It's no wonder that many international students dream of studying architecture in Spain. Spain is known for its rich architectural history, encompassing everything from Roman monuments to modern skyscrapers.
If you're one of these people, this article will provide you with all the necessary information, including the requirements for taking the Specific Competency Tests (PCE), which will allow you to access any university degree in Spain if you're a foreigner. Let's get started!
How to study Architecture in Spain if you are a foreigner
First, these are the steps you need to follow to be able to study Architecture in Spain :
- Finish the high School.
- If you have a non-Spanish bachelor's degree, you will have to apostille and homologate your high school.
- Know which university you are going to study at. Each university has different requirements, so it is necessary to identify them to prepare the precise and necessary materials.
- Do the registration for PCE UNEDasiss exams.
- Present the PCE UNEDasiss Selectivity tests and get a high grade. They are usually between the months of May and June, depending on the date marked by the call.
- Complete university pre-registration at the chosen university/s. It is usually in the month of June/July.
- Receive notification of acceptance and pay university fees. This is done in the month of July, and can be done electronically.
- Start the Architecture degree in September.
Where to study Architecture in Spain?
In Spain there are more than 30 universities that offer a degree in Architecture. Regarding which is the best, there are various rankings where some universities with the best scores in some characteristics are indicated, such as dropout rate, faculty, campus, etc. From Escuela PCE We want to give you some Tips so you can choose the best one for you:
- Choose the city well where you are going to live and look for the nearest university. This is important since sometimes the most important thing is not the university, but what surrounds it (family, university costs, leisure, friends...)
- Choose between private and public universities. If you want to know the differences, you can see our post to learn about the advantages and disadvantages between the two options.
- If your place of residence has several universities to choose from, choose according to the ranking of universities. However, you should know that the degree issued by a public university has the same value, regardless of which university you obtained it from.
What is the best university to study Architecture in Spain?
In the previous section, we suggested that rankings shouldn't be the primary factor in choosing your final university. However, some associations and organizations conduct studies to compile lists of universities that perform best in certain areas. These could be the 5 best universities to become an architect:
- Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM): With a long history in the training of architects, it is one of the most recognized institutions in this field.
- Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC): Located in Barcelona, it offers several undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture.
- Sevilla University: With a focus on heritage conservation and urban design.
- Universidad de Valencia: Offers comprehensive and practical training in different architectural disciplines.
- University of Navarra: Recognized for its prestige and the quality of its academic training.
What is the cut-off mark for universities that offer Architecture?
The cut-off score establishes the indicative score needed to gain admission to a university program. It changes every year, as it refers to the score of the last student admitted to that degree program at that university. Therefore, it only serves to give us an estimated score.
In 2025, the cut-off scores for Architecture degrees are set between 9,245 and 11,471 points, corresponding to the most prestigious universities. As you can see, the cut-off score for admission to this degree is high, and there is a significant difference between universities.
If your approved high school diploma has a low grade, it is possible, depending on the university, that it is not mathematically possible to achieve the necessary score. Unfortunately, this means that for many high school graduates the door to becoming architects is closed to them long before they take the Selectividad. For this reason, it is very important to know in advance if we can achieve the objective with our pre-university studies. To do this, Escuela PCE explains in the post about «How to calculate the access grade» This process, which as you will see, depends on the university. In some, the high school "provides" more final grade than in others.
- Spanish regions where it is most important to have a good high school diploma: Andalusia, Catalonia, Navarra...
- Spanish regions where it is less important to have a good high school diploma: Madrid, Valencia, Murcia and Castilla – León.
How much money does it cost to study Architecture in Spain?
The cost of studying Architecture at a Spanish university depends on the tuition fees set by the institution. As you know, there are public and private universities . Public universities are more affordable, but you'll need a very high entrance score, meaning your high school diploma must be excellent and your university entrance exams (Selectividad) almost perfect. Private universities, on the other hand, offer direct admission to Architecture programs, without a cut-off score, but with high annual tuition fees. For example, the annual cost at a public university might be around €2.000, while at private universities it ranges from €9.000 to €12.000. As you can see, the price varies considerably, depending on the specific private university you choose.
How much money does an Architect earn in Spain?
An architect's salary in Spain varies widely depending on factors such as experience, location, and specialization. Here's an overview:
- Average salary: The average annual salary of an architect in Spain is approximately €29.700 gross, which is equivalent to about €1.610 net per month.
- Salary range: Architects with less experience can expect a starting salary of around €15.300 gross per year, with intermediate experience (4-9 years), salaries typically range between €22.000 and €35.000 per year, and lastly, senior architects, with more With 10 years of experience, they can earn between €30.000 and €50.000 annually, or even more in some cases.
- Factors affecting salary:
– Experience and specialization: Architects specialized in high-demand areas, such as sustainability or the use of advanced technologies such as BIM, usually have higher salaries.
– Geographic location: Large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona usually offer higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and the greater demand for professionals.
– Size and prestige of the studio or company: Working in large companies or prestigious architecture studios can also increase your salary.
In summary, an architect in Spain can expect a salary that varies widely depending on their experience, location and specialization, with a general range between €15.300 and €50.000 annually.
5 things you should know before becoming an architect:
You may not know it, but here we list some things you should know before choosing this profession:
- Passion and skills in design. You must have a strong passion for design, creativity and attention to detail, as well as drawing skills and knowledge of mathematics and physics.
- Workload and duration. The race is intense and requires great dedication. Its typical duration is 5 years, including a final project, and requires good time and stress management.
- Job prospects. Investigate job opportunities and possible professional opportunities. Architecture offers various options, but it is a competitive market influenced by the economic situation.
- Costs and financing. Consider the costs of tuition, materials, software, and possible field trips. Explore scholarship and financial aid options to finance your studies.
- Location and professional networks. The choice of university and its location is crucial. Studying in a city with rich architectural heritage can offer inspiration and valuable professional networks.
Taking these factors into account will help you make an informed decision about studying architecture and set you up for success in this career.
After everything we've told you, do you want to study Architecture in Spain as a foreigner? If so, and you'd like professional help, contact us.
