Spain has become an attractive study destination for many international students. It is rich in history and culture, offers excellent food, and has many public universities with comparatively affordable tuition.
Additionally, Spanish universities have a long record of providing education to local and international students. With this, you can expect to receive a high-quality education in your chosen field.
Spain can also be a good place to live, although costs vary by city. Madrid and Barcelona are usually more expensive than smaller cities, while public university tuition is generally much lower than private university tuition. This article will look at some of the most affordable public universities in Spain for international students.
Affordable Schools in Spain for International Students
1. Universidad de Granada
The University of Granada, or UGR, is one of Spain’s oldest universities. Established in 1531 by Emperor Charles V, it has campuses in Granada and in the Spanish cities of Melilla and Ceuta in North Africa. With annual first-time undergraduate tuition of about €758 and 60-ECTS master’s tuition from about €821, the Universidad de Granada is one of the lowest-cost options in this list.
UGR has many schools, faculties, and departments across its campuses and offers programs in fields such as engineering, architecture, information technology, fine arts, science, sports science, economics and business, education, political science, health sciences, labor studies, communications, law, pharmacy, philosophy, medicine, dentistry, psychology, social work, and translation.
UGR has more than 57,000 students. Its international community is also significant, with international students representing about 11% of undergraduate students and about 30% of postgraduate students.
2. Universidad de Alicante
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from about €767/year (undergraduate) | from about €767 to €2,120/year (graduate, depending on the program)
The University of Alicante, or UA, was founded in 1979. This affordable university in Spain traces its roots to the historic University of Orihuela.
Located in San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante, UA is one of Spain’s well-known public universities. Through its departments and schools, students may study areas such as law, social sciences, experimental sciences, education, humanities, health sciences, and technology.
Most courses are taught in Spanish, though some programs and courses are offered in English. Tuition varies by academic program, degree level, and residence status, so students should check the current public price table and the page for their preferred program before applying.
3. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
The Autonomous University of Barcelona, or UAB, is a prestigious school in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona. Founded in 1968, it remains one of Spain’s strongest public universities. Rankings vary by publisher: UAB is listed as the second Spanish university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and the third Spanish university in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
UAB offers programs in science, health sciences, biosciences, arts and humanities, social sciences and law, and technological sciences. It also lists several bachelor’s degrees taught in English, including Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Business Administration, Contemporary History, Politics and Economics, Economics, several English combined-studies degrees, English Studies, and Tourism.
There are also master’s programs and individual subjects that may be taught in English. Because language options can change by year and program, students should check the current UAB program catalog before applying.
4. Universitat Rovira Virgili
The University of Rovira Virgili, or URV, is a public Catalan university founded in 1991. It is named after Antoni Rovira i Virgili, a Catalan journalist, writer, politician, and former president of the Parliament of Catalonia in exile.
URV organizes its academic programs through faculties, schools, and affiliated centers in locations such as Tarragona, Reus, Vila-seca, Tortosa, El Vendrell, Vilafranca del Penedès, and Barcelona.
Campus Catalunya houses the Faculties of Arts, Legal Sciences, and Nursing, while Campus Sescelades houses areas such as educational sciences and psychology, chemistry, oenology, engineering, and chemical engineering. In Reus, Campus Bellissens includes the Faculty of Economics and Business, the School of Architecture, and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The Faculty of Tourism and Geography is located at the Vila-seca campus.
5. Universidad de Alcala
The University of Alcalá, whose historic Paraninfo hosts ceremonies for the Cervantes Prize, is one of Spain’s oldest university traditions. A Studium Generale existed in Alcalá from 1293, and the University of Alcalá was founded in 1499 by Cardinal Cisneros.
The university is currently located in Alcalá de Henares and has three main campuses: the Historic Campus, the Science and Technology Campus, and the Guadalajara Campus.
The former Studium Generale presently offers degrees in areas such as arts and humanities, health sciences, education, architecture and engineering, law and social sciences, and science.
It also offers selected English-taught or bilingual graduate options. One current English-taught example is the Master in Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Industry and Communications, a 60-ECTS program taught in English.
6. Universidad Carlos III Madrid
The Carlos III University of Madrid, or UC3M, is a public institution founded in 1989. This affordable university in Spain has four campuses in the Community of Madrid: Getafe, Leganés, Colmenarejo, and Madrid-Puerta de Toledo.
UC3M offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs through its schools and graduate programs. Tuition for master’s students varies widely by program, student status, and official fee rules, so applicants should check the tuition page for their chosen degree.
UC3M is internationally ranked: QS lists it at #=314 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while Times Higher Education places it in the 801–1000 band in the World University Rankings 2026. THE’s 2026 profile reports 18,403 students, with international students making up 18% of the student body.
7. Universidad Complutense Madrid
- Bachelor’s Tuition Fees | Graduate Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: varies by degree and residency status (undergraduate) | from €2,701.20/year for standard first-registration official master’s tuition; many non-resident non-EU master’s students pay about €5,044.20/year
The Complutense University of Madrid is one of Spain’s major public universities. Its roots are connected to the historic University of Alcalá: the university was promoted to university status in 1499 under Cardinal Cisneros and was moved from Alcalá to Madrid by royal order in 1836, later becoming known as the Central University of Madrid before adopting its current Complutense name.
Complutense students study across a broad range of faculties and fields, including fine arts, biology, chemical sciences, commerce and tourism, computer science and engineering, dentistry, economics and business, education, geography and history, geology, language, law, library science, mathematics, media and communication, medicine, nursing and physiotherapy, optometry, pharmacy, philosophy, political and social sciences, psychology, social work, statistics, and veterinary medicine.
FAQs: Studying in Spain
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Spain?
The basic requirements for studying in Spain vary by university, program, degree level, and nationality. For undergraduate admission, international applicants usually need recognized secondary-school qualifications that allow university access in Spain, along with academic transcripts and proof of language proficiency when required by the program.
For graduate admission, students usually need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, academic transcripts, an application form, and any program-specific documents requested by the university. Some universities may require documents to be legalized, translated, or officially recognized.
Other academic, student visa, and language requirements may vary depending on your chosen university, program, nationality, and degree. As an incoming international student, you should collect the exact admission and enrollment requirements from your university and program before applying.
Do Universities in Spain Offer English-taught Programs?
Yes. Several universities in Spain teach in English, either through full English-taught degrees or through selected English-taught courses. For example, UAB lists several bachelor’s degrees taught in English, and UGR lists master’s programs available in English, bilingual, and other formats.
Not all Spanish universities have English-taught programs or courses, so you should first decide which program you want to study and then choose a Spanish university that offers that program in your preferred language of instruction. Language requirements depend on the university and the program.
If you are researching the best and most affordable universities where you could study away from your home country, this article should help you compare some of your options. In Europe, Spain is one of the countries where international students can find a rewarding and relatively affordable educational experience.
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Spain for international students was helpful. To learn more, check out the Study in Spain and Programs in Europe for International Students.
