air transport management systems.
UPV’s School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design also supports student mobility through international exchange activities and provides opportunities for internships and company-based projects.
3. Technical University of Catalonia
Founded in 1971, the Technical University of Catalonia, officially known as Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC), is another prestigious university for aerospace-related study in Spain. UPC offers several undergraduate aerospace options, including Aerospace Systems Engineering, Aerospace Vehicle Engineering, and Aerospace Technology Engineering as part of a sequential academic program linked to the Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering.
At the master’s level, UPC offers programs such as Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST), Applications and Technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones), and Space and Aeronautical Engineering. The Aerospace Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree is a face-to-face, four-year, 240-ECTS program. Master’s durations vary: the Aerospace Engineering master’s degree is a two-year, 120-ECTS program, while Space and Aeronautical Engineering, MAST, and Drones are one-year, 60-ECTS programs.
Languages also vary by program. For example, UPC’s Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering is taught in Catalan in the first year and English in the second year, while MAST, Drones, and Space and Aeronautical Engineering are taught in English. Based on UPC’s current listings, approximate fees are €1,061 per academic year for the Aerospace Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree (€1,800 for non-EU residents), €2,122 for the full Aerospace Engineering master’s degree (€5,400 for non-EU residents), and €1,162 for several 60-ECTS aerospace master’s degrees (€2,700 for non-EU residents), excluding other costs.
4. Universidad Europea
Located in Madrid, Universidad Europea is a private university with a highly international student body. The university states that 40% of its students are international and come from more than 100 countries.
Universidad Europea’s Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace and Aircraft Engineering is an official, campus-based degree at the Villaviciosa de Odón campus. The program is taught in English, lasts four years, and carries 240 ECTS credits. It is part of the School of Architecture, Engineering, Science and Computing – STEAM and is designed to train future aerospace engineers through a multidisciplinary curriculum.
The program includes access to practical facilities such as a wind tunnel, digital fabrication laboratory, and other laboratories and simulation spaces. The school also lists research activity in areas such as aeronautical, industrial, renewable energy, and space engineering.
5. Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M)
UC3M’s Department of Aerospace Engineering is based at the Leganés Campus and is responsible for aerospace engineering education at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. Its research areas include aerospace structures and materials, aerodynamics and propulsion, dynamics and control in aerospace systems, experimental aerodynamics, plasma and space propulsion, and related fields.
The Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering at UC3M is taught in English and lasts four years, with 240 ECTS credits. The degree includes minors in Aerospace Vehicles and Aerospace Propulsion, and students complete a Bachelor Thesis during the program.
For postgraduate study, students should check each program carefully because UC3M offers several aerospace-related options with different structures. For example, the Master in Aeronautical Engineering consists of 90 ECTS credits across three semesters and includes a 12-ECTS Master Thesis.
FAQs: Aviation Studies in Spain
Can International Students Enroll in an Aviation Program in Spain?
Yes, international students can enroll in many aviation and aerospace-related programs in Spain. Several programs are taught fully or partly in English, while others are taught in Spanish or Catalan. Language requirements, admission routes, recognition of foreign documents, and tuition categories vary by university and residency status, so students should always confirm the latest details on the official program page.
Spain offers many bachelor’s and master’s options in aerospace engineering and related fields. Students who want to become commercial pilots or air traffic controllers should note that those careers normally require separate professional licensing, medical checks, and language requirements beyond a university degree. Aerospace engineering degrees, on the other hand, can prepare students for careers in engineering, manufacturing, research, airport systems, propulsion, aerospace vehicles, air transport, and related technical roles.
Students choose aviation and aerospace studies because of the sector’s international nature, technical challenges, and wide range of career pathways. Studying at one of Spain’s aviation or aerospace-focused universities can help students build knowledge in aircraft systems, space technologies, propulsion, airport operations, and air transport while gaining exposure to research, laboratories, and industry-related projects.
Hopefully, this article on the best aviation schools in Spain was helpful and informative. You can also find more information on different European universities and scholarship opportunities on the Study in Spain and Available Programs for International Students pages.
