The Kingdom of Spain is known for its long history and international influence. Its languages, religion, customs, and social practices reflect centuries of Roman, Islamic, Christian, and modern European influences. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe by area, and it has a rich cultural and institutional presence locally, regionally, and internationally.
People who are less familiar with Spanish politics and academia may first associate Spain with cuisine, lifestyle, arts, architecture, and landscapes. Yet there is more to Spain than its cultural appeal. The best educational institutions in Spain are robust and systematic.
Spain’s higher education system includes official university master’s degrees and university-specific master’s degrees, with requirements varying by institution and program. Official university master’s degrees in Spain typically carry 60, 90, or 120 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits and last one or two academic years. The presence of foreign students also helps universities build international networks and contributes to wider academic and economic exchange.
With this in mind, applying to continue your master’s studies in Spain might be on your list. So how can you do it? Below, we discuss the basic application requirements, language requirements, and steps on how to apply.
Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
Studying for a master’s program requires more than just a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the university and the program you choose, different documents may be required. However, some requirements are common among many universities and programs. These common items can be considered the basic requirements.
The basic application requirements to study master’s programs in Spanish universities commonly include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, official academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, proof of language proficiency when required, a passport or national ID, and any program-specific documents such as a statement of purpose, reference letter, portfolio, entrance test, or evidence of professional experience. Documents issued outside Spain may need to be legalized or apostilled and officially translated. A student visa is not usually an application document for admission; it is normally arranged after admission and is generally required for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who will study in Spain for more than 90 days.
Most universities assess foreign qualifications during admission. If your degree was issued outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the university may verify that the qualification corresponds to an educational level equivalent to an official Spanish university degree and that it allows access to master’s-level studies in the country where it was issued. Admission to a master’s program does not necessarily mean that your previous qualification is officially recognized in Spain for other purposes, such as regulated professions.
Additional items that are not specific to Spain may also be required, such as a reference letter, motivation letter, portfolio, work-experience evidence, entrance interview, or proof of Catalan language proficiency.
Language proficiency certificates, diplomas, or any other acceptable proof will be discussed in the next section.
Program-specific requirements also exist, so make sure to check the programs you are applying for. For example, some business-related master’s programs may request GMAT or GRE scores, but this is not universal. EU Business School – Barcelona lists a satisfactory GMAT or GRE score as one of several ways to meet an additional admission criterion for its Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, while TBS Education – Barcelona lists GMAT, GRE, or CAT scores as recommended but not mandatory for the English track of its Master in Management.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Master’s Studies
Language requirements in Spain are important because master’s programs may be taught in English, Spanish, Catalan, or a combination of these languages. Catalan is not Spanish; it is a separate language and should be treated as such. Some programs taught in Catalonia may require or recommend Catalan, or students may need it to follow part of the curriculum.
Because many master’s programs are open to international students, English-language proof is common for English-taught programs, but it is not required by every university or every master’s degree. Commonly accepted certificates include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, Cambridge English: Advanced, PTE Academic in some programs, or official proof that previous university studies were taught in English.
For Spanish proficiency, a B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is common for Spanish-taught programs, but the exact level varies by program. Some programs require B1, C1, or C2 instead. For example, the University of Barcelona lists different language requirements by program, while the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) states that non-Spanish speakers must generally certify at least B1 Spanish for master’s degrees, with B2 Spanish required for selected programs. Always check the official page of the master’s program you plan to apply to.
To certify Spanish proficiency, applicants may take the Instituto Cervantes Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), which are aligned with CEFR levels A1 to C2. Information about this can be found on the Instituto Cervantes website.
Other certificates may also be accepted. For example, the Complutense University of Madrid states that it prefers SIELE as proof of Spanish proficiency and also accepts certificates issued by Instituto Cervantes and other recognized sources.
It must be noted that there may be Catalan-language requirements for Catalan-taught or Catalan-centered programs. These requirements usually follow CEFR levels, but the required level varies by program.
The Catalan Interuniversity Commission for Language Training and Certification (CIFALC) coordinates official Catalan-language certification through Catalan universities, with exams available from A1 to C2. Catalan universities and language services, including the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the International University of Catalonia, offer or recognize language certification routes. Applicants should confirm whether their specific master’s program requires Catalan.
Some universities and programs in Catalonia require Catalan, Spanish, or both; others do not. Therefore, do not assume that every Spanish- or Catalan-taught master’s degree requires a B2 Catalan certificate. Always check the program’s official admission page.
For Catalan and Spanish proficiency certificates, requirements may be waived if the applicant is a native speaker or has completed previous studies in the language of instruction, but waivers depend on the university and program.
Master’s Degree Application Process
Now that you know the requirements for applying to a master’s program, the next step is understanding where and how to use the documents you have prepared.
Step 1. Gather Necessary Documents for the Application
The basic requirements should be your priority, as these items will be requested by most universities if you intend to apply to more than one institution. Program-specific requirements and language requirements should also be prepared when necessary.
Step 2. Apply Online; Pay the Application Fee if Necessary
Studying for a master’s degree in Spain is open to international applicants. Therefore, most applications for master’s programs are available online. If an application or pre-enrollment fee is required, pay it before the deadline. Fees vary: a public university pre-enrollment fee may be around €30, while private universities and business schools may charge higher application fees. Always check the official fee page of the program.
Step 3. Wait for the Response from the University
Applying for a master’s program is not instant and does not guarantee admission. The university will assess your documents and, if necessary, conduct entrance examinations or interviews to review your eligibility for postgraduate study in Spain.
Step 4. Prepare Visa and Passport Once Admitted
Once admitted, you can begin preparing for travel to Spain. A valid passport is required for international travel. A student visa is generally required for non-EU/EEA/Swiss students who will stay in Spain for more than 90 days. Study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa, although a short-stay Schengen visa may be required depending on nationality. EU/EEA/Swiss students do not need a student visa, but they may need to complete local registration requirements after arrival.
We hope this article on the application process and requirements to study for a master’s degree in Spain was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
