Is it possible to study in Spain for free?

Studying in Spain is a dream goal for many international students thanks to its rich culture, pleasant climate and the quality of its education. However, one of the biggest obstacles for many is the cost associated with studying abroad. The good news is that there are ways to study in Spain for free or at reduced costs. Is it really possible? Let's explore it!

Free Study Options in Spain

Public secondary and high school centers

In Spain, education is free. This type of teaching takes place in public centers. The costs are covered by the Autonomous Community and the admission process is simple. Expenses not included may be extracurricular activities or dining services. If you want another type of center, there are subsidized and private ones. The concerted service is usually a hybrid between public and private, with reduced costs and better facilities.

To request access to these schools or institutes, it is only necessary to approve the original studies and request the application on the dates indicated (usually in the months of March and April).

college prep

Most students need to prepare for a series of exams to access university. This page is part of an academy, Escuela PCE, which each year allocates a series of scholarships and grants to students who request them. You can see more information at Scholarships Escuela PCE.

Public universities

In Spain, public universities offer study programs with significantly lower tuition fees compared to many other countries. The average price changes every year, since it depends on the Autonomous Community where the university is located and the type of study. You can see here the updated costs of the Spanish university.

Is it really free to study at a public university? Although studying at a public university is not completely free, the scholarships and grants available can significantly reduce costs, making it accessible to many students.

Exchange programs

Exchange programs, such as Erasmus+, offer opportunities to study in Spain without having to pay tuition fees at host universities, as the student pays tuition at their home institution. There are other exchange programs, such as those offered by government agencies or non-profit organizations, that also allow you to study in Spain at reduced costs.

Scholarships to study in Spain

The Spanish government offers several scholarships for international students, such as the MAEC-AECID Scholarship for development cooperation or the Carolina Foundation scholarships, aimed at students from Latin America. On the other hand, if you have already managed to access the Spanish system, the most well-known scholarship is available, the MEC Scholarship.

Many universities in Spain offer scholarships based on academic merit or financial need. These scholarships can partially or fully cover tuition costs.

International organizations, such as the European Union, also offer scholarships to study in Spain, such as the Erasmus Mundus scholarships, which allow students from all over the world to study in various European countries, including Spain.

You may be wondering about the criteria for applying for some of them. Normally, to apply for them, two things are usually required: a good academic record and/or limited financial resources (documentation proving the financial situation will be required). Depending on the scholarship, there may also be specific requirements such as nationality, language proficiency, or belonging to a particular field of study.

We give you a summary of the most important scholarships and their requirements in our post about Scholarships to study in Spain.

Recommendations to reduce expenses

As you can see, it is not easy or simple to study in Spain for free. However, we give you several tips that can help you:

• Request a consultation with Escuela PCE. In this way, in just a few minutes, you can know the steps and possibilities you have to be able to study in Spain, knowing costs and documents. This can save you time and money.
• Have Spanish nationality or residence. It is possible that you will be asked to have any of these requirements in an aid or scholarship. Having them could raise the options. Furthermore, in many universities, students without Spanish residence can pay up to 4 times more than one who does.
• Speak Spanish. Facilitates possible tests and filling out documents.
• Work while studying. It is a possibility that many students do to obtain income that helps alleviate academic expenses.
• If you want to do higher education, do Vocational Training II. Your colleagues can help you with this. M25 Academy.
• Residing in a city other than Madrid or Barcelona. In these regions, accommodation and leisure prices are higher than in other Spanish areas, such as Castilla León, Andalusia, Asturias or Galicia. If you want, you can visit our post about How much money does it cost to live in Spain for a student?.

It may not be possible to have a completely free stay, but it is possible to study in Spain with cheaper or reduced costs. We hope you found it useful.

And if you have any questions, ask us in comments.