Hello again! The post we bring today is for you to grab a notebook, pen and calculator, because we are going to summarize how much it costs to live in Spain for a student like you. We will try to make it as intuitive as possible, and to do so, we have decided to divide the article into different sections. Are you ready? Let's go there!
Cost of university studies
As we've mentioned in previous posts, Spain has a large number of universities . Not all of them offer the same prices, obviously, and you'll need to keep in mind that public universities are cheaper than private ones.
Once we've established this, the next point to consider is the price difference between the Autonomous Communities (see the post " Spanish University Prices" ). University degrees have the same value throughout Spain, so before deciding on your destination, it might be worthwhile to look at the prices that best suit your budget.
For this reason, we have decided to look for the price per credit of each Autonomous Community. And you may wonder, what is this price per credit? Well, it is the result of averaging the cost per credit of the different levels of experimentality, within the degrees.
Experimentation is usually divided into 3 or 4 levels, depending on the Autonomous Community. Each level belongs to a branch of knowledge. The first level is usually for those majors in Sciences or Health Sciences. The second level refers to technical careers, which would include, among them, all engineering. The third and fourth level includes degrees in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Thus, for example, we chose the Complutense University of Madrid. We take a subject from each level of experimentality.
Level 1: Biology (26,14 euros per credit)
Level 2: Criminology (24,55 euros per credit)
Level 3: Business Administration and Management (21,30 euros per credit)
Adding the 3 amounts, and dividing by 3, we get the price per credit, which in this case would be set at 24,02 euros per credit.
| SPANISH AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES | PRICE PER CREDIT |
| Region of Madrid | 24,02 Euros |
| Catalonia | 23,46 Euros |
| Foral Community of Navarra | 19,18 Euros |
| La Rioja | 19,07 Euros |
| Aragon | 17,97 Euros |
| Castilla y Leon | 17,69 Euros |
| the Basque Country | 16,96 Euros |
| Valencian Community | 16,9 Euros |
| Balearics | 16,13 Euros |
| Castilla la Mancha | 15,8 Euros |
| Murcia | 15,58 Euros |
| Estremadura | 14,73 Euros |
| Cantabria | 12,89 Euros |
| Andalucía | 12,62 Euros |
| Principality of Asturias | 12,21 Euros |
| Galicia | 11,89 Euros |
| Canary Islands | 11,71 Euros |
* A academic year usually has, on average, about 60 credits. That is, the annual cost in the Canary Islands would be 702 euros, while in Madrid it would be 1141 euros (secretarial expenses not included).
With the data in hand, it can be seen that the Community of Madrid, Catalonia, the Foral Community of Navarra and La Rioja are the communities where tuition for the same degree would be most expensive, on the contrary, in the Canary Islands, Galicia, Asturias and Andalusia we would find the most economical studies.
*For the avoidance of doubt, Ceuta and Melilla are attached to the University of Granada, so the price per credit is that corresponding to Andalusia.
It should be noted that all these prices refer to first registrations, that is, to the first time a specific subject is taken. It is very important for you, and for your wallet (or that of your parents, grandparents, etc...), to know that there are up to 4 levels of enrollment, the fourth being the last and most expensive.
Every time a subject is failed, the enrollment level rises. Sometimes, the price of a subject for fourth registration is 6 times more than for the first registration. In short, apply!
Within the enrollment levels, it is very important to keep in mind that you must be a resident in Spain to be eligible to enroll in subjects such as first enrollment. Non-resident people will always have to pay for each subject as if it were fourth registration. Real madness! From here we advise you to consult with the University you want to go to, to ensure that there is no distinction between foreign students, with or without residence.
But be careful, we also bring you good news, and that is that, in June 2020, the resolution was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) with the agreement of the General Conference of University Policy. The objective of the document is to break with the large price difference between the different territories of Spain. The document specifies the maximum limits for public fee prices in the country's universities.
Thus, the cost to access degree studies has as a reference the 2011-2012 academic year, where the average price per credit was 16,05 euros. The maximum price of degree fees has been set at 18,46 euros per credit. Therefore, the Community of Madrid, Catalonia, the Foral Community of Navarra and La Rioja will have to adjust their fees and reduce them, although they are allowed to do so starting in the 2022-2023 academic year.
With all this information, and as a summary, we have made calculations and the averages for careers in Spain would be around 1100 – 1200 euros per year. We never tire of reminding you that this figure is the current average, and that it can go down or up, depending on the Autonomous Communities and of course the degree you choose.
To the tuition fees we must also add school insurance and secretarial services (secretarial fees and opening of academic records). The calculations made tell us that these expenses would be around 35 – 39 euros.
In this post , which we wrote some time ago, we left you several options for applying for scholarships.
Cost of housing and accommodation
Of course we can't forget about housing! We are concerned that you sleep and rest correctly. As we said a little above, it will be essential so that you can take the subjects in the most economical way possible, that is, passing them course by course.
Spain has many cities that offer a magnificent educational offer, and that year after year are filled with students from all corners of the world. We are going to review the prices of accommodation in the main university destinations, and for this we have used 'Numbeo', a page specialized in prices and values of various kinds.
Madrid
The capital of Spain has quite expensive accommodation compared to other destinations. In 2019 (without pandemic) and 2020 (with pandemic) it was the most visited city if we add national and international tourism, overtaking a Barcelona that has always been top. Its status as a large city, and the role it takes as the epicenter of the country, is in line with the prices.
The rent for a room in Madrid is around 402 euros on average per month. Normally this figure increases depending on which areas are chosen. In the center it will always be worth more than in the outskirts, as happens in all the examples that we will give later.
If your idea is to have greater privacy and tranquility, you should know that the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around 890 euros per month, in the city center, and 664 if it is on the outskirts.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 402 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 890 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 664 Euros |
Barcelona
Currently, Barcelona is the most expensive in terms of rent and this is explained, in part, by being the favorite destination, year after year, for foreign tourists visiting Spain. In Barcelona, the price to rent a room, on average, rises to 443 euros. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around 897 euros, and 714 euros if it is on the outskirts.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 443 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 897 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 714 Euros |
Valencia
The city of Turia is a very common destination for students. Its Mediterranean climate and the offer of sun, beach and good gastronomy are usually very recurring when deciding on a city that, increasingly, receives the merit it deserves.
Renting a room in Valencia can cost, on average, 300 euros per month. The rent for an apartment in the city center would be 738 euros, and in the outskirts it would be 516 euros.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 300 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 738 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 516 Euros |
Seville
This is a student classic. Seville is always among the best cities to live in Spain, without needing much more as an argument than its beauty.
Renting a room in Seville, like in Valencia, is around 300 euros per month. The rent for an apartment in the city center would stabilize at 658 euros, while if the choice is on the outskirts it would drop to 488 euros.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 300 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 658 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 488 Euros |
Granada
For many Spaniards (and foreigners) it is the most beautiful city in Spain, and one of the greatest world jewels, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in part thanks to that majesty that bears the name The Alhambra. Granada is considered one of the most fun cities for university students.
The rent for a room in the Nasrid city is 245 euros per month. If you decide on a one-bedroom apartment it could cost you 520 euros, in the city center. On the outskirts the price would drop to 363 euros.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 245 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 520 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 363 Euros |
Salamanca
If we said before that Granada was considered one of the most fun Spanish cities for university students, Salamanca is the most fun city! The entertainment offer, and life in the city of Salamanca, is governed for the most part according to the needs of the students. It is a purely university city. Did you know that the oldest university in Spain is located there?
Renting a room can cost you 235 euros per month. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center would be around 450 euros, which would drop to 305 euros if it is on the outskirts.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 235 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 450 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 305 Euros |
Santiago de Compostela
A very recurring destination also for those university students who dream of the Camino de Santiago, and the legends that surround this beautiful Galician city. Its university life is highly recognized throughout the world, and its university campus is one of the nine Campuses of Excellence named by the Ministry of Education.
The rent for a room in Santiago de Compostela would be approximately 200 euros. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs 432 euros per month, and on the outskirts it costs 324 euros.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 200 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 432 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 324 Euros |
Spain average
If your destination is any other, it may be helpful, as a guide, that the average price of renting a room in Spain is 315 euros per month, while a one-bedroom apartment in the city center , is 650 euros, and on the outskirts of 498 euros.
| ACCOMMODATION RENTAL | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| 1 room in shared apartment | 315 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (city center) | 650 Euros |
| 1 bedroom apartment (on the outskirts of the city) | 498 Euros |
Leisure cost and others
The last point we wanted to determine is what we call daily life, that is, food, clothing, transportation and of course leisure! Not everything is going to be studying.
These topics are very subjective. For example, in food we cannot guess what you usually like to buy, if you are vegetarian, vegan, etc... More of the same in clothing, perhaps you are more into jeans, polo and shirt, or you are content with being comfortable in a tracksuit, all of this will have an impact on the disbursement. And… oh at leisure! Beers, mojitos or daikiri? cinema, theater, museum or football?
For all these reasons, we have investigated various portals in different cities and currently, for some time now, students in Spain usually spend, on average, around 200 euros per month on food, 100 euros on leisure, about 25 euros per month in clothes and 20 – 30 euros in transport.
| ASPECTS | AVERAGE MONTH PRICE |
| Food | 200 Euros |
| Clothing | 25 Euros |
| Leisure | 100 Euros |
| Transport | 20 - 30 euros |
Here are some tips to try to save as much as possible:
Food
The cheapest thing will be if you buy in Supermarkets. In Spain there are a variety of options, so you will have no problems creating a shopping basket to your liking.
As a tip, on the day you can't cook, most bars offer a menu of the day that is around 10/15 euros and that includes first and second courses, bread, dessert and drink. In addition, it is also interesting that you check the menus of the cafeterias of the faculties of your university, they are usually super cheap!
Clothing
As we said above, this section is very subjective, each person is different, and personal tastes are sometimes expensive. In the city centers there are usually stores that, on many occasions, have interesting offers taking advantage of the movement of people. Furthermore, on the outskirts of the cities there are the famous 'Outlets', which are department stores where out-of-season clothing is accumulated, you can often find real bargains!
There are also apps like 'Vinted' or ' Wallapop ', which you probably already know, where you can find second-hand or new clothes (and many other things) at very attractive prices, and which are very popular in Spain.
Leisure
Some aspects are very interesting here, such as, for example, getting your university student card, because you can have discounts on many things (theater, exhibitions, cinema...). In addition, it is also recommended that you go to a bank to open an account, and consult the opportunities of each of them. We say this because there are times when, with the youth debit card, you can enjoy discounts at cinemas, especially.
Transport
In all cities there is the option of getting a monthly pass for public transport, which is much cheaper than using single tickets, and even more so when you are going to have to travel to the university every day. In Madrid, for example, if you are under 26 years old you can enjoy a monthly bonus of 20 euros. So from here we absolutely recommend this option.
The bicycle rental service has also become normalized in many Spanish cities, and is increasingly used by university students, as it is super cheap transportation.
And that's all for today's post! You can learn more about how to study for free (or almost) in Spain in our post.
We hope it helps you. Go for it!
