Madrid has a rich and diverse history and studying there can provide students with a beautifully interesting experience. As well as being a thriving student-oriented city, it has some of the best universities in the world at some of the lowest tuition rates in Europe.
Madrid is also well-invested in infrastructure and student support services as it has excellent public transportation, affordable housing options, and numerous student discounts. The city ensures students’ lives are manageable and enriching.
Its universities cater to diverse academic interests, from cutting-edge technology and research programs to humanities and arts, making it an ideal destination for international students. Thus, this is an ideal destination for individuals seeking quality education on a budget.
In this article, we look at affordable universities in Madrid.
Affordable Universities in Madrid for International Students
1. Complutense University of Madrid
Complutense offers a wide variety of Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate programs. It centers its educational experience on European and international vocations, adapting its programs to meet the cultural and social needs of its students and, of course, the job market. With over 80 nationalities being represented in its student population, it has a diverse and beautiful culture that will make international students feel very welcome.
Tuition fees for Spanish students are always within the same price range unless attending a private university. At this cheap university in Madrid, the international student fees are affordable.
2. Autonomous University of Madrid
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €234- €390/credit (Bachelor’s/Master’s) | €2,29.86/credit (Ph.D.)
The Autonomous University of Madrid is the most prominent higher education establishment in Spain, with its faculty of Law being the most prestigious. Another main area it excels in is Natural Sciences. However, it also has Mathematics programs that sit very high in the world rankings. It is also the first university in Spain to have an Integrated Research Management Service. The main campus was built to be a self-sufficient town, away from Madrid’s center, in a beautiful location.
The tuition fees for international students are very low and make it an attractive option for students from all over the world. Fifteen percent of its student population is made up of foreign students. Because of this, the university is a cultural haven.
3. Nebrija University
Nebrija is a private university and a pioneer in educational innovation. It was the first to incorporate practical experience in international environments. The university has a strong bond with businesses and is committed to the professional training development of its students. It prides itself on its intense and small class groups which create a more personalized learning environment.
Attending a private university in Spain is expensive. Especially when compared with public university tuition fees. However, receiving an education here is undoubtedly a first-class experience and can provide an unmatched level of education.
4. UNED
UNED is one of the largest universities in Europe. This cheap university in Madrid is specifically geared towards people who want to take control of their schedule with distance learning. You can learn from anywhere in the world and it has centers in the Americas, Africa, and Europe. This type of learning is attractive to employers as the student must make an effort to discipline for self-teaching. Although this is the main facility of this university, it is also possible to attend using the traditional learning environment.
The fees shown here represent an average if you were to attend the university physically. If distance learning is something that is more enticing, then the fees would differ.
5. Polytechnic University of Madrid
The Polytechnic University of Madrid is a merging of different technical schools of Engineering and Architecture. With over 50 bachelor’s degree programs, it is the top technical school in Spain. When considering an education in engineering, this would be the first place to seek information. It is a very popular university for international students with over 1000 currently enrolled.
The tuition fees remain around the same mark as previous public universities in this list. This institution has kept its international tuition fees as low as possible. It doesn’t cost much more to attend than a Spanish national.
6. Universidad Europea de Madrid
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €5,880-€20,760 /year(Undergraduate) | €3,090-€58,820/year(Postgraduate)
Universidad Europea de Madrid is another private university that can provide top-class education. Its main areas of study are Society, Sport, Education, Health, and renewable energy. It is well prepared for its international students with 80 bilingual degree programs on offer. Generally speaking, when a university offers a course in a different language it is English. This university offers courses in English, French, and Italian. This may be one of the reasons that 24% of its student population is international.
Again, private universities carry a heavy price tag here, but the quality of education received here is more than worth the money. International students will need to contact the university personally to find out their specific tuition fees, depending on their course of choice.
7. Saint Louis University Madrid Campus
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €12,800 (Undergraduate) | €930/credit (Graduate)
Saint Louis is an American university in Madrid. This cheap university in Madrid can offer an Americanised learning experience in Spain but with all of the Spanish culture. Because of this, it is a popular choice among American students. The university sits only minutes from the city center, allowing students to be immersed in the Madrid way of life. It is not only Americans that receive their education here. There are students from more than 65 countries, making it an extremely rich and diverse culture that young people can thrive in.
Because of the Americanised nature and connections of this university, it also carries a different price tag than the usual public universities. It is much more expensive than others on this list. However, it is also a perfect choice for students wanting to combine American and Spanish lifestyles.
Madrid is a stunning and cultural environment that attracts students from all over the world. Being able to learn in a Mediterranean climate and take advantage of the cheap cost of living is something that could make the university a much easier and more fulfilling experience. Madrid is the third-largest city in Europe and, therefore, has countless business and employment opportunities.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Madrid was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Study in Spain and Available Programs for International Students pages.
